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South Sound culinary gifts for foodniks

Everyone loves grub, especially during the holidays

Tacoma newbie The Queens Flour has a Bada-Bings butter cookie for you. Photo courtesy of Facebook

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We all know them: those impossible friends and family members that are hard to shop for. Buying clothing is tricky, because let's face it, if it's too small you can remind them just how much they indulged on Thanksgiving. If it's too large, you can also offend. Housewares are OK if you know what they need, and gift cards lack that special love and care it takes to actually pick a gift with them in mind. But there is one gift that is always good, and it is of the edible variety. Everyone loves grub, especially during the holidays. Aside from the spirit of giving and family, that's what the holidays are all about - FOOD. Here are a few local foodie finds that make wonderful gifts for your loved ones and party hosts.

Some like it hot! And Heavenly Heat Hot Sauce brings the heat. With flavors like Mango Habanero and Chocolate Chipotle, folks can doctor up any dish with a little spice. This Tacoma-based company has a total of 16 compelling potions and four spice combos, so the possibilities are endless. Find it at H&L Produce and Tacoma Boys as well as local farmers markets.

Using a recipe passed down several generations, Lynnae's Gourmet Pickles has not only taken Tacoma by storm, but also has infiltrated the nation. It was recently featured on the TV show Shark Tank (though not funded). Choose from Mrs. Pickles, a sweet and sour dill, or Hot Mama, with jalapeño to kick those taste buds into overdrive. Find it at a variety of retail spots or online.

Libertine Salts in Tacoma offers handcrafted, delicious sea salt combinations for all types. With more than 50 salts to choose from, there's a little something for every dish, snack and beverage. Salts are available in a delightful variety of size and packaging options, from beakers to sets of tins, in which to display the lovely hues of sprinklings.

OlyKraut based out of Olympia concocts probiotic, healthy sauerkrauts. These tasty treats are currently available in a gift package that includes the OlyKraut Cookbook and three flavors of kraut, pickles or brine in a handmade reusable bag. Selections can be found at local retail spots, farmers markets and online.

Tacoma-based Scrumpalicious presents gourmet baked goods with a touch of kitsch. Choose from lovely molasses cookies, some made to look like cigars for the New Year, Frosty the Snowman Cake Pops or Grinch-a-licious Cookies (spiced apple cider with caramel sauce) for Christmas. Novel, culinary gold combining deliciousness and fun.

The Queens Flour, a newbie in Tacoma, features delightful desserts in cupcakes, cookies and more. To really get a feel for what's in store, visit them in person at the Shopgirls Holiday Shopping event on Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Good Karma, or try eying the concoctions online.

Other great flavorful gifts include those of the boozy variety. Snag growlers of brews from places such as Tacoma Brewing Co., Wingman, Pint Defiance or 7 Seas Brewing.

Or opt for the hard stuff with Caramel Apple and Apple Pie moonshine from Parliament Distillery, Wicked Wind Spiced Rum for your eggnog at Port Steilacoom Distillery or "Here it Ages" kits from Heritage Distilling Co. that include two bottles of unaged spirits and a 2-liter cask in a nifty tote for a fun, boozy experiment. 

Trust me. Food and drink are fabulous ways to celebrate friends, family and tradition. Give the gift of grub. It'll make up for the ugly sweater incident that no one seems to forget and will never let you live down.

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