2019 Holiday Gift Guides!

Ah, holiday season. There’s so much to love about this time of year. Decorating the tree, baking cookies with friends, spending time with loved ones – but there’s also the added stress of finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Perfection is overrated, but you know what isn’t? Taking the time to give a thoughtful gift to someone you love. I’m not talking about a brand new Mercedes with a giant bow, or the latest gaming console, which – hey, no complaints if that is what you are planning on giving to someone (but do those car gifting people really exist??). Instead, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite gifts for everyone from your adorable nephew to your best friend with impeccable taste. The best part? A majority of these items come from small businesses like The Scribblist. Choosing to shop small over a big box store can make such an impact –from helping a local business thrive to reducing your carbon footprint – plus, you’re guaranteed a unique and special gift that will leave a lasting impact on the recipient. Time to dive in!

First up, a thoughtful gift for your dad, father-in-law, step-dad, father figure, or anyone who loves cooking, trying new things, or books as much as my dads do.

ONE: My dad loves to try new cuisines and recipes. Growing up, he would bring home take out from restaurants near where he worked downtown to our little suburban home and we would get to try food from Korea, the Middle East, Thailand, Mexico – anywhere in the world really! It spurred a love of food and trying new things in all of us. So it’s no surprise that I love hunting down the perfect visually pleasing and taste bud satisfying cookbook for him to add to the mix.

Portland is a food wonderland and this year I have chosen two of its most popular chefs to share. First up, is chef John Gorham’s “Hello! My Name Is Tasty: Global Diner Favorites from Portland’s Tasty Restaurants”. If you’ve visited Portland, chances are someone has told you to eat at Tasty and Son’s/Alder/Daughter’s. Known for their bold and flavorful brunch menu, the recipes found here combine Gorham’s roots in the American Southeast with flavors from Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Delicious.

Tasty’s plates can be a bit heavy on the meat and dairy side, so I wanted to include a veg friendly option that packs just as much punch as well. Joshua McFadden’s “Six Seasons: A New Way With Vegetables” is the perfect companion. Best known for his Italian trattoria Ava Gene’s, another must-try Portland establishment, McFadden is a wizard with vegetables. Each time I have had the pleasure of dining at one of his restaurants, the vegetable dishes are always the stand out favorites. Six Seasons highlights 225 recipes that celebrate the seasonal magic of veggies at their peak.  

Available at your local independent bookstore or Powell’s Books; from $29.95.

 TWO: A simple yet indulgent treat. I gifted my dad a jar of the Black Garlic Salt ($12) and every time we talked on the phone he would tell me about the new thing he tried it on and how delicious it made everything. From staple flake salt, to a myriad of tasty infused salts, they’ve got something for every palette. Bonus: They’ve got a variety of gift sets that allow the recipient to try a mix of flavors! I’ve got my eye on the Spicy Salt Set ($35) and the Turmeric Popcorn Seasoning ($8).

Available at jacobsensalt.com; from $6.

THREE: I know so many people who take their regular mug in the car WITHOUT a lid, risking spilling hot coffee all over them along the way. Their main argument is that they just prefer a mug to a tumbler. Enter – Hydroflask’s coffee mug WITH a lid, prevent any scorching accidents from bumps or last second swerves. It keeps your beverage of choice warm for hours (so it’s great for at-home sipping too!), is BPA and Phthalate-Free, and comes in a variety of colors. So many wins.

Available at www.hydroflask.com and retailers nationwide, $29.95.

FOUR: Soap might not be the most exciting of gifts at first glance, but once you get a whiff of this stuff you’ll understand why it made it on the list. I encountered this unique and lovely scent while dining at Ava Gene’s (you might remember it from our cookbook recommendation!). They have the soap and the candle both featured in their chic restrooms, and to be honest, it’s one of those things I just can’t stop thinking about every time I visit! The men in our lives deserve some TLC too, and this is something they would likely never splurge on for themselves. It’s such a unique scent, you won’t find anything else quite like it!

Available at https://www.submarinehospitality.com/merch/ava-genes-soap, $25.00

We will be releasing gift guides for everyone on your list all week long so check back to see more ideas!