Christmas is just a week away, and I'll bet most of us still have gifts to buy for friends, relatives, neighbors and coworkers. Giving food gifts is a good option - after all, everyone loves to eat. I like to give Utah-made food gifts. It supports Utah's economy, and it shows that you've put some thought into your selection. Most manufacturers of giveable Utah specialty foods have ready-made gift packs, or you could create your own. For example, you could put one of the following combinations in a pretty basket or gift bag:

• Artisan bread from a local bakery like Vosen's Bread Paradise, plus some Miller's honey and a few oranges
• Coffee from Beans & Brews, plus some pecan brittle from Western Nut Company
• Rico Brand chips and salsa, plus a bottle of A & W Root Beer
• Fernwood chocolate mint sandwiches and a Fernwood pecan log
• A wedge of Beehive Cheese Company's SeaHive cheese, plus hearty crackers and some Utah apples

I'm making myself hungry just thinking of the possibilities. What are your favorite Utah-made foods for gift giving? Leave your comment below.

Image courtesy of Beehive Cheese Co.

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Having recently written about Orrin Hatch's new Hanukkah song, I couldn't resist passing along this hilarious video clip from "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien." Conan's sidekick Max Weinberg, "The Tonight Show's only Jew," has written "A Song for the Mormons!" as a Christmas thank-you for Hatch's Hanukkah gift.

Unlike the creators of Comedy Central's "South Park," who when they parodied Mormons showed that they knew quite a bit about the church's history and doctrine, Conan and crew freely admit that they know almost nothing about Mormonism or Mormons.

Photo by Getty Images

Learn about Mormonism from About.com's guide to the LDS Church, Rachel Bruner

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Attending Christmas Eve Mass at midnight in Salt Lake's beautiful Cathedral of the Madeline has become a beloved tradition for many Utah families. This season, in addition to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, the Cathedral Choir will present carol services Dec. 18, 21 and 22. Christmas events at the cathedral are popular, so it's advisable to get seating passes in advance by calling 801-994-4663 or 801-328-8941, or by visiting cathedral offices in person.

Here's the schedule of musical Christmas services at the Cathedral of the Madeline:

• Friday, Dec. 18 and Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 12:15 p.m. - "A Ceremony of Carols" by Benjamin Britten
• Monday, Dec. 21 and Tuesday, Dec. 22 at  8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 24 at 4 p.m. - "Christmas Carol Services: Music of Morales, Sweelinck and Grier"
• Thursday, Dec. 24 -  Midnight Mass with the Cathedral Choir and Orchestra
• Friday, Dec. 25 - 10 a.m. Mass with the Cathedral Treble Choir,  Noon Mass with the Cathedral Choir and Orchestra, 3 p.m. Mass in Spanish with the Cathedral Spanish Choir, 5 p.m. Vespers and Benediction with the Cathedral Choir

Photo courtesy of the Cathedral of the Madeline

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Salt Lakers are curious about "EVE," a new three-day celebration being launched this year by The Downtown Alliance. EVE will take place Dec. 29, 30 and 31 and will replace the 16-year Salt Lake New Year's Eve tradition of First Night.

"EVE will be a colossal indoor/outdoor urban extravaganza, with snow on the ground, fire in the sky, music in the air and a party in the streets," said Jeffrey Berke, EVE's artistic director and creator.

EVE will include fine art performances, live music, dance parties, sports competitions, DJs, film screenings, laser shows, art installations, activities for kids and pet lovers, interactive resolutions, story telling and a midnight fireworks show on Dec. 31. Dozens of events will be held each day from noon to midnight at venues throughout downtown SLC including Gallivan Plaza, The Gateway, Temple Square, Pierpont Avenue, the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, the Broadway Cinema, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and the Off Broadway Theater.