11 Weeks of Wonder #7- Holiday Gift Guide for Food Lovers

Do you have a mile-long list of people to shop for this holiday season? Are there any food lovers on that list? I bet there are, I mean who doesn’t love food?! If you’ve been stumped on what to buy for those special foodie friends of yours, then look no further! In this week’s edition of 11 Weeks of Wonder, I’m showcasing 20 of the best holiday gift ideas for food lovers. These items are all hand picked and guaranteed to please even the most persnickety of palates. Whether you’re shopping for your boss, your neighbor, a special friend, or a holiday party hostess, this gift guide will have you covered. I know my boss would love to find one of these gifts under her tree this Christmas (that’d be me, by the way…. I’m my own “boss” these days haha)! I believe in shopping local and supporting small businesses, which is reflected in this holiday gift guide. All of these items are sourced from within 100 miles of the Chesapeake Bay, with most of them being produced right here in Maryland. But don’t worry- these gift ideas are sure to be a hit with any of your foodie friends whether they’re from Baltimore or Birmingham, Annapolis or Anchorage.

So without further ado, I present to you my top 20 Holiday Gift Ideas for Food Lovers!

1. Holiday Wine Totes – Skipper Bags (Easton, MD)

Don’t come to the holiday party empty handed! If you’re planning to bring a nice bottle of wine to please the hostess-with-the-mostess, why not dress it up for the festive occasion? Skipper Bags located in Easton, MD has the perfect holiday wine tote to add a little pop of nautical fun to your wine gift.

2. Hand Etched Seahorse Wine Glasses – A Little Blue Fish (Maryland)

Well, if you’re planning to bring wine to the party, you should probably have something to pour it in right?! These hand etched stemless wine glasses are made in Maryland and would be perfect for any time of the year. This seahorse design is my favorite, but there are a variety of nautical inspired options to choose from.

3. 2012 Waterman – Great Frogs Winery (Annapolis, MD)
You’ve got the wine tote and the wine glasses covered… now don’t forget the wine! Maryland has many fantastic vineyards, including Great Frogs right here in Annapolis. This delicious bottle of red boasts “aromas of cherry-vanilla tart, bourbon barrel, and walnut nougat with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy cranberry, watermelon, oak spice, and earth accented finish”. Wowsers! This 2012 vintage would be a hit with any wine connoisseur, but you’d better pick up an extra bottle (you know, because it’s always a good idea to taste test something before you give it as a gift

4. Crabs Anyone? Rick Rack Cloth Napkin – JennyJen42 (Maryland)

Cute and creative, these handmade cloth napkins would make the perfect holiday gift for any food lover. This print is a fun nod to Maryland’s love for ‘all things crab’. These napkins come in a set of two, and are available in a variety of other designs.

5. Cocoa Coffee Mint Bath Bomb – Eco Bathhouse (Virginia)

Let your foodie friend pamper themselves with this Cocoa Coffee Mint Bath Bomb. Each bath bomb is handmade in Virginia using only non-GMO, fair trade, vegan, and organic ingredients- qualities every food lover can appreciate! Who says deliciousness has to stay in the kitchen? This Cocoa Coffee Mint Bath Bomb would make anyone smile, but Eco Bathhouse offers other scents including vanilla bean, sea kelp, and lavender.

6. Marinated Asiago Spread – Taste Artisanal Market (West Chester, PA)

I had the pleasure of sampling this delicious asiago spread last summer at the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival. This is unlike anything else I’ve ever tasted, and it was oh so good! The saltiness of the cheese is perfectly balanced with a hint of heat and the richness of the oil. Any cheese lover would be ecstatic to receive a jar (or three) of this tasty spread!

7. The Holiday Collection – Flying Dog Brewery (Frederick, MD)

New this season, the Holiday Collection features four craft beers that are meant to be paired with a different cookie from Baltimore’s iconic Otterbein’s Bakery. The four beers include Imperial Hefeweizen, Oatmeal Raisin Stout. Roasted Peanut Brown Ale, and Hazelnut Scotch-Style Ale. Hmm… cookies and beer?! I bet even Santa would appreciate this tasty pairing!

8. Ginger Cookies – Otterbein’s Bakery (Baltimore, MD)

Speaking of cookies… In business since 1881, Otterbein’s has earned their status as a Baltimore icon. These Ginger Cookies are made with natural ingredients and contain no fillers, no artificial flavors, and no preservatives. Now that’s something to feel joyful about this holiday season! A pack of Otterbein’s famous Ginger Cookies would make the perfect gift when paired with the Holiday Collection from Flying Dog. Cheers!

9. Apple Pie Scented Candle in a Vintage Sugar Bowl – Blue Hen Candle Company (Maryland)

Give your foodie friends a gift they can enjoy all year long with this Apple Pie Scented Candle, made right here in Maryland. Each candle is hand poured into a vintage piece using soy wax and a braided wick. The result is a delicious smelling and one of a kind candle! This apple pie scent would be perfect for a holiday gift, but the Blue Hen Candle Company offers other scents including melon, cinnamon, and even gingerbread and maple syrup.

 

10. Crabby Caramel Popcorn – Popsations (Timonium, MD)

Anyone on your gift list would love this delicious gourmet popcorn from Popsations! With flavors such as caramel, dark chocolate caramel, white cheddar, and white chocolate peppermint, there’s something for every palate. If you’re shopping for the adventurous foodie (especially if they’re from Maryland) be sure to check out Popsation’s Crabby Caramel Popcorn! Light and buttery caramel popcorn with just a hint of Old Bay- the perfect balance of salty and sweet.

11. Bushel of Crabs – Chesapeake Chocolates (Stevensville, MD)

Speaking of crabs, who wouldn’t love a bushel basket of Maryland’s finest this Christmas? Since crabs aren’t in season right now (and because they would be a challenge to wrap), these chocolate crabs from Chesapeake Chocolates will do the trick! Made with the finest milk, dark and white chocolate, these crabs are a sweet indulgence. Made in historic Stevensville, MD these crustacean confections are a favorite with Eastern Shore locals.

12. Hand Printed Flour Sack Tea Towel – FuzzyMug (Baltimore, MD)

This handmade towel will bring cheer to your kitchen all year long. As functional as it is cute, this towel would make the perfect little hostess gift this holiday season. Though the teal crab is my favorite design, FuzzyMug offers many other (and equally adorable) prints including bunnies, squirrels, roosters, and dogs.

13. BBQ Sauce Trio – Baltimore Barbecue Company (Baltimore, MD)

If there are any BBQ lovers on your holiday shopping list, than this delicious sauce from Baltimore Barbecue Company is a must! With three flavors to choose from- Original, Chesapeake Style, and Black Raven- there’s something to satisfy every BBQ craving. The Black Raven, created in collaboration with Baltimore Coffee & Tea’s “Black Raven Blend”, is a smoky and rich sauce that’d be a huge hit with any BBQ fan.

14. Pear Tree Christmas Ornaments- Picky Chicky (Maryland)

“…and a partridge in a pear tree!” These adorable hand stitched ornaments are a fun and festive way to decorate this holiday season. Any food lover on your shopping list would adore these high quality felt ornaments, made right here in Maryland.

15. “Sail the Chesapeake” Gift Basket – Blue Crab Bay Company (Melfa, VA)

This is the ultimate Chesapeake Bay inspired gift for food lovers! Packed full of tasty and one-of-a-kind offerings, this gift basket has a boatload (pun intended) of savory treats. Included in each basket is their signature Sting Ray Bloody Mary mix, a crab dip kit with serving bowl, a can of Sandbaggers Sea Salted Peanuts, and many other delicious surprises!

16. Cinnamon Honey Lollipops – Waxing Kara (Maryland)

If you’re looking for a sophisticated treat for someone special this holiday season, these Cinnamon Honey Lollipops are just the thing! Handmade using real local honey, these lollipops are the perfect little bite of sweet elegance. I had the pleasure of meeting Kara and sampling her line of honey lollipops at an event last summer, and after one taste I was smitten! These cinnamon flavored lollipops would be perfect for the holidays, but be sure to check out the other tasty honey products offered by Waxing Kara.

17. “Maryland Blend” Coffee – Rise Up Coffee (Easton, MD)

This special Maryland Blend from Rise Up Coffee in Easton, MD would surely bring a smile to the java lovers on your holiday list! Brewed on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Rise Up Coffee has quickly become a favorite with the locals- and it’s no wonder, their coffee is fantastic! The Maryland Blend is an organic brew that offers a clean and sweet taste, perfect to sip on Christmas morning.

18. Recipe Journal – My Hideaway (Virginia)

Every foodie knows that writing down those special recipes is a must! This handmade recipe journal would be a thoughtful holiday gift for any aspiring home cook. The cover features a unique hand drawn design, and the inside offers lined pages- perfect for jotting down kitchen notes and recipes.

19. Sea Salt Caramel Gift Bag – Mouth Party Caramels (Baltimore, MD)

The name says it all- these sweet little caramels are literally a party in your mouth! These divine confections are made right here in Maryland, and offer flavors such as chocolate, original, and even one dubbed OMG (caramel dipped in chocolate and dusted with fleur de sel)! A bag of these tied with a festive little bow would make the perfect holiday gift for your foodie friends.

20. Sloop Betty Honey Vodka – Blackwater Distilling (Stevensville, MD)

If you really want to get the party started this holiday season, bring along a bottle of Sloop Betty Honey Vodka. Your hostess will surely shake up some delicious holiday libations with this lightly sweet vodka. Made right here in Maryland, Sloop Betty Vodka has quickly grown a loyal following of locals. This honey version of the original Sloop Betty would make for the perfect holiday gift for any of your cocktail craving friends.