Per several reader requests, a couple of ideas on edible gifts this year. I want to kick off this list with Scars and Stripes, a coffee purveyor run by veterans of the US military to which a Magpie reader just introduced me a few days ago (thank you, April!). Kismet — as today is Veteran’s Day. You can read more about the company’s novel approach to supporting veterans here.
And a few other ideas, too…
JENI’S ICE CREAM (WE BUY THIS ALMOST EVERY YEAR FOR MY DAD)
AFELTRA PASTA (YOU HAVEN’T LIVED UNTIL YOU’VE TASTED TRULY GOOD DRIED PASTA)
TRUFFLE HONEY (…YES)
ANSON MILLS FOR OUTRAGEOUS GRITS, GRAINS, AND OATMEALS (ALSO HEAR GOOD THINGS ABOUT GEECHIE BOY GRITS)
EITHER OF THE OYSTER PURVEYORS I SHARED AT THE TOP OF THIS POST
PALACIO CHORIZO (LOVE TOASTING THIS UP IN A SKILLET FOR HAPPY HOUR — PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER)
TORRES FANCY CHIPS (THE TRUFFLE…!)
MOMOFUKU CHILI CRUNCH (ANOTHER GOOD STOCKING STUFFER)
LUXARDO CHERRIES (FOR COCKTAILS — MR. MAGPIE LOVES — BUT I AM ALSO EYEING THESE GORGEOUS CHERRIES, WHICH COME IN THE MOST GORGEOUS JAR)
LOOSE TEA FROM ADJOURN TEA HOUSE
THE BEST BABKA I’VE EVER TASTED (I USED TO LEAVE DOWN THE BLOCK FROM BREADS BAKERY)
Any of these would be delightful on their own, or bundled with some of my favorite kitchen items here or cookbooks here.
If you’re looking to give something like this away to a bunch of people — say, all of your neighbors, the delivery people, etc, could be cute to buy a six-pack of Bonne Maman jams (truly scrumptious) and a set of these laguiole spreaders and then wrap up each jam jar in cellophane with a velvet bow, tuck the spreader inside the bow, and add a pretty gift tag on top!
P.S. A note to the new mom feeding her baby at 3:11 in the morning and a note to the mom weaning her baby and feeling horribly alone. Big hugs.
P.P.S. Holiday jammies for little ones. HA just launched this cute holly print and I immediately added to cart. And I’m dead over this mistletoe print for a newborn!
P.P.P.S. You deserve a fun coat.
I am salivating now thinking of those babkas.
I am very intrigued by Afeltra pasta, as you have mentioned it a few times… I have really been liking the brand Rummo (also extracted from bronze dies), which I can easily find at Whole Foods. I once accidentally went a minute or so past the “al dente” cooking time when boiling angel hair and it surprisingly didn’t turn to mush (which seems to more likely happen to angel hair). But I’m definitely adding Afeltra to my list!
Truffle honey… mmm so good on a cheese plate. Relatedly, have you tried “hot honey”? Sur La Table carries hot honey by the brand Bee’s Knees. I haven’t tried it, but thinking to pick it up to try as I like anything with a kick!
I have tried hot honey — it is OUTRAGEOUS on fried chicken in particular. YUM.
Please do try Afeltra! You can buy in smaller quantities at Eataly if you want to try one or two shapes. We are obsessed. We’ve also tried a few other bronze cut pasta brands and feel Afeltra is head and shoulders ahead of the rest!!
xx
Thank you!! So many delicious ideas! Wondering if you (or any readers) know of a source for jamon iberico, the delicious Spanish ham that is unbeatable, in my opinion 🙂
I wish I did — will be eager to hear if anyone else does!
xx
I figured it was a long shot request but you never know! Though Wegman’s in the Philly area has some (in limited quantities for the holidays I think) to anyone there 🙂 [where we are temporarily living.] Also, thanks for sharing the post on weaning! I am weaning now and it is…. a lot.
Joyce! Hang in there! I was totally bowled over by the intensity both times. Thinking of you, friend. This is the tough stuff.
xx
Oh how great are these? Amazing options I will DEFINITELY be using!! Thank you so much!
I’d like to give you and your Magpies a shout out to these AMAZING scones! Yes, they are SO good. I’ve never had Irish scones here in the states that I liked until I was sent a tin of these. They are great! I keep them in the freezer and slowing and sparingly use them.
https://www.highlandgourmet.com/#the-perfect-gift
Enjoy!!!
Ooooh I love scones! Will definitely check these out!
Yes, thank you so much for the suggestion, Cynthia! Landon visited Ireland a few years ago and has not stopped raving about the scones since. “They’re like something entirely different there – you can’t find them here!” Good idea as an add-on gift for him…!
xx
My son is based out of Ireland and loved these!
!!! Woohoo! Can’t wait to try!
Aww, thank you Cynthia! We’re flattered!
Can’t wait to try myself! xx
The Fabbri amarena cherries are my husbands fav for all his fancy cocktails. I’ve accumulated so many jars that I use them for cute floral arrangements! Too nice to recycle. You’ll want to eat them right out of the jar! I guess they are my version of the ultimate ginger jar!
I love that!! Would also be chic as a way to hold pens/markers/pencils or makeup brushes! Thanks for the tip 🙂
xx
Oh I love Virginia peanuts! Have you heard of the brand Hubs? Their sweet heat peanuts are so good!
Random question, do you have an affiliate link to Dermstore? I’m going to be placing an order and I’d prefer to use one of your links so you’ll get credit for it. 🙂
I had not heard of that brand! Thank you!
And, so generous of you to think of me when placing your Dermstore order. Some of my favorite products from Dermstore are here:
https://magpiebyjenshoop.com/sale-snack-dermstores-anniversary-event/
xx
I was so excited to see this! Not only for the shout-out to Scars and Stripes coffee (so good, and I’ve written to the vet I’ve been supporting through my purchases a few times – it has been so nice to know I am actually impacting someone in this way) but also for these great ideas! My SIL is an amazing cook, so I like to gift her anything that supports this skill of hers (that I benefit from on holidays, and truly lack myself!). xoxo
Yay! Thanks again for the introduction. What a beautiful concept!
xx
Love all these ideas! Love giving food gifts as they’re often things you won’t splurge on for yourself. I often get the Fabbri amarena cherries, along with a bottle of something alcoholic, as a small housewarming gift when I’m staying with friends (when can we do that again?!)
What a chic (and delicious!) hostess gift. Going to steal that one from you! Glad you liked the roundup 🙂
xx