Holy Christmas cookies… it’s already that time of year again. Yep, that time of year when you’re forced to pay expedited shipping for last minute gifts, are frantically googling old recipes for your favorite casseroles, and wincing at the thought of making New Year’s resolutions regarding anything except adding another glass to your wine-o Wednesdays routine.
Although Christmas tends to be one of the most joyous times of the year, it also comes with its fair share of undesirable tasks. Fortunately, we’re here to help make one to-do of your holiday routine – gift buying – a little less time-consuming and painful. We’ve compiled a list of some of our top gift ideas for the food and drink lovers of your gift giving circle this year – or even better, yourself – and hope you enjoy!
Christmas Gift Guide for Food & Drink Lovers
Hawaii Chocolate: 7 Bar Sampler
Handmade at Manoa Chocolate on Oahu and Kauai, this small batch, artisanal Hawaii chocolate set makes a great gift for the sweet tooth in the family. Chocolate samples include Dark Milk and Single Origin Dark Chocolate from Hilo, Hawaiian Sea Salt, a Breakfast Bar with cacao nibs and Hawaiian coffee, Cacao with Hawaiian honey, and two varieties of Single Estate from Ecuador. Craft s’mores, anyone?!
Chocolate Set Photo Courtesy of Hawaii Made.
Stanley Classic Vacuum Growler
If it’s been a while since you upgraded your beer drinking game, it’s time to step it up with the 64 oz. Stanley Classic Vacuum Growler. Designed with double wall vacuum insulation, this beauty of a growler is also BPA-free, leak proof, dishwasher safe, and will keep your favorite craft beers cold and fresh for up to 24 hours. We love taking this to the beach on windy days, on camping excursions, potluck dinners and everything in between.
Growler Photos Courtesy of Stanley.
Whiskey Tasting Collection
For those who like their Christmas coffee on the Irish side, we highly recommend the 12 set Whiskey Tasting Collection. Packed in a classy case with 12 glass tubes of premium whiskey, this tasting kit also includes a booklet with illustrations and descriptions of each of the whiskey varietals, including delicious options like a 15 year old single malt Glenfiddich, 12 years matured Bowmore, and plenty of others that’ll tickle the tastebuds of any whiskey-lover.
Whiskey Box Photo Courtesy of Tasting Collection.
Adoboloco Premium Hot Sauce Pack
From its humble beginnings as a home school gardening project on Maui, Adoboloco has grown to be one of Hawaii’s top craft condiment makers. Partnering with local farms to source fresh ingredients for their range of hot sauces, we love their commitment to local, natural recipes and unique flavor combos. Grab one of their Premium Hot Sauce Packs and choose any 3 hot sauces you’d like – Jalapeno (Mild), Pineapple (Medium), Hawaiian (Hot), Kolohekid (Hot), Hamajang (Very Hot), Maui No Ka Oi (Extremely Hot) – to put on your salads, sandwiches, tacos, pizza, saimin, and whatever else suits your fancy.
Photo Courtesy of Adoboloco.
Deluxe Grill & Barbeque Gift Box
True food lovers know you can never have too many spices, especially when it comes time to fire up the grill. Give your favorite barbecue fanatic the gift of flavor with this 10 jar box of premium spices, including best sellers like the Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, Trinidad Style Lemon Garlic Marinade, Cajun Style Blackening Seasoning, Bronzeville Rib Rub, King Creole Seasoning, West Indies Barbecue Seasoning, Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper Butcher’s Rub, Quebec Beef Spice, Milwaukee Iron Seasoning and Pilsen Latino Seasoning.
Spice Set Photos Courtesy of The Spice House.
Local Items & Experiences
We always love supporting our local craft makers and ohana, so please consider shopping locally this holiday season, especially if you’re lucky enough to be spending the holidays on Maui!
Surfing Goat Dairy’s Aloha, Paradise & Luxury Shark Bite Cheese Lines are creamy and delicious, and pair well with a bottle from MauiWine’s range of Estate Wines. Caffeine enthusiasts will appreciate the locally-grown and harvested Maui coffee varieties from Mill House Roasting Co., while your wild Auntie might like a bottle of Mahina Hawaiian Rum or Ocean Vodka.
And if you’re still in doubt, why not give the gift of experience by booking them on one of our Maui Craft Tours or purchasing a gift card for later use!
Mahalo for reading our suggestions for the best food & drink gifts this Christmas season! Have an item you’d like to add? Let us know and we’d love to give it a try. Until then, we hope you enjoy your holidays here on Maui or afar, and we’ll be wishing you a Mele Kalikimaka soon enough.
