A Food Photographer's Holiday Gift Guide to Columbus: Top 10

Tomorrow is small business Saturday, and I'm here to suggest some great gifts from 10 of my favorite Columbus small local businesses.

1. To make the most of your local restaurant giving, Dine Originals has gift certificates at discounted prices, While you're at it, buy a few for yourself. This dessert is from Deepwood Restaurant. Yum!








2. For a nice bottle of spirits, check out our Cocktail Couture Series, featuring Watershed Distillery, Middle West Spirits, Camelot Cellars, and Tessora Limone (shown). There's also Brothers Drake Meadery, and local breweries, such as Columbus Brewing Company. Attach a cute recipe card to the bottle for a personal touch.









3. Celebrate Local is a new pop-up shop at Easton, a one-stop-shop for local gifts. Here's a partial list of vendors selling at Celebrate Local. For more information, fan them on Facebook.

 4. The Candle Lab might not serve food, but tell me you don't smell toasted marshmallows and cranberry sauce when you walk in. Leave the mixing to the experts or create your own. I made a Campfire, Mulled Cider and Leather mix on a night out with friends. Entertainment and gift shopping in one.









5. For the kitchen dweller in your circle, grab some spices from North Market Spices. They're super friendly and would love to help you find the perfect mixes.

6. Grab some sweet goodies from Sugardaddy's . Now with 3 store locations (Polaris, Downtown and Easton), they're hard to miss.

7. How about a Clintonville Farmer's Market favorite that can be ordered online? Brezel Pretzels are fantastic, and a fun, unexpected gift.

8. For some dishes to eat all that food on, and much more, The Swanky Abode is a stylish, eclectic place to shop. (These cute coasters came from The Swanky Abode.)

9. Cooking classes are a fun activity to do as a couple, with friends, or with the kids. Here's a list of the best cooking class resources in Columbus, all with local businesses.









10. An easy gift that made it onto my list last year as well, is a subscription to Edible Columbus.












11. This is a top 10 guide, but how could I leave out Photo Kitchen, with an online photo library of over 10,000 photos to choose from and 150 products to print them on, you're sure to find the perfect gift. Search by subject or browse the collections, from oceans to skeleton keys, peaches to honey, and a whole lot in between.

Local Foods Holiday Gift Ideas!

Buying local for Christmas is easy! Even more perfect for out-of-town friends and family who may miss their Ohio favorites. Don't see YOUR favorite on the list? Please add your own, this is just a small, small segment of what Columbus has to offer!

1. For some seriously ingenious sweets, check out Sassafras Bakery's gift packages menu.

http://sassafrasbakery.com/seasonal.html

2. Taste of Belgium sells waffles by the bagful. They're even good to eat plain!

http://authenticwaffle.com/

3. Honey makes a sweet gift--and it never expires! At least not at my house.... Honeyrun Farms just started selling on Etsy, prefect timing!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/honeyrunfarm?ga_search_query=honeyrun+farm&ga_search_type=seller_usernames

4. Middle West Spirits makes some kick-ass vodka. Easy way to cross off the men on your list!

http://www.middlewestspirits.com/index.php/products/

5. For an obsessive cheese lover (like me), Oakvale Gouda is really worth the splurge. You may not believe me, but you should.

http://www.oakvalecheese.com/html/product_list___ordering.html

6. It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway: Jeni's Ice Cream makes a great gift, and it's pretty cool to receive a package that requires dry ice.

http://www.jenisicecreams.com/

7. Pattycake Bakery isn't just for vegans. Check out their Mint Chocolate Whoopie Pie, yum!

http://www.pattycakeveganbakery.bigcartel.com/

8. The Olive Orchard makes olive oil and other items perfect for gifting. Everyone needs olive oil, how can you go wrong?

http://theoliveorchard.com/

9. Though I don't think they have an online store, you could stop into Crazy Goat Coffee in Gahanna and pick up some beans, a mug, or a gift card for your loved one!

http://www.crazygoatcoffee.com/menu.html

10. Camelot Cellars makes a great variety of wines, and you can design your own label! I did this for a friend's birthday, and really enjoyed the experience.

http://www.camelotcellars.com/

11. Even though Cheryl's has gone big, they're cookies are still locally produced!

http://www.cheryls.com/

12. Sweet Thing Gourmet has my favorite jams. I like them because I don't even think about putting them on bread, they're just too good for bread. I like their brandied apricot on bananas and their hot raspberry jam with cream cheese on Nut Thins crackers.

http://www.sweetthinggourmet.com/gifts.html

13. Last but not least, it's not a local food but it's certainly local-food themed, you could always get them a subscription to Edible Columbus magazine.

http://www.ediblecommunities.com/columbus/subscribe/subscribe.htm

Cat Calendars for Sale!

Hi Everyone!

I'm selling cat calendars for charity! I've been working on this for months, and now I have 1,500 to sell! If you love cats and would like to support CHA Animal Shelter, log on to:

www.nothingasitseams.etsy.com

They also make great gifts!

Thanks for your support!