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There’s good reason that some of the most popular gifts during the holidays are made to be eaten. Gourmet chocolates, decadent baked goods, an elevated bottle of olive oil — a truly great treat isn’t something the average person buys for themself on the daily.
Let’s face it. With everything else people have to pay for, that $15 bar of chocolate or indulgent tin of cookies is often the first thing to get nixed from the shopping list.
And this is exactly what makes the goodies below the perfect gifts. They’re high-quality, crafted from premium ingredients, and your typical person isn’t splurging on these items regularly (even though they deeply want to).
Even though food and beverages are fleeting gifts, it’s truly the thought that counts. These gifts say, “Hey, take a load off and eat this decadent treat. You deserve it.” Plus, things that are delicious tend to really wedge themselves in neural pathways, which means that your gift recipients could remember the thoughtful gift of grub years after the last crumb was gobbled up.
The brands we picked for this guide are some of the best you can get in their respective categories, and they all offer modern, fast self-service gifting experiences through their standard checkout or through dedicated gifting storefronts. In a nutshell: Buying these gifts is going to be the easiest thing you do all season.
Cookies & Baked Goods Gifts
Few foods put people more in the holiday mood than cookies. Sugar cookies, chocolate chip, soft and chewy, thin and crispy — no matter how your lucky recipients like ‘em best, there’s a cookie on this list that’s guaranteed to hit the spot (including a bunch of pies, cakes, and other baked treasures).
Milk Bar
Levain Bakery
Caroline’s Cakes
Insomnia Cookies
David’s Cookies
Grove Cookie Company
Porto’s Bakery
Baked by Melissa
Last Crumb
Greyston Bakery
Southern Baked Pie Co.
Tate’s Bake Shop
Chocolate Gifts
Since the dawn of time, chocolate has been a luxury. The chocolatiers below have mastered their craft and are known for making premium bars, bonbons, truffles, and beyond that are perfect for gifting (and for buying a few for yourself).
Lindt
Ghirardelli
Dandelion Chocolate
Russell Stover
NC Chocolatier
Kate Weiser Chocolate
Vosges Haut-chocolat
Bissinger’s
Violet Flame
Wildwood Chocolate
Cocoa Dolce
Hampton Chocolate Factory
Xocolatl
Venchi
Wine Gifts
Wine is a fitting gift for pretty much any occasion. Whether you’re sending bottles of rosé to family members scattered across the country or you’re looking to share some gratitude with loyal clients, these brands fit the bill. (Most even offer equally elegant options for those on your list who don’t imbibe, so be sure to shop around!)
Clif Family Winery
Bricoleur Vineyards
Scout & Cellar
Fish & Meat Gifts
Is anyone as passionate about food as a die-hard carnivore? Countless hours dedicated to the craft of grilling, searing, smoking, and basting all to get that perfect bite. It’s an appreciation unlike any other that can be met from any primo meat co. on the list below.
Snake River Farms
Good Ranchers
Porter Road
KC Cattle Company
Amana Meat Shop
MeatWorks
Farmer Grade
ButcherBox
Fishwife
Heritage Foods
Olive Oil Gifts
Foodies on your gift list? Give ‘em what they really want — the finest olive oils and vinegars from any side of the Mississippi. Each brand puts their own twist on the process, and many offer gorgeously curated gift boxes in premium packaging.
Brightland
Queen Creek Olive Mill
Graza
Ice Cream Gifts
Ice cream in winter? Absolutely. For ice cream lovers, every season is the best season for ice cream, especially super premium, high-butter fat, creamy, dense pints of one-of-a-kind flavors. For ice cream connoisseurs in your life, there’s simply no topping a gift like this.
Cold Case Ice Cream
Graeter’s Ice Cream
Popcorn Gifts
Popcorn is a universally loved snack — especially from the couple of brands we picked for this guide. These companies cook up popcorn that runs the gamut from “OG flavors perfected over generations” to “innovative must-tries for the adventurous snacker.” Whichever you choose to gift, rest assured you’re making the right choice.
Garrett Popcorn
Poppy Hand-crafted Popcorn
Coffee Gifts
Coffee is an outright ritual for many people. The perfect cup of java is worth the wait for them, and nothing beats that first slow sip in the morning. Gift a bag of choice beans or a ready-to-pour box of top-tier cold brew and watch your recipients’ eyes light right up.
Wandering Bear
Partners Coffee
Peanut Gifts
What makes a peanut the best peanut? For these brands, the best peanuts are made with the superior nuts, top-notch coatings, a sprinkle of salt, and roasted to perfection. Whether your crew craves OG salted peanuts or a couple tins of craveable chocolate-covered treats, these brands have your gift list covered.
Belmont Peanuts
Hubs Peanut Company
Popular Food Gifts
Cheese, bagels, pretzels, sweets, and more — these brands are innovating the food arena with snacks, sides, and more that are perfection on their own (or doubly perfect when arranged on any charcuterie board). Dig in and see what hits the gifting spot.
Jasper Hill Farm
American Spoon
Cherry Republic
The Fruit Company
Big Spoon Roasters
River Street Sweets
Momofuku
Eastern Standard Provisions
New Yorker Bagels
