Every year when the holiday season arrives, we all start thinking about getting some little presents for our friends and loved ones. The same dilemma comes up each year: What do I get? If you’re not quite done checking that Christmas list off AND you have a foodie or beer lover on your gift-giving list, you’re in luck.
Look no further than this FUN-LUVing gift list for your beloved beer buddy, hoppy husband, or libation-loving lady friend. All of the items on this list are budget-friendly personal gifts that are sure to be one of their favorite gifts this season. And, since we love to celebrate our local stomping ground (Philadelphia!), you’ll find that most of the featured gifts are sourced locally in the city of brotherly love.
From attractive pint glasses and a beer-infused shaving kit, we fill you in on the top picks for this 2011 holiday season. For the full guide, visit my DishTrip.com’s post.
- Any beer-loving local to Philadelphia would love to get these adorable pint glasses from Open House. Sturdy 16 oz glasses are decorated with one of four Philly-related designs, like a Philly pretzel or the Liberty Bell. Open House can be found at 107 South 13th Street in the city, or you can shop online.
- What says manly more than beer drinking? That’s right, facial hair! Present your man with this men’s shaving kit that includes beer soap and a wooden soap dish in a cigar box. This is such a strong, manly gift—we’re sure it’s going to fight back against wrapping paper! Your man will surely adore his beer-scented face while you can adore the post-shave smoothness. This gift might just be a win-win.
- If your beer lover is loco for fun accessories, how about getting her (or him!) a beer bottle opener ring? This ring will come in handy any time your friend is out and about and hears the phrase, “Anyone have a bottle opener?” This gift is sure to make your friend a hit at parties.
- An obvious choice is to simply give the gift of beer. (Can you believe we made it so far into this list without mentioning that actually giving beer would be a great gift for a beer lover? Neither can we!) Drop by a local bottle shop, such as The Foodery if you’re local to Philadelphia, to mix-and-match your own custom six-pack to gift to someone this year. Here’s what we think would make up a great present:
Victory Dark Intrigue: A seasonal bourbon barrel-aged version of their Storm King Stout.
Great Lakes Christmas Ale: What better to celebrate the holidays than this Winter Warmer?
Sly Fox Christmas Ale: A yearly release brewed with a bevy of heartwarming spices.
Tröegs Mad Elf: A huge Belgian ale with Christmas spices, lusted after every year.
But, if what you’re on the hunt for is the perfect present for the kitchen lovers in your life, consider diving into our other Dish Trip gift guide–delicious chef gifts, all under $20. We’ve rounded up all things edible, and here’s a teaser below (for the full foodie gift guide, visit Dish Trip’s guide by clicking here).
- Penzey’s Spices in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania is a culinary play land, with more than 250 inexpensive spices, herbs, and seasonings to choose from. Create-your-own gift box or choose from several ready-made. Four-pack varieties start at $11.95; eight packs available too. Click here for online ordering.
- A handful of natural foods stores in the Philadelphia region carry Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in amazing flavors like Goat Cheese with Cognac Figs, Brambleberry Crisp and Bangkok Peanut. Now you can make these incredible treats yourself, with her new cookbook, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home. $13.32 on Amazon.
- Philadelphia’s Garces Trading Company is festively packaging their seasonal macaroons this year. You can order these beautiful meringue-like cookies in the following flavors: Caramel, Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Huckleberry, Apple and Pumpkin Spice. In-store pick-up only. $18 for one dozen.
Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t talk about Southwest Airlines’ plan of holiday action for this season. While they aren’t handing out our favorite Plane Cookies this holiday, they are offering something even better–Saint Nick in the flesh. Southwest Airlines has partnered with Microsoft to host holiday photos with Santa in 25 of their airports. (Yes, Mr. Claus is going to be even busier this Christmas season!) Make sure you don’t miss out on the giveaways too—there’s still time for Customers to enter our sweepstakes for a chance to win a free Windows PC or the grand prize of a year of travel on Southwest Airlines. Visit www.freeholidayphotos.com for more information and a full list of the photo locations.
Better yet, since the hustle and bustle of country-wide flying may make your wrapped gifts appear less glamorous as you’d like, and that the TSA may have to unwrap presents in your bags if they need to inspect them, Southwest will welcome The Container Store who will be offering on-site (and re-wrapping) of gifts on the other side of security wrapping in Dallas, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Denver.
We toast to each and every one of you this delicious Christmas season! Happy Holidays from the entire Dish Trip team! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @dishtrip or friend Dish Trip on Facebook for more dining details in a city near you. Thanks for reading—we’ll see you on the next Dish Trip!
Dish Tip for Dish Trip? Do you have a favorite foodie gift that we should know about? Share with us in the comments below.