It’s holiday gifting season! What do you get for those loved ones in your life who have very specific interests or tastes? We all know that a special bottle of wine can be a welcomed gift, but sometimes it can’t be the only gift we give someone.
Because you are going to be bombarded with wine bottle gift guides on other wine blogs and publications, I want to offer something a little different. How about some unique gift ideas for those times when you don’t want to just give a bottle of wine? Or even ideas for stocking stuffers and additional gifts for friends and family members — whether they love wine or not.
Here are a few gift ideas to consider this holiday season when you don’t want to just give a bottle of wine.
All of these gifts I’ve received and tried or gifted to someone myself.
A gift for the outdoorsy-type or ocean lover
$95
I do live in South Florida, so…
Think eco-friendly fashion! Here is a trendy looking watch that is created using recycled ocean-bound plastic from Tide Ocean Material SA. These colorful watches (Black, Navy, Orange, and Teal) come in sustainable boxes made with recycled fibers and a natural organic cotton pouch insert. For the mermaids and mermen in the family, the watch is water resistant up to 50 meters.
I gave an orange Wave watch to my marine biologist friend, and she appreciated the mission. I sure hope she’ll be rocking this stylish ocean-positive arm candy on her next sea-bound excursion.
For the home chef who has everything
Season and Stir: Alicante Paella Pan
$113 +
My husband is really hard to buy gifts for because he usually just orders whatever he wants whenever he wants it. He loves to cook, so I’m always looking for unique kitchen things I can gift him as a surprise.
Enter: paella pan! How many of you have a copper paella pan? It’s not a common household item. But it sure does make a nice gift! Especially for those who love to cook and entertain. Talk about a conversation piece!
The Season and Stir pans run from 6-18 inches. They are constructed from heavy gauge 2MM thick hammered copper with a hot-tinned interior for a long-lasting, non-reactive cooking surface. And copper is always a nice accessory for the home chef. This is an item that can stay in the family for generations if properly cared for over the years.
A gift that is home chef-approved in this house.
For the wine lover who really loves old wine
$7ish ++
This is not just your average wine key. The Ah-So is a special wine opener that is usually reserved for very old, stubborn corks. When the cork is fragile and you don’t want to risk breaking it as you pull it out of the bottle, the Ah-So is the tool to help.
I was gifted one a while back, and I really think it’s a unique stocking stuffer tool for those who you know appreciate old bottles of wine.
There are many versions on the Internet, some more expensive than others, but you can find them easily on Amazon or through a quick Google search. The one pictured is L’Atelier du Vin Bilami Twin-Blade Corkscrew available on WineEnthusiast.com for $40.
For the serious wine drinker who needs new glasses
$178
I’m sure we all have just stacks of glasses at home. But hardly any of us who entertain have a full set. Amiright?
Well, instead of gifting mom a new set of the same glasses, how about treating her to Riedel’s Veloce Tasting Set? These glasses offer something special.
Some swear by the experience that wine tastes better when sipped from appropriate glassware. Earlier this year, I attended a tasting by Max Riedel, and he took us through different grape varieties and how different glasses are perfectly engineered to deliver optimal aromas and taste for each grape. It’s an interesting experiment, and truly shows you the power of glassware.
In this Veloce Tasting set, there are specific glasses for Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. (But you can definitely play around with other varieties, too.) The glasses are machine-blown and dishwasher safe, with each one engraved with the appropriate grape variety on the base. And it’s easy to order a set of these on the Riedel website just in time for the gift-giving holidays.
For the wine lover who really should get more than just a bottle
or
Corporate Gifting
$85+
This is technically giving wine, but there is so much more to it! Vinya wine shop (and bar) in Miami has put together five themed boxes for you to choose from based on your gift recipient’s personality. Such as the “Viva Italia” box pictured above. This special gift box includes:
A bottle of Brut Prosecco
A bottle of Mirafiore Barolo
A bottle of Il Gusto di Amalfi Limoncello
Ready-to-drink Aperol Spritz (3PK)
Italian Christmas Cookies
Other themed boxes include: Miami Vibes, The Classic Hits, Bubbles in Red, and Fireplace Sippers. Each box comes with custom wrapping paper, bow, gift box, and your own personalized holiday postcard.
Plus, these boxes are ginormous! They are sure to impress anyone receiving a box by delivery or by sitting under a Christmas tree.
AND, use code Jac10 for 10% off any order at Vinyawine.com.
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