Last night I was reading the blog for the James Beard Foundation — a New York-based national professional nonprofit that serves to promote the culinary arts — and read its predictions for 2012.

Here’s what it suspects will be trending next year:

• Locavorism, redefined: We’re talking recipe revival, with foragers and historians retrieving recipes from the past.

• Donuts, donuts, donuts: Apparently, donut-related content online is up, indicating our fascination with these sugary wonders. In fact, malasadas made its list.

• Thai revival: This cuisine — one of my favorites — is expected to make a big comeback.

• Nordic menus: I have no idea what Nordic cuisine is — ingredients include sea buckthorn, wood sorrel, bark flour — but restaurants may start featuring it.

• Caneles are the new cupcakes: Yes, cupcakes are on the way out, according to the blog. In fact, macaroons made a quick appearance and are now replaced by these treats from Bordeaux. Caneles are made from an egg-yolk-enriched crêpe-like batter that’s baked in copper molds lined with caramel and beeswax.

• Eat-in kitchen: You’ll be pulling up a chair next to the stove.

• Blood: Blame it on “Twilight.” The next step in the snout-to-tail movement might just be the blood. Blood pancakes, blood cups, sauces thickened with blood.

• Smaller portion sizes: Mega meals are so 2011. Fine-dining portions are continuing to get smaller and tapas might become the new entree.

Got any thoughts on this?

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#TodaysGift

Discovery Kids Cardboard House

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Days left: 6

Discovery Kids Cardboard House

Price: $19.95 at Bed Bath and Beyond

The gist: You've all seen it: a kid opens a pricey Christmas gift and plays with the cardboard box instead. Well, here's a solution: get a cardboard box! Bed Bath and Beyond sells a cardboard house that kids can play in — and destroy — for just $19.95. It's got windows, doors, a mailbox and chimney — and they can draw all over it. It's even roomy enough for sleepovers.

Best for: Any kid, really!