Gift-giving can be super rewarding, especially when you find that unique item that completely encapsulates your best friend, mom, or cousin – anyone in your life who already has everything! However, it can be challenging to find the “right” item. Maryland’s Best has cultivated a gift list with links to purchase. Focusing on Maryland-made and grown items, you can share an amazing item or experience with your loved ones this holiday season and get that warm fuzzy feeling from supporting local, small businesses.
In addition to the farms listed below, there are many locations offering unique local items – use the search tool on our homepage to find additional locations!
Purchase and Ship Maryland Chesapeake Oysters
There’s nothing quite like the experience of shucking your first oyster and tasting one for the first time! Figuring out if you prefer salty or sweet, large or small, there are plenty of oysters from the Chesapeake Bay to explore. Whether you know someone who loves them or someone who’s always looking to try new foods – ordering local oysters is a great surprise!
🦪You can find oysters, crabs, and shucking sets at Hooper’s Island’s Oyster Co.
🦪Try Hollywood, Sweet Jesus, and Va Va Voom Oysters from HollywoodOyster.com
🦪 Try Bay Scallops and Chincoteague Oysters from Baywater Seafood.
Want more of an experience?
Stop by True Chesapeake Co. in Baltimore, MD for a delicious lunch or dinner and then take some oysters home with you! You can pre-order online but all items must be picked up.
Gifting Real Maryland Blue Crab (not the other stuff!)
For the family or friend that knows their crab, purchase Maryland crab meat at The Crab Place – guaranteed to be Maryland blue crab – not crab that’s imported from overseas. You can purchase crab cakes, soft shell crabs, and crab meat knowing your 100% supporting local Maryland watermen. Take advantage of their 30% off sale while it lasts!
Are you tired of cooking for family and friends yet? Dine out during the season and want to support Maryland crabbers by checking out our True Blue certified list of restaurants(these restaurants are committed to serving 75% or more of Maryland crabmeat throughout the year).
Gift a Subscription to Community Supported Agriculture or CSA
In case seafood isn’t their thing (*gasp*!), we put together a list of other ways to wow your friends and family.
Consider gifting a CSA to your loved one this holiday season and guarantee they will have delicious, fresh produce year-round! A CSA is like a subscription box with your local farmer with many of these growing across the state and offering more options! We recommend checking out one of these year-round options: Norman’s Farm Market, Moon Valley Farm, Floating Lotus Farmstead or Breezy Willow Farm.
Send them to a Wine Class at Black Ankle Vineyards
Learn more about wine and purchase a gift card from Black Ankle Vineyards in picturesque Mt. Airy, MD. Multiple classes are available for purchase including “Sip With a Pro” where you will taste along with a wine pro while talking about wine, wine-making, and characteristics of different wines around the world. Enjoy this private experience of their premium wines, paired with a cheese and charcuterie board created from local fare.
Take a Tour of Seacrets or Nab a Bottle from the Tobacco Farm Distillery, named “Best Farm Distillery”
If you need something for the pirate or spirits person in your life, check out a tour and tasting at Seacrets Distilling Company in Ocean City, MD. For only $15 you can take a tour of the facility which includes three samples. If you can’t make it to OC, but want to give a local Maryland spirit, you can use their bottle finder to locate a store near you that’s carrying the product. For the collector in your life, you can also snag one of 327 bottles of the Distiller’s Select Gold Rum which can only be purchased at Seacrets or the Atlantic Beverage Center.
If you aren’t on the eastern shore, consider grabbing Tobacco Barn Distillery’s Single Barrel Straight Bourbon for $68 off their online store. Shipping is the same if you order one or three bottles, so maybe grab one for yourself too.
Reserve a Yurt and Enjoy S’mores with your local Beer!
In Laytonsville, MD on rolling hills and a lush horse farm you’ll find Waredaca Brewing Company. With an emphasis on local ingredients, you can enjoy over 10 different beers by the fire in a yurt! For $155 you can reserve a 2 hour yurt with a fire pit and s’mores kit for up to 10 people on a Saturday. Local snacks are available and food trucks are scheduled on weekends.
Send Them Cheese
For the person who always has a cheese board out, send them a cheese gift box from Keyes Creamery – featuring flavors like Horseradish or Dill Cheddar and Old Bay Colby, this gift box is sure to please any cheese fan (you must call to place an order at 443-619-4975). Palmyra Farm, of Washington County, is also offering a range of gift boxes from small ($17) to deluxe ($45) and can be ordered online. And for some unique flavors, check out Chapel Hill Creamery of Easton, MD, which offers IPA Cheddar, Queso Fresco, and Paneer.
Create a Meat Box for the Grill Master
If you have a carnivore aficionado in your life, look no further than the holiday packages at Roseda Black Angus Farm. Conveniently available online or you can visit one of their two stores at 15317 Carroll Road,Monkton, MD 21111 or 3760 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick, MD 21701. Premade boxes range from $70-$140 and offer various cuts like NY Strip or Sirloin.
If you’re looking for more than beef, check out Marsh Creek Cattle which offers chicken and pork in addition to beef with multiple pick up locations.
