Stocking stuffers with foodie flair
What's a stocking if it's not filled with things you don't really need?
Stockings are the perfect size to hold little indulgences that we wouldn't buy for ourselves, the more random and unexpected, the better.
To help Santa fill stockings for the littlest sugar plums, the tweenish elves and even Mrs. Claus, we hit local grocers and gift shops to find both edible and nonedible treats, including dill-flavored popcorn from Reel Popcorn (what teenager hasn't sipped pickle juice straight from the jar?), miniature paintings made entirely out of chocolate by local artist Paula Simpson and homemade marshmallows from Lux Bakery and Cafe.
Better Bites of Austin, a trade association of companies that produce local, all-natural food and beverages, is hosting a Local Foods Holiday Gift Fair from 4 to 8 p.m. tonight at City Hall. More than two dozen vendors will be selling teas, coffees, chocolates, salsas and pastries, many of which would fit in a gift basket or stocking. The event, which is part of Edible Austin's Eat Local Week, is free.
abroyles@statesman.com; 912-2504
Sugar plums
• Owl apron, $16, Breed and Co.
• Fresh marshmallows, $3, Lux Bakery and Cafe
• Nutella rice square, $2, Royal Blue Grocery
• Spider-Man/Little Mermaid cupcake holders, $1.79 each, All In One Bake Shop
• Sprinkles, $4.49, All In One Bake Shop
• Construction utensils, $22, Breed and Co.
• Kids' cookbook with measuring spoons, $16.99, Austin Children's Museum gift shop
Elves
• Chocolate truffles, $20-28, Delysia Chocolatier
• Gingerbread cookie cutters, $9.95, All In One Bake Shop
• Longhorns (chocolate-covered pecans), $3, Lammes Candies
• Dill-flavored popcorn, $3, Reel Popcorn
• Gift certificates for cupcakes, tacos and ice cream
• Duck floating tea infuser, $9.25, Breed and Co.
• Hope and Glory magic bar, $3, Royal Blue Grocery
Santa
• Chocolate art and frame, $15-20, The Chocolate Lady
• Ladybug wine opener, $19, Breed and Co.
• Trout grill lighter, $10.99, Zinger Hardware and General Merchant
• Roscar honey caramel nut sea salt bar, $4.25, Breed and Co.
• Austin Slow Burn cranberry habanero jam, $3.59, Central Market
• Longhorn cookie cutter, $2.25, All In One Bake Shop
• Kakawa chocolate-covered cocoa beans, $7.99, Central Market
• Remedios Tejanos organic herbal tea, $8.99, Farm to Market Grocery
• Kohana coffee, $12.99, Breed and Co.
• AustiNuts praline pecans, $3.99, Farm to Market Grocery
• Single-serving French press, $16.95, Breed and Co.
Stores
All In One Bakeshop
8566 Research Blvd.
371-3401
Austin Children Museum
201 Colorado St.
www.austinkids.org 472-2499
Breed and Co.
3663 Bee Cave Road and 718 W. 29th St.
328-3960, 474-6679
Central Market
4477 S. Lamar Blvd. and 4001 N. Lamar Blvd.
899-4300, 458-3068
Delysia Chocolatier
Farm to Market Grocery
1718 S. Congress Ave.
462-7220
Lammes Candies
5330 Airport Blvd., 11200 Lakestop Blvd., 2901 Capital of Texas Highway, 1000 W. 38th St., 110 N. Interstate 35
800-252-1885
Lux Bakery and Cafe
3601 W. William Cannon Drive, Suite 175
891-9850
Reel Popcorn
9600 Interstate 35, Suite 500
280-7335
Royal Blue Grocery
247 W. Third St. and 360 Nueces St.
499-3993, 476-5700
The Chocolate Lady
Zinger Hardware and General Merchant
2438 W. Anderson Lane
533-9001