If you’re looking for holiday gifts a food fanatic can taste, try some of these edible ideas this Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa!
I promise this isn’t just a well-disguised attempt to signal to family and friends what I hope they get me this Christmas and Hanukkah. Because I can’t be the only one who likes receiving edible holiday gifts, and I’m guessing you want to slip a chocolate bar into someone’s stocking.
A distant family member used to run one of those touristy custom popcorn shops, and I remember, as a kid, we received a huge tin of popcorn divided into sections with far-out flavors. I don’t remember any of them except that one flavor was bright blue. And to someone who hadn’t hit double digits yet, this transgression was thrilling.
Maybe you can give someone else that same elated feeling with an unexpected edible holiday gift this season!
Here are some of our top picks, divided into a few categories for easy browsing. And if you’re looking for ideas that are more Hanukkah-specific, be sure to read our Hanukkah food gift ideas list!
Condiments
iLeWA Suya Spice: If you’ve never had suya, you’re seriously missing out. This iLéWA Suya Spice is made with peanuts and several other spices and goes great on a variety of foods, including this signature beef suya skewers recipe from the chef behind the blend.
A La Brava Hot Sauce: My all-time favorite hot sauce emerged from a Mexican restaurant and turned into a full-fledged operation. We gave out the Salsa Diabla as a favor to guests at our wedding. (Yes, I’m serious.) It’s sold in several grocery chains throughout the Southeast and is available online.
Spicewalla Holiday 3-Pack Spices: If someone in your life loves to cook or bake, they’ll gladly accept help restocking their spice cabinet. And if they are comfortable improvising in the kitchen (rather than dogmatically following recipes), they’ll be even more excited about the array of interesting options from this leading spice company.
Snacks
Aunt Ruby’s Peanuts: A tin of chocolate-covered peanuts is a pretty perfect holiday snack, and the grandma-esque face on the packaging just makes it seem all the more appropriate. This boutique-yet-unprecious nut company from small-town North Carolina has several different choices that are shelf-stable and enjoyable, so don’t hold back. (The company sent me free samples for editorial consideration, and we demolished them with help from my dad, who had to order some of his own.)
Tajín-Flavored Beef Jerky: Ever gotten beef jerky in your stocking before? It’s a great feeling, let me tell you. The best was when my wife brought home some bison jerky from a work trip to Wisconsin. But the newly released Tajín-flavored beef jerky is a close second. It will definitely turn your fingers a little orange, but I promise it’s worth it. (The company sent me a free sample for editorial consideration, but I genuinely loved it and will happily spend my own money on it.)
Drinks
San Pellegrino Blood Orange: Buy someone their favorite drink. That could be something they always love having on hand — for me, it’s San Pellegrino Blood Orange (I had one an hour ago). It could also be something they only splurge on occasionally or that they’re nostalgic for, like a hometown specialty they can’t get easily since moving away. It’s really the thought that counts here.
Slingshot Espresso: Know a coffee lover? As someone who doesn’t partake, I feel like the only one. If you know someone who relies on that jolt of caffeine to function, these canned espresso drinks (which include a triple shot option!) should do the trick.
An Unexpected Liquor or Cocktail Ingredient: If you know someone who dabbles in mixology or who just appreciates saving money by shaking up their own cocktails at home, grabbing them something off our liquor, liqueur, and home bar gift guide will definitely make their eyes get big.
Desserts
Andia’s Ice Cream: Since I sang Andia’s praises earlier this year, they scooped up (pun intended) a gallon full of national ice cream awards. This mighty little brand has all the quality of your more well-known favorites and tons of intriguing flavors to fit any palate.
“Not Fried Chicken” Ice Cream: Have you seen these floating around? I’ve yet to try one, but I find the ice-cream-that-looks-like-fried-chicken trend to be pretty alluring. So yes, this is a shameless plug to buy me some, but chances are the food fanatic in your life feels the same way. It’s just the right sort of gimmicky gift that’s appreciated around the holidays.
Petee’s Pie Company: Easily the best pie shop I’ve ever been to and home of some of my all-time favorites like chocolate chess pie, Petee’s is one of the elites of the New York City dessert world. Yes, I prefer it to Milk Bar. I’d even put it up against the Southern pies I can find here in the South. And they ship directly to your door!
Spring & Mulberry Chocolate: The difference between giving someone a chocolate bar for Christmas and regifting your leftover Halloween candy (which I may do) is quality. If you give me a handful of small, individually wrapped candy bars, I’m going to look at you sideways. Hand me a large artisan bar from Spring & Mulberry with a ribbon tied around it, and I’ll think you’re a god among men!
Jeni’s Splendid Holiday Collection: Pistachio Macaron, Iced Molasses Gingerbread, Lemon Crinkle, and my two favorites — Boozy Eggnog and White Chocolate Peppermint! Those are the five ice cream flavors you’ll receive if you order Jeni’s Holiday Collection. Some are new, while others are old favorites. (Jeni’s sent me a sample box for editorial consideration, but my fandom predates the package’s arrival.)
And, of course, you could always make some edible holiday gifts of your own! Here are three ideas: sugar cookies, salted nut rolls, or guava thumbprint cookies.
Related Gift Ideas
Here are some other great options to consider: