2016 has zipped by and we’ve already entered “the most wonderful time of the year!” A season of festive celebrations, time spent with family, merry making with friends and indulging on delicious food. Food is a big part of this season, it evokes happiness and is the centerpiece of pretty much every celebration. Practically everyone can find joy in something edible. So this year I am making it easy for you to give the gift of joy to your loved ones, maybe they will share a bite (or sip) and spread the love.
All of the items I have chosen to feature are locally owned, produced or have a tie-in to Arizona.
Chompies Deli
Chompies Deli: The bagels at Chompies are the real deal and would be the perfect gift for an east coast transplant missing the delicacies of the big city. They would also be a welcome addition to any holiday brunch! In addition, to excellent bagels, Chompies has loads of pastries and breads, for those trying to watch their carb intake, there is Carbs…Not Bread, a low carbohydrate, high protein loaf available in cinnamon, multigrain and sesame varieties. Carbs…Not Bread and bagels along with many other edibles are available in-store (5 valley locations) or can be ordered online and shipped.
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Fairytale Brownies
Fairytale Brownies: Producers of some of the most decadent goodies in all of AZ, Fairytale Brownies is sure to please everyone on the nice list. Available in a variety of flavors and three different sizes they are perfect stocking stuffers. And the goodness FTB is offering is not limited to brownies, they are also baking up six flavors of cookies and six flavors of blondies and bars. Order an assortment and send a little sweetness to your loved ones. You can order online or at the Fairytale Brownies bakery located in Tempe.
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Sphinx Date Company
Sphinx Date Company: Give the gift of an exotic treat from an Arizona institution that has been around for over 60 years! A Medjool date gift tray from Sphinx Date Co. features AZ grown dates stuffed with walnuts, Arizona pecans, or rolled in coconut flakes. These sweet morsels make a great hostess gift or the perfect addition to a holiday cheese board. In addition to sweet and sticky dates you will find a variety of date products like mini loaves of date bread and a Date Salsa Trio, a unique spin on the southwestern classic. Also available are dried fruits, caramels and loads of other edible gifts. Order online!
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LDV Wineries
LDV Wineries: It’s not a celebration without the wine! Made from grapes grown in southeastern Arizona, Lawrence Dunham Vineyards (LDV) offers a variety of varietals to suite any palate. Stop by the gallery located in Scottsdale and peruse the selection or order online or by telephone. Gift baskets are also available.
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Vitani
Vitani: So, this brand of pre-mixed premium martinis are the only products on this list that are not made in AZ. However they still have strong ties to our beautiful state; one of the founders is an ASU alum (Go Devils!) plus, Phoenix is the only city outside Chicago to offer the product! The sleek aluminum packaging allows the martinis to chill quickly and look pretty cool, making them an excellent offering at your next festive gathering. Vitani is available in five flavors including: cosmo, dirty martini, citrus ginger, cucumber, and elderpear. You can find them at the Westin Kierland Resort and at AJ’s Fine Foods throughout the Valley. Click here to find Vitani.
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Nutsack Foods
Nutsack Foods: A perfect gift for anyone with an insatiable snack habit or a cheeky sense of humor (who doesn’t giggle at the name?)! Nutsack Foods offers the freshest, tastiest nuts in town. The nuts comes in three sizes, Loaded (12 oz), Original (6 oz) and Mini (2.5 oz) and several varieties including roasted salted pecans, almonds, and cashews and hickory smoked almonds, they also offer a few nut medleys like premium, spicy and metro mixes. Nutsack’s are hand packaged and hand-stamped with care. They are available in dozens of eateries around town or order online.
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Brat Haus
Brat Haus: This is one of the best deals in this guide! Starting Black Friday, Brat Haus in Scottsdale is offering growlers for $15 and that includes a gift certificate good towards one fill ($25 value) good for beers ranging from $12-$18 per fill. While you’re picking up your growlers be sure to snag a gift card to go with it. The Brat Haus bonus gift card deal is pretty sweet, buy one for a friend and get one to keep – purchase $25 and get $5, purchase $50 and get $10, purchase $100 and get $20. Brats and beer, spread the cheer!
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Bobby Q’s Barbeque Sauce
Bobby Q’s Barbeque Sauce: This joint has been offering up some of the best ‘que in town for years! One of the secrets to the deliciousness is the rich and zesty sauces they’re slathering on their meats. Since BBQ season is winter in these parts of the country, a jug of Bobby Q’s sauce would make a fabulous gift for the carnivores in your life! Pair the sauce with a gift card for a unique and fun gift sure to please any grill/smoke master! You can purchase the sauce by the bottle ( 2 sizes) or jug at either Bobby Q’s locations (Phoenix and Mesa).
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Brilliant Sky Bakery
Brilliant Sky Bakery: Makers of the softest cookies you’ll ever eat, Brilliant Sky Bakery uses only the best ingredients and handcrafts all of their baked goods with quality and care. You can taste the love in their cake-like cookies, cake truffles and biscotti. Imagine the delight of opening up Brilliant Sky Bakery’s signature blue box and discovering the decadence within! Be sure to get your order in before December 5, 2016 to ensure your treats arrive in time for the holidays!
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SanTan Brewing Company
SanTan Brewing Company: Cheers! This local brewery offers an array of gift options but our favorite is the Variety Pack which includes 12 cans of the very best STB has to offer. The variety pack includes three each of Devil’s Ale, Mr. Pineapple, HefeWeizen, and SunSpot Gold. Click here to find the retailer closest to you. Oh, and SanTan Brewing Company also has a gift card deal available for online gift card purchases. Use promo code: SANTAN10 to get a $10 bonus card with the purchase of a $50 gift card. Or use SANTAN25 for a $25 bonus card with the purchase of a $100 gift card.
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Cucina Tagliani Sauces
Cucina Tagliani Sauces: This Italian restaurant has been serving up Italian classics in the West Valley since 1993 and you can bring your favorite sauces home with you, or give them to others this holiday season. Available in marinara and pepperoncini sauces, adding a jar to a gift basket with a box of pasta and a bottle of wine would make a thoughtful and unique gift for the foodie on your list. The sauces are available for purchase at both Cucina Tagliani locations.
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AZ Bitters Lab
AZ Bitters Lab: These bitters and flavor extracts are a fabulous gift for a cocktail enthusiast or a budding mixologist! AZ Bitters Lab is Arizona’s first research and production laboratory for the creation of small-batch, hand-crafted bitters. Print off a few of the recipes available on their website and give them with a bottle. The bitters are available in four flavors including – Mi Casa, Orange Sunshine, Figgy Pudding and Mas Mole and they aren’t just for cocktails, they are perfect additions for a pop of flavor to many recipes. Click here to find a retailer near you.
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Iconic Cocktail Co.
Iconic Cocktail Co.: A bottle of any one of these small-batch cocktail mixers is sure to put a smile on the receiver’s face. They mix up a tasty drink with or without alcohol so be sure to have a few on hand to shake up a beverage at your next merry gathering. You can even add some to sparkling water for a refreshing mocktail. Flavors include: Kaffir Lime Tonic, Ginga Syrup and Spiced Honey and seasonal flavor, Cranberry Thyme. Order online here.
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Zak’s Chocolate
Zak’s Chocolate: The gift of Zak’s is truly special. Every step of the process is done by hand, from the sorting of the cocoa beans to the wrapping of each individual chocolate bar. Visit the shop and be floored by the decadent and luxurious treats. Zak’s offers many confections with local tie-ins from a peanut butter cup, using a local peanut butter maker, PB Americano, to a mocha chocolate made with local favorite, Peixoto Coffee. All chocolates are gorgeously hand-painted and the bars are hand-wrapped in rich, fine papers making for stunning presentations. You can order Zak’s online . Be sure to get your order in soon if you want it to arrive in time for the holidays, but we highly recommend a visit to the store in Scottsdale.
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Homeboy’s Hot Sauce
Homeboy’s Hot Sauce: Stuff those stockings with something spicy! Homeboy’s hot sauces will warm things up this holiday season. Available in three varieties – Habanero, Jalapeño and Verde, these sauces are made in small batches using fresh, natural ingredients, and they are vegan-friendly and gluten-free! Order online or find a location selling Homeboy’s near you.
Well, there you have it! A round-up of some of the tastiest gifts Arizona has to offer. I know there is something on this list to please everyone on yours! Happy holidays!
All photography by Timothy Fox Photography, he’s kinda of amazing, don’t you think?
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Disclaimer: Some of the companies listed above provided complimentary product for photography purposes and to help facilitate this gift guide. All opinions within this post are entirely my own.
