The Banner’s 2025 holiday gift guide

Weird sodas

Hot dog water, kettle corn and toothpaste are just a few of the offbeat soda flavors you can find stocked at E.C. Pops. These bizarre beverages make a great gift for the kids and teens who never say no to a double-dog dare.

— Lillian Reed, Howard County reporter

Giving Guide 2025

For many, the holiday season is about buying gifts, attending parties and baking cookies. However, the holidays are also a great time to give back to those less fortunate.

Pepperly Crunch

Discover bold flavor and irresistible texture with Pepperly Crunch by Pepperly Love, a savory condiment made with rich, roasted garlic, crispy shallots, red pepper flakes and olive oil.

Rocklands Farm Winery

Located in Poolesville, Rocklands Farm Winery is a family-owned farm that produces handcrafted wines on a rotating menu. Options include reds, whites, rosé, sparkling and orange.

— Danielle Allentuck, sports reporter

Cheese utensils

Girl dinner, you say? Gundalow has the cutlery set perfect for the busy working woman who wants a dinner of cheese, crackers, cut fruit and some candied nuts.

— Rona Kobell, Baltimore County reporter

Geometric latte mug

This latte mug, designed by NotJane founder and creative director Betsy Martin, features a throwback geometric design.

Death by Chocolate

Turn up the heat with Black Eyed Susan’s Death by Chocolate hot sauce. This Maryland-made blend is a perfect stocking stuffer for spice lovers who crave something unexpected.

Make your own crush

Pretend you’re down the ocean with Noble Mick’s Frozen Grapefruit Crush. Just add vodka and water, pop it in the freezer and enjoy a perfectly tangy citrus cocktail. Made with real ingredients, it’s a refreshing gift for anyone who loves an easy, crowd-pleasing drink.

Kombucha kit

Brew up some creativity with this Baltimore-made kombucha kit from Hex Ferments. It includes everything needed to make fizzy, tangy kombucha at home, perfect for anyone curious about fermentation or looking for a fun kitchen project.

The Shops at Kenilworth

Celebrate the season at The Shops at Kenilworth in Baltimore County! Discover holiday fashion, find thoughtful gifts, snap photos with Santa, explore our holiday train garden and enjoy seasonal specials all winter long.

Hot sauces from Caulfield Provision Co.

Caulfield Provision Co. sells a gift pack of hot sauces with Smokey Red Pepper Chipotle, Fiery Habanero Mustard, Minty Jalapeño Tomatillo and Szechuan Style Red Pepper for $35.

— Zuri Berry, executive editor

Infused EVOO

Get a combo pack of high-quality infused olive oil in garlic, lemon, chili and rosemary flavors from Dimitri Extra Virgin Olive Oil in Timonium.

Locally smoked seafood

Located in historic Annapolis, Chesapeake Smokehouse hand-selects “the finest lumber” to carry out the ancient European tradition of smoking seafood. Among their popular products are different styles of smoked salmon and trout.

— Alex Mann, Anne Arundel County reporter

Infused honey subscription

This rotating honey subscription from Baltimore-based Hon’s Honey is truly a gift that keeps giving. In addition to a monthly jar of local, raw honey in flavors like habanero, rosemary and creamed honey, each shipment supports women survivors of trauma.

Wine tasting

The Charm City Wine School is offering Wine 101 classes that span the vino globe. These fun and informative single-session classes feature three to four wines, including both New and Old World wines.

— James Meadows, newsletter editor

Grass-fed beef jerky

Spice up someone’s snack game with jerky that’s anything but ordinary. From deli-style pastrami to spicy merguez, Jewish Jerky Brand makes small-batch, grass-fed beef jerky with clean ingredients, no soy, no gluten and no artificial preservatives.

‘Italianish’

Danny Freeman serves up over 100 fun, modern takes on Italian American favorites, from lasagna soup to tiramisu brownies, making this a fantastic pick for both seasoned cooks and new home chefs.

Very Maryland’s Best Gift Guide

Finding the perfect gift can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also feel overwhelming when you’re short on time and searching for something unique for everyone on your list. This holiday season, make your gifts memorable with the Very Maryland’s Best Gift Guide!

Really Raw Honey

Ready to eat straight from the jar, Really Raw Honey is scooped right from the hive and not filtered, heated or strained. It’s a Baltimore-based, family-run business and has supported small beekeepers for over 40 years.

— Michael Hughes, copy editor

Afternoon tea

As a chronically cold person who always needs a warm beverage, I’ve yet to have a cup of tea from Baltimore-based, sibling-owned Wight Tea Co. that I didn’t love. Baltimore Breakfast and Fireside Fig are two of my favorites.

— Seth Lueck, director of customer acquistion

Maryland Monroe jerky

This beef jerky from Righteous Felon is kissed with a little crab spice.

Eddie’s of Roland Park

Create holiday memories with gifts from Eddie’s of Roland Park. Discover our wonderful selection including gourmet confections, unique home goods, puzzles, host gifts and seasonal treats for any age.

Sapphire tea

Evoke summer skies and vibrant sips with this herbal loose-leaf tea blend made in Baltimore. It contains lemongrass, mango pieces, rose hips and more and has a beautiful deep blue color.

Customized cookies or cupcakes

Sunflower Bakery in Rockville teaches developmentally disabled adults to bake and helps them get certified to work in a commercial kitchen. And you can order seasonally decorated cookies or cupcakes.

— Lauren Markoe, news editor

Jimmy’s Crab Seasoning

Crafted to complement the natural sweetness of Maryland blue crabs, this bold blend of beer and vinegar flavors is a Chesapeake classic.

Locally grown herbal teas

Give your loved one a piping-hot cuppa from Heron’s Meadow Farm, one of Maryland’s few tea farms, located in Howard County. These blends are a warm gesture heading into the long winter months.

— Jess Nocera, Howard County reporter

Cane Collective

Guava Tiki Punch transports you straight to a tropical paradise and reminds me of the fruits I grew up with in sub-Saharan Africa. While it makes a fantastic mixer with mezcal or gin, I love it best with soda water.

— Shalini Malaki, senior manager, institutional giving

Motzi Bread subscription

Surprise the bread lover in your life with a Motzi Bread subscription. Each loaf is baked with locally sourced grains and plenty of care, ready for easy pickup at the Harwood bakery. It’s the gift of warm, fresh bread and a connection to Baltimore’s local food community.

Open Book Chocolates

The literary-inspired chocolate company started in Montgomery County in 2017 with flavors inspired by novels. The “A Christmas Carol” bar has hazelnuts, pear and nutmeg in dark chocolate.

— Hau Chu, food, arts and culture reporter

Maryland crab cakes

They’re shipped fresh on ice and arrive in perfect condition. My crab-loving stepmother swoons.

— Chris Dinsmore, regional editor

Pancibus Chalsa

Founder Tommy Penaherrera is a UMD grad who launched his Chalsa (chutney and salsa) company in 2021. The mango peach version is savory and sweet, made with fresh Chilean peaches.