Never show up to a party empty-handed. It’s the advice we received from our parents and our grandparents before them. When someone welcomes you into their home, it is only fitting to gift them for their hospitality. This season, we are bringing treats, eats and drinks to our gracious holiday party hosts and hostesses. Stock up on these pantry, fridge and bar favorites so you have something on hand as you rush out the door to holiday soirées!
L’Épicurien Strawberry and Champagne Spread
L’Épicurien specializes in handmade fruit jams and spreads that are a touch less sweet than the traditional. Tart strawberries are paired with dry champagne in this French spread. The beauty of the spread lies in its ability to pair with just about anything. The tartness complements fresh cheese, livens up breakfast toast and adds sweetness to a handmade dessert. Snag a jar for $12.95 at Little Gourmand.
L’Épicurien Strawberry and Champagne Spread, $12.95 at Little Gourmand
Oakley’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles
In addition to the combination of spices, it is the 14-day process of making Oakley’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles that makes them so delicious. Using the techniques of her mother, Lee Oakley began making pickles and teamed up with her son to build a Nashville-based business. Bring a jar of these widely loved pickles, or Oakley’s Southern Delights‘ sweet and hot pepper jelly, into any home this season. We are huge fans of the pickles and are ready to convert each and every one of you into lovers of these crispy, spicy, sweet treats. Find Oakley’s at ACME Feed & Seed Market, The Corner Market, Green Door Gourmet, The Oxford Shop, Marché Artisan Foods, Tinwings, Oak Nashville, Southernaire Market and Batch Nashville for $8-$11 per jar.
Oakley’s Southern Delights Sweet & Spicy Pickles, $8-$10 at local shops (see above for list) | Image: Oakley’s Southern Delights
Jean François Merieau Le Bois Jacou Gamay
A good bottle of wine is a no-fail hostess gift. With holiday meals and parties on the calendar, it never hurts to have a good bottle of wine on hand! This simple, supple wine, recommend by the experts at Harvest Wine Market, pairs with just about any dish — or stands strong on its own. Pick up a bottle for $16.99.
Jean François Merieau Le Bois Jacou Gamay, $16.99 at Harvest Wine Market
Seersucker Candy Co. candies
Leave your host and hostess with something sweet (without logging hours in the kitchen). Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co.’s sister company, Seersucker Candy Co. crafts confections that ignite your taste buds. Their first confections, the Original, Muzzle Loader and Cherry Bombs, remain our favorites. The Original is filled with a salted chocolate ganache; Muzzle Loader is filled with salted bourbon caramel; and Cherry Bombs are filled with a pickled cherry, covered in a buttermilk fondant and finished with dark chocolate and dusted with cherry powder. We can attest to the fact that all three are mouth-watering. Shop these at Olive & Sinclair in East Nashville or Seersucker Candy Co. on Franklin’s Main Street. Buy the confections for $16.99, each or get a three-pack sampler for $45.
Seersucker Candy Co. confections, $16.99 for 8 candies at Olive & Sinclair Chocolates
Coop’s Hot Chicken Paste
Hot chicken is the dish that defines Nashville. Do you know any folks brave enough to tackle the local favorite in their own kitchen? If so, bring them a jar of Coop’s Hot Chicken Paste. Locals will jump at the chance to try their hand at hot chicken, and out-of-towners can wow their friends with a Nashville favorite. Whether you are going to a holiday cocktail party or visiting friends far away, bring a jar. Find them at Batch Nashville and Hey Rooster General Store for $10-$13.
Coop’s Hot Chicken Paste, $10 at Batch Nashville
Burch Milk almond milk
Milk alternatives are wildly popular, and almond milk just so happens to be our favorite. Handmade in Nashville, Burch Milk’s almond milk is high in monounsaturated fat (helpful in reducing risk of heart disease and lowering cholesterol). The milk is creamy (but not thick) with a touch of sweetness. Burch Milk has a short shelf life (about 4 days) so enjoying it right away is recommended. You can purchase the milk online and in MEEL’s Marketplace for $7-$10.
Burch Milk almond milk, $7-$10 online | Image: Burch Milk Almond Milk
Tempered gift boxed truffles
This Germantown speciality chocolate shop and café has some of the most delectable treats in town. Tempered Café and Chocolate’s European-style chocolates make for the perfect gift! Choose from the wide selection, which includes blackberry, Swiss malt, bourbon praline, browned butter, mint meltaway, birthday cake and candied ginger orange. Boxes are available in four counts ($8), six counts ($12) and 12 counts ($22).
Gift boxed truffles, $8-$22 at Tempered Café and Chocolate
City Winery Two Rivers Wine
City Winery has created a line of Nashville-inspired wines that make unique gifts! The Two Rivers chardonnay, for $18, is named after the Stones and Cumberland rivers and is a bright acidic wine meant for easy-drinking. Bring a bottle to your hostess to serve at a holiday dinner or to share with friends. The collection also includes 615 Sauvignon Blanc, MelRosé, Music Row Merlot, Music City Pinot Noir and Centennial Chardonnay. Shop online or at City Winery’s new onsite retail wine shop. Wines range in price from $17-$28.
Two Rivers Chardonnay, $18 at City Winery
Wise Butter
Before we discovered Wise Butter, we never considered the option of flavored butter. Thankfully, this Nashville-based company opened our eyes. Their current selection of flavors ranges from roasted garlic basil to pumpkin and changes frequently. Introduce your friends and family to this delicious butter by gifting them a container. Find the butter at Tinwings, MEEL Marketplace and Green Door Gourmet for $4-$8.
Wise Butter, $8 at Tinwings, MEEL Marketplace and Green Door Gourmet | Image: Wise Butter
Christie Cookie holiday tin
Christie Cookie Co. is often our go-to for edible gifts. Their freshly made gourmet cookies and brownies are Nashville favorites for a reason. When you attend get-togethers this season, bring a holiday tin full of a dozen Christie Cookie cookies, made with 100% real butter and no preservatives. The signature holiday tin gives you an excuse to skip the wrapping, too! Order online or pickup at their Germantown location for $26.99.
Holiday tin, $26.99 at Christie Cookie
East Nashville Spice Co. Original Spice
Handcrafted right here in Nashville, East Nashville’s spices are the perfect addition to meat, seafood, soups, eggs and vegetables. Sixteen different herbs and spices come together to create an unbeatable spice blend. There is also a hot spice, which combines chipotle, cayenne and habanero peppers for a bit of a kick. Bring these spices into the home of any budding chef you know! Shop the spices at Music City Marketplace, Marché Artisan Foods, Abode Mercantile, The Beveled Edge, Green Door Gourmet, Anderson Design Group and online for $10-$14.
East Nashville Spice Co. spices, $13.95 at The Beveled Edge | Image: East Nashville Spice Co.
Colts Chocolates Demi-Dark Chocolate Covered Marshmallows
In 1984, Mackenzie Colt began Colts Chocolates, and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, the company sells Colts Bolts, Truffle Babies, Marie McGhee’s Bumble Bees, Salted Caramel Gooey Butter Bars, Cheese Pie, White Chocolate Pecan Pie and our new favorite, Demi-Dark Marshmallows. White marshmallows are covered in dark chocolate, making for the perfect sweet treat. Head to the Gulch and pick up a tube (or 10) for $18 each.
Demi-Dark Chocolate Covered Marshmallows, $18 at Colts Chocolates | Image: Colts Chocolates
Two Old Hippies cocktail basket
Visiting any cocktail lovers this season? If so, bring them this curated cocktail basket from Two Old Hippies. With Morris Kitchen Ginger Syrup, Bittermilk No. 2, Tippleman’s Barrel Smoked Maple Syrup, Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. Aromatic Bitters, John’s Premium Tonic Syrup and Cocktails for the Holidays, the recipient of this gift will be able to craft something delicious. The price point on this gift basket is a bit higher than your average hostess gift, so save it for someone special. Find it for $105 at Two Old Hippies.
Cocktail basket, $105 at Two Old Hippies
The Corner Market Toasted Sesame Vinaigrette Dressing & Marinade
The Corner Market’s wide selection of casseroles, dips and desserts all make for perfect hostess gifts and party platters. This year, shop their selection and pick up a bottle of the toasted sesame vinaigrette. This is one of our favorite salad dressings and can also be a marinade for meats and veggies. Find these at The Corner Market and Batch Nashville for $9.
Toasted Sesame Vinaigrette Dressing & Marinade, $9 at The Corner Market
Sauvignon Bark and Pinot Leasheo
Hostess’ furry friends deserve gifts too, so in addition to the bottle of wine you’re bringing to their owners, bring pups a bottle of Sauvignon Bark or Pinot Leasheo. This fine (alcohol-free) wine for canines will give everyone a good chuckle and will keep dogs occupied during the party. And don’t worry, no humans were used in the testing of this product. Pick up a bottle for $18.99 at Winston Dog.
Sauvignon Bark and Pinot Leasheo, $18.99 each at Winston Dog
Southern sauces
The Southern Steak & Oyster has crafted a line of sauces that elevate any dish. The Peace & Plenty, Texas Ketchup, Acme Blackberry BBQ Sauce, Southern Belle and Southern Gentleman all deserve a spot in every kitchen. Gift a taste of the South this season! Each bottle ranges in price from $9-$12. You can buy each and every bottle at ACME Feed & Seed Market, The Southern Steak and Oyster and Southernaire Market.
Southern sauces, $9-$12 each at The Southern Steak & Oyster
Firepot Nomadic Teas Masala Chai
Firepot Nomadic Teas’ wide range of offerings showcases owner Sarah Scarborough’s love of travel, global culture and organic farming. The loose-leaf teas range in flavor from chocolate chai to Fujian jasmine. While all of these teas will warm you up on a cool day, it is really the Masala Chai Tea we can’t stay away from come winter. The recipe hails from Northern India and contains organic cinnamon, cardamon, coriander, ginger, black pepper and cloves. Simply combine one part tea and one part milk, heat and enjoy some of the best chai in town. Firepot sells their teas at dose., juice.Nashville, Fido, Fenwick’s 300, MEEL Marketplace and online for $10.99-$12.
Masala Chai, $10.99 at Firepot Nomadic Teas | Image: Firepot Nomadic Teas
Happy Holidays and happy gifting!
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