Joy is at the heart of the holiday season, and the excitement of seeing loved ones, engaging in your unique traditions, and reflecting on the childlike sense of fun the holidays inspire shouldn’t stop in the kitchen.
As you reflect on the many gifts of the season, remember that food is a gift, too, given to us over years and years of sustained traditions. Traditional foodways present the perfect vessel for bringing the excitement surrounding the holidays back into the kitchen. From seafood to sampling boxes, we’ve put together 10 heritage food-related gift ideas (to yourself or others!) that will add an extra spark of excitement to your holiday cooking…
Seafood…Shipped to Your Door: Lobster dinner, anyone? We’re fans of seafood and food that has a story behind it, and Island Creek Oysters in Duxbury, MA, has both. From tinned fish to fresh lobsters, oysters and more, Island Creek delivers seafood directly from their home to yours.- Bean Sampler Box: Have you heard of classic cranberry beans? What about buckeye beans? Beans and legumes are staples in heritage diets around the world, and there are so many of them out there! Go beyond your pantry staples and try this Desert Island Sampler, stuffed with six varieties of beans that Steve Sando, the founder of Rancho Gordo, can’t live without.
- Oldways’ “Heritage Cooking for One”: Heritage cooking is intrinsically fun and interesting, with a literal world of foods and flavors open to exploration. “Heritage Cooking for One: An Oldways 4-Week Menu Plan” offers simple, single-serving recipes inspired by healthy culinary histories from around the globe.
- Formaticum Cheese Board Liners: Sometimes, a traditional cheese board just needs that little artistic flair, and you don’t have to be a pro to include it! Use these faux grape leaves to make your cheese or charcuterie board look beautiful – and feel free to tell kids that the elves helped.
- Tasting Journals: With wine, cheese and other wonderful traditional foods flowing during the holidays, there’s no better time to slow down, take it all in, and fully appreciate the range of experiences food can offer. These “33” brand tasting journals and other fun tasting tools are designed to help you keep track of and fall deeper in love with each bite or sip.
Divina Gift Basket: From olives to spreads to antipasti, Divina offers so many wonderful items you may have never thought of but that bring an extra zing of flavor. For instance, this “Tasty Toppers” collection features items like Caramelized Onion Jam, Chopped Calabrian Peppers, and Roasted Red Tomatoes, offering fun accents for your dishes.- Jasper Hill Farm Cheese Club Subscription: The world of delicious heritage cheese is vast, so why not let the pros send you some of their favorites every single month? Whether you’re purchasing this subscription for yourself or a friend, each box will contain at least three cheeses along with pairings, cheese tools and merchandise.
- Ravioli and Tortellini Starter Set: King Arthur Baking Company has no shortage of quirky, fun and useful cooking-related gifts, and this one is no different. We love pasta, and this set allows you to make ravioli and tortellini yourself – filling them with your favorite ingredients. Perfect for beginners and seasoned chefs alike, this comprehensive set also comes with an instruction booklet to guide you through every step.
- New York Times Recipe Calendar: A brand new recipe every day keeps the cooking blues away! With more than 300 easy, delicious recipes and stunning food photography, this calendar will inspire your cooking through the seasons, from busy weeknights to holiday gatherings.
Curio Spice Co. Blends: There’s no better way to add fun to your food than by exploring new-to-you herbs and spices from all kinds of heritage diets. Curio Spice Co. is the perfect starting point, with unique flavors from around the world. The 8-Tin Chef Set is the perfect gift for any home cook and includes eight of Curio’s Signature blends, such as piney Aegean Salt; bright, hot Bonga Spice; and sweet, bitter Da Lat Spice.
If you’re still looking for gift ideas, we have you covered. Check out our full 2025 Gift Guide for the perfect gift for any food-lover.
Plus, the holidays, food-focused as they are, are the perfect time to embrace the old ways of eating and bring the best elements of traditional diets to the forefront of your palate. Even beyond these fun, food-related gifts, heritage cooking is a wonderful way to make the kitchen a more magical place, year-round. Get inspired and…
- Try making your own pasta
- Build your own cheese board
- DIY your own antipasti
- Throw a dinner party
- Try a new recipe
- Take or teach a cooking class
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