‘Tis the season for surprising those you care about with a little extra something to brighten their days. And being the advocates that we are of for things food-related in Tucson — from local makers to small businesses — we’ve compiled a holiday shopping guide that will help you keep your dollars in your community while showering those in your life with thoughtful gifts.
Whether you’re buying for a cheese, whiskey, chocolate, or kitchenware lover — or anyone beyond or in between — this holiday shopping guide is a solid place to start.
Also, if you’re looking for an easier route this holiday season, plenty of local restaurants and businesses are offering deals on gift cards. Check out our Holiday Gift Card Roundup.
From Tucson Foodie
Holiday Gift Box
We’re excited to announce that this holiday season we’ve collaborated with Creative Kind and five local businesses to bring you our very unique Tucson Foodie Holiday Gift Box — a collection that’s packed with goodies from local purveyors including:
- (1) Jar of Sonoran Sea Salt from Desert Provisions
- (1) Bottle of hot sauce from Jabari Sauce
- (1) 12 oz bag of whole bean coffee from Presta Coffee Roasters
- (1) Bag of Prickly Pear Popcorn from POPPED Artisan Popcorn
- (1) Bag of Mesquite Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix from AZ Baking Co.
Order one — or five — of these bad boys today!
For more information, visit creativekindshop.com.
Chinese Sonoran X-mas Dinner
Tucson Foodie and Maynards this Tuesday, December 20, as they present A Chinese Sonoran X-mas Feast.
Join chef and artist Feng-Feng Yeh (the brainchild behind the Chinese Chorizo Festival) and partnering local Indigenous chef Rusty Ramirez as they bring us a special union of Indigenous and Chinese cuisine.
Tickets won’t last long so we suggest scoring a couple for those in your foodie circle today.
For more information, visit the Chinese Sonoran X-mas Feast’s event page.
Gifts less than $25
This is Tucson
Holiday Mug ($12.50-15)
Designed by local artist Chiara Bautista, this handy drinking vessel captures both the spirit of Tucson and the holiday season all at once. With choices of an 11-ounce ($12.50) and 15-ounce option ($15), your loved ones will think of you throughout the year as they warm up with their favorite beverage sipped from this cute holiday-inspired mug.
A heads up that mugs are made to order so don’t think twice about placing yours today.
For more information, visit thisistucson.com.
Mama Luna Organics
Mama Tea Blends ($6) and Custom Tea Blends ($20)
Mama Luna Organics makes wellness products that are 100% natural and organic. And while they’re made for everyone, Mama Luna specializes in creating offerings that are nourishing for mamas and their little ones. Give a mama that’s near and dear to you the gift of a Mama Tea Blend ($6) or a custom blend ($20) this holiday season.
For more information, visit mamalunaorganics.com.
Meyer Avenue Cafe and Mercantile
House-made Jam, Sauce, Curd, and Apple Butter ($11)
Do you have a home cook on your shopping list that would love a beautifully jarred and locally-sourced condiment to add to their arsenal? Meyer Avenue Cafe & Mercantile has you covered with a seasonal assortment that currently includes Hibiscus Lime Curd, Manga Amba Sauce, Peach & Aleppo Jam, and Apple Butter ($11 per jar).
For more information, visit coronetucson.com.
Barrio Brewing Co.
Barrio Collapsible Dog Bowl ($10) and Dog Collar ($12)
Are you one to go beyond gifting simply for your human friends? Do you believe your four-legged pooch pal would like to get in on the action, too? So does the crew at Barrio Brewing! Pair their Barrio Collapsible Dog Bowl ($10) and Barrio Dog Collar ($12) for a stocking stuffer duo worth barking about.
For more information, visit barriobrewing.com.
AZ Baking Co.
Mesquite Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix ($12.99)
Made with wild-harvested mesquite and White Sonora Wheat flours, the Mesquite Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix ($12.99) makes for a slightly sweet and nutty — not smoky — flavor. For a baking mix that comes together in minutes and will leave the cookie lovers in your life — young and less young — asking for another, this gift is for you.
For more information, visit azbakingcompany.com.
Novia’s Bakery
Holiday Cookie Platter ($20)
The owner of Novia’s Bakery believes that the best desserts taste like the comfort of home. These days, she’s sharing many expressions of that comfort with a menu that includes cookie sandwiches, cookie bars, seasonal empanadas and, of course, holiday cookies. Order your Holiday Cookie Platter ($20) now and have less to think about for upcoming holiday celebrations.
For more information, visit noviasbakery.com.
Pita Jungle
Holiday Baklava Box (starting at $16)
Pita Pita is making it easy for you to sweeten up your next holiday party with the release of their holiday Baklava Box. This classic Mediterranean dessert is made in-house with crunchy layers of phyllo dough drizzled with honey and topped with pistachios. Starting at $16, the assorted Baklava Box is available now at all Pita Jungle locations.
For more information, visit pitajungle.com.
Prickly Paradise Elderberry
Elderberry Syrup Kit ($20) and Elderberry Honey ($14)
For those in your circle that appreciate living close to nature, Prickly Paradise Elderberry has some products for you to peruse. From the homesteading, wild foraging family behind the brand comes items such as the Elderberry Syrup Make at Home Kit ($20) and Elderberry Honey ($14). View their online store for those and other wellness-inspired items courtesy of the Sonoran Desert.
For more information, visit pricklyparadise.co.
‘Taste of Tucson’ by Jackie Alpers
Cookbook written and photographed by local foodie ($20.99 on Amazon)
Jackie Alpers, who’s contributed her vision to the Food Network and National Geographic, had been wanting to put together a cookbook based on the unique Sonoran-style cuisine that many are familiar with. Alpers’ collection of enticing and delectable recipes is packed inside the colorful cookbook, featuring familiar dishes from local chefs and restaurants; including the Chicken Mole Amarillo crafted by chef Suzana Davila of the former Cafe Poca Cosa.
For more information, visit jackiealpers.com.
Gifts at $25-50
Monsoon Chocolate
Whiskey Del Bac Bon Bon Collection ($28)
Crafted using award-winning Whiskey Del Bac Dorado, this 8-piece Whiskey Del Bac Bon Bon Collection ($28) features both decadent chocolate ganache and velvety caramel bon bons.
For more information, visit monsoonchocolate.com.
Peppermint Jim
Mint-based Gift Set ($25-50)
Peppermint Jim, self-proclaimed “America’s favorite mint farmer,” is at is again with gift sets ($25 – 50) like the Mint & Lavender Bundle, the Spearmint Collection, and the Dram-roll Please set. Leave your loved ones feeling in mint condition this holiday season.
For more information, visit peppermintjim.com.
Cream Design & Print
“Eat Fast, Die Young” hat ($35 each) and “Tucson Eat Yourself” t-shirt ($36)
The crew of Cream is on a mission to highlight the creative work of the Tucson community through the art of print-making. From the “Eat Fast, Die Young” hat collection ($35 each) to the “Tucson Eat Yourself” t-shirt ($36), your food humor-loving homies will appreciate you.
For more information, visit creamforever.com.
La Vida. Taprut
Walnut Pueblo Paddle ($48) and Mesquite Catchalls ($34 – 48)
La Vida. Taprut’s owner, Emily, and her brother, Byron, are on a mission to glam up your kitchen space with their hand-carved wooden creations. From the Walnut Pueblo Paddle ($48) to the Mesquite Catchall ($34-48) and dozens of other tools and and serving items to choose from, your host-with-the-most friends will undoubtedly light up when they receive one.
For more information, visit lavidataprut.com.
Pop Cycle
Embossed Mug by Crooked Tree Ceramics ($42)
It’s officially warm beverage season here in Tucson, and what better way to help your tea and hot toddy-loving friends celebrate than with an embossed mug by Crooked Tree Ceramics from Pop Cycle? Stop in today to explore their current selection of designs. Fun fact: For fans of Crooked Tooth Brewing, you’ve likely seen the work of Crooked Tree Ceramics in the taproom while adoring the drinking vessels of mug club members from the other side of the bar.
For more information, visit popcycleshop.com.
Agave Pantry
Chai Spice Gift Set ($38)
This gift set comes with tea and cardamom rose sugar — an aromatic brew for the tea lovers in your life. The only thing you’ll need to add to this gift set is your own mug because the recipe card and all ingredients are included.
For more information, visit agavepantry.com.
Gifts more than $50
Whiskey Del Bac
Arizona Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit ($110)
Whiskey Del Bac is making it easy to keep your cocktails local this holiday season with their Arizona Old Fashioned Cocktail Kit, priced at $110. Each kit includes:
- Your choice of a full-size bottle (750 ML) of Classic or Dorado
- A Strongwater Old Fashioned Cocktail mix set that includes Cocktail Syrup (12 servings) and orange-flavored bitters
- Two Whiskey Del Bac etched Old Fashioned rocks glasses
For more information, visit whiskeydelbac.com.
Desert Provisions
Holiday Gift Boxes ($86 and up)
Desert Provisions is helping you get the most out of your holiday shopping with not one but three gift set options available this year. Choose from the Salud! Box ($124), the Provisionsist Box II (from $120), or the Sonoran Breakfast Box ($86), and satisfy the Sonoran flavor-loving friends in your circle with ease.
For more information, visit desertprovisions.com.
Flying Aprons Tucson
Interactive cooking classes ($75)
If you or someone you know is aiming to sharpen their skills in the kitchen, Flyin Aprons has plenty of classes for you to attend each month. Also, each workshop is taught by a local chef, baker, maker, or lover of all foods.
For more information, visit flyingapronstucson.com.
Jabari Sauce
Hot Sauce Bottle 12-pack ($72)
“Why gift one bottle of hot sauce when you can gift 12?” That’s what I always say. And Jabari Sauce is making that dream an easy reality by selling a case of 12 sauces for $72. Gift a case or divide them up and conquer your shopping list even more efficiently.
For more information, visit jabarisauce.com.
Tucson Food Tours
Tours featuring up to six stops (starting at $64)
Tucson Food Tours, which is owned by local couple Bradner and Maria Lawrence, is celebrating its 10th season of giving folks advice and creating lasting memories. Right now, the tours are offered multiple days throughout the week and they’re offering at least two routes.
For more information and a full schedule of tour dates, visit tucsonfoodtours.com.
Tucson Tamale
Tamale Variety packs ($89-149)
Whether your family is one to fancy the “traditional Christmas day tamale” — red chile beef — the accompanying green chile cheese tamale, or both, Tucson Tamales has you covered. Order a 16-count variety for $89 or double up and get 32 tamales for $149.
For more information, visit tucsontamales.com.
Spring & Vine
Wood Grain Flask ($75) and Sandstone Platters ($80 – 98)
For those you know that appreciate an intentional gift that’s honoring of the beautiful Sonoran Desertscape, Spring & Vine has crafted the Abundance Collection. With items like the Wood Grain Flask ($75), Sandstone Platters ($80 – 98), and more, you can give the gift of resourcefulness.
For more information, visit springandvinestudios.com.
Better Than Provisions
Six-Pack of three flavors ($78)
This is the perfect gift to give to someone that’s either never tried Better Than Provisions or a die-hard granola fan. The six-pack comes with two bags of Cinnamon Vanilla, two bags of Cacao Cayenne Goji, and two bags of the seasonal Pumpkin Spice Apple.
For more information, visit betterthanprovisions.com.
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