Holiday Finds: Taste-full Gift Ideas for the Season
Artisan Cheese Company
Some like it hot: For friends who live on the spicy side of life, Serrano Ginger Lemongrass Haute Sauce and Smoked Ghost Chili Pepper Sea Salt are stocking stuffers with a real kick. The shop is also happy to help you put together a custom basket with cheese and specialty items. Are we on your shopping list? If so, we’ll happily take a Cheese of the Month Club membership.
► artisancheesecompany.com
Blissful Essence
Seven years ago, Mary Arndt started Blissful Essences, a natural bath care company that makes soy candles, bath scrubs, lotions, lip balms, and more. Arndt spends time developing her formulas and layering delectable scents like Lemongrass & Ginger and Fig & Bergamot in her handcrafted products. She credits her customers with being her best source of feedback. You can find her at the Phillippi Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays, the Central Sarasota Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, or online.
► soycandlesandorganicbathcare.com
Le Macaron
Need a great hostess gift for the endless holiday parties on your agenda? We think there’s nothing more perfect than a jewel-toned macarons in flavors like Basil White Chocolate, Rose, and Black Currant. The only trick is not eating them in the car on the way there.
► lemacaron-us.com/sarasota
Lola Blue
Eco-friendly soap isn’t just for the women on your shopping list. No man we know could resist lathering up with Summer Suds soap made with lime essential oil and Corona beer. (Actually, we can’t think of many ladies who could resist that either). In fact there are tons of great scents that break gender barriers, like Lemongrass Mint and Spearmint Lime. Buy some for your boyfriend, and then unabashedly use it in the shower!
► lolablueliving.com
Sapore Della Vita
The farmers’ market isn’t just a great place to grab fruits and veggies, it’s also the perfect spot to find unique gifts. The Sapore Della Vita booth carries gorgeous specialty items, from Italian-imported Acacia Honey & Black Summer Truffles to decadent, locally made and award winning Lick My Spoon sauces. Can’t decide between Bourbon Me Bourbon Caramel Sauce and Rosemary Orange Caramel Sauce? Get them both and keep one for you! (It’s OK, we won’t tell.)
► saporedellavita.com
Spice and Tea Exchange
If you’ve been getting all your spices from the grocery store, you’re missing out. There’s nothing quite like getting coriander and cardamom ground fresh just for you. We also love picking up salt-free seasoning blends, which add tons of flavor without sodium. The California Spice Blend makes a great stocking stuffer for people who like their healthy food to have some flavor.
► spiceandtea.com/Sarasota
Vom Fass
All we want for Christmas is 24 hours alone in Vom Fass with a spoon. Their olive oil and vinegars are of such high quality, you could really just drink them by the glass (though some might prefer the casked whisky at the front of the store). They’ll tailor-make you a gift basket, but we think the cleverest gift of all is their basket full of empty bottles and a gift card so you can lure your foodie friends down to the store itself. Believe us, they’ll thank you once they discover this gem of a shop.
► vomfassusa.com/Sarasota
