Hottest holiday gifts in the 901
What’s better than giving someone a super cool gift? Giving someone a super cool locally made gift. Luckily, Memphis is full of talented entrepreneurs that make shopping local a piece of (fruit) cake.
Here are just a few our favorite products, vendors and local experiences that are sure to put a little extra jingle in your gift giving this year:
Tasty treats
Speaking of treats… edible gifts are great for those on your list who you feel already have everything. Avoid getting them something that is just going to take up space in their home, and go for something more practical. Muddy’s Bake Shop has the best sweet treats this side of the Mississippi—trust me. Pre-order a pie, cake or a dozen cupcakes to give this holiday season. My favorite? Plain Jane cupcake.
Newer to the scene, but just as tasty in its own right is Wolf River Popcorn. You can find the Memphis Mix, Cheese and Caramel bags at Kroger, Miss Cordelia’s and many other retailers around town.
Of course you can’t go wrong with some Cashew Crunch from Memphis’ favorite Dinstuhl’s Fine Candy. This stuff is addictive.
Basic, but necessary
Locals know that the Memphis food scene has more to offer than just barbecue, but we have to admit it is what we are known for. So, play that up with some barbecue-related stocking stuffers. Think Central BBQ Signature Sauce or Rendezvous Famous Seasoning. You can’t go wrong with either. Be sure to check out Central BBQ’s homemade chips and pork rinds, too!
Share a sip
Memphis has more than its fair share of breweries and now also has a distillery! Cool, right? I think so. Old Dominick opened earlier this year offering a traditional Memphis Vodka, Honeybell Vodka and a Memphis Toddy. Its whiskeys, which are still going through the aging process, are expected to be released by 2020. Keep your eyes peeled! In the meantime, I highly recommend putting one of these three bottles under someone’s tree this holiday season. Products can be found at most Memphis liquor stores, as well as in the distillery gift shop. P.S. The gift shop has some other knick-knacks that make for great stocking stuffers—branded coasters, martini shakers, tumblers, etc. Oh, and, if you have time, take the distillery tour!
If your gift recipient prefers a good cold beer over a strong cocktail, Memphis is home to four (going on five) breweries. You can find selections from Ghost River Brewery, High Cotton Brewing, Wiseacre Brewing and Memphis Made Brewing in grocery stores and at the breweries’ respective locations.
And if adult beverages aren’t your thing, give the gift that keeps on giving…in the form of energy. Local coffee roasters such as Ugly Mug and J. Brooks keep us going during the holiday rush.
Some other local favorites this holiday season? Beautiful pottery by Brit McDaniel of Paper and Clay, Buff City Soap sugar scrub, Sache’s t-shirts, a Memphis Zoo membership, ice skating at Mid-South Ice House and, of course, tickets to a matchup between our Memphis Grizzlies and an NBA foe. Have some go-tos of your own? Share them in the comment section below!