Flavors of the month

Go hog wild
The brilliant masterminds behind the Grateful Palate of-the-month-club are capitalizing on a secret many of us have known for years: Everything’s better with bacon. Your gift recipient will be as happy as a pig in slop when he or she receives the membership kit, which comes complete with a Bacon-of-the-Month-Club certificate, a miniature plastic pig, a pig pen and a squealy rubber nose. But the main event, of course, is the bacon itself. Each month, two packages of specialty bacon will arrive in the mail–ideally, just in time for breakfast. Foodies will love the accompanying tasting notes. Everyone else can just add syrup and enjoy. $140/year, one package per month; $215/year, two packages per month. gratefulpalate.com.

Pie it, they’ll like it
The creator of the Pie of the Month Club stumbled onto something while taking advantage of the Harold Washington Library’s air conditioning during a long, hot summer. She passed the time by sending friends postcards decorated with a touch of history, art and a pie recipe. Eventually, the cards became so popular, she had to enlist the help of guest artists to keep the cards fresh. But you don’t have to be a friend of Sue Anne’s to get on the distribution list for these folksy pieces of pie art and eclectic recipes. Send Aunt Sally a gift Pie of the Month subscription and chances are she’ll be making Pickle Pie or Sauerkraut Pie for next year’s holiday feast. But look on the bright side, if she shares the recipe with you, it’ll be suitable for framing. $25/year, includes monthly recipe card and welcome package. pieofthemonth.org.

Man’s best friend? Prove it.
Show your pooch you mean business with 12 months of gourmet treats from Kool Dog Kafe. Using wholesome ingredients dogs love (peanut butter, cinnamon and carob and yogurt coatings), the kafe cooks up treats that look like burgers and fries, donuts, cupcakes, cannoli and–if you insist–bones. Our dogs weren’t quite sure to make of the brightly colored Christmas ornament treats, but devoured them when they realized we were going to take a bite if they didn’t act fast. 12 months, $19.99/month for 12-months; 6 months, $21.99/month. kooldogkafe.com.

When you care enough to have someone else send the best
Remember those awesome care packages Mom used to send you at camp and college? Loaded with love and basic necessities, the boxes were a monthly reminder that no one can take the place of mom. ’Til now. Beyond Bookmarks does Mom one better by doing the hard part for you. Care packages come tailor-made for the time of the year (the Brain and Grain pack arrives during finals week). Best of all, you look super thoughtful without having to lift a finger. 3 months, $164.97; 6 months, $311.97; 9 months, $431.73, or installments of $47.97/month. beyondbookmarks.com.

The gift that takes the cake
The cupcake craze has nutritionists screaming STOP!, but don’t let that stop you from sharing tiny cakes, topped with mounds of sugary frosting, with the people you love. The sugar coma comes once a month courtesy of local favorite Angel Food Bakery. A dozen cupcakes will be delivered each month. Choose between traditional vanilla and chocolate cupcakes with brightly colored icings, or the specialty flavor package, featuring monthly surprises such as malted milk, pumpkin, coconut and Mexican “hot” chocolate cupcakes. Traditional, $288 for 12 months; specialty, $360 for 12 months. 3- and 6-month packages available. angelfoodltd.com