Joining our earlier tech guide is a bit more of a varied gift guide, alongside our friends at Nerd News Today. This one runs the gamut from food to gadgets and toys, but it’s all awesome stuff we feel would make a welcome addition to whatever occasion you’re celebrating this holiday season.
Mallowdoos: Based in North Carolina, Mallowdoos offers gourmet marshmallows with a touch of home. These squares are softer than clouds and perfectly sweet, with unique flavors to entice anyone. These marshmallows aren’t just for kids, with items like smokey honey habanero, bourbon vanilla bean, Irish cream, or fireball, but they also have seasonal treats like cranberry ginger ale, pumpkin spice, and peppermint. We recommend being adventurous and grabbing the Horchata mallows, but you can’t go wrong with classics like birthday cake or s’mores.
Price: Varies
Occo Spices: If you’re looking to be adventurous with your spices but don’t feel like spending a lot to only use them a few times, Occo has you in mind. Pre-measured spices are packaged in classy boxes that resemble thin cookbooks, adding cultural knowledge alongside a tasty recipe. Occo offers recipe kits or spice cards with aromatic treats like Calabrian Chile, Saigon Cinnamon, Pink Pepper, or earthy rose petals, among other unique spices, ready to use with just the right amount to try anything!
Price: Varies
Food Crayon: The oddest item on this list, the Food Crayon is exactly what it sounds like. This family-owned business from Montreal combined their shared culinary expertise to create a flavorful crayon you shave onto your plate to season your food. All-natural with a strong shelf life of up to a year, a mouthful of umami goodness can be yours with an interactive seasoning experience like no other. Shave a dash of miso, basil, raspberry, balsamic, coconut yuzu, and other traditional or exotic flavorings that will brighten up any plate. They may seem like a novelty at first glance, but after you try one, you’ll be hooked!
Price: Varies
Skyline Chess: The game of kings, Skyline Chess elevates this classic to a new level with gorgeous international architecture replacing the game pieces. The name isn’t just because it’s catchy; all of the sets are based on famous skylines from cities around the world. From London, New York, Dubai, Tokyo, Paris, Chicago, and more, these classy boards and pieces are available at varying price points, depending on the material you choose for your set. Those range from plastic to stainless steel, wood, marble, or even bronze. Whether you plan to play or not, these beautiful centerpieces add elegance to any home and will be a wonderful talking piece when entertaining guests.
Price: Varies
Boo-Boo Buddies: Every kid gets scrapes and cuts as they grow up, and band-aids are a mainstay in every bathroom cabinet. With Boo-Boo Buddies kids can have adorable designs that represent their personalities and are a few steps above the typical bandages. Parents will be jealous when they see their kids rocking die-cut burgers, fries, bunnies, yetis, or even milk and cookies on their boo-boos! To be fair, their website does say anyone can wear them, no matter how old the person may be, so who are we to argue with medical science when it’s that cute?
Price: Varies
Snuggle Puppy: These plush toys have an unusual origin story, starting out as soft buddies to help crate train puppies who recently left their families. After a time, they discovered humans were using these, enjoying the lifelike heartbeat and warmth from these toys, and soon looked into how to make them usable for people. Today, adults and children love the Snuggle Puppy, which has also been used by many neurodivergent families to help soothe anxiety, depression, and restlessness. Today, there are different types of Snuggle Plushes (including a Snuggle Kitty), and once you hug one, you’ll understand why the Snuggle Puppy will be your new favorite huggable toy.
Price: Varies
Wildflower Caramels: Everything is bigger in Texas, or so they say, and that includes candy! Texas’ Wildflower Caramels are a family-run business of caramel confections that are some of the smoothest candies with bold flavors. Unique melt-in-your-mouth flavors sourced from local farmers and producers include Maple Whiskey, Honey Lavender, Orange Cardamom Pistachio, and even Cereal and Milk, along with classic flavors, too. You haven’t had a caramel until you’ve tried one from Wildflower, so don’t miss out on these delectable sticky sweets.
Price: Varies
Choquette Chocolates & Confections: Inspired by European chocolate-making traditions and techniques, Chouquette makes smooth, delicious chocolate that is as good as anything out there. What makes them interesting is their designs, with chocolates for every season and occasion. What caught our attention was their custom section, allowing folks to do small or large custom orders and allowing you to add your logo, an image of a loved one, or just about anything to your sweets.
Price: Varies