Less & More: The WFH Mom Edit

Corto Agrumato-Method Calabrian Chili Olive Oil
I must confess that I am telling you all about this one a bit too late. Someone did their PR job a little too well, and these bad boys just sold out for the season. I’m so sorry. The touch of spice and depth of flavor in this oil is unreal. I usually buy 2-3 bottles for myself and my family because they always sell out so quickly! But PLEASE get on the waitlist for next year’s flavor drop and while you’re waiting, order a 3L box of their flagship EVOO, Truly from Amazon. Yes, it’s $76, but it will last you a VERY long time (the special FlavorLock bag inside a box makes sure oxygen and light don’t get to the oil and ruin it). It’s the freshest oil you’ll ever taste, perfect for cooking but ALSO drizzling on eggs, popcorn (my favorite!), chocolate, ice cream and more.

BUY IT: Corto’s Truly EVOO 3L Box

Sightglass Coffee – Winter Solstice

For that caffeine lover, coffee is ALWAYS a good idea, and this brand is a fave among coffee fanatics. This seasonal blend features hints of chocolate truffle, marzipan, and blackberry. The company small batch roasts the finest coffees from Colombia and Kenya to enhance the natural brightness of the beans. Though they have a variety of flavors, bundles and subscriptions, this one is sure to be a festive addition to your food gift recipient’s holiday mornings. Buy it on the Sightglass site for $23!

BUY IT – Sightglass Coffee, Winter Solstice

Numi Organic Tea

I have been working with this company for SO many years, and I absolutely love the founder story (a brother and sister who moved to California from Iraq) and how “steeped” they are in sustainability, Fair Trade and so on. Numi Teas are made only with organic, all-natural ingredients from a founding B Corporation member and a leading purchaser of organic, Fair Trade Certified teas. It’s a gift that gives back as well: Numi’s sales support their impact programs, which include food relief for high-needs families, educational support for underserved Oakland school children, and supplying clean drinking water for communities around the world that do not have access to it.

And when I tell you the tea is delicious, it’s a massive understatement. You can’t go wrong with ANY of their teas, but for gifting purposes, they have some really nice collections. One of my favorites to gift is this World of Tea Set ($28 on Amazon). It’s a great price point for teachers, White Elephants, gift exchanges, etc. and provides a great array of blends for people to try. If you’re looking for stocking stuffers for kids that AREN’T candy, my kids love this Rooibos Chai ($10 per box on Amazon) and the Chocolate Rooibos ($23 for a three pack of boxes on Amazon). Both are caffeine free and have mild flavors that even my six year old son can sip on on a cold winter afternoon when he gets home from school.

BUY IT: Numi Organic Tea World of Tea Gift Set

Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches – the Holiday Box

My dad is an absolute fiend for ice cream, so shipping in a box full of chef-designed, seasonal ice cream sandwiches to his doorstep would make his holidays extra bright. Just TRY not to drool when you read about the included flavors in this box. (Buy it on the brand’s site for $84.99)

Gingerbread Caramel – Spiced Gingerbread Cookie with Dulce de Leche Ice Cream

Chocolate Peppermint Bark – White and Dark Chocolate Chunk Brownie Cookie, Chocolate Mint Ice Cream

Red Velvet Cheesecake – Chocolate Brownie Cookies, Cream Cheese Ice Cream swirled with Red Velvet Cake & Cream Cheese Frosting only available online

Apple Cider – Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookie, Spiced Apple Cider Ice Cream

Classic Cheesecake – Honey Graham Cookie, Cream Cheese Ice Cream Swirled with Cream Cheese Frosting

BUY IT: Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches Holiday Box

Fly By Jing

Both my dad and my husband LOVE spice, so Fly By Jing has become a staple for me to put in their stockings. This three pack of Sichuan Chili Crisp, Zhong Sauce & Chengdu Crunch for $28 on Amazon is this year’s winner. Dan will put these kinds of toppings on MANY things, but his absolute favorite dish to top with chili crisp is vanilla ice cream. The brand story here is so cool as well, inspired by the amazing flavors of the founder’s hometown, Chengdu and its fly restaurants, which are hole-in-the-wall eateries that are so good that they attract diners like flies. The company did a really cool collaboration with another small food brand fave of mine, Fishwife. You can buy the fruits of this union on Amazon for $36, Fishwife Smoked Salmon with Fly by Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp! You can also buy $15 jars on the brand’s site for the perfect size to stuff in stockings.

BUY IT: Fly By Jings’s Sichuan Starter Gift Set

Jacobsen Salt

No one loves salt more than I do (at least, no one that I’ve met yet). So infusing it with other flavors that I can test and try out all on their own OR with other food seems pretty much like heaven to me. I gift salt so I can help taste it. This gift set of top selling infused salts ($79 on the brand’s site) is the perfect gift, in my opinion. It has a flavor for everyone from smoky to spicy and it’s a really nice sized serving in each one – big enough to last until Christmas 2025, if sprinkled appropriately. These are great on any dish, but I personally love them for my special popcorn blends on movie night, nestled into certain desserts or as an interesting way to change up pizza topping standbys.

BUY IT: Jacobsen’s Infused Best Sellers Box

Now, I’d love to know. What are some favorite food gifts YOU’VE given or received?