Holiday Gift Guide 2025

Buzz

 

Countdown to the Holidays:

 

Meliora Forever’s 12 Days of Christmas Calendar: A cocktail lover’s advent calendar. Behind each of the 12 doors, find two cocktail cubes infused with award‑winning bitters. Simply add your favorite whiskey to craft a perfectly balanced, low sugar, artisan cocktail, from a female-founded brand. $50; More information, here. 

 

In Good Taste’s Wine Advent Calendar: Each day reveals a new surprise, whether it’s a bold red, crisp white, or refreshing rosé, all handpicked from world-class wine regions. More information at InGoodTaste.com 

 

For the Foodie:

 

Centrolina Chef Amy’s Pasta Kit 2.0: Chef Amy’s pasta kit features six distinctive house-made pastas: potato gnocchi, ricotta cavatelli, hand-rolled pici, pistachio fettuccine, red wine and truffle tagliolini, and scallop and calamari spaghetti “Bianca.” The kit also includes an 8-ounce wedge of Parmigiano and three gourmet sauces: white and black truffle butter, forest mushroom ragù, and white veal-and-beef bolognese in broth and milk. $175; More information here. 

 

 

Yume Sushi and Kyojin - Holiday Treasure Box: Chef Saran “Peter” Kannasute has curated a holiday gift featuring a Sea Treasure Chirashi bowl, a box of chocolates, a variety of special tea bags, and a $50 gift card (for the location the box is purchased at- either KYOJIN or YUME Sushi). $99; purchase via the websites, here and here. 

 

Sweet Stocking Stuffers from Van Leeuwen: Slip a little sweetness into your stocking with Van Loot Coins. This bag of treasure includes 10 coins, each redeemable for one kid’s scoop at any Van Leeuwen scoop shop nationwide. The 100% biodegradable coins make gifting both fun and sustainable. More information, here.

 

Hosting & Hostess Gifts with Cheesetique: Find all you need for the holidays, including cheese & charcuterie platters; Mac ‘n’ Trees (truffle or pancetta, sage and shallot mac in a festive, oven-ready Christmas tree pan); Cranberry, pumpkin, or classic cheesecake, and seasonal wine picks with festive gift packaging options. Find even more, here.

 

Katz’s Holiday Box: Reconstruct both of Katz’s most infamous sandwiches - Pastrami on Rye and a Corned Beef Reuben - right at home. Enjoy the flavors of Manhattan’s most famous Jewish deli anywhere in the country, from coast to coast. https://katzsdelicatessen.com/holiday-box.html

 

For the One Who’s Always Ready to Raise a Toast:

 

Perry’s Mystery Sake Box: Gift an exclusive Mystery Sake Box, a special iteration of Perry’s bi-monthly sake club, featuring lesser-known brands hand-picked by chef Masako Morishita and sake expert Devin Sparks. Available for preorder until December 23rd; $80; For more information, visit Perry’s website.

 

Paul John Christmas Edition 2025: This unpeated single malt whisky is matured in ex-bourbon casks and finished in cream liqueur casks, revealing layers of honeyed oak, warm spice and a subtle hint of Christmas cake. This limited-edition expression offers connoisseurs and collectors a luxurious taste of the season. $85; pauljohnwhisky.com

 

DCanter Wine Boutique Wine Concierge: This flexible, personalized wine service is designed for anyone, not just wine enthusiasts. Each month, a dedicated wine expert handpicks bottles tailored to the recipient’s taste, lifestyle, and budget, complete with tasting notes, pairing suggestions, and delivery to their door. Concierge fee is $25/month; bottles start at $15, and recipient chooses the price range; recipient can choose 3, 6, or 12 bottles each month. 

 

Bluejacket Brewery 2026 Officers’ Club: For the craft beer enthusiast the Bluejacket Officers’ Club offers something personal, local, and genuinely special. With exclusive bottles, members-only brews, discounts on merch, early access to coveted events like Snallygaster and the ChurchKey Advent Box, and year-round insider privileges, this gift keeps giving long after the holidays. More information, here.

 

For Something a Little Bit More Tangible:

 

Immigrant Food - Immigrants Make America Great: Gift “Immigrants Make America Great” merch, available on hats, tshirts, totes, aprons, and even a dog bandana. Support Immigrant Food’s gastro-advocacy mission and order here. 

 

Fish Shop - Handmade Holiday Finds: Add a splash of sea-inspired charm to holiday gifting with Fish Shop’s artisan-made pieces, like Kevin Andrew Morris’ crab-shaped salt and pepper shakers, or Jane Carr’s unisex marine neckerchiefs, hand-finished in Como. 

 

2fifty Texas BBQ Collab Knives: Gift a cozy chocolate brown hoodie or 2fifty’s branded Victorinox knives for the BBQ lover in your life. More information here.

 

Giving Guide: Toy & Coat Drives:

 

Fairmont Toy Drive for Horton’s Kids: Fairmont Washington D.C., Georgetown will be accepting toy donations for Horton’s Kid until December 10. Horton’s Kids empowers children growing up in one of Washington, DC’s most under-resourced communities so that they graduate from high school ready for success in college, career, and life. 

 

Winter Coat & Accessories Drive Lapis: The Popal Group’s drive supports Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA). Through December 14, they will collect new or like-new coats, hats, scarves, and gloves for refugees, immigrants, and local neighbors in need. Donations can be dropped off daily at Lapis between 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and 5:00p.m.-9:00p.m. 1847 Columbia Road NW.

 

Salvation Army Angel Tree at Tysons Corner Center: Support local families in need by selecting a tag from the Angel Tree and fulfilling a holiday wish for a child in the community through the Salvation Army. Available through December 24, in the Santa Wing, on the lower level of Tysons I, near Wasabi.

 

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out our (ever-evolving) List of Holiday Markets, here.