2020 is certainly a year like no other, and as we approach the holidays, one of the best things we can do is support local businesses. We need to buy gifts, and they need the support! So we’re putting together a four-part gift guide following our travel mantra of Food, Park, Drink, & Art.
Let’s start off with an old favorite: FOOD!
(You can also jump ahead for ideas in PARKS, DRINK, and ART.)
Columbus Food Adventures Gift Boxes
Columbus Food Adventures makes it easy to support local while mailing gifts around the country. They’re featuring four boxes: Thanksgiving, Brunch (co-curated by yours truly!), Gourmet, and Columbus Classics. Each one is loaded with local goodies. columbusfoodadventures.com/gift-boxes
Worthington Gift Boxes
Same for the Worthington Gift Boxes! They’re in limited supply, but they feature all local products and are themed for spa pampering, guys, foodies, or diehard Worthington fans. Worthington boxes on FlipCause.com
North Country Charcuterie boards
Mrs. Breakfast With Nick’s love language is cheese and charcuterie boards, so North Country Charcuterie’s kits are a regular sight around our house. NCC’s goods are made from all Ohio ingredients like Bluejacket Dairy or Black Radish Creamery cheeses, so when you support them, you’re supporting 20 different businesses. North Country Charcuterie on Shopify
Restaurant Gift Cards
Restaurant gift cards are the old stand-by. They’re a great way to treat someone to a meal (help them discover a new favorite!) and support hard-hit local eateries. My particular recommendation: support black-owned restaurants this year, like a decadent Southern feast at Hen Quarter, donuts from Donna’s Delicious Dozen, nostalgic treats from Bake Me Happy, coffee from Upper Cup, Ethiopian fare from Nile Vegan.
Spices from North Market Spices
Many more of us are cooking from home these days. Help a budding home cook by loading them up with North Market Spices’ goods. Let their experts guide you in selecting spices and mixes that are perfect for gift baskets or stocking stuffers. northmarketspices.com
Pasta + Sauce from Carfagna’s
The long-running, family-owned Carfagna’s just announced a big move to a combined market and restaurant off Polaris. While they haven’t moved yet, you can shop local with their sauces, pastas, wine selection, and gift baskets. carfagnasmarket.com
Pickles & Preserves
Perfect to supplement home cooking or as an easy stocking stuffer, locally made pickles and preserves are a fun little treat. We’re always fans of The Crazy Cucumber, or the marmalades from Prospect Jam Co. and the jam and biscotti from Sweet Thing Gourmet. (P.S. You can find a lot of these items by shopping your local farmers market!)
Create Your Food Tour
We’ve already plugged gift cards, but try assembling a collection of them to take someone on a food tour. For instance, go to North Market for drinks at Barrel & Bottle, lunch/dinner at any of the vendors (pho? burgers? lobster rolls? momos?), and then take dessert or coffee to-go. Or create a mini tour of a neighborhood like Grandview, Westerville, Short North, Italian Village, Worthington. Pair drinks with a meal, local gifts, a sweet treat. Need ideas? Contact me!
Chocolates from Coco Cat, Pure Imagination
When it comes to sweets, I love chocolate. So I’m always on board with creative treats from spots like Coco Cat Bakery & Chocolates and Pure Imagination Chocolatier are easy wins. cococatbakery.com / Pure Imagination on Facebook
Jeni’s Ice Cream
Jeni’s has been on a roll this year with some pretty incredible new flavors like pumpkin cake roll and campfire chocolate. Plus, her ice creams have been heartily endorsed by the President-Elect, so you’re really doing your civic duty by ordering them. jenis.com
Shagbark + Darista Dips
Chips and dip are the classic combination, so why not source them locally? Shagbark Mill’s organic, GMO-free chips can be found all over the city in restaurants and grocery stores, and Darista Dips’ hummus (Moroccan carrot? roasted red pepper?) are not to be beat. daristadips.com / shagbarkmill.com
See the full 2020 Holiday Gift Guide here!
