{"id":8386,"date":"2023-11-27T21:11:57","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T05:11:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/?p=8386"},"modified":"2023-11-28T11:33:18","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T19:33:18","slug":"the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Damn Food &#038; Drink Gift Guide on the Internet 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023-1024x732.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023-1024x732.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023-1536x1097.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Here it is, our fourth annual edition! The first three were just practice for this masterpiece of culinary and imbibable magnificence. Because this year, our food and drink gift guide isn&#8217;t just the usual excellent selection \u2014 products we\u2019ve used, received and enjoyed, and\/or gifted \u2014 it&#8217;s also chock-full of pithy commentary on important topics like the politics of tiki drinks and the retail miracle of TJ Maxx.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like <a href=\"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">last year<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the previous year<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-web\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">and the year before that<\/a>, there\u2019s no ulterior motive. (Well, there is one affiliate link this time, which is Amanda\u2019s, but since she just had a baby and now has an extra daycare cost, that&#8217;s basically the same as zero.) Our goal is simply to feature products we love from brands we want to support and recommend. Plus, a few hundred people (including our own friends and family) have told us they now rely on it not just for the holiday season, but all year round when seeking gift giving advice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A distribution of gift options between $20-$300, with very few at the top end of that range, and plenty of affordable selections<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A diverse range of products that can accommodate every palate and dietary restriction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No mass market stuff&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A focus on small businesses and diverse ownership (companies founded by women, PoC, and other under-represented groups all made our list)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>US &amp; Canada focused, with every option shipping to the continental US<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unlike 2 of the 3 branches of the United States&#8217; government, bribes are strictly prohibited<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As always, you won\u2019t see repeat recommendations from our past gift guide editions. We stand by those past recommendations. We just want to give you fresh, new guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this 2023 edition, five of us have compiled gift recommendations. Here\u2019s a little more about each of us so that you get a better sense of what informs our perspectives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rand Fishkin: <\/strong>Cofounder and CEO at SparkToro, married to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everywhereist.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">James Beard award winning food writer<\/a>. Infamous for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everywhereist.com\/2021\/12\/bros-restaurant-lecce-we-eat-at-the-worst-michelin-starred-restaurant-ever\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">selecting<\/a> one terrible restaurant in Lecce, and only slightly less infamous for suggesting a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everywhereist.com\/2022\/07\/i-tried-21-flavors-of-mountain-dew-for-some-reason\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">taste test of every Mountain Dew flavor<\/a>. Rand\u2019s also a ludicrously picky eater, surprisingly passable home chef, and mostly wants all his friends to buy the people they love good, consumable things that won\u2019t clutter up their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Amanda Natividad: <\/strong>VP of Marketing for SparkToro, former test kitchen cook at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/food\/la-xpm-2012-sep-06-la-dd-test-kitchen-tips-cleaning-stubborn-pots-and-pans-20120905-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Los Angeles Times<\/a>, Le Cordon Bleu graduate, and someone who puts an inordinate amount of thought into everything she buys. She\u2019s also price-conscious and tries to find a balance between gifting interesting delicious gifts that support small and\/or local businesses and staying within budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Andrew Bohrer: <\/strong>A mensch of a man whose <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestranger.com\/food-and-drink\/2023\/03\/30\/78926973\/the-last-word-the-bom-dia-at-the-doctors-office\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">food and drink opinions<\/a> have never steered Rand wrong. He\u2019s a cocktail-competition-winner, bartending legend, artist, connoisseur of all things tasteable and taste-worthy. He helped Rand put together SparkToro&#8217;s inaugural list. Andrew not only brings an expert point of view, but he\u2019s also consumed, used or visited all of his recommendations, which means he\u2019s giving tried-and-true, thoughtful advice. He is tending bar again at The Doctor\u2019s Office (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tdosea.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.tdosea.com\/<\/a>) on Cap Hill in Seattle\u2014 a 12 seat, global spirits tasting room with classic cocktails and NO SHAKERS (because old bartenders). Read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thestranger.com\/food-and-drink\/2023\/03\/30\/78926973\/the-last-word-the-bom-dia-at-the-doctors-office\">The Stranger&#8217;s review<\/a>, or just take a Seattle friend there for an extraordinary night of mixology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Scott Heimendinger: <\/strong>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/seattlefoodgeek\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">new co-author<\/a> of this gift guide! He\u2019s a culinary inventor and good friend of ours. In fact, that sous vide cooker tucked away lovingly in your kitchen? He invented that. Yes. He is a literal inventor. Scott is always testing things in his kitchen, and we\u2019ve never second-guessed his advice. He\u2019s also much better at food puns than we could ever hope to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Geraldine DeRuiter:<\/strong> Author of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.everywhereist.com\/books\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">All Over the Place<\/a><\/em> and the upcoming <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.everywhereist.com\/books\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">If You Can&#8217;t Take the Heat<\/a><\/em>, founder of Everywhereist.com, and popular creator of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.everywhereist.com\/2023\/11\/invisible-pie-labor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">clear pumpkin pies<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C0CudMxPhVQ\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">crime-denial commentary<\/a>. She&#8217;s also married to Rand, but even if she weren&#8217;t, we&#8217;d be soliciting her input.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because we wanted to cover foodie gifts for all kinds of situations and people, we&#8217;ve broken things down into seven delightfully eclectic categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Books<\/strong> for all kinds of food enthusiasts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Servingware and tools<\/strong> for the home chef<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Treats <\/strong>for snack and dessert enthusiasts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pantry essentials <\/strong>for the gourmand<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nonalcholic beverages<\/strong> for everyone<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boozy <\/strong>treats and tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Miscellaneous<\/strong> thoughtful foodie gifts (a.k.a. the inside scoop from us!)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>And now, without further ado, the list! (in our own, respective words):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Books for all kinds of food enthusiasts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/720922\/if-you-cant-take-the-heat-by-geraldine-deruiter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">If You Can\u2019t Take the Heat<\/a> by Geraldine DeRuiter<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ifyoucanttaketheheat.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ifyoucanttaketheheat.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/ifyoucanttaketheheat-200x300.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>James Beard-award-winning writer, Geraldine DeRuiter, has written several of the most virally-shared, laugh-out-loud hilarious pieces of food writing in the last decade. This book, centered on the intersection of food, feminism, and (mostly) righteous fury explores personal and cultural topics with Geraldine\u2019s trademark humor. \u201cIf You Can\u2019t Take the Heat\u201d comes out in March, but a pre-order is the gift that keeps on giving\u2026 twice anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I pre-ordered my copy weeks ago and am devastated to learn I must wait until March to read this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s technically a bribe if this is on the list. But leave it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Geraldine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/p\/books\/doctors-and-distillers-the-remarkable-medicinal-history-of-beer-wine-spirits-and-cocktails-camper-english\/17791938\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Doctors and Distillers: The Remarkable Medicinal History of Beer, Wine, Spirits, and Cocktails<\/a> by Camper English<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"333\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/doctorsanddistillers.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8406\" style=\"width:286px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/doctorsanddistillers.jpeg 333w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/doctorsanddistillers-200x300.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 333px) 100vw, 333px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s the book Camper was born to write, except for the other book that he wrote, which is also the book he was born to write, but I haven\u2019t read that book, the one about Ice. Camper English is the founder of cocktailsafe.org, when people were putting all kinds of stupid things like tobacco and cocktails, he brought up science and food safety, and probably saved a few people trips to the emergency room. This book compiles a history of the ways in which we thought alcohol might help medicinally, the few ways in which that it might, and all of the culture that has been built around that science or lack thereof. It\u2019s a great read, and if you want to be an insufferable cocktail party guest, it\u2019s a must read.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.saltfatacidheat.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Salt Fat Acid Heat<\/a> by Samin Nosrat<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"238\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-238x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-238x300.png 238w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image.png 715w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 238px) 100vw, 238px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Alright, smartie pants, I know <em>you know<\/em> how to cook. This book isn\u2019t for you. It\u2019s for your friend who swears they can\u2019t cook no matter how hard they try. Or for the relative who always bungles the recipe you thought was straightforward. Look, learning to cook is hard. If you have an often-frustrated, culinarily-well-intentioned loved one, they\u2019d be better off spending their time building a strong knowledge base for cooking rather than sifting through blog after blog. \u201cSalt Fat Acid Heat\u201d is that book. Once they read this, they can go back to their blog surfing and it\u2019ll all finally make sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We own this. We watched the show. It&#8217;s great. If you buy just one book this year, make it mine. This can be the other one if you&#8217;re buying two or three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Geraldine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Servingware and tools for the home chef<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kirikomade.com\/collections\/kitchen-dining-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kiriko<\/a> kitchen and dining ware<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1025\" height=\"489\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8420\" style=\"width:700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-1.png 1025w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-1-300x143.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-1-768x366.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1025px) 100vw, 1025px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I love everything from this PDX Japanese store, but their kitchen and diningware is particularly delightful. Beautiful ceramics, stunning bottle openers, vintage placemats and napkins, and some lovely mugs (oddly, these are in the <a href=\"https:\/\/kirikomade.com\/collections\/new-home-office\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Home &amp; Office category<\/a>, so make sure to surf around the site).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theboardsmith.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Boardsmith<\/a> cutting boards<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"752\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-2-1024x752.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8421\" style=\"width:700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-2-1024x752.png 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-2-300x220.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-2-768x564.png 768w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-2-1536x1128.png 1536w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-2.png 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>When we moved homes, we desperately needed to donate the seven crappy, swag-gift cutting boards we\u2019d acquired since college and get a real one. These fine woodworkers make real ones that last, look beautiful, don\u2019t wobble, and make chopping a pleasure rather than a chore. Our large one came in especially handy for the Thanksgiving turkey and similar piece de resistance-centric meals. (Refer to <a href=\"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">last year\u2019s gift guide<\/a> for our cutting board cream recommendation to maintain the board!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hestanculinary.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hestan<\/a> pots and pans<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-3-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8422\" style=\"width:700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-3-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-3-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-3-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-3-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-3-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-3.png 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I love their pots. Right size. Right weight. Right shape. Cadillac. Yeah, Hestan\u2019s a time bomb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good luck getting Rancid&#8217;s 1995 punk rock chorus out of your head. Thankfully, Hestan&#8217;s cookware is much easier to scrub. Also, despite the name, they&#8217;re made in Italy (Bergamo and Bologna, two cities I love). Apparently they started in California, but found that Americans just weren&#8217;t precise enough for the techniques needed to make great pots and pans. Go figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Medieval 2-piece eating set by <a href=\"https:\/\/todcutler.com\/en-us\/collections\/eating-knives-cooks-knives-and-other-knives\/products\/15thc-medieval-knife-and-pricker-eating-set\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tod Cutler<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Todd-Cutler-knife-15thC-Medieval-2-piece-eating-set.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8399\" style=\"width:456px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve been enjoying Todd Cutler\u2018s videos on YouTube for years. He does a lot of different things that are very entertaining, he chases some history in recreating museum pieces with classic medieval methods, tests, weird old weapons, and makes high-grade props for TV and film. Part of his history study of course put him on eating knives and eating daggers from the middle ages. He has dozens of different styles available on both of his websites. I don\u2019t have one, so I can\u2019t vouch for the value, but, I can\u2019t imagine it\u2019s anything but perfect.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks Andrew. Now I know what to get you for Hannukah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/combustion.inc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Combustion Inc. Thermometer<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"839\" src=\"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Frame_46.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8400\" style=\"width:305px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It has 8 temperature sensors along its length so it understands not just core temperature, but the <em>way heat is moving into your food<\/em>. That enables great predictive features and more detailed data than anything else out there. I use mine for BBQ, but if you don&#8217;t have a home combi oven (tsk, tsk) it can guide you to roast chicken nearly as good as mine in a normal oven \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Scott<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fryaway.co\/products\/fryaway-pan-fry\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FryAway<\/a> cooking oil solidifier<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1800\" src=\"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/fryaway.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8401\" style=\"width:405px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>What to do with that leftover frying oil? <em>Definitely<\/em> don&#8217;t pour it down the drain or the fatberg will murder you in your sleep. Instead, sprinkle in a little FryAway and wait. As the oil cools, it solidifies into a flexible puck that you can toss in the trash.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Scott<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/kidstir.com\/kids-cooking-subscription\/childrens-knife\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kidstir<\/a> kid-safe knife<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"706\" height=\"706\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/kidsknige.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8402\" style=\"width:410px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/kidsknige.jpeg 706w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/kidsknige-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/kidsknige-150x150.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 100vw, 706px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Every time my kid has seen me preparing food and declared, \u201cI wanna help!\u201d I\u2019ve tried to find something for him to do. But you can only delegate fruit and veggie-washing so many times before your child decides they need a promotion. Enter: this kid-safe knife. Always with my supervision, my kindergartner will slice fruit or chop nuts with his special green knife. (And then at Target\u2019s $1 section, I found a mini whisk and spatula that\u2019s also his special gear so he can help me bake as well!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.miir.com\/products\/camp-cup-vacuum-insulated-stainless-steel?variant=39490450784330\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MiiR<\/a> camp cup<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Camp_Cup_12oz_Cascara_Studio_0420_402649_1_b698e676-27d4-4995-8b33-551bb79b1055.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8403\" style=\"width:426px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Hot take: those plug-in hot plates for coffee cups don\u2019t work. They don\u2019t keep your coffee meaningfully hot enough, and worse, they just pose a mild burning hazard for klutzy folks like me. That\u2019s why I\u2019m obsessed with my MiiR camp cup. It keeps your hot drinks hot for a solid 90 minutes. Perfect for a slow-poke monster like me who needs her coffee to nearly scald her mouth with every sip and who takes about one hour to savor it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treats for snack and dessert enthusiasts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pasticceriamarchesi.com\/ww\/en.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marchesi<\/a> panettone cake<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"725\" height=\"469\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-4.png 725w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-4-300x194.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 725px) 100vw, 725px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve tried a lot of panettone over the years. Here in the Northwest of the US, TJ Maxx was long our go-to-outlet for the preserved Italian cakes (with their half-off prices and deep-cut-Americana shopping experiences), but with TJ\u2019s, you\u2019ve gotta visit 10 times to find 1 good product. Like a casino, the shop\/gamble experience keeps you coming back for more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, this isn\u2019t about TJ Maxx, \u201cwhere shopping is fun and fun is the Maxx.\u201d This is about what to do if you want reliable, exceptional quality, beautifully packaged Italian pastries that cost more and are worth every penny. In that case, I\u2019m recommending Marchesi. Their stores in Milan are to die for, but the shipped pastries, thanks to panettone-like preservation techniques, are no less phenomenal. Spoil your recipients. Save the TJ Maxx trip for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I thought panettone cake was meant to be dry and stale. That maybe, like a Spanish churro to hot chocolate, you\u2019re supposed to dunk it in some drink like coffee. But it turns out the mainstream grocery store panettone that people gifted me for years was just a disgusting version. Rand gifted me this cake in 2021 and I\u2019ve never forgotten it. It single-handedly convinced me that I like panettone after all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bokksu.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bokksu<\/a> Japanese snack box<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-5-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8424\" style=\"width:700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-5-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-5-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-5-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-5-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-5.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Lots of folks rave about these Japanese snack boxes. Deservedly so. The goodies inside are perfect for a night of curling up on the couch and watching the only good romantic comedy of the last decade (yes, I\u2019m talking about \u201cThe Long Shot,\u201d where Seth Rogen is somehow a believable love interest for Charlize Theron). It\u2019s the kind of gift that\u2019ll make anyone, Japanophile or no, smile, crunch, munch, and ask \u201cwhoa\u2026 what\u2019s that?\u201d (in a good way).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Snacks from <a href=\"https:\/\/pampadirect.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pampa Direct<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"608\" height=\"608\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-7.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8426\" style=\"width:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-7.png 608w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-7-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-7-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>There are dozens of potential snack gifts from this extensive purveyor of South American (and some Spanish) goodies, but in particular, I\u2019m recommending the <a href=\"https:\/\/pampadirect.com\/alfajores-minicakes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">alfajores<\/a>. There are a few dozen options, so folks in the know can pick their faves. If you\u2019re not sure where to start, I like <a href=\"https:\/\/pampadirect.com\/havanna-alfajor-milk-chocolate-and-italian-meringue-merengue-with-dulce-de-leche-mixed-box-of-12\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Havanna<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/pampadirect.com\/cachafaz-alfajor-dark-chocolate-with-dulce-de-leche-box-of-6\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cachafaz<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amishcountrypopcorn.com\/closed-4-oz-variety-gift-set\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amish Country Popcorn<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"786\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8427\" style=\"width:700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-8.png 786w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-8-300x166.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-8-768x425.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I write to you now from Amish country. I am sleeping in my van, across the street there is a tiny market that has a hitching post for horses. The austerity is severe. My wife bought a sampler of this popcorn for my father and I last year. We tasted all of the different heirloom kernels, and they do have different flavors, subtle, likely only noticeable by people that don\u2019t have smartphones, but we enjoyed our time together. Popcorn is still great. I do not need to sell this anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Andrew got this for me. I ate it while binging Derry Girls last weekend. Five stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Geraldine<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m allergic to popcorn, but I assume country is better than city?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dicktaylorchocolate.com\/products\/r-3-bar-gift-set-single-origin-collection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate<\/a> 3-bar gift set<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"743\" height=\"755\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-9.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-9.png 743w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-9-295x300.png 295w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 743px) 100vw, 743px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I feel like people aren\u2019t usually willing to splurge on great chocolate just for themselves. So, eager gift giver, here\u2019s your chance! This gift set offers a taste of single-origin chocolate from three different countries, wrapped in stunning packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Can confirm excellence of this maker. Packaging is dope, too. You don&#8217;t put ropes under your chocolate bars in product photography unless you&#8217;re real, real classy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pantry essentials for the gourmand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gustiamo.com\/all-products\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gustiamo<\/a> Italian food products<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"689\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-10-1024x689.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8429\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-10-1024x689.png 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-10-300x202.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-10-768x517.png 768w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-10.png 1160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>If this store carries it, it\u2019s good. The finest brands of risotto, pasta, jarred olives, high quality fruits and nuts, cakes, you name it. Assemble a box of $75-$200 worth of goodies and you\u2019ll have a princely gift worthy of even the most finicky friend or family member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hatch-green-chile.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hatch Green Chile Store<\/a> products<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"613\" height=\"541\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-12.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8431\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-12.png 613w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-12-300x265.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 613px) 100vw, 613px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Whole or chopped. Mild, medium, or hot. Frozen, powdered, or in salsa. Accept no substitutions. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thekitchn.com\/where-to-buy-hatch-green-chiles-online-23051639\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this guide<\/a> and enjoy. Honestly, Hatch chiles are one of the United States\u2019 best contributions to the spice world. Geraldine puts the powdered stuff on everything, and the fresh+frozen chilies make the best dang green chile enchiladas outside New Mexico itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Treats from <a href=\"https:\/\/laespanolameats.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">La Espa\u00f1ola Meats<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"613\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-13-1024x613.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8432\" style=\"width:700px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-13-1024x613.png 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-13-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-13-768x459.png 768w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-13.png 1160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I ordered Amanda a bunch of Spanish and Portuguese specialty items from here, because I really like their stuff, especially the tuna and anchovies. They also carry Torres\u2019 to-die-for potato chips (in flavors like truffle, foie gras, and caviar), acorn-fed jamon, and Casals\u2019 Vermouth Rojo, which is just divine over ice with a slice of orange. Did she like it? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Rand: Amanda &#8211; what did you think?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amanda:&nbsp; \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rand: Amanda? Where are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amanda: \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rand: I think she\u2019s probably busy working on the rest of the guide. And probably noshing on delicious tinned fish.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One bleary-eyed morning I found an enormous box of goodies at my doorstep. I was about 4 weeks postpartum and in the thick of sleepless, colicky nights with my newborn. So this box of <a href=\"https:\/\/laespanolameats.com\/appetizers-and-tapas\/torres-premium-potato-chips-with-caviar-141oz.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Torres chips<\/a>, Marcona almonds, serrano ham, anchovy filets and olive oil, were the perfect indulgent treat for my foodie heart. This box did not last long. Everything was gone in a week\u2026 and I don\u2019t think I bothered sharing it with my family. I don\u2019t know because that week was a blur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Spanish-Serrano-Ham-Board-Knife\/dp\/B081B4F8BT\/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3PQSN1PR7YVDV&amp;keywords=noel+jamon+serrano&amp;qid=1700538005&amp;sprefix=noel+jam%2Caps%2C189&amp;sr=8-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Noel<\/a> Spanish Jamon Serrano with stand and knife.<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"969\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-14.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8433\" style=\"width:400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-14.png 681w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-14-211x300.png 211w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Check your local Costco, and you can nab this ham for $99-109. It&#8217;s not as bougie as its Iberico cousin, but for about a hundred bucks, you get a porkload of cured ham and a countertop stand. It makes a statement, serves a crowd, and is fun to carve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Scott<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">La Mancha Saffron by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tienda.com\/products\/saffron-peregrino-sn-13\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Peregrino<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1013\" height=\"898\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-15.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8434\" style=\"width:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-15.png 1013w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-15-300x266.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-15-768x681.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1013px) 100vw, 1013px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m often frugal, and sometimes I am downright cheap. I don\u2019t have a big budget for specialty food items, so when I do spend a little extra, I try to make sure it\u2019s only on food products that I deeply love and\/or I know will go a long way. And when it comes to cooking with saffron, you\u2019ll know that a little really does go a long way. In fact, in a batch of paella to serve 4, you\u2019ll probably only need 2 strands of precious saffron \u2014 which is precisely why you should splurge on this ingredient!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nonalcoholic drinks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/noughtyaf.com\/products\/noughty-alcohol-free-sparkling-wine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Noughty<\/a> Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Chardonnay<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"567\" height=\"1008\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-16.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8435\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-16.png 567w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-16-169x300.png 169w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 567px) 100vw, 567px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m pretty snotty about Champagne. I prefer a Miller High Life to most non-champagne, sparkling wines. That said, I think I prefer this nonalcoholic sparkling wine to most non-champagne, sparkling wines, and it is also better than Miller High Life. Furthermore, I think that if you want to be a good host, it\u2019s about time that you have stuff like this floating around in your fridge. Nonalcoholic options are essential for the modern host.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I never thought I&#8217;d read &#8220;better than Miller High Life&#8221; in our gift guide. But I&#8217;m oddly glad I did. Also, I&#8217;ve tried this at Andrew&#8217;s place and it&#8217;s actually great. Accept no Martinelli&#8217;s, people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harney.com\/products\/dragon-pearl-jasmine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Harney &amp; Sons<\/a> Dragon Pearl Jasmine Tea<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"627\" height=\"679\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-17.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8436\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-17.png 627w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-17-277x300.png 277w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I drink tea every night. I don\u2019t really think much of it, it\u2019s kind of how I wind down. But in the afternoon I will occasionally indulge myself in the greatest luxury that is dragon pearl tea. This may not be the best one I\u2019ve ever had, you should definitely visit your local tea shop, they would love to see your face. However, this is truly one of the most ethereal aromas that a human can enjoy and it comes in a pretty tin good for gifting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/espressovivace.com\/shop\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Espresso Vivace<\/a> coffee beans<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-18.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8437\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-18.png 512w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-18-200x300.png 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>They&#8217;re the GOAT, and David Schomer is responsible for myriad innovations in coffee. You can purchase one-off bean orders, which will ship within a day or two of roasting. Or, if you&#8217;re espresso-obsessed, you can schedule a recurring subscription, ensuring you&#8217;ve got the best beans at peak freshness on a consistent basis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Scott<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/clubearlybird.com\/pages\/go?rfsn=5362671.0eeead&amp;utm_source=refersion&amp;utm_medium=influencer&amp;utm_campaign=5362671\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EarlyBird<\/a> Morning Cocktail<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1108\" height=\"662\" src=\"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/morning_product_1200x1000_302f4969-d627-4d4a-ac33-e62e347b64c0_1110x662.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8408\" style=\"width:519px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Alright. Our first-ever affiliate link. We\u2019re excusing this one because I just had a baby which means 1) I could use the extra $6 and 2) I legitimately need this drink, which means I truly stand by this recommendation. The outcome sounds too good to be true: a refreshing, hydrating drink that isn\u2019t too sweet that also wakes you up without leaving you jittery. It does this with ingredients like caffeine, L-theanine, L-tyrosine, Ashwagandha, electrolytes, and a proprietary antioxidant blend that includes turmeric powder and tart cherry extract.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perfect for sleepyheads who need a little help jumpstarting their days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Be sure to use code <strong>AMANDA10<\/strong> so you get 10% off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Boozy treats and tools<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/losttempletraders.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lost Temple Traders<\/a> mugs<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-19.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8438\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-19.png 540w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-19-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I came across these guys because I\u2019m into I guess what we used to call Tiki drinks. I think one of the fun things about exotic cocktails is the way that we\u2019re changing how we talk about them. Exoticism may have been fun at the time, but it doesn\u2019t really stand up to modern scrutiny.&nbsp; These guys do a lot of interesting mugs for exotic cocktails, and I think that I really liked the way in which the conquistador skull flipped the script on what is an acceptable drinking vessel. If you don\u2019t want to get political, or you want to save a buck, they have loads of options.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/backbarproject.com\/portfolio\/tepache-sazon-pineapple-pina-y-canela\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tepache Sazon<\/a> Pineapple<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"848\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-20.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8439\" style=\"width:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-20.png 750w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-20-265x300.png 265w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ever since I fell in love with Tepache, people tell me how often they have made one and that it went bad or exploded. No need to take the risk anymore! You can buy this classic Mexican fermented, pineapple, sugar, and cinnamon flavored beverage here in America now. Don\u2019t make a bomb, buy it in a store.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have a mild pineapple allergy\u2026 there is a non-zero chance that I will order this. Wish me luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/granmitla.us\/products\/copy-of-sal-de-gusano-agave-worm-salt-100-chinicuil-100-gram-jar?variant=9651353714803%C2%A4cy=USD&amp;utm_medium=product_sync&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_content=sag_organic&amp;utm_campaign=sag_organic&amp;srsltid=AfmBOooWBLDvunf23pBt93mgylTn3H32AJJR5P1Zk5mu4mGDCEzvHVwFvSI&amp;com_cvv=d30042528f072ba8a22b19c81250437cd47a2f30330f0ed03551c4efdaf3409e\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gran Mitla<\/a> Sal de Gusano (agave worm salt)<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-21.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8440\" style=\"width:400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-21.png 900w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-21-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-21-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-21-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Everybody is drinking mezcal now. When I say \u201cnow\u201d what I mean is five years ago. Why not try some sal de gusano? For some reason enjoying ground up fried spicy caterpillars hasn\u2019t really caught on yet. But it should. They are delightful. They are a delicacy. I don\u2019t want to tell you what I see for the future, but I think that starting to get used to eating bugs is probably a good thing. If you don\u2019t believe me, fine, but at least try this the next time you raise a copitas to your face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Copitas made by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.etsy.com\/market\/copitas_for_mezcal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">small businesses on Etsy<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-22-1024x700.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-22-1024x700.png 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-22-300x205.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-22-768x525.png 768w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-22.png 1348w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Speaking of copitas, proper glassware makes all the difference in the world. Maybe there\u2019s a specific style that is the best, I don\u2019t know, but what I do know is having a set makes me happy, and having a set means that I will share with friends and that makes me happy. Here are a few options off of Etsy. Something I learned during the pandemic is that you can set a Geofence around where you would like to do your Etsy purchase. If your preference is to buy from someone close to you, you can set that as a preference and buy local.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drinksprezza.com\/our-sprezza\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sprezza<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-23-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8442\" style=\"width:300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-23-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-23-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-23-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-23-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-23-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-23-2048x2048.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>It might just be a can of vermouth, apertivo and soda, but it tastes the way that Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck look in Roman Holiday and I can\u2019t think of a better endorsement than that. Well, I guess it also fits in your pocket when you go to the movie theater. I definitely do that too. All three flavors are great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am going to order this as soon as I publish this guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>+100. I need to restock my fridge with these. They&#8217;re great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Acid phosphate from <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.artofdrink.com\/product\/acid-phosphate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Art of the Drink<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"631\" height=\"910\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-24.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8443\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-24.png 631w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-24-208x300.png 208w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 631px) 100vw, 631px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve been working in a bar that doesn\u2019t shake drinks. That means we don\u2019t have juice. That means I don\u2019t have a crutch to just make somebody a sour, easy, drinking \u201cmargarita style thing.\u201d I&#8217;ve been using a lot of acid phosphate. A couple of dashes mimics the acidity of about a half ounce of lime juice. It can be used in the kitchen as well and I reach for it all the time. Plus, each order comes with a free PDF of the book Fix the Pumps. It\u2019s a great history on making sodas at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m not going to ask questions. I\u2019m just going to buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fruitwineco.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Crunchy Red Fruit \/ Fruit Wine Co shop.<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"689\" height=\"885\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-26.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8445\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-26.png 689w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-26-234x300.png 234w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 689px) 100vw, 689px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Created by a former Canlis sommelier, they offer a wine club and an a la carte bottle shop. Offerings are broad and span basically all price points. As a wine idiot, I wouldn&#8217;t know how to select interesting bottles from the background radiation. Now I don&#8217;t have to. Everything I&#8217;ve tried from them has been a hit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Scott<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sigh. You guys are killing my wallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tienda.com\/table\/wine-service\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">La Tienda<\/a> sangria pitcher<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"611\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-27-1024x611.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8446\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-27-1024x611.png 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-27-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-27-768x458.png 768w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-27.png 1190w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m linking to the category page because there are lots of options worth perusing. But my personal faves are the hand-painted sangria pitchers. Sure, you don\u2019t <em>need<\/em> to serve sangria in a vessel like this. But it\u2019s more fun if you do. The oval top with pinched spout makes it easy to pour while also holding in the fruit slices. Plus, when you\u2019re not hosting, the pitcher doubles as a colorful flower vase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An inside scoop: miscellaneous thoughtful foodie gifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For this section, I posed the question to our esteemed panel of gift givers: What&#8217;s your go-to food-related gift for somebody when you don&#8217;t really know what they like, and you want to share something that&#8217;s meaningful to you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wine or Butter<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-27-at-4.36.37%E2%80%AFPM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8397\" style=\"width:360px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I like to gift a bottle of <a href=\"https:\/\/boudreauxcellars.orderport.net\/wines\/Current-Releases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Boudreaux Cellars<\/a>. They&#8217;re the only off-grid, self-powered winery in Washington State, and they happen to be neighbors of ours. So, there&#8217;s a personal story for us to tell to accompany the bottle. While that probably is not helpful for a wider audience, that\u2019s one winery to consider visiting the next time you\u2019re in Washington.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another gift option I like is fancy-ass butter. Everyone loves great butter [except those who can&#8217;t eat dairy] and not enough people treat themselves to the pleasure of inviting special butter into their lives. We typically grab <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.delaurenti.com\/cheese-butter-dairy-64\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one of these via DeLaurenti<\/a>. Accompanying baguette optional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Scott<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scrappysbitters.com\/bitters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Scrappy\u2019s Bitters<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"365\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-28-1024x365.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8447\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-28-1024x365.png 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-28-300x107.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-28-768x273.png 768w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-28.png 1531w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m not going to write myself into that story, but I remember when Miles first started Scrappy&#8217;s Bitters, I\u2019ve watched the company grow, and I\u2019m really impressed by the team that is there now. They deserve the success they have, and they\u2019re in no way done with the level of success they will achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other reason I go with them is that price-wise, bitters are really expensive. Folks don\u2019t think about it because they come in a small bottle, but by the ounce, they cost as much as an 18-year-old bottle of scotch. That\u2019s not really the kind of pricing where most people just take a chance on something they don\u2019t fully understand, and that\u2019s OK, I\u2019ll do it for them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kolaches<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"553\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/kolachefruit-1024x553.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8395\" style=\"width:522px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/kolachefruit-1024x553.png 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/kolachefruit-300x162.png 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/kolachefruit-768x415.png 768w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/kolachefruit-1536x829.png 1536w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/kolachefruit.png 1708w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>One of my go-to gifts is kolaches. They\u2019re kid-friendly and I have a connection with them through my mom\u2019s southern roots. While I can get these locally here in Portland from a Texas transplant, there are a number of places in TX that ship them. Try <a href=\"https:\/\/kolachefactory.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kolache Factory<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weikels.com\/bakery\/kolaches\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Weikels<\/a>. I also bring a bunch back on the plane with me every time I visit Austin so people burn me down with envy while I eat them on the flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Matthew Brown<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jacobsensalt.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jacobsen salt<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jacobsensalt_lifestyleshot-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8394\" style=\"width:465px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jacobsensalt_lifestyleshot-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jacobsensalt_lifestyleshot-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jacobsensalt_lifestyleshot-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jacobsensalt_lifestyleshot-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/jacobsensalt_lifestyleshot.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I like buying people fancy-ass salt. Unnecessarily fancy salt is just the best, and it&#8217;s never THAT expensive. <a href=\"https:\/\/jacobsensalt.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jacobsen salt<\/a> is my favorite \u2014 it&#8217;s from the Oregon coast. When Rand and I got hitched we were too broke to go on a honeymoon, so we just drove up the coast, stopping to visit people who couldn&#8217;t make it to the wedding because they&#8217;d decided to just have babies (AHEM, MATT, COUGH COUGH COUGH). So, yeah. It&#8217;s deeply personal and also impersonal enough to make it a gift for anyone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Geraldine DeRuiter (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everywhereist.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">James Beard award winning food writer<\/a>, author of \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.everywhereist.com\/all-over-the-place\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">All Over the Place<\/a>,\u201d and author of the forthcoming, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/720922\/if-you-cant-take-the-heat-by-geraldine-deruiter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">If You Can\u2019t Take the Heat<\/a>\u201d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Not Spaghetti, SpaghetTONI (or Teacups)<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"330\" height=\"942\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-29.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8448\" style=\"width:200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-29.png 330w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/image-29-105x300.png 105w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 330px) 100vw, 330px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>My favorite go-to gift is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.demedici.com\/wholesale\/benedetto-cavalieri-spaghettoni-bc002z-d-bc002.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Benedetto Cavalieri Spaghettoni<\/a> which I put on the list two years ago, so maybe that&#8217;s a disqualifier. I&#8217;ve bought it for so many people who get hooked and can now no longer enjoy the crappy store brands or DeCecco\/Barilla stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-27-at-4.30.42%E2%80%AFPM-1015x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8393\" style=\"width:403px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I also love <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.bandai.com\/the-other-side-of-the-tunnel-japanese-teacup-spirited-away-box-3-benelic.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">these Japanese style teacups<\/a>. The feel is just perfect, the little characters are delightful, and learning a bit of Japanese while you sip is an added benefit. There&#8217;s several variations from the various <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.bandai.com\/studioghibli\/home-decor\/kitchen-tableware.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ghibli films<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Rand<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A treat that your town is known for, shipped to a friend in another state<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Cheese_Dozen__17096.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8392\" style=\"width:457px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Cheese_Dozen__17096.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Cheese_Dozen__17096-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Cheese_Dozen__17096-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>No one link here. This will vary by your location. When you\u2019re sending a gift to a friend in a faraway city or in another state, it\u2019s sometimes nice to think of how you can send them a piece of your hometown. And sometimes, it\u2019s even better if that gift recipient is from your hometown. Case in point: <a href=\"https:\/\/sprinkles.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sprinkles Cupcakes<\/a>. I\u2019m born and based in Los Angeles, home to the famed Beverly Hills cupcake. Recently, I sent a dozen red velvet cupcakes to a cousin on the east coast who was thrilled to wake up to the sweet treats. Another food product that\u2019s local to my town and the local Filipino American community are ensaymadas from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ensaymadaproject.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ensaymada Project<\/a>. These little cheese and butter-covered brioche buns are extra good with coffee, and they\u2019re one of my go-to gifts. Plus, the founder is a dear family friend so I\u2019m extra happy to support her business. (I sent some to Rand and Casey once. Did they like them? I have no idea.) So ask yourself: what\u2019s something your town is known for that you can share with a friend?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.boobiesuperfoods.com\/products\/boobie-bar?variant=32830774509646\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Boobie Bars<\/a> for lactating parents<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Screenshot-2023-11-27-at-4.29.01%E2%80%AFPM-1024x825.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8391\" style=\"width:446px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This one serves double duty: it\u2019s an unexpected holiday gift, and it\u2019s a nice year-round gift for new parents. For people who choose to breast\/chestfeed their child, producing enough milk is a constant source of anxiety. Add to that that nursing parents need to consume an extra 500 calories per day to support their health, and you\u2019ve got an important snack opportunity. And if that isn\u2019t enough to worry about, lactation food products and supplements are somewhat expensive \u2014 not so expensive that they\u2019re prohibitive, but pricey enough that it\u2019ll make someone think twice before buying for themselves. This, to me, makes the perfect gift! It\u2019s practical, consumable, and is a loving act of service for someone you care about.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Amanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And there you have it. Our most comprehensive guide yet. Buy consciously and generously, amici. And have a happy holiday season!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>-Your friends at SparkToro, and your friends of SparkToro friends<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here it is, our fourth annual edition! The first three were just practice for this masterpiece of culinary and imbibable magnificence. Because this year, our food and drink gift guide isn&#8217;t just the usual excellent selection \u2014 products we\u2019ve used, received and enjoyed, and\/or gifted \u2014 it&#8217;s also chock-full of pithy commentary on important topics<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-events","category-personal"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Best Damn Food &amp; Drink Gift Guide on the Internet 2023 - SparkToro<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here it is, our fourth annual edition! The first three were just practice for this masterpiece of culinary and imbibable magnificence. Because this year,\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Best Damn Food &amp; Drink Gift Guide on the Internet 2023 - SparkToro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here it is, our fourth annual edition! The first three were just practice for this masterpiece of culinary and imbibable magnificence. Because this year,\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SparkToro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/sparktoro\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-11-28T05:11:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-11-28T19:33:18+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023-1024x732.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Amanda Natividad\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@sparktoro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@sparktoro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Amanda Natividad\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"30 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Amanda Natividad\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/267eae421b3417b09bcc1dbc44f77644\"},\"headline\":\"The Best Damn Food &#038; Drink Gift Guide on the Internet 2023\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-11-28T05:11:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-11-28T19:33:18+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":5119,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023-1024x732.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Events\",\"Personal\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\\\/\",\"name\":\"The Best Damn Food & Drink Gift Guide on the Internet 2023 - SparkToro\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023-1024x732.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-11-28T05:11:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-11-28T19:33:18+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/267eae421b3417b09bcc1dbc44f77644\"},\"description\":\"Here it is, our fourth annual edition! The first three were just practice for this masterpiece of culinary and imbibable magnificence. Because this year,\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/images.sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/images.sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/11\\\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023.jpg\",\"width\":2000,\"height\":1429},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"SparkToro\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/267eae421b3417b09bcc1dbc44f77644\",\"name\":\"Amanda Natividad\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/6164399abd58240e4c554028d2281e39a6db7c845049eba1b674a129cfb391b8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/6164399abd58240e4c554028d2281e39a6db7c845049eba1b674a129cfb391b8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/6164399abd58240e4c554028d2281e39a6db7c845049eba1b674a129cfb391b8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Amanda Natividad\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sparktoro.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/amanda\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Best Damn Food & Drink Gift Guide on the Internet 2023 - SparkToro","description":"Here it is, our fourth annual edition! The first three were just practice for this masterpiece of culinary and imbibable magnificence. Because this year,","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Best Damn Food & Drink Gift Guide on the Internet 2023 - SparkToro","og_description":"Here it is, our fourth annual edition! The first three were just practice for this masterpiece of culinary and imbibable magnificence. Because this year,","og_url":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/","og_site_name":"SparkToro","article_publisher":"https:\/\/facebook.com\/sparktoro","article_published_time":"2023-11-28T05:11:57+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-11-28T19:33:18+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023-1024x732.jpg","type":"","width":"","height":""}],"author":"Amanda Natividad","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@sparktoro","twitter_site":"@sparktoro","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Amanda Natividad","Est. reading time":"30 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/"},"author":{"name":"Amanda Natividad","@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/267eae421b3417b09bcc1dbc44f77644"},"headline":"The Best Damn Food &#038; Drink Gift Guide on the Internet 2023","datePublished":"2023-11-28T05:11:57+00:00","dateModified":"2023-11-28T19:33:18+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/"},"wordCount":5119,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023-1024x732.jpg","articleSection":["Events","Personal"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/","url":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/","name":"The Best Damn Food & Drink Gift Guide on the Internet 2023 - SparkToro","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023-1024x732.jpg","datePublished":"2023-11-28T05:11:57+00:00","dateModified":"2023-11-28T19:33:18+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/267eae421b3417b09bcc1dbc44f77644"},"description":"Here it is, our fourth annual edition! The first three were just practice for this masterpiece of culinary and imbibable magnificence. Because this year,","inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/the-best-damn-food-drink-gift-guide-on-the-internet-2023\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/images.sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/BestDamnGiftGuide2023.jpg","width":2000,"height":1429},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/","name":"SparkToro","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/267eae421b3417b09bcc1dbc44f77644","name":"Amanda Natividad","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6164399abd58240e4c554028d2281e39a6db7c845049eba1b674a129cfb391b8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6164399abd58240e4c554028d2281e39a6db7c845049eba1b674a129cfb391b8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6164399abd58240e4c554028d2281e39a6db7c845049eba1b674a129cfb391b8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Amanda Natividad"},"url":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/author\/amanda\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8386"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8386\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8456,"href":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8386\/revisions\/8456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparktoro.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}