The holidays are here, and we all know what that means: gathering our friends, family, and a lineup of festive goodies that’ll make us the hosts of the season! At Big Spoon, we’re not just PR and marketing pros; we’re holiday enthusiasts, too. So we asked our team to spill the tea (and the eggnog) on their go-to vendors for holiday hosting (and gifting). Whether you’re after the perfect cheese board, local wine, or a unique gift that’ll make you the hit of any gathering, these are our tried-and-true favorites for spreading holiday cheer. Let’s dive into Big Spoon’s ultimate hosting guide!

Kevin

My go-to? Gift Cards for Cooking Classes

Mise En Place Cooking School has been stirring things up in their Shockoe Slip culinary studio for over twenty years! Chef Christine Wansleben offers a variety of classes throughout the year on topics ranging from Italian dinners to arranging your own charcuterie board. Mise En Place gift cards are a great option for the aspiring chef in your life.

Taylor

If I am hosting or going to a loved one's gathering I love the following:

Birdie's Pimento Cheese - The cheese is just so good. Her flavors are simple yet there's still something for everyone. It's the perfect side addition.

Cooper's Hawk Wine - Bringing a bottle of good wine always feels like the right thing to do. I love that Cooper's Hawk will let you taste their wines and will tell you what they pair well with. Super helpful!

Erin

I love hitting up the local farmer’s markets and grocery stores for hostess gifts and items to add to a charcuterie board (my go-to crowd-pleasing snack while waiting for a holiday feast to be ready). A few favorites are Daddy G’s Salsa, Birdie’s Pimento cheese, coffee cake from Westhampton Bakery (wrapped in a set of holiday tea towels if I’m gifting), and a bottle from one of the local breweries, wineries, or distilleries, depending on the host’s preferences (gifted with a pair of mugs or glasses). I try to have something “homemade” available like zucchini bread from Two and a Half Irishmen as something guests can easily reach for.

Carla

I love gift shopping but what ends up happening is that I buy for myself and not the intended person. So, I normally give practical gift cards from places like Amazon, Academy, Total Wine, and Uber. That way, I can make sure the gift goes to the intended person rather than under my own tree! When looking for an actual gift to give though, I can usually find something quirky and cool at a site called Earth Bound Trading.

Barb

I love the holidays and always host Thanksgiving. I took a cheese boarding class and learned how to make an amazing grazing board for a crowd of 25. Always included is Birdie's Pimento Cheese, AR's Hot Honey, meats from Belmont Butchery in Richmond, VA (mortadella is my absolute fave), and a selection of local and international cheeses. What I learned is that you place all the items on a large board, and fill in the spaces with fruit and other condiments. Joy of joy, my favorite way of snacking!

Enrique

I prefer to shop for the individual instead of the store but whenever people ask me what's the best place for them to get holiday gifts, I always redirect them to Mongrel in Richmond, VA. They're LGBT+ and locally owned and they do a fantastic job at curating a selection that is not only unique but local as well. It's even better that they're located in Carytown because you can make an entire afternoon out of your visit.