I'm also one of the soup-eaters, now, and a stiff hot toddy will cure anything for a couple hours. However, when I was young my mother would bring me jello and seven-up as the comfort foods, that's still got the best memories.
my worst food gift was a really nice belgian waffle maker given to me by my father one Christmas, when I was 13 because -he- really liked belgian waffles... but then many of my best food gifts have been from him too, like my Alessi stainless steel salad bowl set-so beautiful.
in my herb garden I also have a small bay tree-- the fresh bay leaves have a quite different aroma from dried. I like to add them as flavor for creme brulee.