20 Edible Hostess Gifts to Stock Up On

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Hate to show up empty-handed? These thoughtful, edible (and drinkable!) gifts are ideal to have at the ready for holiday hostesses or even when someone gives you a gift unexpectedly and you’d like to return the favor. They don’t take up much space; they won’t expire any time soon, and they’re produced by well-loved makers around the South.

Pickles, Preserves & Jams

It should come as no surprise that gift-worthy canned goods are abundant around the South. Each of these brands offers a wide variety of both sweet and savory pantry items — everything from jams, jellies, and honey to pickled veggies and relish. And, while items like these are fabulous to keep on hand for gifts, they also make great last-minute additions to your own cheese boards and buffets.

Jar of chow chow — The Mild Chow Chow ($8) from Nashville’s Loveless Cafe is chock full of pickled veggies and spices — perfect for serving over pinto beans or layered onto sandwiches. Image: Loveless Cafe

jar of yellow jelly on marble counter with white background — Located just outside Birmingham, AL, Stone Hollow Farmstead turns Alabama-grown ingredients into fabulous bath and body products, pantry items, and more. This Meyer Lemon and Thyme Jelly ($18.50) makes a beautiful gift. Image: Stone Hollow Farmstead

jar of strawberry rhubarb jam — Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN, is well-known for its award-winning food and wine program – and its delicious pantry items, meats, and cheeses available for purchase. They offer a wide variety of jam flavors, but the Strawberry Rhubarb ($15) is a crowd favorite. Image: Blackberry Farm

jar of pickled okra — Wickles Wicked Okra ($7.90) — a beloved addition to Bloody Marys in the South — is grown and pickled in Dadeville, AL. Image: Alabama Goods

Oil, Vinegar & Condiments

This is another gift category guaranteed to get plenty of use. Of course, delicious barbecue sauces are plentiful in the South, but you’ll also find countless Southern-made hot sauces, mustards, dressings, and even flavor-infused oil and vinegar.

Jar of Peg Leg Porker BBQ sauce — One of our favorite barbecue sauces is the Original BBQ Sauce ($9.99) from Nashville’s Peg Leg Porker. (They also offer “hot” and “white” sauces!) Image: Peg Leg Porker

hoff hot sauce — Another beloved line of Tennessee sauces is Hoff Sauce, based in Chattanooga. They offer a variety of sizes and flavors, but for heat lovers, you can’t go wrong with a bottle of Huff’s Hoff Sauce ($13.95). Image: Made in TN

bottle of red wine vinegar — This Natural Red Wine Vinegar ($28) is “a collaboration between Pineapple Collaborative, renowned winemaker Martha Stoumen, and vinegar alchemist Joanne Krueger.” While the wine grapes are sourced from California, this line is made by women and is based in Washington, DC. Image: The Pineapple Collaborative

jar of bourbon mustard — A staple condiment at Wallace Station Deli in Versailles, KY, this Bourbon Mustard ($9) is infused with Kentucky bourbon and sorghum for a hint of sweetness. Perfect on ham and Swiss sandwiches. Image: Holly Hill

bottle of olive oil styled with garlic and black truffles — This decadent Black Truffle Garlic Olive Oil from Lowcountry Olive Oil in Charleston, SC, is available in 2-ounce sample sizes ($4) and larger 12.7-ounce bottles ($22). They offer a wide variety of other flavor infusions, too. Image: Lowcountry Olive Oil

Cocktail Mixers & Flavored Syrups

Whether you expect your host to pop open your gift immediately or store it on the bar cart for a rainy day, mixers and syrups are a welcome gift for any hobby hostess. While they’re typically used for boozy beverages, they’re just as delicious mixed with club soda for a quick mocktail. (Especially flavored syrups, which can also be used to dress up anything from sweet tea to ice cream to baked goods.)

tropical cocktail next to bottle of cocktail mixer — El Guapo is a woman-owned, New Orleans-based business offering handcrafted artisan cocktail bitters, syrups, and mixers. The Hurricane Mixer ($12.99) is an infusion of hibiscus and passionfruit to be blended with rum, making for a delicately balanced classic Hurricane — unlike the version you’ll find on Bourbon Street. Image: El Guapo

bottle of bloody mary mix — You can’t go wrong with a classic Bloody Mary mix for game days, holidays, and just about any other kind of day. This popular blend by Nashville’s Walker Feed Co. ($9) is available at retailers all over the South. Image: Abode Mercantile

bottle of cocktail syrup — If you’d prefer to gift something a bit more versatile, opt for cocktail syrup instead of a mixer. Yes, syrups can be used for cocktails, but they’re great for a wide variety of other uses. Austin, TX-based Liber & Co. offers an impressive lineup of syrup flavors, including this Texas Grapefruit Shrub ($12). Image: Liber & Co

Coffee & Tea

Rather than stocking up on Starbucks gift cards, opt for bags from a local coffee roaster or tea shop near you — or order from one of these popular makers in the region!

product in floral print packaging — How beautiful is this packaging by Methodical Coffee? Based in Greenville, SC, they offer a variety of coffee and tea blends, including this nostalgic Belly Warmer blend ($17). Image: Methodical Coffee

Virginia’s acclaimed Red Truck Bakery ships its cakes, pies, and cookbooks nationwide! You can order a set of three bags of coffee for $59 — their house blends are touted by many as some of the best on the East Coast. Image: Red Truck Bakery

variety of tea bags — Based just outside Huntsville, AL, Piper & Leaf Tea Co. has grown steadily in popularity across the South in recent years. Their best-seller variety pack ($16.99) includes four original flavors, with each tea bag individually wrapped. The set can be gifted independently, or the bags can be separated to pair with other items. Image: Piper & Leaf

bag of coffee — Nashville-based Frothy Monkey has recently expanded to include locations in Birmingham, Chattanooga, and Knoxville — and most of their blends are available for purchase online. You can’t go wrong with the original 12South Blend ($16), named after the first Frothy Monkey location. Image: Frothy Monkey

Candies

Who doesn’t love a little something sweet? You can’t go wrong with gifting candy, especially around the holidays. And, if you opt for individually wrapped candies, you can separate them into small mesh gift bags or sprinkle them into larger gift arrangements.

sparkly marbled candy — Nashville-based Bang Candy Company offers a line of candies and cocktail syrups. Their Poppin’ Peppermint Sparkle Bark ($26) is PERFECT for the holidays. Image: Hester & Cook

candied pecans — Alabama’s Priester’s Pecans has been a favorite source for pecans since the 1930s. Today, they offer a variety of sweet treats, including a variety of candied pecan flavors. Their classic Crunchy Praline Pecans are available to ship for $17.99 per pound. Image: Priester’s Pecans

gift box of saltwater taffy — A great individually wrapped option is saltwater taffy! The Golden Gift Box from Savannah’s Candy Kitchen ($29.99) includes a whopping two and a half pounds of brightly-colored taffy candies. Image: Savannah’s Candy Kitchen

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For more gifts from Southern brands and retailers, don’t miss this year’s 50 Under $50 gift guides:

About the Author
Alissa Harb

Alissa Harb is StyleBlueprint's Managing Editor, based in Nashville. A lifelong Tennessee native, Alissa is a lover of travel, true crime, and ordering for the table.