Holiday shopping can be a truly overwhelming time. How do you find the right gift for so many different people in your life? How can you make sure you're getting something they'll actually want or use? How can you find something special amidst all of the big box store and Amazon goodies?
Look no further! The first annual Desiderata Gift Guide is here to help!
Below, you'll find some fantastic Desiderata gift suggestions for all sorts of people on your list and in your life. Read through the whole guide for ideas, or skip ahead to the people you know are on your list. At a loss? Buying a few extra "just in case" gifts? Skip to "everyone else" for a few gifts that will be crowd-pleasers!
Jump to:
This is the person in your life always trying to get you to go to a new restaurant they heard about, or to taste a recipe they're excited to try. They love exploring unique flavors, and their kitchen is truly a laboratory. Here are some unique items you can give to take their creations above and beyond:
Any chef worth their salt can tell you that there are plenty of ways to use jam in the kitchen other than on a PB&J! We've got lots of unique flavors that can become ingredients in cocktails, marinades, and desserts. Our fan favorites include our Strawberry Basil Jam (a Blue Ribbon winner at the Boulder County Fair) and our "Ogre" Jam, named for its not-so-appealing color that masks a truly wonderful orange and rhubarb jam.
Our Thai Basil Blossom Vinegar is truly underrated. We adore the beautiful pink color the Thai basil blossoms impart, and the flavor (and fragrance!) is uniquely delicious! A little sweet, a little floral, and a little herbaceous, this is a great addition to a real foodie's gift basket.
We've got plenty of tasty seasonings to try, but the shining star is always our Garlic Powder! Why is it so stinkin' good? It's made with our farm-grown Spanish Roja Heirloom Garlic. This is the "chef's garlic" for a reason: it's got a rich, spicy, "true garlic" flavor that mellows beautifully when cooked. When made into garlic powder, it packs a pungent punch!
Our Green Goddess Salt is new this year, and we are loving it! The mediterranean flavor is beautiful in pasta, on hummus, and in roasted vegetables. Made with our garlic powder as well as dehydrated farm-grown basil and oregano, this seasoned salt belongs on a chef's spice rack.
We all know someone who seems to have a talent for bringing people together. They are the life of the party, and love to find a reason to celebrate! Give them a gift that they can pass along to their guests (or savor for themselves!):
Our pickled garlic and pickled beets make an unforgettable addition to any charcuterie board! The sharpness of garlic is mellowed by the vinegar, and the addition of dill and red pepper flakes come together to make an addictive little bite. Our beets are farm-grown, and pickling them with cozy spices elevates the earthy flavor to something un-beet-able! Both of these are delicious straight from the jar, but paired with the right cheeses and spreads, they are sure to impress.
We've got a few different wine jellies, any of which could be an elegant addition to a selection of spreads. If you're looking for a more classic wine flavor, our Chardonnay and Syrah jellies are for you! Think your host might be tempted by a more unusual flavor? Check out our Lavender Wine and Chokecherry Wine jellies!
To elevate party snacks and add a little "oomph" to cocktails, give them a few floral sugars! These are unexpected and flavorful on the rim of a glass, sprinkled on top of cookies and cupcakes, or mixed into teas.
This person on your list doesn't just have a sweet tooth, they've got a mouth full of them! Get them one of these gifts: they'll appreciate the indulgent flavors and will love adding a unique touch to drinks and desserts!
We've been shouting from the rooftops for a long time now about how good warm jam is on top of ice cream. If anyone is going to appreciate it, it's the Dessert Devotee. Our favorite flavors for vanilla ice cream are Apple Pie Jam, Tart Cherry Jam, and Spiced Pear Jam. Looking for a jam that's basically a dessert by itself? Try our Pina Colada and Mojito jams, delicious by the spoonful!
Candied pecans are a great stocking stuffer for this recipient. Pecans coated and baked with warming spices and sugar are a sweet and tasty seasonal snack!
How about something sweet straight from nature? We've got two types of honey, Wildflower and Alfalfa. We host several hives on our property, owned and tended to by Beth and her team at Bee Squared. That means there's a little part of Desiderata in whichever flavor you buy!
Know someone who is always eager to tell you about the newest "superfood"? Someone always trying to get you to go with them to Soul Cycle or yoga or pilates or CrossFit or...
For those who prioritize health and self-care, these nourishing farm-fresh products are the perfect fit:
Our green smoothie powder is made from our farm-grown kale, spinach, chard, and beet greens. Each small bag packs in about 2 lbs of dehydrated greens! Add a tablespoon to your morning smoothie or juice to punch up the nutrition.
Our Aronia Berry syrup is a great addition to your morning wellness routine, especially in these colder months! In addition to being delicious, aronia berries have an enormous amount of vitamins and antioxidants (the highest of any fruit!), and have been used by many cultures for cold and flu prevention. Take a daily spoonful, add some to your morning tea, or cook it with some cornstarch to make a delicious and nutritious pancake syrup.
In addition to our syrup, we also have dehydrated aronia berries, as well as elderberries!
Toss a handful of dried aronia berries in with your morning granola, smoothies, or baked goods for a boost of antioxidants.
It's important to cook dried elderberries in order to safely consume them: our favorite way is to make an elderberry tea, but we've got lots of ideas here!
The Homegrown Hero is the nature-lover, the locavore, the barefoot gardener. This person loves to be out in nature, and wants a deeper connection with where their food comes from. We know them because we are them! Want to impress them this holiday season?
Give the gift of a farm membership or a farm gift card! Once the growing season starts, our greenhouse, field, and new hydroponics tunnel will be giving us lots of farm-fresh produce. A membership, similar to a CSA, is a wonderful way to sustain our small farm. A gift card is a smaller investment, but just as meaningful! Either of these options give the Homegrown Hero the opportunity to support a local business, eat tasty local produce, and explore a new natural place in their community.
This person lives for cancelled plans. They love winter because it's the perfect time to be curled up and cozy with a book or the new show their bingeing. The Cozy Homebody will love the comforting aromas and flavors of these gifts. Help them cultivate some relaxation and indulgence with these treats:
Mother's Day Bouquet tea from Boulder Tea Company tea is a gorgeous black tea with notes of vanilla, rose petals, orange blossoms, jasmine, and lemongrass. Perfect for any season, a steaming cup of this tea will help warm their bones and their heart! Throw in a small jar of honey and a floral sugar to make a little "Treat Yourself Tea Time" package.
A few lavender sachets can really add to a cozy vibe! One in a drawer, another in a pillow, a third in a car... and wherever else you think they might want this comforting floral scent! These are made from lavender grown on the farm and have a cute hand-drawn flourish.
You may know about our jams and jellies, but have you tried our conserves? A conserve is made from a mixture of fruits and sometimes nuts. These spreads are heartier than jam, and make for a rich breakfast spread. Talk about cozy! Our Nutty Plum Conserve is a mixture of local Damson plums, oranges, and chopped pecans, and our Apricot Orange Conserve combines Palisade apricots, oranges, and walnuts.
Have a friend who likes to eat hot peppers whole? One who tries to convince you that a hot sauce called something like THE DEVIL'S INFERNO is "really not even that spicy"? Yeah, these gifts are for them. They are perfect for those who love bold, zesty flavors and aren’t afraid to turn up the heat in their kitchen creations:
We've been experimenting with our seasoned salts this year, and we're thrilled with our Jalapeno Salt and Jalapeno Garlic Salt. Made from our farm-grown jalapenos and Spanish Roja garlic, both of these will find a place in a spice-lover's kitchen as a go-to seasoning. Incredible on burgers, roasted vegetables, or on a margarita glass, these spicy salts are addictive!
We have two delicious jellies that are sure to leave you a little sweaty! Our Jalapeno Jelly is a classic flavor. It is amazing as a burger topping, or dumped on top of a block of cream cheese and served as a dip. Spicy, sweet, perfect. If you want something a little fruity-er, our Peach Jalapeno Jelly still packs in some jalapeno spice alongside flavorful Palisade peaches. This is a great addition to grilled cheese, a tasty dip for shrimp and onion rings, and a revelation spooned on top of warm cornbread.
This person cherishes the classics. They know what they like: it's what they've always liked, and what they always will like. They don't need any of these new-fangled flavors. Don't you dare bring them "Blubarb" or "Apple Rhubarb Chutney". They want the nostalgic taste of traditional, farm-fresh goods:
We've got loads of fruit flavors to please their palette. We've got the standard classics: our Orange Marmalade, made from juicy Florida Tangelos; our Raspberry Jam, made from our super flavorful farm-fresh raspberries; our Peach Jam, made from the peaches grabbed on Pam's annual trip to Palisade. And depending on where they grew up, a jar of Chokecherry Jelly might taste like a day at grandma's house!
Pickled Beets are a quintessential farm product, cherished for their sweet-tart flavor and vibrant, jewel-like color. They’re perfect for adding a burst of flavor to salads, sandwiches, or charcuterie boards. A true pantry staple, they bring a classic and nostalgic touch to any table.
Stick a few Lavender Sachets in their stocking. It's how the grandparents kept everything smelling fresh and lovely, and it's a classic scent that never gets old!
Don't know who you're looking for? If you need a quick and easy gift, grab a few jars of our Holiday Jam! This "Christmas in a Jar" makes a perfect host gift, stocking stuffer, or token of appreciation. We look forward to making (and eating!) this jam all year long. It's a seasonal favorite, so be sure to grab some while you still can!
And of course, if none of these do the trick, you can always just grab a gift box instead! We've got three varieties, all reasonably priced and filled with delicious farm goodies! Our three varieties are:
Holiday Gourmet: Contains an infused vinegar, floral sugar, a seasoned salt, and a small jar of Colorado honey ($17 value)
Holiday Bouquet: Contains a floral jam, a lavender sachet, a floral sugar, a floral infused vinegar, and a small jar of Colorado honey ($19 value)
Garlic Lovers: Contains Pickled Garlic, Garlic Salt, and Garlic Powder made with our Spanish Roja Heirloom Garlic ($19 value)
Whoever you shop for, we know you'll find something perfect at Desiderata! We hope you have a wonderful holiday season, and appreciate your support of our small family farm!
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