Gift for the Foodie in your Life
Is your friend still reeling from Big Oh’s closing? Great news, Big Oh’s owner, Yeon Arnold, has opened a small shop at Clinton Row where she sells the sauces and marinades you fell in love with at Big Oh’s. She includes instructions on how to cook with the sauces and marinades, so your foodie will be all set to make some Spicy Pork, Korean BBQ Chicken, Bulgogi and wings! Bonus: Yeon will come to your house and do a cooking workshop!
This isn’t your mom’s supper club! Purchase a Purveyor hosted Supper Club annual membership, which includes monthly dinners with special guest speakers, ‘first to taste’ wines and a game component. Members fill out a ‘preference sheet’ with allergies and dislikes, and then are surprised each month with a delicious four course meal. If you aren’t looking to gift a membership, non-members can purchase individual dinners two weeks after the initial announcement, giving members first privilege, but everyone a chance to taste the noms.
The Olive Branch is a locally owned store located in the Medical District of Huntsville. They offer a variety of specialty oils, infused olive oils, dark and white balsamic vinegars, specialty vinegars, salts and seasonings and other gourmet items that are a foodie’s dream! When you go into the store you can try the large variety of oils and vinegars that they offer, making your selections for your foodie friend a truly personal gift. They provide complimentary gift wrapping for your purchase, and I dare you to not pick up a few bottles and spices for yourself.
Gift for your Creative Friend
Have you heard of Handcrafted Huntsville (previously Sanctuary HSV)? They are a haven for all types of crafty/handy people- or those that want to be! Handcrafted Huntsville is “the shop of your dreams” with around ½ million dollars worth of tools. There are rental options if you are looking for one specific need, such as a car lift or drum sander. You can also purchase a year membership with 24/7 access to all amenities, one-on-one training on the tools and an intro class. Additionally, you can purchase classes for your friend (and you!) such as ‘Intro to Metalworking’ or ‘Basics of 3D Printing’.
The Little Green Store and Gallery is located at the top of Monte Sano and offers a variety of different products and price ranges. They have unique handmade gifts, local and regional art, jewelry, pottery and glass, so there is no doubt something will catch your eye for the artistic person in your life (that can totally be you.) If you can’t decide on which piece your friend will like the best, they offer gift certificates for you to purchase.
Huntsville has no shortage of incredibly talented people. Give the gift of a performance through organizations such as the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, Broadway Theatre League, Theatre Huntsville, Huntsville Ballet Company and Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater. Depending on your budget you can purchase tickets to one show for your friend, or splurge on a series of them!
Gift for the Beer Fanatic in your Life
Purchase a membership to the American Homebrew Association, and your beer fanatic can join 256 Brewers. They are an AHA registered homebrew club based out of Huntsville. 256 Brewers has monthly meetings and participates in most AHA sponsored events such as AHA Big Brew Day and the National Homebrew Competition. They also participate in local homebrew festivals and occasionally collaborate with local craft breweries on special release beers.
Head to Alabama Goods in the Valley Bend shopping center for some fun local beer related items that make for perfect gifts. Alabama Goods has items such as water colors of local beer cans, local beer can candles and Huntsville local breweries pint glasses and t-shirts (unfortunately two of those breweries closed this year-but that makes these items collectables!) When buying from Alabama Goods, you are supporting local artisans, craftsmen, and food makers, as 100% of their items are made in Alabama.
If you are looking for an interactive gift that you and your beer lover can enjoy together, check out the Downtown Huntsville Craft Beer Trail. This list leads you to eight locations that you can sip some suds and try beers that are unique to these locations. Beers are on you along the way for a gift they will really appreciate. If you download the Discover Huntsville app, you can interact with the beer trail map and get to exploring. Once you have completed the trail (take your time, this isn’t a race) you can contact Downtown Huntsville, Inc. for a little prize.
Ashley Polesak has spent the last 10 years living her best life in Huntsville, Alabama. She loves to explore all of the things that Huntsville and the surrounding areas have to offer and is a big proponent for scouting out local experiences. Ashley lives and breathes the outdoors and recreation opportunities in the area, you are very likely to run into her at a park or on a hiking trail. If she has her two rescue dogs with her, Oba and Twyla, please excuse their over-excitement, they are currently being trained and it’s a work in progress! If she had to describe herself in television characters she would choose 1/4 Eleanor Shellstrop, 1/4 Leslie Knope, 1/4 April Ludgate and 1/4 Margaery Tyrell.
Great article with wonderful gift ideas!