Holiday Gift Guide 2024

GIVE LOCAL!

Ditch the ordinary this holiday season and discover some extraordinary gifts for every gourmand, aesthete or entertainer on your list. Our curated selection of locally made delights and handcrafted treasures combine perfectly with the beverages showcased in the Drink Local guide. From delectable panettone to high-performance knives and conversation-starting ceramics, this guide will help you find a gift that reflects Calgary’s vibrant spirit.

Panettone

Panettone, often dismissed as a dry Italian fruitcake, is a delicious and complex treat that deserves way more recognition than it usually gets – especially when it’s made locally. The labour-intensive process requires precise temperature control, a sourdough starter, high-quality flour and a little love tossed in for luck. Inspired by a trip to Italy, Calgary chef Daniel Ramon, embarked on a journey to perfect the art of panettone. Through countless hours of research, experimentation and dedication, he successfully created a panettone that has rivaled the best in the world. With the help of friends and family, Ramon, who also owns Pizza Letty and Otie Bakehouse, launched Panettone by Papi in 2023. It quickly gained a following, exceeding any expectations set for the first year. The team has been gearing up for the holiday season and panettone lovers can expect three flavour offerings, Orange and Dark Chocolate, Lemon White Chocolate and, of course, the Traditional Classic. Advance ordering is required.

Panettone by Papi | $45

Santoku Knives

Most cooks’ prized kitchen possessions are their high-performance knives. And in Calgary, they usually come from Knifewear. Nothing beats a Japanese knife for precision and efficiency in the kitchen. With a variety of sizes and shapes to choose from, Knifewear offers a knife for every cook. This holiday season, we’re eyeing the Haruyuki Goma Santoku and Masakage Kumo Santoku knives. A gift knife should be three things: beautiful, low maintenance and useful for everyday cooking. The Haruyuki Goma Santoku is an excellent everyday tool, a precise Japanese blade with a comfortable, familiar Western-style handle. The Kumo Santoku is forged by master blacksmith Takumi Ikeda in Takefu Knife Village and is everything you want a Japanese knife to be. The stunning Damascus finish and cherry wood handle will inspire you to cook, while the razor-sharp blade makes chopping easy, safe and fun. Knifewear offers educational and informative videos on YouTube, an assortment of items beyond knives and they provide classes to help get you started on your new knife journey. This is an investment worth making.

Knifewear | $185-$403 | knifewear.com

Christmas Candy Box and Gourmet Pretzel Box

Founded in 2020 by Carlin Anquist, Fine & Dandy Jelly began as a creative outlet during the pandemic. With a focus on unique flavour combinations and high-quality ingredients, Anquist’s jams and jellies are among our favourites. From classic flavours like Strawberry Rhubarb to more adventurous options like Pomegranate Balsamic and Vanilla Peach, you’ll find both classic and unique variety of flavours. But wait, there’s more. Beyond delicious jams and jellies, Anquist creates themed gift boxes that combine fun and unique products to elevate your gift-giving. Most of these boxes contain at least one tasty jam jar alongside an assortment of tasty treats. The Gourmet S’mores Box is perfect after a skate on the pond and comes with small roasting sticks and matches. The Hot Chocolate Box features Mexican hot chocolate, marshmallows and some very tasty gourmet pretzel rods. Individual items and boxes can be ordered online or through Calgary’s Virtual Market website for pick up in Evanston, or delivered within Calgary on preselected dates.

Fine & Dandy | $30-$40 | findanddandyjelly.com

Japanese Bowl Sets

nanao kimono in Kensington is a Japanese lifestyle shop that brings the essence of Japan to Calgary through its unique and thoughtful products. Mino, a region renowned for pottery production not far from Nagoya, accounts for a large portion of Japan’s ceramic exports. The pottery is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, showcasing the skill of Japanese artisans. The traditional Japanese bowl sets hail from Mino, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and include five bowls while the two-piece bowl-sets come with chopsticks. They are a beautiful conversation starter and are designed for practical, everyday use. Use them for meals or display them on your dining table. While you are browsing all of the beautiful items in the store, pick up a cloth furoshiki to wrap your gift. This beautiful and eco-friendly fabric can be used to wrap a variety of gifts including a bottle of sake or wine, or be used as a tapestry or table decoration. Bowls are dishwasher and microwave safe.

nanao kimono | $40-$70 | 403.891.9221 | nanaokimono.com

Fermented Cocktail Syrups

Discover the unique flavours of handcrafted, fermented cocktail syrups inspired by the Korean tradition of Cheong. Lyndon Hertz and Leanna Parent-Hertz, of Krooked Provisions are chefs and fermentation specialists known for their fresh and delicious sauerkraut. The newly developed syrups, made with organic golden sugar and fresh fruit, offer a refreshing and versatile twist on classic drinks. Try Rhubarb and Rosemary or Orange and Thyme in cocktails, drizzled over ice cream, pancakes and waffles. Add a splash of syrup to sparkling water, or a glass of prosecco for an instant flavour upgrade. Also new on the menu is the Kraut Flight, which has us excited and planning to buy one for our own stocking this year. The sampler pack features four of the most popular kraut flavours: Dill Pickle, Fennel & Garlic, Cumin & Jalapeno and Pineapple Ginger. Pick up your syrups at Fresh & Local Market + Kitchens, and plan to stay for lunch.

Krooked Provisions | $12 | @krookedprovisions

Eat Alberta First: A Year of Local Recipes from Where the Prairies Meet the Mountains

Eat Alberta First: The Recipes and Stories of the Prairies and Mountains is more than a cookbook—it’s a heartfelt tribute by Calgary’s own Karen Anderson, to Alberta’s rich culinary heritage. Packed with recipes that highlight local ingredients, the book also tells the stories of the people, places and traditions that shape the province’s vibrant food culture. Whether you’re a passionate home cook or simply curious about Alberta’s unique flavors, this book is a delightful journey through the prairies and mountains, perfect for celebrating local food in your own kitchen.

Steeling Home | $49 | steelinghome.com