It’s definitely the holiday season y’all! I’ve been such a bad blogger recently and am a little behind on holiday content. I figured better late than never…. so here’s my holiday gift guide! I’ve included all of my favorite local places for “foodie” gifts. (I kinda hate using the word foodie anymore, but it serves the purpose I guess.)
How funny is this? Ale 8 is a Kentucky icon and this is a great idea for the Ale 8 lover in your life. A fun stocking stuffer or dirty santa present. Shop online here.
So, coffee is the one flavor I don’t like, but my friend Emily just opened the Amsden in Versailles and has impeccable taste, so I know it must be good! Snag a bag from her cute store for any coffee lover in your life. A great gift idea for coworkers, your mailman or as a stocking stuffer!
Bluegrass Hospitality Group Gift Card
I think y’all know by now I work in marketing for BHG, so obviously I’m a tad biased. But who wouldn’t love a gift card you can use at Malone’s, Harry’s, Drake’s or OBC Kitchen?! Plus for every $100 in gift cards purchased you’ll get $20 back to Malone’s. OR, my personal favorite is to gift a Give BHG gift card and you can select a local charity to receive a donation of 20% of your purchase price. Purchase online here.
A Lexington foodie has got to love bourbon, right? I’ve given these handmade leather coasters to so many people since discovering the Louisville local company. A great gift for parents, grandparents, your boss, coworkers, clients or even a hostess gift! Purchase online here or locally at Peggy’s on Clay Ave.
CycleYou and Fit Lexington Workout Classes
The number one question I’m asked is how I eat all the food I post on Instagram and stay in shape. These classes are the answer! This is one gift that would be on my list or great for your sister, mom or best friend. Purchase online or their studio on Midland.
Because foodies gotta workout sometimes too 😉 How stinkin’ cute are these pizza and donut yoga mats?! The perfect gift for your girlfriends or even a dirty santa present! Available at their shop at 314 S Ashland Ave.
Kentucky for Kentucky Hot Brown Print
This one’s going on my own list. The Hot Brown is one of the most iconic local food items and any Lexington foodie would be proud to have this hanging on their wall! Purchase online here or their shop on Bryan Ave.
La Petite Delicat Holiday Macarons
Macarons are one of my favorite treats. These holiday ones are a great stocking stuffer or teacher gift. Call 859-266-0041 to order from their store on National.
I recently got to tour the farm in Winchester where some of Laura’s (yes, the Laura from Laura’s Lean Beef) products are grown and was so impressed by their commitment to sustainability and supporting our local community. Plus, the chocolate was so tasty! My favorite are the truffles.. hello stocking stuffer! Buy online here or from several local retailers.
I personally love gifting experiences. It can be so much more personal than gifting things. Level Up offers pop-up classes taught by local experts in the “coolest places Lexington has to offer.” I attended a hand-lettering workshop at Crank and Boom a few months ago and had the best time. I got to network while eating ice-cream and learned a new skill! There are currently cookie-decorating, ‘Confidence and Cabernet’ and ‘Budgets and Bourbon’ classes on the schedule after Christmas. This would be a great present for your bestie. Buy a gift card for a class here.
Lexington Pasta Company Pasta Making Class
Another fun experience.. I gave my roommate the Pasta Making 101 Class for her birthday this year and we had the best time! You get to make two kinds of pasta to take home and then eat a delicious dinner. I think this would be a great gift for a significant other. Call the store at 859-309-9840 to book.
Maddie makes the cutest cookies! And they are seriously tasty. These would make an awesome stocking stuffer, hostess or neighbor gift. Order on her Facebook page or she is doing a pop-up shop at Pottery Barn on 12/16.
Peggy’s Donut & Rosé Ornaments
I neeeeeeed these. Y’all know how I feel about donuts. Such a fun idea for friends, coworkers, your sister… Available at their store on Clay Ave.
Shop Local KY Donutucky T-shirt
Didn’t think I would have just one donut product on here, did ya? Shop Local KY has the wittiest t’s and hats all with a local flair! Shop online here or at their shop on Woodland.
Stuartos Olive Oils and Vinegars
One of my favorite little places. Growing up my parents would serve olive oil with balsamic and bread before dinners. We love trying out new flavors of olive oil and vinegars. I think this is a great present for the person who has everything – it’s something consumable that they will actually use and you can find unique flavors they’ve probably never seen before! Shop online here or at their store on Euclid.
WhirlyBird GranolaOkay, this one is local via Cincinnati, but still close and locally-owned! I tried this granola a few months ago and was blown away by how tasty it was. Plus it’s all-natural, non-gmo and gluten-free. I’m adding some to a few gift baskets I’m making for family. Purchase online here or locally at the Kroger on Tates Creek or Alexandria Dr.
Let me know if you have any ideas for the Lexington foodie I’m missing! How are you doing on Christmas shopping? I’m almost done, but need to pick up a few more things this weekend. Happy shopping!
Biscuits & blessings,
Leela
I love the guide! I think I’ll order a couple of things too. My faves are the ale8 huggie, foodie yoga mats and the hot brown poster! It going to be hard not to order extras for myself too. Also i’d never heard of level up but what a great idea. Gifting experiences is super thoughtful. Happy holidays!
Thanks Christina! I had a hard time not shopping for myself too! Happy holidays!
I think I have my problem solved on iexeats.com. as all “more mature” people I sometimes have problems accessing sites I wish to visit. But! Not this time. I am here reading and love it and happy.
Yay Mimi! So glad you can read it!
I would love to gift those coasters to my sister! She lives in Ohio now and always needs some Kentucky flair ^_^
They’re the best coasters! I’m gifting a few pairs this holiday!
Been following you since last year we moved to Lexington and wanted to follow you because you give such good tips and ideas where to go and what to do in and around Lexington! And well all these awesome gifts!? Be hard to share 😂 but i would! This is a proud moma of four great kiddos and have a sweet hubby that i would share with… a little bit 😂
I would absolutely love the Rosé All Day ornament or the level up pop up classes. I love the idea of taking classes to learn a new skill that I wouldn’t typically pursue!
Isn’t that ornament the best?! Yes, you’ll have to try a Level Up class! I took a brush lettering class and it was so fun.
I love the gifting an experience idea and have already bought several Shop Local KY t’s for gifts!
They make great gifts! Thanks for entering Shelby!
Love these goodies! Would maybe share some 😂 seriously though my four sweet kiddos and sweet hubby would love any of these gifts. Just great ideas and neat items!
Nothing wrong with keeping a few for your self 😉 Thanks for entering Robin!
Yes, to all the donut-related paraphernalia!
Allll the donuts! Thanks for entering!
Obsessed with the pizza yoga mat! Definitely added to my Christmas list #treatyoself
Yaaaaaaas you know my motto!! Thanks for entering and happy holidays!
I would love the Pasta Making class! It looks like so much fun and I have always wanted to try and make my own pasta before! Plus their food is banginggg!!!
The class is so fun I did it a few months ago! Thanks for entering 🙂
I absolutely love each and every local business that you’ve teamed up with for this! I feel like it’s so perfect for lex locals !!
I’d love to give my bosses a could of the items ( the Stuart’s olive oil ) because they cook a lot!
I’d love to give my husband the Kentucky for Kentucky socks and hot brown blueprint because he LOVES a good hot brown!!
I’d love to use the BHG card on a date night for my husband and I to remind us to never stop dating and to make it a priority even when life is chaotic!
I’d love to use the cycle you classes because I’m very passionate about working out and I love spinning!
I’d definitely give the coffee to my parents , for they need all of the energy they can get 🤣😉
I’d give the Fitness collective card to my best friend because she is so deserving and what gal doesn’t love new athletic clothes !
All of the other lovely gifts I’d make sure to give to people in my life who would truly appreciate them❤️
I had to come back and write more because this is too good !!
The rose all day ornament ?! I’ve been on a champagne kick lately so that would fit me well ha! My brother and sis in law are moving away soon so I’d love to give them the ale8 sleeve and the bourbon coasters so they can take some of home with them !! I’ve always wanted to try macaroons, I never have! And Maddie’s cookies look out of this world good oh my gosh! And I love the granola , actually just bought some recently and can’t wait to get more!! I’ve never won anything like this so I’d be so thrilled !! I love NEW things and am always trying to support our local businesses!!
I love that, Susan!! It certainly seems like you would use the prize so well, good luck! Thanks for entering and happy holidays 🙂
I would love to gift the pizza yoga mat to my husband! We’ve recently started doing yoga to help with back and neck issues from years of sports. He bought me a mat as an early Christmas present but doesn’t have one of his own yet. I love the pizza pattern!
Thats so sweet! I know the pizza pattern is too cute, wish I could keep this one for myself 😉 Thanks for entering!
If I wasn’t finished with gifts, I would definitely get the coasters or coffee club for my fiancé. (Who am I kidding, I’ll probably still get it)!
Never too much shopping, right?! These coasters make great gifts year round.. I think I’ve given them to different people at least five times! Thanks for entering 🙂
Who doesn’t love a BHG gift card!?! Also, the fact that 20% of my purchase can be donated to my favorite charity, Girls on the Run, makes my heart SO happy!
YES!! I love the Give BHG program! Thanks so much for entering Megan, happy holidays!
I love it all!
I’ve given the Clayton & Crume coasters away as gifts before!
I’m in love with the Rose all Day ornament! So cute and fitting for my life!
I know I love mine on my tree right now!
Really enjoyed this gift guide!! It’s so nice to get different ideas for places to visit and support here in Lexington! Happy Holidays!
Such a great gift guide! This definitely helped me find some local products to share with our born and bred Kentucky family!
I love to hear that! Thanks for entering 🙂
I would gift part of it. 🙂
Have to keep a few for yourself 😉 Thanks for entering Manda!