16 Last-Minute Christmas Gifts For Foodies That Actually Impress
When the lights start twinkling, and the sleigh bells start jingling, it can only mean one thing: Christmas time is here! If you’re like me, a notorious late gift-getter and fervent food lover, you’re always on the hunt for unique gifts, especially affordable ones with a foodie spin. That said, finding the right gifts at the last minute—when stores have been ransacked and online shops are backed up with orders—isn’t easy.
Fortunately, with some spirited sleuthing, I was able to dig up a whole sack-full of fun stocking stuffers and festive presents. From kid-friendly treats and adult-only mood boosters to epicurean delights, check out these must-have foodie Christmas gifts.
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12 DAYS OF HOT SAUCE ADVENT CALENDAR
Uncommon Goods, an online marketplace that connects makers of unique creations with shoppers, offers a spicy way to keep warm during the 12 days of Christmas. This hot sauce-themed advent calendar features 12 different flavors that range from savory to tongue-jingling.
Behind each door, you’ll find a 1.75-ounce bottle of fiery festivity, with flavors that include Sweet Onion Habanero, Habanero Evil, Son of Zombie, Zombie Apocalypse, Garlic Reaper, Reaper Evil, Plum Reaper, Pineapple Papaya BBQ, Chipotle BBQ, Oh My Garlic, Smoked Horseradish, and Psycho Curry. Purchase it today for $55.00.
Behind each door, you’ll find a 1.75-ounce bottle of fiery festivity, with flavors that include Sweet Onion Habanero, Habanero Evil, Son of Zombie, Zombie Apocalypse, Garlic Reaper, Reaper Evil, Plum Reaper, Pineapple Papaya BBQ, Chipotle BBQ, Oh My Garlic, Smoked Horseradish, and Psycho Curry. Purchase it today for $55.00.
PRINGLES FLAVOR MYSTERY BOX
Pringles has launched its first-ever online storefront, and with it, blind boxes that include one mystery flavor and a branded character bag charm. The chip-maker has already sold out of thousands, which resellers have begun relisting for 4x the retail price on eBay, StockX, and Facebook Marketplace, proving that the collectible hype is real.
The six branded characters, called Pringamabobs, include Crispybara, Puptato, Duckalips, Crunchback Whale, Pringypus, and Snaxolotl, the rarest of them all — each with bodies made of Pringles chips. The mystery box is now available for $19.99, exclusively on Walmart.com.
The six branded characters, called Pringamabobs, include Crispybara, Puptato, Duckalips, Crunchback Whale, Pringypus, and Snaxolotl, the rarest of them all — each with bodies made of Pringles chips. The mystery box is now available for $19.99, exclusively on Walmart.com.
RING POP HOLIDAY MILK CHOCOLATE WITH SPRINKLES
Ring Pop’s Milk Chocolate Ring returns this year, a wearable, edible ring-shaped chocolate treat filled with crunchy rainbow sprinkles. For just $2, you can adorn your kids with some sparkly holiday cheer — just make sure they eat them before the chocolate starts to melt. Each package includes two individually wrapped rings, sold exclusively at Walmart.
OLIVE GARDEN CHEESE GRATER
From endless breadsticks to all-you-can-eat pasta, there’s a lot to love about Olive Garden. One item, however, which isn’t food at all, makes the experience of dining there even more enjoyable, and that’s Olive Garden’s iconic cheese grater. Waiters whip them out to sprinkle freshly-grated, flavor-boosting Romano atop your order, which is a must before you dive in. And, much to the excitement of long-time fans, Olive Garden has decided to offer its grater for sale.
Swiss kitchenware brand Zyliss is the mastermind behind the grater, which is handheld and features a handle on the side that when rotated, grates the cheese into a cylindrical container that holds it in place until the waiter releases it. Olive Garden is selling it on its website for $19.99. And that isn’t all. It includes a block of the chain’s signature Romano cheese.
Swiss kitchenware brand Zyliss is the mastermind behind the grater, which is handheld and features a handle on the side that when rotated, grates the cheese into a cylindrical container that holds it in place until the waiter releases it. Olive Garden is selling it on its website for $19.99. And that isn’t all. It includes a block of the chain’s signature Romano cheese.
TACO BOOTIES
Christmas is the coziest holiday around, a time to kick off your shoes and put on your comfiest socks. And, Uncommon Goods has the perfect homey gift for taco loving tiny tots.
Handcrafted in small batches by Gulnara Kydyrmyshova, these adorable taco booties are made from natural dyed wool that’s spun and felted, then hand-stitched. Because each are handmade by Kydyrmyshova, each booty has unique features, too. At just $29.00, these are a steal.
Handcrafted in small batches by Gulnara Kydyrmyshova, these adorable taco booties are made from natural dyed wool that’s spun and felted, then hand-stitched. Because each are handmade by Kydyrmyshova, each booty has unique features, too. At just $29.00, these are a steal.
RING POP x BRILLIANT EARTH GEMSTONE RINGS
Ring Pop has teamed up with Brilliant Earth, an ethically-sourced fine jewelry maker, to launch real-life Ring Pop-inspired rings. The limited-edition collection features lab-grown gemstones in the candy’s iconic colors — watermelon crush green, raspberry spark Swiss blue, berry burst, strawberry sweetheart, and cherry darling — set in Brilliant Earth’s signature 14k gold “Secret Halo” setting.
Capturing the Ring Pop nostalgia of wearing your first ring, the company combined precious gemstones like sapphire, topaz, and amethyst with lab-grown diamond, creating luxuriously colorful rings worthy of popping the big question to your significant other. Each ring is priced at $1,790, which is pricier than your average stocking stuffer. However, what better way to show your love than to seal the deal with a beautiful ring on Christmas?
Capturing the Ring Pop nostalgia of wearing your first ring, the company combined precious gemstones like sapphire, topaz, and amethyst with lab-grown diamond, creating luxuriously colorful rings worthy of popping the big question to your significant other. Each ring is priced at $1,790, which is pricier than your average stocking stuffer. However, what better way to show your love than to seal the deal with a beautiful ring on Christmas?
BONILLA A LA VISTA POTATO CHIPS
With over 90 years of experience under its belt, Bonilla a la Vista is no ordinary potato chip brand. The chips are made of three simple yet quality ingredients: Galician potatoes imported from Spain, extra virgin Spanish olive oil, and sea salt.
Stored in a beautiful vintage-style tin can, these crispy, savory and silky chips are truly one-of-a-kind. They’re the perfect two-in-one holiday gift, too. After you devour them, the tin can be reused in the kitchen, or as an eye-catching container for picnics, potlucks, and more. Purchase it on Big Night for $45.
Stored in a beautiful vintage-style tin can, these crispy, savory and silky chips are truly one-of-a-kind. They’re the perfect two-in-one holiday gift, too. After you devour them, the tin can be reused in the kitchen, or as an eye-catching container for picnics, potlucks, and more. Purchase it on Big Night for $45.
SOMATIC STEAMED EGGS ASMR ALBUM
Rachel Beetz and Heidi Ross, two sound artists who specialize in creating meditative soundscapes using local food ingredients, present “Somatic Steamed Eggs,” an album that explores touch, taste, smell, sound, and sight, using actual steamed eggs. This immersive listen delves into the variety of ways in which our brain’s mirror neurons respond to an act as “simple” as steaming an egg, while surprisingly, serving as a relaxing backdrop that’s well-suited to everyday life.
Somatic Steamed Eggs can be purchased as a cassette that includes a recipe box designed by artist Ryan Ross, a recipe card insert, and a small tin of curried salt made by Heidi Ross for $90. You can purchase the tape cassette itself for just $15. However, if you don’t own a tape cassette, the digital version costs just $10, and can be downloaded in high-quality MP3, FLAC, and other mediums.
Somatic Steamed Eggs can be purchased as a cassette that includes a recipe box designed by artist Ryan Ross, a recipe card insert, and a small tin of curried salt made by Heidi Ross for $90. You can purchase the tape cassette itself for just $15. However, if you don’t own a tape cassette, the digital version costs just $10, and can be downloaded in high-quality MP3, FLAC, and other mediums.
KUSH QUEEN THC CONCENTRATE DROPS
Family gatherings aren’t always the weed-friendliest. You still have to step outside for the annual holiday “cousin walk.” Fortunately, Kush Queen, maker of a multifaceted line of cannabis products, has created a convenient, and less obvious, way to elevate your Christmas celebration: Bôost Liquid THC Concentrate.
Bôost is a water-compatible cannabinoid concentrate that can be combined with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. In other words, you can slip a few drops into your egg nog or Moscow mule and deck the halls with boughs of “holly.” Each tincture bottle includes 600 milligrams of ∆8 THC and 75 milligrams of ∆9 THC and costs $49.99.
Bôost is a water-compatible cannabinoid concentrate that can be combined with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. In other words, you can slip a few drops into your egg nog or Moscow mule and deck the halls with boughs of “holly.” Each tincture bottle includes 600 milligrams of ∆8 THC and 75 milligrams of ∆9 THC and costs $49.99.
ROSI'S HOT OIL CAN
Pizza isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Christmas, but then again, it’s a food that can be enjoyed any day of the week. Rosi’s specializes in one thing and one thing only, and that’s delicious spicy oil.
Made in Los Angeles with a fine-tuned blend of olive oil and serrano peppers, Rosi’s Hot Oil is traditionally used to add a savory kick to pizza, but can also go on eggs, pasta, clams, bread, vegetables, and anything else you’d like to fire up. The 8-ounce can is $14.00 and perfectly-sized to slide right into a Christmas stocking.
Made in Los Angeles with a fine-tuned blend of olive oil and serrano peppers, Rosi’s Hot Oil is traditionally used to add a savory kick to pizza, but can also go on eggs, pasta, clams, bread, vegetables, and anything else you’d like to fire up. The 8-ounce can is $14.00 and perfectly-sized to slide right into a Christmas stocking.
UNLOCK THE WHISKEY ESCAPE ROOM
The holidays are all about spending time with family, and what better way to rustle up some raucous than with a drinking game? Unlock the Whiskey Escape Room is a game that involves a whiskey bottle, a cage, and challenging questions. As the name suggests, in order to get your hands on the bottle, you’ll have to uncover clues and answer trivia designed to separate the casual drinkers from the true whiskey lovers.
It comes with a printed score sheet and over 50 questions and puzzle game cards (sorry, whiskey not included). You’ll explore Ireland, Japan, Scotland, and the United States — some of the world’s most coveted whiskey-producing countries. Find it on Uncommon Goods for $30, and if whiskey isn’t your thing, the site also sells a wine and a beer version.
It comes with a printed score sheet and over 50 questions and puzzle game cards (sorry, whiskey not included). You’ll explore Ireland, Japan, Scotland, and the United States — some of the world’s most coveted whiskey-producing countries. Find it on Uncommon Goods for $30, and if whiskey isn’t your thing, the site also sells a wine and a beer version.
HEIRLOOM TOMATO HAND SOAP
Flamingo Estates, an interior designers dream home located atop the hills of Los Angeles, is known for delivering farm boxes filled with locally-sourced produce to doorsteps around the city. In recent years, the homegrown company has branched out into artisan product territory, and now offers some truly unique everyday items.
One of many standouts — to be honest, everything Flamingo Estates sells stands out — is the Heirloom Tomato Hand Soap. If you have a friend or family member that’s into earthy scents, this is the perfect gift. The aroma is fresh, leafy, and herbaceous, with a hint of spice, combined with wild-harvested tarragon, black pepper, and flowering vines. At $50, it’s a stocking stuffing splurge, but trust me, it’s totally worth it.
One of many standouts — to be honest, everything Flamingo Estates sells stands out — is the Heirloom Tomato Hand Soap. If you have a friend or family member that’s into earthy scents, this is the perfect gift. The aroma is fresh, leafy, and herbaceous, with a hint of spice, combined with wild-harvested tarragon, black pepper, and flowering vines. At $50, it’s a stocking stuffing splurge, but trust me, it’s totally worth it.
Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes Cookbook
Roald Dahl, the author behind classics like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, and Matilda, was a well-known foodie. His famous writings, which feature food prominently, are proof enough. Dahl loved food so much, in fact, that his widow Felicity decided to honor him by publishing a cookbook of recipes inspired by foods featured in his books.
Long-time fans and newcomers alike will enjoy Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes, which includes wacky creations like Lickable Wallpaper, Stink Bugs Eggs, and even Willy Wonka’s Nutty Crunch Surprise. Some are delicious and others require an adventurous tongue. For just $9.99, this cookbook is the perfect activity for parents to share with their children.
Long-time fans and newcomers alike will enjoy Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes, which includes wacky creations like Lickable Wallpaper, Stink Bugs Eggs, and even Willy Wonka’s Nutty Crunch Surprise. Some are delicious and others require an adventurous tongue. For just $9.99, this cookbook is the perfect activity for parents to share with their children.
PEMMICAN PATTY BARS
When it comes to giving gifts, I like to get people something that I know they’d like, along with something unexpected and unique. If you’re into Christmas curve balls like me, look no further than Indigenous Food Lab Market, an online shop of high-quality Indigenous foods and products.
A standout product that’s sure to surprise, and one of the shop’s bestsellers, is the Pemmican Patty bar. Pemmican-style meat is a type of Indigenous survival food made of dried meats that’s existed since the early 1800s. Indigenous Food Lab has created an updated version made of bison and beef, blended with locally-sourced fruits. There are three flavors — Blueberry Sage, Cherry Chipotle, and Sumac & Maple — each for just $5.
A standout product that’s sure to surprise, and one of the shop’s bestsellers, is the Pemmican Patty bar. Pemmican-style meat is a type of Indigenous survival food made of dried meats that’s existed since the early 1800s. Indigenous Food Lab has created an updated version made of bison and beef, blended with locally-sourced fruits. There are three flavors — Blueberry Sage, Cherry Chipotle, and Sumac & Maple — each for just $5.
COOP’S ORIGINAL HOT FUDGE
After opening presents, why not kick Christmas Day off than with hot fudge-topped pancakes? Whoever’s lucky enough to receive this chocolatey stocking stuffer will want to use it on all of their favorite sweet tooth treats — waffles, brownies, ice cream, and more. Decadent and delectable, Coop’s Original Hot Fudge is made with pure chocolate, fresh cream, organic sugar cane, natural cocoa powder, and a pinch of sea salt.
Aside from regular hot fudge, Coop’s makes mocha hot fudge, peppermint hot fudge, salted caramel, and vegan hot fudge. Each flavor comes in a 2-pack on Amazon for $23.50 and in a 3-pack for $34.99.
Aside from regular hot fudge, Coop’s makes mocha hot fudge, peppermint hot fudge, salted caramel, and vegan hot fudge. Each flavor comes in a 2-pack on Amazon for $23.50 and in a 3-pack for $34.99.
PENZEYS AMERICAN HEART & SOUL SEASONING BOX
Few names excite seasoning-philes like Penzeys, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based brand with a reputation for offering hard-to-find herbs and spices of the highest quality, sourced from around the world. Once you sprinkle your food with one of its blends, you’ll want to overhaul your entire seasoning cabinet.
Penzeys Soul Box contains 8 blends: Adobo Seasoning, Penzeys Curry Powder, Florida Seasoned Pepper, Italian Herb Mix, Cajun Style Seasoning, Galena Street Rib and Chicken Rub, Ozark Seasoning, and Penzey’s Cinnamon and a Soul pin. Each comes in a screw-top jar, which means that it’s made for pinching, not sprinkling. For just $39.96, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better bang-for-your-buck foodie Christmas gift.
Penzeys Soul Box contains 8 blends: Adobo Seasoning, Penzeys Curry Powder, Florida Seasoned Pepper, Italian Herb Mix, Cajun Style Seasoning, Galena Street Rib and Chicken Rub, Ozark Seasoning, and Penzey’s Cinnamon and a Soul pin. Each comes in a screw-top jar, which means that it’s made for pinching, not sprinkling. For just $39.96, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better bang-for-your-buck foodie Christmas gift.
