17 creative gourmet food gifts to make even your fussiest friends drool | Cool Mom Eats holiday gift guide 2016

It’s gotten harder over the years to put together a list of the best gourmet gifts. In part, because there are so many options now! I mean, before everyone in the world became a self-proclaimed “foodie” complete with Instagram photo proof, it was easy to find food gifts or just grab a generic food basket that you knew would satisfy everyone. But now, people are so specific! Fortunately, we’re here to help.

Whether you’re buying for an artisanal food enthusiast, a cheese connoisseur, an avid locavore, or just that random cousin who you love so much (but honestly don’t know very well), these gourmet gifts are a sure way to make everyone happy.

And speaking of happy, we couldn’t be more delighted that this year’s Cool Mom Eats holiday gift guide is sponsored by the wonderful Blue Apron, an awesome meal kit delivery service that saves the day when we just can’t plan, shop, and prep dinner from scratch every night of the week.

In fact, Blue Apron makes a pretty great gift for any busy cook — or even for yourself — so be sure to check out the sweet discount they’re offering all of our readers. Not to mention a seriously amazing holiday prize pack giveaway!

— Don’t miss your chance to win a Blue Apron prize pack valued at more than $500! Details below. —

So happy shopping, everyone. And if you’re really lucky, happy eating too!

There has been no compensation for inclusion in our guide; all items have been selected by our editorial team. CME is an rstyle and Amazon affiliate.

 

Topperfino Gift Boxes

Coffee lovers who are also chocolate fanatics will love Topperfino, makers of artisan Belgian chocolate disks in flavors like caramel, French vanilla, and hazelnut, all printed with cool designs that you can use to top your coffee for an extra delicious treat — or, if you ask us, breakfast. ($13.99/box of 10 in a range of designs, Topperfino)

 

Monthly Ice Cream Delivery from Salt & Straw

For the ice cream fanatics in our lives, we can’t imagine a more perfect gourmet gift idea than a subscription to the Salt & Straw Ice Cream Club. From the cult favorite Portland ice cream makers, this stuff is handmade, seasonal, and delicious but without any of the pretense you might expect. The only catch is the steep price of shipping frozen goods monthly. (Five pints of ice cream/month for three months $195, Salt & Straw)

 

Sabatino Gourmet Truffles

Serious aficionados will go nuts for pretty much any of the truffle products at Sabatino Tartufi. Whether you spoil them with fresh white truffles (and we do mean spoil, considering they start at $120 and go way up from there) or give them a taste of truffle oil or reasonably priced truffle salts, you’re sure to make a foodie in your life very happy. (Prices vary, Sabatino Tartufi)

 

Owl’s Brew Gift Set

The absolutely delicious Owl’s Brew mixers make a very creative, simple gourmet gift for folks who love a good cocktail. We’ve been long time fans of these ready-to-pour teas blended specifically for cocktails, and this year we’re particularly excited about the Owl’s Brew Holiday Gift Set, which includes three 8-ounce bottles of Grapefruit Collins, Salted Caramel Toddy, and Mulling Spices tea mixers. They also make great gifts for pregnant or non-imbibing friends and family, since they’re delicious splashed into club soda too, and still keep the evening feeling festive. ($7.99–$24.99, Owl’s Brew)

 

Blue Apron Box

Food is the way to everyone’s hearts, amirite? So especially this time of year, we’re big fans of Blue Apron meal kit boxes, which offer up everything you need to make a healthy, homemade seasonal dinner that doesn’t come in a plastic take-out bag. It’s perfect for your favorite foodie or too-busy-to-cook friend who wants to cook more. And with Blue Apron’s new family boxes, you could also be giving a busy parent the invaluable gift of time. (Prices vary, use this link to get $32 off your purchase)

 

Urban Agriculture Co. Cocktail Kit

Help a mixologist you love get creative with an Urban Agriculture Co. cocktail kit. Each one comes with a grow-your-own herb kit, muddler, mason jar shaker, and strainer spoon. All three sets — Basil Bourbon Smash, Cilantro Cooler, and Mint Mojito — were designed exclusive for the company by master mixologist, Harry Chin, so you know this is the real deal for someone who’s serious about tending bar. ($37.50, Urban Agriculture Co.)

 

Related: The best boozy hostess gifts to keep the holidays spirited

 

Whipped Chocolate Honey

For an affordable little indulgence, a gourmet stocking stuffer, or an original hostess gift, you must check out Savannah Bee Company’s Whipped Chocolate Honey. In fact, everything from this indie apiary, from their gold reserve gift set to their whipped honey with passionfruit (both of which were featured in last year’s gourmet food gift guide), is sure not to disappoint. ($12.00–$16.55, Savannah Bee Company)

 

Jerky Club

No, this isn’t a gift for that aunt that you can’t stand (ha). From our favorite craft butchery, Fleishers Jerky Club, is a monthly delivery of grass-fed, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and gluten-free beef jerky in three different flavors, and sizes for snack appetites big and not-quite-as-big. ($97 and up, Fleishers)

 

Penzeys Spice Gift Box

We have always loved Penzeys, a Wisconsin-based purveyor of fine ground spices, quality dried herbs, and extracts at great prices that are beloved by serious home cooks. This year, we have more reason than ever to support their business. While they have a long history of taking a public stand on behalf of justice, equality and progress, this year, in light of the recent spike in hate crimes in the US, they published a non-partisan letter about standing up to hate and respectfully requesting our politicians to do the same. We couldn’t agree more.

So if you’re on the lookout to support companies doing great work to promote inclusion and spread love, then hop on over and grab one of their holiday gift boxes. We’re especially smitten with their Love the People boxes, because more of that please. For a smaller hostess gift, check out their Mint Hot Chocolate mix that we included  in our Cool Mom Picks holiday guide to 60+ great gifts for adults all under $15. (Prices vary, Penzeys)

 

Award-Winning Goat Cheese

As gourmet as truffles but more accessible, award-winning cheese is another way to treat a food lover. If you want to skip the pre-fab baskets, and instead support local farmers, then you should check out the outrageously good Cypress Grove goat cheeses, all made in an American Humane certified dairy in local food mecca, Humboldt county, California.  Humboldt Fog is a popular favorite, plus they have flavored chevres and even a splurge Holiday Cheese Cake, shown here. You can even use their awesome wine and cheese pairing guide to put together a thoughtful package. ($6.50–$120, Cypress Grove)

 

Spanish Suitcase Gift Box

France and Italy deservingly get a lot of the food glory, but, if you ask us, Spain also deserves a whole lot more attention as a gastronomic center. If you’re nodding vigorously, then you’ll love Spanish Suitcase, which is a phenomenal gourmet gift basket featuring eight different boxes of fine food from Spanish artisans and chefs. There’s something in here for anyone who loves exploring global flavors. ($60–$175, Spanish Suitcase)

 

Triple Blend and Black Baking Cocoa Powders

Cocoa powder as a gift? Yes, yes, YES! For anyone on your list who loves to bake, check out King Arthur Flour’s gourmet Triple Cocoa Blend and Black Cocoa Baking Powders, which are the gold standard of cocoas and not something easily found at a supermarket. It’s definitely high-end cocoa, making this a major treat for the right person. ($24, Food52)

 

A Gift Certificate for Mikuni Wild Harvest

Mikuni Wild Harvest is a fabulous online food shop curated by folks committed to the exploration of wild food found in nature. Every member of the Mikuni family began as a mushroom forager and, while you’ll find tons of wild mushrooms in their store, you’ll also find a wide array of other foraged delicacies, wild-caught seafood, and handcrafted foods, from caviar and high-end imported shoyu to microgreens and finger limes. (Gift certificates available in any amount, Mikuni Wild Harvest)

 

Seedlip Distilled Non-Alcoholic Spirits

One of our favorite discoveries at Mikuni Wild Harvest is a new brand of distilled non-alcoholic spirits called Seedlip, inspired The Art of Distillation, a book published in 1651! Since the company is based in the UK, Mikuni Wild Harvest is the only place we’ve been able to find both flavors, Spice 94 and Garden 108, online in the United States. And, whoa, can we not wait to get our hands on a couple of bottles. Designed to be served straight, shaken, or stirred, just like any other spirit, these herbal remedies were designed to cure what ails — like our curiosity to try these drinks. ($38.95/bottle, Mikuni Wild Harvest)

 

Island Creek Oysters Raw Bar in a Box

There’s something so indulgent about a gift of Island Creek Oysters, all harvested daily and shipped overnight from Duxbury, Massachusetts to anyone’s house. If it’s good enough for restaurants like The French Laundry and Per Se, we think they’ll appeal to any raw bar enthusiast. Our editor, Stacie, has already put in a request to Santa for her Raw Bar in a Box package. Hint, hint. ($150, Island Creek Oysters)

 

Tiny Veggies Gift Pack

Yes, you read that correctly: Tiny veggies. It may be a little silly, but we honestly find this assortment of tiny vegetables totally irresistible for a special vegan in your life, or any host or hostess at all with great taste. Tiny veggies! As in, veggies. That are adorably tiny. How could we resist? (Prices vary, Gourmet Sweet Botanicals)

 

Indie Holiday Treats Gift Bag

There are so many mouthwatering gift boxes from one of our favorite purveyors of indie food and drink products, Brooklyn-based Mouth. They have a ton of gift options, but this year’s holiday gift bags section is a great place to start shopping for individual food products and spirits, or carefully curated baskets packed full of treats themed around a holiday winter morning (pictured), a Christmas countdown, or gourmet Hanukkah in a bag. (Prices vary, Mouth.com)

 

EXTRA COOL: WIN IT!

We’re always happy to help you find the perfect gifts for friends and family, but just as much, we love treating you with gifts! We’ve got a fabulous Blue Apron prize pack valued at over $500 up for grabs for one lucky winner, which includes:

– 4 weeks of two-recipe Blue Apron Family Plan boxes
– A fabulous maple cutting board
– A gorgeous handcrafted 5.8″ Japanese petty knife
– An awesome Kitchen Drawer set, which includes a ton of must-have kitchen utensils
– A must-have 10-piece prep bowl set and a lovely apron

To enter for a chance to win (updated to add even more chances to win):
1. Subscribe to Cool Mom Eats. If you’re already a subscriber, leave us a comment telling us that you are. (Be sure to use the same email that you subscribed with so we can double-check. Don’t worry, no one can see it but us.)

For additional entries:
1. Follow Cool Mom Eats on Twitter AND tweet a link to this post with the hashtag #CMEHoliday. Be sure to tweet something fun, like “I am LOVING this year’s @coolmomeats #CMEHoliday guide! https://bit.ly/2fDfo5Y” Hey, you can even share your favorite gift idea seen here. You can get up to 6 additional entries (one for every post in our guide).

2. Like Cool Mom Picks on Facebook AND share a link to this post on your feed. Make sure to send your link (or screenshot if it’s a private update) to [email protected] with CME CONTEST in the subject to be entered. You can get up to 6 additional entries (one for every post in our guide).

Contest ends at 11:59 pm PST on December 26, 2016. Void where prohibited. US only please, 18+, see official contest and giveaway rules for details. Good luck!

 

Thank you to our sponsor Blue Apron for helping to make feeding our families healthful and easy, even when we don’t have time to do all the meal planning, shopping, and prep ourselves. Shop using this link to save $32 off your purchase of a Blue Apron meal kit box on any plan.

 

More ideas from the 2016 Cool Mom Eats Gift Guide:

* Outrageous gifts for the cook who has (or wants) it all!
* Fabulous hostess gifts for foodie friends under $50
* Awesome gift ideas to get kids in the kitchen.
* Fantastic food-themed stocking stuffers for gourmets, big and small.
* 9 delicious, easy homemade food gifts for people who like to eat (i.e., everyone)