The holidays are here and that can only mean one thing…time to buy gifts! If you’re like us, there is nothing quite as stressful as trying to pick out the perfect gift for a family member, a close friend, or a coworker. Lucky for you, we’ve done the heavy lifting and picked some of our favorite goods + experiences to bring a smile to anyone’s face. With picks for foodies, wine lovers, and everyone in between, don’t waste one more minute scouring Amazon for the right present. Even better? They won’t regift these.
Le Creuset Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron skillets are indispensable in the kitchens of home cooks and professional chefs alike. This tried-and-true kitchen essential is as versatile as they come – perfect for searing, sauteing and frying. Le Creuset’s sleek take on the classic cast iron will look stylish in anyone’s kitchen while making home-cooked meals simple + easy.
Williams Sonoma Peppermint Bark
Williams Sonoma’s peppermint bark is a holiday favorite, crafted using the finest ingredients, including custom-blended Guittard chocolate and topped with peppermint candy pieces. We love to include the holiday-themed tin in gift baskets or as sweet stocking stuffers. You might want to buy more than one, though. Once you start eating the bark, you won’t want to stop.
Foodie Magazines
Magazines are the gifts that keep on giving! Buy the foodie in your life a subscription and they’ll have a treasure trove of delicious recipes and interesting stories delivered to their doorstep for the entire year. Some of our favorite food-centric pubs include Food & Wine, Taste of the South, SAVEUR, Fine Cooking and Cherry Bombe. The icing on the cake? You won’t have to spend time trying to wrap a box.
Drake Walk
If you have a novice baker in your life or a ride-or-die Champagne Papi fan, we’re bringing Drake Walk to the Holy City for a hands-on class led by Joy the Baker. They’ll learn the art of decorating, including piping technique, how to write on a cake, and how to stage the perfect photo of your confectionery creations.
Top-Notch Knives
Whether your a casual home cook or a bonafide boss in the kitchen, a good knife is vital to meal-time success and a great gift for anyone who likes to cook. While there are plenty of solid options out there, we’re big fans of Wüsthof Knives USA and Middleton Made Knives. Both of these brands make some seriously sharp cutlery guaranteed to bring clout in the kitchen.
Anson Mills Rice
Want a stocking stuffer that screams Charleston? Toss Anson Mills Carolina Gold Rice in for a versatile ingredient straight from the Lowcountry. The rice’s sweet + nutty flavor makes it the perfect sidekick to any dish or as the star of the table for your next southern feast.
Wine…with a twist
You can’t go wrong with a classic. Wine is the ultimate gift for anyone and everyone. The team at Bottles is at-the-ready to help you find the perfect bottle to bring to your work holiday party or surprise a vino-loving friend. Looking to gift something a little unexpected? Bottles‘s selection of canned wine offers a fun + funky take on their corked counterparts.
William Grant & Sons Spirits
Help your buddy’s bar cart out by giving them a staple spirit to be the centerpiece of their collection. William Grant & Sons offers up a badass lineup of whiskeys, gins, and more that will give your home bar some street cred. Our advice? We’re big fans of Hendrick’s Gin which makes a magnificent martini. Shaken, not stirred, of course.
Light Reading for the Libation Lover
Just like their foodie peers, any libation lover will appreciate drink recipes and tips from the experts magically appearing at their home throughout the year. VinePair and Imbibe are two of our favorite publications serving up unique takes on the beverage world every month. And, again, no wrapping. It’s a win-win.
Stölzle Wine Glasses
Want something to pair with that bottle of wine you bought? Stölzle’s Revolution wine glass brings a modern update to your traditional vino vessel to help your varietal reach optimum performance. Wrap two of these bad boys up with your favorite blend for a gift that’ll keep ‘em cheersing long after the holidays past.
Cans + Kegs
As we said above, canned wine (and the kegged variety, too) are just as good as their bottled brethren. Give your special someone the gift of a good time with tickets to our Cans + Kegs event where they can taste these cool wines along with delicious bites.
Not Your Ordinary Workout
CHSWFF isn’t all oyster shucking and wine tastings; we’ve got a packed schedule of wellness experiences, too. These aren’t your average workouts, either. We’ve got a barre class in an actual bar, kickboxing in a brewery, boot camp set to the soundtrack of Queen, and a slow flow full of zen. Pair these tix with a sweet new water bottle or other fitness gear for a power-packed present.
Dalai Sofia Kombucha
Need a solid stocking stuffer option for the health-conscious person in your life? Look no further than the funky ferments from the guys at Dalai Sofia. This kombucha is produced locally in Charleston, with plenty of flavors to choose from.
Zero George’s Holy City Detox Getaway
Taking a vacay doesn’t have to mean giving up your wellness routine and Zero George’s Holy City Detox package is making sure of that. Included in the package is a private session with Sarah Frick of The Works, a copy of One Part Plant by Jessica Murnane, a curated meal plan by Sakara, and dinner at the hotel’s award-winning restaurant with chef Vinson Petrillo.
Blender Bombs
Let’s face it, eating healthy can be hard. Blender Bombs take the guesswork out of meal planning, offering up nutrient-packed meal replacement that actually tastes good. Stick a box of these in a stocking or wrap them up with a new blender to make any wellness warriors heart sing.
A Stay at Charming Inns
Jet-setting can be stressful so slow it down and consider a staycation for you and the globetrotter in your life. Charming Inns has a portfolio of beautiful, historic properties, including Fulton Lane Inn and Wentworth Mansion, that offer luxurious + cozy digs in the heart of downtown Charleston. Throw in a gift card to their award-winning restaurant, Circa 1886, for a gift that’s way better than another pair of socks.
A Culinary Adventure
Give your family or friends the world (metaphorically speaking, of course) with tickets to our new, globally-inspired Night Bazaar. From March 5 – 7, Holy City Brewing will turn into a night market each evening with food infused with flavors from every corner of the globe, sips from far-off destinations, and exciting experiences. You won’t even need a passport for this journey.
J. Stark Travel Bags
A good travel bag is a must for any adventurer. J. Stark makes high-quality, hand-crafted bags right here in the Holy City that are as functional as they are cool. With everything from small toiletry bags to heavy-duty duffels, there’s something for everyone and these bags are built to last.
Don’t forget about dinner
Everyone loves getting gifts, of course, but the real fun of the holidays is gathering around the table with your loved ones and creating new memories. The US Foods CHEF’STORE has everything you need to for a cheerful holiday meal, making it easy to cook for all the aunts, uncles, cousins, and other assorted guests.