Hang on a second. Christmas is just around the corner!? Wait, what?! How did that happen? Sweet baby Jesus, help me get those packages in the mail STAT!
With less than two weeks to go, you may have knocked out your gift giving list. But wait — there’s that pesky stocking… Aside from oysters, what on earth could you fill it with for your seafood-loving food sophisticate?
Rather than a full gift guide this year, I’ve put together a handful of my favorite “little” things that will make any seafood lover smile. From shucking knives, to conservas, to a handful of general must-haves in my pantry, I hope you can find that special something to give your loved one this season.
#1 – CONSERVAS
Preserved octopus, anchovies, and sardines are a delicious treat that pair perfectly with oysters. Betwenn $5-15, you can purchase a few of these and give your seafood lover the ultimate tinned charcuterie experience for the holidays.
Check out FISHWIFE, BAR HARBOR FOODS, CENTO, CONSERVAS DE CAMBADOS, or MAISON AROSTEGUY (in Europe).
#2 – OYSTER NOTE CARDS & PAPER GOODS
I am totally obsessed with oyster art, so who doesn’t appreciate a few note cards to keep for snail mail love letters? Check out Kim Hovell and Syd Evans Art for a few of my favorites. If your seafood fan is an entertainer, check out some other paper goods, like Caspari’s sea-inspired napkins!
#3 – OYSTER SALSA
It beats out cocktail sauce and horseradish in my book. For the perfect accoutrement, check out BLACK PEARL SPICE CO.
#4 – SEA SALTS
A powerful sea salt will put a smile on any sea-loving supertaster’s face. Check out BARRIER ISLANDS SALT, which is a rich, flaky salt from the Eastern Shore, Virginia. It goes a long way!
#5 – SAKE
Show your seafood lover that you’re hip with the times. Sake is one of my favorite pairings with shellfish these days, and there’s so many to choose from. One of my go-to’s is Tozai’s Snow Maiden Sake. Fruity, dry, affordable, and perfect with an oyster.
#6 – GIN
Alternatively, get “ginspired.” Slurp an oyster, grab a bottle of Hendricks Neptunia, and fill the empty shell with a shot to wash it down. Let the remnants of oyster liquor mix with this deliciously floral, classically cucumber gin.
#7 – SHUCKING KNIVES
A true oyster lover can’t EVER have enough knives. It’s an obsession. Check out Toadfish’s range or R. Murphy Knives, or Emergo Designs if you want to go fancy.
#8 – SWEET & SPICY RAW THINGS
Spice and honey glazed salmon, anyone? Look, I love honey. I live in Vermont. Let’s add something sweet into the mix for the heck of it, like Mike’s Hot Honey or a Vermont favorite, Barr Hill Raw Honey (they use this in their gin, too!).
#9 – CHILI CRISP
Have you ever put this on a grilled oyster? Prepare to get audible, because it’s as good as the food bloggers say it is. I put this on oysters, avocados, eggs, rice, chicken… It is becoming a part of my everyday diet. Check out FLY BY JING or my standard at home, LAOGANMA.
#10 – THE KRAKEN OYSTER GRIP
Guys, this shucking assist has SAVED a few of my fingers when I was a few margaritas deep with a knife in hand. It’s a handmade, stocking-sized wooden grip that supports those party-time shucks at home. You can find the Kraken here.
#11 – OYSTER EARRINGS
For the seafood aficionado who wears their food fandome, check out Alexandra Fracchia, founder of @afracglass. She’s a glass-forming expert with a special pair of glass oyster earrings I love. Cottage Cape Cod is another shop I adore that carries Washashore Earring Co’s creations.
#12 – CERAMICS
Oyster plates, oyster designs, oyster trays. I LOVE jazzing up my shellfish presentation and I suspect I’m not alone. Check out Coton Colors’ Oyster Collection, Richard Bramble’s sea collection, or quite frankly, any ceramic that might look great with a little ice and an oyster on top!
There you have it! Enjoy the smiles you’re about to put on the faces of those you love. Stay spirited this holiday season, shop small, and enjoy the time spent with family and friends.
Warm wishes,
Virginia
