We asked our members to share with us their favorite Vermont food items for holiday giving. Here are some of their suggestions, but don't overlook a gift certificate to your favorite Vermont restaurant. Send a loved one out to eat; a splendid meal after the holiday rush is sure to be a treasured evening.
"Vermont Beef Jerky make excellent stocking stuffers for my teenage boys and my husband. They love the flavor-Maple & Teriyaki being their two favorites. Eleven Brothers Goat Cheese and Cranberry Harvest Chevre are also perfect gifts for the holiday. They both are wonderful additions to a holiday cheese plate and are both made locally. We use local cranberries from Cranberry Bob (VT Cranberry Co.) in our Chevre. These are ideal hostess gifts that can't go wrong." ~ Anne Doe, Boston Post Dairy
"Putney's Cranberry Apple Wine makes the perfect gift, along with a mixture of our potatoes, of course!" ~ Donald & Diane Heleba, Heleba Potato Farm
"Vermont Cranberries-just so healthy, beautiful and freezable. All of our goat's milk Caramel Sauce is perfect for gifts - we have our Petit Size, great for gift baskets and stocking stuffers, our Gift Boxes and Gift Bags which are already packaged and ready to go, and then there's always the Epic Caramel (quart) for the real caramel enthusiasts on your list." ~ Judith Irving, Fat Toad Farm
"Our Vermont Smoke and Cure RealSticks Sampler lets you try our three new Turkey RealSticks along with the three originals. A perfect stocking stuffer!" ~ Chris Bailey, Vermont Smoke and Cure
"Our Snow White and Rose Red sister wines are perfect gifts. Their labels are fun and farm friendly." ~ David Lane, Snow Farm Vineyard
"We offer some of the finest farm-raised Venison in the state. It is the perfect gift for foodies and those who are hard to buy for but love good, healthy food." ~ Punky and Diane Rowlee, Hollandeer Farm
"A Green Mountain Girls Farm gift certificate makes a perfect gift for any of your friends and family. It can be used to enjoy a farm experience like "Lattes on the Hoof", for a cooking class, for any of the delicious meats, vegetables and pantry items available at our farmstand or for a farmstay." ~ Laura Olsen & Mari Omland, Green Mountain Girls Farm
"Sparkling Cider always makes a lovely party gift, and people appreciate the Vermont product. We also like to give jams and jellies from the local farmers' market." ~ Dorothy Read, Readmore Inn
"Any of our Holiday Chocolates would make the perfect gift because they are handcrafted in Vermont from all natural ingredients and come packaged in festive boxes that spread holiday cheer!" ~ Amy Lipsitz, Lake Champlain Chocolates
"All of our products make fantastic gifts, but the most popular are the Vermont Ice Apple Creme, Vermont Ice Maple Creme, and the Glogg. The Vermont Ice Apple Creme liqueur is made with Vermont-grown apple brandy, cream, & Vermont Ice Cider and the Vermont Ice Maple Creme liqueur has Vermont Maple syrup added. Both liqueurs are smooth and delicious on their own or can be added to coffee, hot chocolate, or your favorite holiday cocktails. The Glogg is a mulled red wine that comes ready to heat and serve. Flavors of cinnamon, clove, cardamom, & orange peel leave you feeling warm and cozy inside on those cold winter days." ~ Bridget Jones, Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits
Homemade Gifts
Everyone loves a handmade treat from grown ingredients!
"I love making fondue out of Vermont Farmstead Ale House cheddar to enjoy with good company and nice glass of wine." ~ Chef Gregory Farrell, Woodstock Inn & Resort
"I make fresh homemade "spiked" egg nog with fresh eggs from Springmore Farm!" ~ Tricia Jerecki, Vermont Fresh Pasta
"I love to gift my homemade hot sauces. I grow all my own peppers in our Community garden and even though it may be simple to make, no one ever takes the time to do so." ~ Chef Maryanne Larkin, Arvads Grill and Pub
"When we make enough, our own Blackberry Jam is a perfect gift. It tastes like summer, and you can't find it everywhere, at least not with that wonderful taste that only comes from wild berries." ~ Dorothy Read, Readmore Bed and Breakfast
"Any of my Christmas cookies make fantastic gifts, especially my shortbread cookies with chocolate ganache filling-think homemade Pepperidge Farm Brussels!" ~ Chef Kelly Murphy, Lewis Creek Catering
