Save on wrapping paper this year

I like to think of Thanksgiving as the last speed bump before Christmas. So much to do in so little time – but there are ways to multitask and still not look like the Grinch on Dec. 25.

A noted mental health professional defines multitasking as “doing several things at once, none of them well.” That may be true, but when it comes to gift-giving, you can actually do several things at once – and do all of them well. How about supporting our still-struggling restaurants by giving gift cards to friends and family? Everyone eats, so they will not gather dust for very long, and goodness knows they’re easier to wrap than a holiday-themed BMW.

Eateries here in our Cape Region are among the best for everything from super-casual-through-a-window all the way to white tablecloth. Escape the same-old-same-old this year with gift cards – and if you run a little late, you can always say it’s a New Year’s Day present. Either way, it’s still the gift that keeps on giving – at least until you use it. And many of our local restaurateurs offer gift cards online, so you can do all your Christmas shopping in your bunny slippers.

Speaking of Christmas spirits, that lucky foodie in your life will love the custom-made Manhattan at Theo’s Steaks, Sides & Spirits – not to mention the Stinky Cheeseburger and those Tempura Green Beans. A few steps toward the sand is the always-reliable Café Azafran. Tell your giftee to hold onto that card until Chef Richard presents another of his freshly made-before-your-eyes Paella Feasts. This exclusively Rehoboth event always sells out! A short drive north, Lewes Oyster House has already garnered a number of awards after having been open for just a couple of years.

Adventurous foodies will treasure a gift card from Aroma Restaurant. My pick hits include the Piyaz Salad and the Aroma Sampler. Don’t know what that stuff is? Then start hinting now. Across the street, your chosen one can use his or her gift card to check out JAM Bistro's new location in the historic Chez la Mer building. Out on the Highway, the Desch brothers at 302 The Local are dishin’ up wallet-friendly speakeasy fare at their tiny but tasty spot behind Iron Hill Brewery. Wait ‘til you see what they’ve done with the place!

Customer loyalty to 1776 Steakhouse in Midway has kept the lights on for almost 35 years. One of my happy places is the friendly bar. A gift card can make that experience even friendlier. La Vida Hospitality’s Crooked Hammock Brewery has created quite a buzz with its long list of holiday activities. Gift your loved one a special moment when the snow machines are turned on.

If your significant foodie loves barbecue, a Bethany Blues gift card can easily morph into a tasty trifecta of pulled pork, beef brisket and pulled chicken sliders. If you find yourself in Dewey Beach, slip into Woody’s Dewey Beach Bar & Grill. Jimmy O’Conor’s crab cakes are among the best around, but don’t miss out on the burger, the French Dip and the fried green beans. Craving to-go? Easy! Jimmy now has a separate location right across the street for takeout fans.

Those of the not-quite-so-carnivorous persuasion will treasure a gift card from SEED on the Highway near Route 24. And meat-eaters are welcome too; Dmitry Gorin and crew have enough chicken, beef and shrimp to top any of their colorful dishes.

Raas Asian/Indian Fusion restaurant, Cabanas Salvadorean spot, Indigo in Rehoboth, Semra’s near the Boardwalk, Secret Sauce Thai Kitchen (where Minh’s Bistro used to be), Mariachi by the water on Wilmington and Sawanya Conway’s Sticky Rice in Lewes continue to be among our flagship ethnic joints.

Just around the corner in Lewes, Thierry Langer’s new branding of Kaisy’s has created a huge following in both Lewes and Millsboro. Also in Lewes at Second & Savannah, Touch of Italy’s one-of-a-kind Italian cookies, cannoli cakes and eclairs can turn stocking stuffers into people stuffers, and a gift card grants them savings when Chicken Parm Night comes around.

We have lots of new kids in town, including 302 Social in the old Cooter Brown’s space, Crushers at the corner of Lake and the Avenue, Midway Cafe, Abbott’s at Paynter’s Mill near Milton, Palm Beach Bar & Grill in Midway ... the list goes on and on. They can all use a little love in the next month or so.

These aren’t the only eateries that offer holiday gift cards, but I’m only allowed so much real estate on this page. The Cape Region has a lot to offer, and ‘tiz the season to do your part. Your favorite foodies (and your restaurant-owning friends and neighbors) will love it. See? Maybe multitasking isn’t so bad after all.