The holiday season looks different this year. Very different. Online shopping grows in popularity every holiday season and is expected to be huge this year, as a result of COVID-19. But now, more than ever, is a great time to shop local and support small businesses. If you don't want to visit retail establishments in person, curbside pick-up makes shopping safe, easy and convenient.
Shopping local has many advantages. Studies show that buying local benefits local economies: Independently owned businesses tend to invest a greater share of their revenues in the local economy than chain stores do. Shopping local can also yield more one-of-a-kind gifts for the loved ones on your list.
Here are some holiday gift ideas – with a local food and beverage focus.
But first, wine: Wine and holidays go together like salt and pepper and bread and butter. If you’re itching to get out of the house, head over to the Finger Lakes and buy direct. Most wineries in the region are open for tastings (reservations are advised) and most offer online/phone ordering and curbside pickup. There are so many excellent wines and wineries in the Finger Lakes it’s hard to pick favorites, but you can’t go wrong with Riesling, the region’s signature wine, dry Rose, Cabernet Franc and other reds and, of course, bubbles. MORE INFORMATION
Chocolate is essential: Speach Family Candy Shoppe’s Chocoholics Survival Kit is the perfect gift for those who love chocolate and have been cooped up in the house for months on end – just about everyone, in other words. The family-owned, Syracuse-based candy company, marking its 100th anniversary this year, offers kits in six sizes and a range of options, including mostly milk chocolate, mostly dark chocolate, mostly white chocolate or a variety of chocolates. Delivery is available. Prices start at $15. MORE INFORMATION
(Photo courtesy of Speach Family Candy Shoppe, on Facebook)
Butter 'em up: Everything is better with butter, right? So, everything is doubly better with compound butters -- butters made with supplemental ingredients, like herbs, spices, truffles, Oreos and Fruity Pebbles. The Compound, a newly opened cafe and market in Clinton, specializes in house-made, freshly whipped flavored butters. Flavors include truffle, pizza, Fruity Pebbles, Buffalo blue, Bloody Mary, Oreo, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, eggnog and more -- the list of imaginative flavors changes often. The light and fluffy butters are packed in Mason jars, perfect for holiday host gifts and stocking stuffers. Or for yourself. Price: $5.50 each or two for $10 (except for truffle). MORE INFORMATION
(Photo courtesy of The Compound, on Facebook)
Here's the rub (and sauce): Treat yourself to some takeout barbecue for pickup from Ray Brothers Barbecue in Bouckville (the Food Network crowned their ribs the best in New York State) and add on some merchandise for the food lovers on your list. Choices include the Signature Dry Rub ($6) and Original Barbecue Sauce ($7). Can you say stocking stuffers? MORE INFORMATION
(Photo courtesy of Ray Brothers Barbecue, on Facebook)
The Ultimate Fruitcake: Baking fruitcakes by the thousands is a holiday tradition at the Black Cat Cafe and Bakery in Sharon Springs. Originally dubbed Drunken Blonde Fruitcake, they’ve been re-branded as The Ultimate Fruitcake. They're buttery, light in color and LOADED with fruit and nuts, including figs, dates, pineapple, orange, apricots, raisins and pecans. After baking, the dense loaves are wrapped in cheesecloth that has been soaked in brandy and applejack – but the booze is subtle. We tried these fruitcakes earlier this year and are happy to have one in the freezer for the holidays. Price: $24 (plus shipping). MORE INFORMATION
Top-shelf salts: Salt City Flake Salt is a modern-day reminder of Syracuse's salt-encrusted past. It’s harvested from a brine well 280 feet below the ground (near Syracuse's Inner Harbor) and evaporated to form snowy, white crystals that add the finishing touch to food and drink. Syracuse Salt Co. owners David Iannicello and Libby Croom have started using Salt City Flake Salt as the base for some of their infused salts, in flavors like lemon, rosemary, lime and ginger. Syracuse Salt offers several gift sets, including a "flight' of three salts (your choice) packaged with a small wooden spoon for serving. New to their product lineup is Salt City Flake with a grinder. Price: $7 and up. MORE INFORMATION
Get on board: With people spending more time at home, charcuterie boards and cutting boards are more popular than ever. Adam Van Hoose, owner of Eastwood Woodworx, creates high-quality, handmade boards (and everything else you can think of) from cherry, walnut, maple, elm, ash and other woods. What a purposeful gift for someone you love (or for yourself). Price: $40 and up. MORE INFORMATION
(Photo courtesy of Eastwood Woodworx, on Facebook)
Garden of eatin': Eden, a wood-fired restaurant in downtown Syracuse, and Farm to Fork 101, a dining and education series focused on local food, have teamed up to offer a weekly produce box, the New York State Farmers Box, available when you wish or as a weekly subscription. Each box contains seven to nine in-season vegetables and fruits from local farmers. Add-ons such as meats and cheeses are available. What a great gift for someone whose cooking style is driven by seasonality and local focus. Prices start at $25 per box for a box you pick up. MORE INFORMATION
A restaurant experience at home: Co-founders Sarah Hassler and Luke Houghton launched Dining Inside Out earlier this year as a way to bring some relief to members of the restaurant industry affected by COVID-19 and bring some connection to people hunkered down at home – and missing the experience of dining out. Recent events have included a Hogwarts virtual dinner (Halloween) and Polar Express-themed meal for adults and children (Nov. 21). Participants receive all the ingredients for a gourmet meal, plus instructions for cooking, reheating and serving -- and "Zoom in'' to interact with chefs, food producers and fellow diners. Price varies by event; plan on about $55 per person. MORE INFORMATION
Good things, small packages: Madison County-based Old Home Distillers has added minis (50 ml plastic bottles) to its lineup of spirits. Currently available are Maple Whiskey, gin and Field Days Bourbon Whiskey. The minis are perfect for stockings (or for your pocket) and are available at Old Home's tasting room and at farmers' markets, including Saturdays at the Central New York Regional Market in Syracuse. Tasting room hours are noon to 4 p.m. Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, or by appointment. Price: $4 plus tax. MORE INFORMATION
Cool beans: Hey Rose, a vendor at the Central New York Regional Market, offers herbs and spices from around the globe, homemade pet treats and toys and other cool things -- including upcycled coffee bean bags. The bags, created by Vicky Banas of Sew Crafty Bags, come in a range of styles and sizes and are lined on the inside. Price: about $22. Find Hey Rose in the E Shed at the market on Saturdays. MORE INFORMATION
