December 8-16: Give the Gift of Cooking at 5% Off
So you want that special someone in your life to cook you a nice dinner, but they need a little help? Give them a gift certificate for the Institute of Culinary Education and receive 5% off from December 8-16. Gift certificates can be purchased in any dollar amount over $75. They have a two year limitation and can be used toward the purchase of any cooking, baking or wine class. Call 212-847-0770 or visit 50 West 23rd Street, 12th floor for details. Their customer service desk is open Monday-Friday, 9 AM-9 PM, and on weekends from 10 AM-6 PM.

December 10: Build a Gingerbread House
It's that time of year when you can build your house and eat it too. Join food writer and expert Joanne Lamb Hayes at The Beard House, where she is holding gingerbread house building workshops for kids of all ages. $50 for a member plus one child; $60 for non-members plus with child; and $25 for each additional child. Workshops are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For reservations, call 212-627-2308. The Beard House, 167 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10011.

December 12: Rum Tasting
Flatiron Lounge mixologist Julie Reiner pairs up with Slow Food NYC, CocktailDB.com, and Edward Hamilton, the author of The Complete Guide to Rum for a rum-tastic evening. Learn about the history of rum and taste flights of rum-based cocktails. Call 212-727-7741 for more information or RSVP to cocktails (at) slowfoodnyc.org. Flatiron Lounge, 37 West 19th Street between 5th & 6th Aves. 6:30-8:30 pm. $40, $35 for Slow Food members (and in case you don't know about Slow Food . . . read all about it!).