The final countdown to Christmas is underway and, if you haven’t gotten the foodies on your gift list something, I’m here to help.

How about 12 days in France attending cooking classes and dining at Michelin-starred restaurants? That’s what Blandine Brutel, owner of The French Kitchen, is offering. Having been on her first culinary trip, I can attest it’s the trip of a lifetime for those interested in cooking.

Brutel grew up in Lyon – the gastronomy capital of France (and some would say of the world) – and each day was organized perfectly. There was hands-on training at the Alain Ducasse Cooking School in Paris as well as at the Institute Paul Bocuse in the Viver Castle in Lyon.

During the 12 days of the 2016 trip, attendees will visit markets, drink fine wines, eat delicious meals and marvel at the cooking skills they learn.

Details: Gold option, Paris and Lyon, Sept. 6-19, $8,600 per person; silver option, Lyon only, Sept. 11-19, $5,400; bronze option, Paris only, Sept. 6-11, $3,950 (all are per person based on double occupancy; single-room options are available). Call 694-4016 or visit tfkcc.com.

Want to stay closer to home? Check out Taste & Savor at The Broadmoor. The event, with a series of small-group culinary and beverage demonstrations by noted chefs and winemakers, takes place on five weekends from January to May.

– Jan. 15-16: Pinot Posse, showcasing some of the country’s better pinot noir winemakers alongside chef Mark Musial’s special menu at Summit restaurant.

– Feb. 5-6: Chocolate and Champagne, with renowned Ecole Valrhona pastry chef Derek Poirier demonstrating how to make chocolate confections at home and experts from Champagne Taittinger revealing the perfect combination of bubbles and chocolate.

– March 11-12: A pasta- making seminar by Frank Bonanno is followed by dinner at Ristorante del Lago and then a “Wines of the Region” seminar with Jay Fletcher, of Southern Wine and Spirits, who will introduce distinctive Italian wine pairings to complement each course of the dinner.

– April 15-16: Join Sean Kenyon, award-winning mixologist at Denver’s Williams & Graham, for cocktails, upscale “state fair” cuisine from his new restaurant, The Occidental, and a spirited round of bowling at PLAY.

– May 13-14: Alex Seidel, owner of Fruition and Mercantile Dining and Provision restaurants in Denver, comes to Natural Epicurean restaurant to showcase how locally sourced ingredients enhance his award-winning cuisine.

Details: Packages start at $725 per person and include Friday and Saturday night accommodations, Friday evening reception, Saturday morning and afternoon seminars, Saturday evening dinner and Sunday brunch at the Lake Terrace Dining Room. A dinner-only option is available for $150 per person (plus tax and tip). Call 577-5733 or visit broadmoor.com/moveablefeast.

Another great gift idea is a ticket to the Wine Festival of Colorado Springs. This year’s event March 10-12 will feature “The Best Of” winemakers from the festival’s past 25 years, including:Christian Beyer from Emile Beyer (Alsace, France), Maite Esteves from Vins El Cep (Spain), Cristobal Unduragga from Koyle (Chile), and Ken Wright from Ken Wright Cellars (Oregon).

There’s also an exciting guest chef: Marc Murphy of Food Network’s “Chopped.” The chef-owner of Benchmarc Restaurants and Benchmarc Events by Marc Murphy will prepare the gourmet dinner at the Garden of the Gods Club. The event is a fundraiser for The Colorado Springs Conservatory.

Details: Events range from $40 to $200 and include wine seminars, a grand tasting, lunch at the Mezzanine and a gourmet winemaker dinner and auction. Call 577-4556 or visit colorado springsconservatory.org/winefestival.

Finally, after all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, getting dolled up in January sounds like fun. That’s what you’ll do if you buy a ticket to the Glass Slipper Ball. Details: The event at DoubleTree by Hilton is slated for 7 p.m. Jan. 30.For $110 per person, attendees can sample hors d’oeuvres, desserts and specialty coffees from more than 20 chefs, as well as enjoy music and dancing. The event benefits local and global women’s initiatives. Call 377-4507 or visit glassslipperball.com.