Food and Recipes Southern-Made Food Gifts You Should Always Keep On Hand By Patricia S York Patricia S York Patricia was the assistant food editor at Southern Living and worked with the Southern Living food team from 2006-2022. She contributed to articles about food, gardening, and pets. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on February 15, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Holmsted Fines Chutney Gift giving is one of the many things we love about the holiday season, but no one enjoys being caught empty-handed when presented with an unexpected gift. Keep some gourmet food gifts on hand, and you will never experience that awkwardness again. A fresh homemade cake or a tin filled with Christmas cookies is always a welcome gift, but you don't always have time to whip up a baked goodie. You never know when unexpected friends may drop in and you need a spur-of-the-moment gift, or you are invited to a party at the last-minute and want to take a gift. Get a jump-start on the season and take a look at this selection of some of our favorite Southern-made food gifts. Order two or three (or more) items to keep in your pantry for those unforeseen situations when you suddenly need a gift. Giving a food gift such as local honey, artisan grits or regional salt is also a great way to share the Southern culture with friends and family. Our Top Picks Savannah Bee Company Tupelo Honey at Savannahbee.com Jump to Review Blackberry Patch Breakfast Gift Crate at Blackberrypatch.com Jump to Review Oliver Pluff & Co. Sun Tea at Amazon Jump to Review Cafe Du Monde Coffee and Chicory at Amazon Jump to Review French Broad Chocolate Peru 70% at Frenchbroadchocolates.com Jump to Review Vivian Howard Rub It In Fins & Shells Rub at Amazon Jump to Review Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory Traditional Cheddar Cheese Straws in Gift Tin at Amazon Jump to Review McEwen & Sons Stone Ground Grits at Mcewenandsons.com Jump to Review Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning at Amazon Jump to Review Bulls Bay Saltworks Sea and Salt Chocolate Bar Gift Set at Bullsbaysaltworks.com Jump to Review Savannah Bee Company Tupelo Honey Savannah Bee Company View On Savannahbee.com This sweet, mellow honey is perfect in a cup of tea or drizzled over a hot biscuit. Blackberry Patch Breakfast Gift Crate Blackberry Patch View On Blackberrypatch.com Send your guests home with the makings of a comforting, Southern pancake breakfast. Oliver Pluff & Co. Sun Tea Amazon View On Amazon All you need is water, tea, and the sun to produce a pitcher of this peach-flavored refreshing drink. Cafe Du Monde Coffee and Chicory World Market View On Amazon Brew a pot of this chicory coffee and fill your home with the wonderful aromas of New Orleans. French Broad Chocolate Peru 70% Amazon View On Frenchbroadchocolates.com For baking or just nibbling, your foodie friend will love receiving North Carolina's French Broad chocolates as a gift. Vivian Howard Rub It In Fins & Shells Rub Amazon View On Amazon Vivian Howard, of North Carolina's Chef & the Farmer restaurant and star of A Chef's Life on PBS, created this Southern-inspired rub, perfect for peel n' eats, low country boils or your favorite fresh catch. Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory Traditional Cheddar Cheese Straws in Gift Tin Amazon View On Amazon Straight from Yazoo City, Mississippi, anyone will enjoy receiving this Southern party staple. McEwen & Sons Stone Ground Grits McEwen & Sons View On Mcewenandsons.com The Southern Living Test Kitchen dubbed these Alabama grits the "best grits in the South." Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning World Market View On Amazon This unique blend of spices will bring that authentic Cajun flavor to all your dishes. Bulls Bay Saltworks Sea and Salt Chocolate Bar Gift Set Bulls Bay Saltworks View On Bullsbaysaltworks.com Two South Carolina favorites, French Broad Chocolates and Bulls Bay Saltworks, have teamed up to bring us this delicious artisan chocolate bar gift set. Duke's Mayonnaise (8 oz) Amazon View On Amazon Your friend may raise her eyebrows when you gift her with a jar of Duke's. But once she adds it to her next bowl of chicken salad, she will sit down and write you a heartfelt thank you note. Aunt Sally's Creamy Classic Pralines Amazon View On Amazon Treat your friends and family to these classic Southern indulgencies—and buy yourself a box, as well. Goo Goo Cluster Original Chocolate Carton Amazon View On Amazon Give these as gifts and your friends will understand why Goo Goos are the South's favorite candy treat. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit