Oh God, these are gooood! That’s exactly what I said moments after biting into a limited-edition, red-and-white striped, Hershey’s Candy Cane Kiss. It must be true what they say, that good things come in small packages, because these scrumptious mints in classic kiss shapes are positively divine. Flavored with mint and swirled with attractive red ribbons, candy cane kisses—which are made from a creamy fondant—melt in your mouth, but include sprinklings of tiny, red nonpareils to add a satisfying crunch. I passed these around the workplace and the vote was unanimous: Hershey must’ve figured out how to put invisible halos of mistletoe over our heads, because none of us could get enough of these Christmas-themed kisses!
Meowy Christmas! Beloved San Francisco-based pet boutique, George (featured in magazines like Metropolitan Home, House & Garden, Instyle, and Lucky) takes the traditional British Christmas cracker and gives it a twist with these adorable Holiday Peppermint Striped Kitty Krackers, made specially for your favorite feline. Fashioned into tantalizing sausage-like shapes, these festive toys with their jaunty striped fabric are stuffed with organically grown catnip that’s sure to make kitty’s pawlidays merry and bright. Available in both kitten and tomcat sizes, Holiday Peppermint Striped Kitty Krackers make a purrrrrfect gift for sassy cats.
Move over Frosty, there’s a new snowman in town. For what he lacks in a corncob pipe and a button nose, this sculptural snowman more than makes up for it with a unique, whimsical design and practical purpose. Created by artist, Guenter Scholz, The Snowman Wine Bottle Holder is a wine bottle caddy with character. Individually handcrafted and welded from recycled steel and copper, this stylish snowman holds one standard wine bottle and would be an excellent gift for the art enthusiast on your list. As an added bonus, when winter chill gives way to spring, this snowman won’t melt; he’ll simply get tucked into the cupboard for safe-keeping until it’s time to remerge, inspiring holiday cheer for another celebratory season.
I have a serious girl crush on Nigella Lawson. I adore the tone of her cookbooks and the devil-may-care manner in which she prepares food on her numerous gorgeously styled television programs. Nigella’s cookbooks always present entertaining in such an approachable and anxiety-free way that I’m repeatedly convinced I can host a fabulous dinner party without having a meltdown. I’ve yet to accomplish this feat though. I always have at least one hissy fit at some point before a big party, but a girl can still hope, right?
Nigella Christmas, Lawson’s latest gorgeous volume of recipes, was recently released and I simply can’t put it down. I’ve flipped through the festive pages numerous times over the past weeks and changed my mind about which dishes I hope to prepare for our Christmas dinner on countless occasions. Presently I have my eye on a Tiramisu Layer Cake, a sticky looking Gingerbread, and a decadent Clementine based chutney. Obviously I need to find some sort of protein and vegetables to serve between this array of sweets but I’m certain Nigella has my back.
Bow WOW! Impress your pooch this Christmas with the gift of an Orbee-Tuff Mint dog toy. This toy is buoyant, bouncy, and durable—great for dogs who like to gnaw! The pleasant minty scent, non-toxic construction, and dishwasher safe materials make the peppermint dog toy a win for doggie mommas and daddies as well. Best of all, this product is made in the USA by a socially responsible, values-based designer who creates long lasting toys “made for dogs, by dog lovers.” For the lucky recipient of this adorable dog toy, the howlidays will be happy indeed.
Coffee, tea, or a stocking for me? Interesting and eco-friendly, the Recycled Coffee/Tea Sack Stocking appeals to foodie sensibilities while being socially responsible. Handmade in Guatemala, these striking stockings are crafted from sturdy recycled burlap bags and are a shining example of sustainable design at its best. With only 2.5 weeks until you hang your stocking by the chimney with care, consider the beauty of burlap. Tis the season to help save the world—stuff this recycled sock with fair trade coffees, chocolates, and soaps and you’ll be giving a gift—not only to your intended recipient—but to third-world artisans who receive vital income.
No holiday season officially begins until Starbucks unveils their red paper cups in stores. At the same time, they also release their limited edition Red Holiday To-Go Mug. The Red Holiday To-Go Mug is a ceramic version of the holiday-themed paper cups that come around for the winter season. Personally owning one of these I can officially say that they are a great holiday gift for the Starbucks enthusiast in your family. The Red Holiday To-Go Mug is available online or at your local Starbucks Coffee Shop.
[Product submitted by Susie].
I like to tease my mother about the fact that I never got an American Girl doll for Christmas growing up; whereas my younger sister came along and somehow ended up with at least half a dozen. To this day I have a soft spot for these historical dolls and I’ve been known to wander around the brick and mortar American Girl store in the Natick Mall with a look of awe upon my face.
Presently my pick for best American Girl doll is Kitt Kittredge, probably because I loved how adorably Amber Breslin portrayed her in the film version. One of the Kitt doll’s accessories also happens to be a fabulous holiday baking kit that includes: 3 cookie recipe cards, 2 metal measuring cups, a pretend sugar box, a pretend flour box, a pretend can of baking powder, a flour sifter with a handle that really turns, a wooden rolling pin Kit can use to “press” patterns into the dough, 2 metal cookie cutters to create festive shapes in the dough, pretend cookies on a golden platter, and a festive tablecloth with a star-shaped centerpiece.
I’m certain that doll lovers (whether they be offical owners of the Kitt doll or not) will light up upon opening this fanciful set. This would also be the perfect Christmas Eve gift if your family happens to holds with the tradition of children opening one present the night before Christmas.
Attention fitness-minded foodies: it’s not just chocolatiers and gourmet gift basket makers who are jumping on the seasonal flavor bandwagon. Clif Bar—the best-selling energy and endurance brand in grocery and natural food stores—is spicing up the holidays with a trio of limited-edition energy bars. Made with wholesome organic ingredients and free of trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives, the seasonal release of Clif Bars in Cranberry Orange Nut Bread, Spiced Pumpkin Pie, and Iced Gingerbread flavors makes for a healthy way to enjoy the classic tastes of the holiday season. To pick up these bars (which have the mouth-feel of a cookie) as a special treat for yourself or as a stocking stuffer for athletes and active friends and family, order online or check out the health food and energy bar aisle at your favorite grocer.
All I want for Christmas is a six-pack of Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale. Unfortunately no matter how good I am Santa wont be able to fulfill my wish. You see Old Fezziwig Ale is only available in the Winter Classics Pack, and only two festive little bottle are included in each box. Can I get a “Bah, Humbug!” from the crowd? This means that I would have to ask Santa to bring me three twelve-packs of beer and honestly I think that would border on serious alcoholism no matter how you spin it.
So I’ll horde those two little Dickensian bottles of spicy holiday ale to enjoy on Christmas while I’m roasting a turkey and chasing wrapping-paper-eating kittens around, and perhaps some day the marketing team at Samuel Adams will release Old Fezziwig Ale from its Winter Classics Pack prison.
