If you have a passionate cook or food enthusiast in your life, the options for gift-giving have expanded tremendously. The variety of authentic ingredients and innovative culinary creations available in physical stores and online marketplaces is remarkable, presenting a global range of pantry items. Many of these edible gifts come in beautifully designed packaging, making them even more appealing!
These delightful items, which all fall under the $50 range, are not just great for stuffing stockings but are also perfect for gifting to co-workers, mail carriers, teachers, or young relatives. As someone who enjoys the thrill of finding the ideal edible gift, pairing the perfect treat with its recipient is truly my passion (and yes, gifts of jam also qualify!).
Let’s dive into some delectable gift ideas!
First up, nuts!
Two Chinese American friends have skillfully reimagined traditional childhood flavors into delicious sweet spreads that are perfect for spreading on toast, fruits, or just enjoyed directly with a spoon. Their brand, Rooted Fare, offers tantalizing choices like Crunchy Black Sesame Butter (with inspiration from a Lunar New Year dessert), Pineapple Cake Cashew Butter, and Chinese Almond Cookie Butter, all for $15 per jar.
On the Italian front, Il Colle del Gusto provides unique nut-based spreads such as Coarse Hazelnut and Cocoa, Crunchy Peanut, and Sicilian Pistachio — all enriched with olive oil, ideal for mixing into ice cream or spreading on bread. Each jar costs around $10.
And for sesame enthusiasts, Seed + Mill has an assortment of tahini products, including Chocolate Sesame Sauce and delightful halva in flavors like cardamom and pistachio. Gift sets can be found for under $50.
Now let’s talk crunch!
Chile crunches have become a must-have in kitchens everywhere, and there are several options that make excellent gifts. Fly By Jing offers a diverse selection of Asian-style chile crunches packaged in festive sets for the holiday season, with mini sampler sets priced around $20.
The brand Chile Crunch features various flavors like hot, chipotle, mild, and original, each retailing for about $13. Meanwhile, Somos’ Salsa Macha Mexican Chili Crisps are a flavorful combination of spices, nuts, and seeds that can enhance everything from tacos to avocado toast, as well as sweeten up ice cream for a twist. A gift set featuring two varieties is available for $35, complete with a handy spoon.
Moving on to sauces!
Chef Patricia Quintana has crafted a line of salsas, sauces, dressings, and condiments that celebrate traditional Mexican cuisine. You can surprise a friend with a jar of Achiote sauce or Pineapple Habanero Salsa, priced between $15 and $20 each — and maybe you’ll be invited over for their culinary creations!
You might also want to introduce them to Secret Aardvark sauces, known for their robust Caribbean and Tex-Mex flavors that truly pack a punch. Choices include Drunken Jerk Jamaican Marinade and Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce, available for $10 each, with combo packages starting at $20.
What about something fishy?
Tinned fish has surged in popularity, thanks to its unique flavors and quirky packaging! Fishwife offers ethically sourced fish such as salmon, anchovies, and trout, all beautifully packaged in gift boxes priced under $50. Meanwhile, La Narval’s mussels come elegantly accompanied by their specialty sauce, with each tin priced around $10.
Just a little nibble, please!
The Drinks Bakery specializes in creating savory snacks that are thoughtfully paired with your favorite beverages. Try out Lancashire Cheese and Spring Onion biscuits with a hoppy IPA or serve the Parmesan, Toasted Pine Nut, and Basil biscuits alongside whiskey or champagne, all available in different box sizes.
And what could be better than fine oils and vinegars?
A premium bottle of quality oil or vinegar is truly a delight. Bona Fortuna offers exquisite Sicilian olive oils and their rich, aged balsamic vinegars, like the Invecchiato 7-Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena priced at $44.95, and Forte Extra Virgin Olive Oil ranging from $10.95 to $39.95. Metafora presents beautiful Portuguese olive oil in elegant packaging for $40.
For the gourmet cooks in your life, consider Andalusian sherry vinegars from Alvear, which retail at around $20 each for sweet and dry varieties.
Now, let’s talk luxury!
Tartuflanghe specializes in gourmet products infused with white and black truffles. Elevate your culinary endeavors with truffle-infused butters, available for roughly $10 each, or indulge in luxurious truffle-flavored Tartufissima 19 for $32. For an exquisite touch, black truffle pearls, which resemble caviar, make for a remarkable finishing touch on risottos and other dishes at $40.
And for the sweet tooth, there’s no need to stick with traditional bonbons!
Sanders is famous for its rich chocolate-covered caramels, and this holiday season features limited-edition flavors such as bourbon, maple, or peppermint dark-chocolate caramels at $10 a bag. You might just find their new Holiday Crepe Biscuit Collection from Lady M, containing eight boxes of delicate crepe biscuits filled with flavors like vanilla or chocolate hazelnut, priced at $28.
André’s Confiserie Suisse offers handmade chocolates steeped in rich flavors, crafted through generations of expertise, with offerings like caramel and candied orange peel treats, starting as low as $7.
If you’re feeling adventurous, Chocopologie has unique chocolate bars like Burnt Caramel Hawaiian Sea Salt and S’Mores Bars, each for $10. Bakers will relish the Salted Caramel Crumbles from Kitty Keller, the perfect sprinkle for various desserts, priced at $12.
In conclusion, an extraordinary treat can leave a lasting impression during the holiday season. Remember, those stockings won’t stuff themselves!