What do you gift the hostess that actually has the most? Or the pit master plagued by endless seasoning options? When the holidays roll around, it’s easy to revert to old habits and let intentionality wane during the hustle and bustle of years end. As certified gourmands, dedicated drinkers, and those with food always at the forefront of our minds, the Local Palate staff has compiled our top food gifts for the 2024 holiday season.
Each staff member shares food gifts for their loved ones and their hopeful picks for what falls under their own tree. Highlighting our favorite Southern makers and local haunts, this gift guide walks through budget-friendly options, homemade additions, and kitchen staples we wouldn’t live without. From edible to essential, these kitchen tools, snacks, and subscriptions are sure to brighten the holiday season well into the new year.
Our Holiday Gift Guide For Food Lovers
Amber Chase: Digital Editor
What I’m Gifting: Banner Butter Custom 6-Pack
During the holidays, I like to gift something handcrafted for my friends and family, and a common request is one of my milk bread loaves. This year, I’m bringing six loaves and having recipients pick their favorite Banner Butter to pair. I’m partial to the smoked sea salt, but won’t hold judgment.

What’s On My Wishlist: The Cheese Shop NC 6-month Cheese Club Membership
I’m ready to be excited about mail again. I can’t think of anything better than receiving a monthly cheese box, especially during those early winter months. I had the pleasure of trying The Cheese Shop NC’s cheddar box this past month, and was blown away by the selection, complexity of flavors, detailed descriptions, and intentional curation of both cheeses and accompaniments.
Erin Byers Murray: Editor-in-Chief
What I’m Gifting: Woodster Bitters Smoked Orange Bitters
Our house n/a drink is Topo Chico but with a twist: We had about 6-8 drops of bitters into it to make a refreshing aperitivo. A few bottles of Woodster Bitters Smoked Orange Bitters will be going into my husband’s stocking this year.
What’s On My Wishlist: Asheville Tea Company’s Holiday Trio
I love tea—especially during the winter, I often start and end my day with it and love trying out new tea brands and varieties. This year, I’m asking for a selection from Asheville Tea Company, which is a woman-owned business that sources and creates its teas in Western North Carolina. Their Holiday Trio sounds right up my alley.
Joe Spector: Publisher & CEO
What I’m Gifting: Jack Rudy’s Old Fashioned Gift Set
An old fashioned is the perfect cocktail for any season and especially during the holidays. This year I’m giving my good friends each a set (bourbon not included), and hoping that they will invite me over to imbibe.
What’s On My Wishlist: Haand pottery
We entertain often, and Haand is a collection of individual works of art. Chris and Mark have created a great line that is durable and makes a statement, all handmade in Burlington, North Carolina.
Amanda Fitzgerald: Director of Sales & Marketing
What I’m Gifting: Murhelvic Woodworks Pecan Wood Cutting Board
The family’s grill expert, my father-in-law, born, raised, and still residing in Charleston, SC, makes the ideal recipient for the Murhelvic Woodworks Pecan Wood Cutting Board. The sentimental story behind the board’s creation is sure to be cherished, and I’m confident it will proudly find a permanent place on the countertop.
What’s On My Wishlist: Estelle Iridescent Wine Stemware Set
Fueling a slight obsession, I proudly display my modest collection of Estelle wine stemware in a glass cabinet, showcasing their unique beauty. The new Iridescent set is capturing my desire to expand my cherished assortment, and I hope I find them wrapped under my tree this year!
Angelique DeClercq: Art Director
What I’m Gifting: DaySol Wanderlust Espresso Blend
To know me is to appreciate my love for coffee, and that is a gift my family and I share. No stocking is complete without it. This year, it’s Wanderlust Espresso Blend. Forget the socks and candy when I can give the power of espresso to get them through the holidays.
What’s On My Wishlist: My Two Souths: Blending the Flavors of India Into a Southern Kitchen
I’m pretty routine with my brought-to-work frozen lunches—it’s always Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken or Tikka Masala. But my weekends are reserved for more adventurous cooking, and I love the challenge of making things from scratch. I’ve had my eye on the cookbook; My Two Souths: Blending the Flavors of India into a Southern Kitchen to experiment with.
Emily Havener: Managing Editor
What I’m Gifting: Sweet’s Elderberry Tincture
Someone in my family has been sick at Christmas every year since 2020, so Sweet’s Daily Defense elderberry tincture is going in everybody’s stocking this year. I also love their elderberry extract in my favorite hot herbal tea.
What’s On My Wishlist: Caitlin Wilson Multicolored Wine Glass Set
I love glassware and have finally found the perfect champagne flutes and martini glasses to round out my collection, but I haven’t bought new wine glasses since I got married. This fun set will look gorgeous in the china cabinet and go great with Graft Wine Shop’s Extra Sauce wine club membership, which I’ve also got on my list!
Maggie Ward: Events & Marketing Manager
What I’m Gifting: Daysol Coffee Lab Barrel Reserve Gift Bottle
I like to stock up on host gifts around the holidays, so I am always prepared for the many gatherings on my calendar. Daysol Coffee Lab’s Barrel Reserve Gift Bottle is the perfect treat to give all my hosts and hostesses this season. They can brew a pick-me-up for after the party or keep it going with a coffee cocktail using Daysol’s coffee aged in bourbon barrels.
What’s On My Wishlist: Graft Wine Shop’s Extra Sauce Wine Club
One of my favorite hangouts in Charleston is the consummately cool, Graft Wine Shop, owned by bev pros Femi Oyediran and Miles White in Charleston. They channel their impeccable taste into their wine club, Extra Sauce, curating 3-4 wine picks for their members every month. Anyone who gifted a month of Extra Sauce to me would be guaranteed to be invited over to share a bottle or two to kick off 2024 right. For your holiday wine recommendations, check out Femi’s Wine Playlist.
Chris Dugas: E-commerce Engagement Manager
What I’m Gifting: Sister’s Sauce Bloody Mary Mix
I love a good Bloody Mary year-round, but something about the holiday’s make them taste even better. I’ve been gifting Sister’s Sauce Bloody Mary Mix since I found it a few years ago, and I’m constantly hearing that it’s the best Bloody Mary Mix the recipient has ever had. Now, I always have a case on hand to use as a quick and easy gift for most anyone on my holiday shopping list.
What’s On My Wishlist: Middleton Made Knives Brew Shucker
Living in Charleston, an oyster knife is a staple in most kitchens, but not all are made equal. Quintin Middleton raised the bar on oyster knives with his new hand-made shucker that doubles as a bottle opener, and it would be the perfect gift to receive to prepare for the January oyster roasts to come.
Brittany Furbee: Associate Editor of Creative Content
What I’m Gifting: Haand 10oz Taper Mug in Concrete
Holiday gifting is something I look forward to every year and, although I always strive to make homemade gifts for my friends and family, time can quickly get away from me (I’m sure many can relate!). This year, I’m keeping things simple yet still handmade by gifting the Haand Taper Mug. Not only is the color gorgeous, but I also love that this mug is the perfect blend of functionality and artistry, giving it that special holiday touch.
What’s On My Wishlist: Grits: A Cultural & Culinary Journey Through the South
Each year my New Year’s resolution is to learn something new in the kitchen. Throughout my travels this year, I have been inspired by the variety of grits I have tasted throughout the south. The book Grits: A Cultural & Culinary Journey Through the South by Erin Byers Murray is the perfect addition to my wishlist so I can learn to recreate those amazing southern flavors at home.
Tate Jacaruso: Associate Editor
What I’m Gifting: Harleston Village Hors D’oeuvres Gift Box
Living in downtown Charleston, I like to give friends and family something that celebrates the local food scene. The pickled okra, praline pecans, and stone ground grits in the Harleston Village Hors D’oeuvres Gift Box are the perfect Southern bites.
What’s On My Wishlist: The Balsamo Recycled Lucite Cookbook Holder
I would love to add a cookbook holder to my kitchen this year. The Balsamo Recycled Lucite Cookbook Holder is on my wishlist so I can be hands-free while I try out a new recipe at home.
Brian LePorte: Advertising Sales Executive
What I’m Gifting: Food for the Southern Soul- Pitmaster Deluxe Gift Box
I am gifting this to some friends this year who love to grill, and smoke anything and everything. With the cold months coming up and football weeks still upon us, this is a perfect gift for any grill master.
What’s On My Wishlist: Jack Rudy Old Fashioned Kit
I am asking for this kit this year because an old fashioned is always my go to drink with the cold weather and sitting by the fire. When you are looking for great ingredients for your Old Fashioned look no further than Jack Rudy!

Olivia Cooper: Digital Marketing Manager
What I’m Gifting
I adore the hunt for the perfect antique find, and this year, I’ve scored a handful of treasures that will hold special meaning for my loved ones. Think vintage vinyl records by their favorite artists, well-loved cookbooks full of retro recipes, and slightly worn, leather-bound editions of their cherished classics. And, of course, one thing I can’t resist adding to my shopping cart – antique Christmas ornaments that will decorate their trees for many festive seasons to come.

What’s On My Wishlist: Middleton Made 8” Chef Knife in Walnut
Despite my lifelong love for all things cooking and baking, not to mention my slightly over-the-top collection of both must-have and probably-don’t-need kitchen tools, I’ve neglected a key player: a top-notch knife set. Big mistake. This year, I’ve got my eye on Middleton Made Knives. These aren’t just your average knives – they’re the epitome of culinary art. Each one, a masterpiece handcrafted by Quintin Middleton himself.
Kara Amoruso: Graphic Designer
What I’m Gifting: Edisto Gold Honey 3-pack
Being a creative person, I tend to usually hand out handmade gifts during the holidays. Yet, when I can’t get around to making those handmade gifts, gifting something locally-made is just as great! So, my family over in the midwest will get to taste what honey harvested from the Lowcountry is like with Edisto Gold Honey.

What’s On My Wishlist: Jack Rudy Weighted Cocktail Shaker Tin
I’ve always wanted to learn the skill of mixology, and that starts with a weighted cocktail shaker tin to help me along this new journey of making fancy cocktails to impress and entertain others.

shop our favorite food gifts
share
trending content
-
Get To Know Columbia, South Carolina | Listen
-
Spreading the Love on Valentine’s Day | Listen
by Carson Peaden -
Caramel Delights
by Tate Jacaruso -
Meet a Local: Tank Jackson | Listen
by Tate Jacaruso -
5 Valentine’s Day Wines and Pairings from an Expert | Listen
by Erin Byers Murray
More From Southern Makers
-
Jammin’ with Resh and Jess | Listen
-
Smoke Signals | Listen
-
A Spirited Approach with Wonderbird Spirits | Listen
-
Kuluntu Bakery Bakes Barriers | Listen
-
Scouting a Good Cup of Coffee | Listen