Presents for a celiac

You know what your favorite celiac wants for Christmas/ Hannukah? I'll give you a hint. It is not a strange fake hamster (or a strange live hamster, for that matter).  And while world peace would be great, lets be honest, it's probably not happening for a while.  So. Simple answer: gluten-free food at your holiday party.

The season of parties is upon us and it can be intensely frustrating for a celiac to attend these soirees.  Inevitably, amid the small talk and drinking, the fact that someone is not eating gets attention.  Your celiac will probably tell you that it's no big deal, they prefer to bring their own food.  Not true! What they would prefer is to eat with everyone else.  An equality of food, if you will.  The problem that's inherent in the system (anyone?) is that even if you make a gluten-free option, the likelihood that it will be contaminated is kind of high.  Even people who are moderately aware of the effects of gluten tend to be less than careful about cross-contamination; "aren't you being just a bit too picky?" "can't you eat just a little?"  "it won't hurt you."  Add alcohol to the mix and there's almost zero chance that the gluten-free food will stay gluten-free if it's universally available.  Therefore, the safe celiac will not partake even if there is a gluten-free option. 

So.  The more complex answer to what your celiac wants for the holidays: universal awareness of celiac disease and its restrictions.