Holiday gift guide
A taste of home
BY KATIE WORKMAN Associated Press
A gift doesn’t have to be big or pricy to feel thoughtful. Instead of the usual bottle of wine, give something that makes your recipient feel truly seen: a little edible treasure that nods to their hometown, heritage or favorite trip from years ago.
It’s a deliciously personal way to say “I know you.”
Regional condiments are like souvenirs, celebrating local flavors. A jar of barbecue sauce, a bottle of hot sauce or a regional mayo can tell a story and capture the essence of a place. Here’s a handful of beloved sauces, spreads, jams and more that make tasty and personal small gifts.
The condiments generally hover around the $10 to $15 mark, making them an economical pick.
Hot sauces and BBQ staples
Adoboloco hot sauces, from Hawaii’s island of Maui, carry a tropical punch with bold island chiles, perfect for grilled fish or roasted veggies. The ingredient lists are short and the peppers are grown in Hawaii itself.
In the South, Big Bob Gibson’s barbecue sauces, from Decatur, Alabama, are known for their smoky, tangy flavor, with the Original White Sauce a mainstay (especially on smoked chicken).
These kids books from 2025 make great gifts for all ages
BY DONNA EDWARDS Associated Press
Pitmasters at Franklin Barbecue, in Austin, Texas, o er sauces and rubs that are rich, bold and unmistakably Texan. Also hailing from Austin are Yellowbird hot sauces — the organic habanero and serrano hot sauces and the Classic Blue Agave Sriracha are particularly beloved. For a taste of South America, Tari hot sauces from Peru showcase native peppers, such as aji amarillo and rocoto, both grown in the Andes. The ingredients are ground on a traditional batan (a stone mortar), creating sauces with a bright and fruity (not scorching) heat that elevates dishes from grilled meats to vegetables.
Specialty condiments
Duke’s Mayo is a century-old Southern classic, now based in Mauldin, South Carolina. It uses just the yolks of eggs (no whites) for extra richness, and has two kinds of vinegar for extra zing. The mayonnaise adds tang and creaminess to sandwiches, potato salads and more. (Some fans have even gotten mayo tattoos promoted by Duke’s — that’s brand loyalty.) Duke’s is generally available nationwide, but isn’t as much of a household name as Hellman’s and Kraft outside the South.
The rich texture and subtle
umami punch of the Japanese Kewpie mayo have inspired a global following. It also uses just the yolks of the eggs, and also includes rice vinegar and a dash of MSG. Put it on sushi or okonomiyaki, or use it as a base for dressings. Handmade small-batch condiments like Auntie Rana’s, made in New York’s Hudson Valley and in Maine, and inspired by South and Southeast Asian flavors, can bring a family-rooted touch to meals. Think Naga garlic mayo, mango achaar and smoked chili oil.
Look no further for great gift ideas for your kiddos. The Associated Press scoured the bookshelves for standout 2025 releases to share the love of reading with your child, student or friend, and came up with this list for the holidays.
Board books and readto-me books (ages 0-3)
“I Love You, Little Moose!” by Sandra Magsamen. A fiveline poem about nature and all the things we love about it, with vibrant colors and bubble-letter text. This board book also has soft plushie antlers on top. Cartwheel Books, $8.99.
“Why Does the Wind Blow?” by Eric Carle. Science made easy in classic Eric Carle style! This quick read explains in simple terms how wind blows, aided by illustrations and one Very Hungry Caterpillar. World of Eric Carle, $5.99.
“Little Heroes of Color: I’m A Little Hero” by David Heredia. Heroes range from hardworking Jim Thorpe to inventive Arvind Gupta to fearless Sonia Sotomayor. Rhyming and repetition make complicated words and ideas easier to understand. In the back, readers will find a mirror with a message that they’re a little hero, too. Cartwheel Books, $9.99.
“Everywhere You Are” by Victoria Monét, illustrated by Alea Marley. This sweet book rea rms a parent’s love for their child even when they’re not physically together. Grammy winner Monét’s musicality shines in this lullaby, illustrated in a colorful, swirly, star-speckled outer space. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books For Young Readers, $18.99.
Early readers (ages 3-8)
“Bitty and Bub, Best Buds” by Janee Trasler. Five short, silly comics follow fun-loving friends Bitty and Bub. It’s a great introduction to reading comics, using speech bubbles in simple panel progressions. Holiday House, $14.99.
“Don’t Trust Fish” by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat. Why read another boring animal book when you can read something hilarious? The
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KATIE WORKMAN PHOTOS VIA AP
A variety of Adoboloco sauces from Hawaii’s island of Maui are displayed in New York.
This image shows specialty condiments Duke’s Mayo, a century-old Southern classic, left, and Japanese Kewpie mayo.
Gifts to light up the silver screen for movie lovers
BY LINDSEY BAHR Associated Press
If you think gifts for movie lovers begin and end with BluRays and cineplex gift cards, think again. There’s lots of ways to get creative (and impress) the film fan in your life.
You could always splurge on a Sundance Film Festival pass (starting at $350 for the online edition, $4,275 for an in-person express pass ) for its last edition in Park City this January. Or buy a plaid Bob Ferguson-inspired robe (perhaps this L.L. Bean option for $89.95) for the ones who can’t stop talking about “One Battle After Another.”
For the very forward-thinking, you could help the Christopher Nolan fan in your life brush up on “The Odyssey” before next July with Emily Wilson’s translation (at bookstores.)
Here are a few of our other favorite finds this holiday season for all kinds of movie fans. The ultimate Wes Anderson box set
The Criterion Collection’s 20-disc Wes Anderson Archive box set is an investment for the true diehard. Anchored around 10 films over the past 25 years, from “Bottle Rocket” through “The French Dispatch,” the mammoth package includes new 4K masters, over 25 hours of special features, and 10 illustrated, chicly clothbound books, as well as essays from the likes of Martin Scorsese and James L. Brooks. $399.96.
Mise en Scènt candles
Home movie nights need the right atmosphere, and this female-owned, Brooklyn-based company creates (and hand pours) candles inspired by favorite movies. Their bestselling — and sometimes out of stock — “Old Hollywood” candle will bring you back to the silver screen’s golden age with the smell of “deep, smoky and worn-in leather,” which might be ideal with TCM
playing in the background. The “Rom Com” scent evokes the feeling of a “meet-cute in a grocery aisle” with something clean, fresh and floral (maybe for watching “Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” or “Materialists” ). There’s also a “French New Wave” candle that would work well with Richard Linklater’s “Nouvelle Vague.” Other scents include “Mystery,” “Fantasy,” “Macabre,” “Villain Era,” “Bad Movie” and “Main Character.” Starting at $24.
A Roger Deakins memoir
Even if you don’t know the name Roger Deakins you certainly know his work — simply put, he’s one of the greatest working cinematographers in the business. His credits include “Fargo,” “The Big Lebowski,” “No Country for Old Men,” “Sicario,” “Skyfall” and “1917.” Fittingly, his memoir “Reflections: On Cinematography” is uniquely visual, with never-before-seen sto-
ryboards, sketches and diagrams. The 76-year-old Oscar winner also looks back on his life, his early love of photography and how he found his way into 50 years of moviemaking, where he’d find longstanding partnerships with some of the great auteurs, from the Coen
brothers to Sam Mendes and Denis Villeneuve. Hachette Book Group. $45.
Baby’s first movie book
These adorable and beautifully illustrated board books
take parents and kids on a journey through genres, from “My First Hollywood Musical” and “My First Sci-Fi Movie” to the very niche “My First Giallo Horror” and “My First Yakuza Movie.” There are also three box sets available for $45 each. Oscar-winning “Anora” filmmaker Sean Baker called them his “go-to gifts for new parents.” From ‘lil cinephile. Starting at $15. Pajamas fit for a KPop Demon Hunter Rumi’s “choo choo” pajama pants would make a cozy gift for days when you find yourself chanting “Couch! Couch! Couch!” Don’t understand what any of that means? Don’t worry, the “KPop Demon Hunters” fan in your life will. Available from Netflix. $56.95.
An alternative streamer for cinephiles
If Netflix is too pedestrian for the cinephile in your life, the Kino Film Collection offers a robust and rotating lineup of classic and current art house and indie films. Categories include Cannes Favorites (like Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Dogtooth”), Classics (like “The General,” “Metropolis” and “Nosferatu”) and New York Times Critics’ Picks (like Jafar Panahi’s “Taxi” and Agnieszka Holland’s “Green Border”). At $5.99 a month or $59.99 year, it’s also less expensive than the Criterion Channel ($10.99/month, $99/year) and Mubi ($14.99/ month, $119.88/year).
The Celluloid card game
Who’s the biggest film bu in your family or group of friends? This clever card game might have the answer for you. Each Celluloid card contains prompts (like location, character and action) and you have to pick a movie that fits as many cards as possible. $19.
This product image shows “The Wes Anderson Archive,” a box set of 10 films by the filmmaker.
MISE EN SCENT VIA AP
This image shows a variety of Mise en Scènt’s film-inspired scented candles.
This image shows the card game Celluloid, a gift for film bu s.
9 pitch-perfect holiday gifts for the music lovers in your life
BY MARIA SHERMAN
Shopping for a music fan is no easy task. It seems like it should be: Know their favorite artists? Simply buy them an album on the physical medium of their choice. But how can you be certain they don’t already own it? (Because let’s be honest — if they’re an obsessive, they probably own multiple pressings.)
The best presents are a bit more creative than that. Don’t know where to begin? We’ve got your back.
Here’s a gift guide for the audio lover in your life — from a massive new oral history courtesy Paul McCartney to a pocket-size drum machine, some Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg gin, and so much more.
Back in black
What do you get the classic rock ‘n’ roll fan in your life?
Something that lets them share their enthusiasm with others, of course. Bicycle playing cards make the perfect stocking stuffer, and their AC/ DC collection offers a personalized touch. Peep Angus Young and his signature axe on this deck; it’s enough to make anyone want to break out their guitar ... or, at the very least, play a little poker.
$8.99.
Loud and clear
Every music enthusiast needs a decent speaker in their life. And for the more eccentric listener, only a truly unique device will do. That’s where Uncommon Goods’ Acoustic Gramophone Amplifying Speaker enters the conversation. This beautiful smartphone speaker — handmade from walnut wood — naturally amplifies. That’s right: There are no cords, wires, batteries, solar panels or whatever else involved.
Simply slide your phone into the slot, press play on your favorite streaming platform and let the natural acoustic enhancements happen. $100.
Dolly it up
It’s hard to go wrong with Dolly Parton. So, make your holiday shopping easier by gifting a country connoisseur her latest coffee-table book, “Star of the Show: My Life on Stage.” It’s the third and final installment in her photographic trilogy of big ol’ books — following “Songteller,” which was all about her lyrics, and “Behind the Seams,” about her daring and culture-shifting fashion. Parton has arguably saved the best for last: This text is all about her performance, offering both an in-depth personal and professional history. Plus, it’ll look great in any living room. Random House. $55.
Hosting a party? Grab the gin and juice
For the 21-and-older hiphop crowd: This one is for you. While most gins are a bit polarizing — non-fans think the liquor is too bitter, or too botanical — Still G.I.N., the brainchild of rap royalty Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, hits the right notes. The official description of their gin’s flavor profile includes “notes of tangerine, jasmine, and coriander for an unforgettable aromatic finish.” None of your holiday party attendees will complain about its distinct, delicious — and best of all for those on the fence — unobtrusive taste. $36.99 for a 750ml bottle.
March to the beat ... of your own drum
Loving music is one thing.
Making it is another. For the aspiring producer, prolific percussionist or virtuosic songwriter, look no further than a Stylophone Beat Drum Machine. The pocket-size device allows its user to make beats on the go. Because who knows where inspiration will strike? It’s best to have access to four sound banks (rock, techno, hip-hop and beatbox) and a stylus on hand at all times. And if that’s not enough of a selling point: It also features a built-in speaker and headphone socket, so you can listen and play wherever you are. $40 from the Museum of Modern Art’s online store. Grab your pava Bad Bunny’s latest album, the ambitious “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” is a love letter to Puerto Rico. It effortlessly combines modern genres — house rhythms, electronic production, reggaeton — with salsa and nylon-stringed plena guitars. In his music videos and at his historic residency in San Juan this summer, the global superstar continued to embrace traditional Puerto Rican iconography. That included the use of pavas — straw hats traditionally worn by jíbaros, Puerto Rican rural farmers. His official merchandise does the same and has been discounted for the holiday season. Especially attractive is the Bad Bunny Pava T-shirt, with its fashionable high neck and artful illustration of Bad Bunny in a pava — lifted from his 2025 Met Gala look. $40.
Get ‘GUTS’-y
Tour books are a dime a dozen these days and with good reason. They make for great gifts! High-resolution, never-before-seen images are ideal for the young superfan — and Olivia Rodrigo knows that. Her “GUTS World Tour Book” boasts 136 pages of images and some text detailing her energetic run of shows, alongside a sticker sheet, limited-edition poster and more. While the stan in your life awaits Rodrigo’s third album, surprise them with this. Available via Rodrigo’s merch store for $38.
Gonna be golden
For the K-pop lover — heck, for the animated family film fan — there was no bigger pop culture story in 2025 than “KPop Demon Hunters.” The women of the fictional girl group HUNTR/X as well as the heartthrobs of demon boy band Saja Boys no doubt inspired a million cosplays. The most envy-worthy of their fashions is likely HUNTR/X leader Rumi’s bright yellow bomber jacket and, luckily, Netflix has it available for purchase on their webstore. It’s unique enough to function as a costume but also sporty enough for everyday wear. $89.95.
Let ‘em in Paul McCartney has teamed
We’ve Got You COVERED
Whether it’s historical events or this week’s local hero, We cover
up with editor Ted Widmer for a new oral history, “Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run,” compiled from over
500,000 words of interviews. It’s an impressive undertaking that follows the band from their founding in the 1970s to
their dissolution in 1981, featuring extensive commentary from McCartney as well as co-founding members, the
late Linda McCartney and Denny Laine, and many more. For the Beatles fan in your life and then some. Liveright. $45.
NETFLIX VIA AP
This product image shows a jacket worn by the character Rumi, right, in the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.”
MOMA VIA AP
This product image shows the Stylophone Beat Drum Machine.
book teaches kids how to recognize mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds — and, chiefly, why you shouldn’t trust fish. Dial Books, $18.99.
“Grandmother Moon” by Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason, illustrated by Trisha B. Waters. A girl’s grandma explains Grandmother Moon to her. The author’s Indigenous storytelling tradition is extended by dreamy full-page paintings. Includes a Moon Calendar and a guide to reading the calendar on the scales of Turtle’s back. Beaming Books, $18.99.
Middle grade (ages 8-12)
“Dory Fantasmagory 7: Center of the Universe” by Abby Hanlon. Book 7 in the silly illustrated series that’s a perfect bridge into chapter books. In this story, Dory has a new rival. Dory’s zany antics and odd friends could elicit
laughter from any reader. Dial Books, $17.99. “Maker Girl and Professor Smarts” by Jasmine Florentine. So what if they don’t
have superpowers? These supersmart best friends are ready to take on supervillains! This hilarious, hybrid graphic chapter book includes sci-
ence-backed instructions for making sorbet and cardboard grappling hooks. MIT Kids Press, $19.99. “The Weirdies” by Mi-
chael Buckley, illustrated by Forrest Burdett. From the creator of “Sisters Grimm,” these 10-year-old triplets and the world they live in are weird — and highly entertaining. Pencil-hatching illustrations accompany Lemony Snicket-esque humor and fourthwall breaking. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $14.99.
verse and as a play, this empowering story follows Yuli, a junior at a Texas high school, as she learns how to handle racism, the pressure to shine, and stress at home with a widowed mom living with a chronic illness. Dial Books, $19.99.
“The House of Quiet” by Kiersten White. A Gothic mystery that explores class struggle and what it means to make a positive impact in the world. The stunning ending pulls the pieces together without a single detail wasted. Delacorte Press, $19.99.
“When We Were Monsters” by Jennifer Niven. Arlo and E y trade o narrating this genre-bender of dark academia, murder mystery, thriller and romance. A “Frankenstein” motif throughout the novel conveys themes of monsters and fate vs. free will. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $20.99.
“Leave It on the Track” by Margot Fisher. After her dads die in a fire, Moose moves to a new state to live with her older half-sister, who convinces her to try roller derby. Fisher’s debut grabs you and doesn’t let go, tackling grief, being LGBTQ+ and finding community. Dutton Books for Young Readers, $19.99.
“The Poisoned King” by Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie. It’s up to 12-year-old Princess Anya to save the dragons and her kingdom. The hotly anticipated Book 2 of the Impossible Creatures series is a fantasy adventure driven by an unyielding belief in the power of goodness. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $19.99.
“Bunns Rabbit” by Alan Barillaro. The other rabbits fear that Bunns’ short ears are a bad omen. Full of heart, this mature, tender chapter book showcases descriptive writing and stunning, dramatically lit illustrations. Candlewick, $18.99.
Young adult (ages 12+)
“The Story of My Anger” by Jasminne Mendez. Told in
“Take Up Space, Y’all” by Tess Holliday and Kelly Coon. A body positivity book with guides and tips, from finding your fashion to having a healthy relationship with food to dealing with labels. It always defers to consulting your doctor for medical needs like skin problems and mental health challenges. Running Press Kids, $13.99.
“I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This: A Graphic Memoir” by Eugene Yelchin. The sequel to “The Genius Under the Table” also stands on its own, chronicling a Jewish man’s escape from Soviet Russia in the 1980s with a unique art style that incorporates photographs. Yelchin’s mom and grandmother provide comic relief with their melodrama and uncanny wisdom. Candlewick, $22.99.
Taste of home
Jams and preserves
Dec. 15–20, 22, 23 10 AM–9 PM
Dec.8-13 10 AM-8 PM Christmas Eve 10 AM-5 PM
Break Times: 2-2:30 PM, 6-6:30 PM
For fruit lovers, American Spoon, in Petoskey, Michigan, delivers artisanal preserves and sauces perfect for toast, charcuterie boards or baking gifts. Michigan cherry fans might swoon over a jar of their famous sour cherry preserves, and their Red Haven peach preserves feature hand-peeled peaches grown specifically for American Spoon.
Marmalade Grove makes beloved citrus marmalades in Ojai, California. Handpicked pixie tangerines, Cara Cara
oranges infused with hibiscus, Meyer lemons and honey — each flavor captures the sunny citrus of the area. From San Francisco, We Love Jam o ers seasonal, small-batch jams such as their popular Blenheim apricot jam, made from one of the last remaining orchards of these endangered apricots.
Katie Workman writes regularly about food for The Associated Press. She has written two cookbooks focused on family-friendly cooking, “Dinner Solved!” and “The Mom 100 Cookbook.” She blogs at https://themom100.com/. She can be reached at Katie@themom100.com.
PHOTOS BY
KATIE WORKMAN VIA AP
bottle of Big Bob Gibson Original White sauce is displayed in New York.
DUTTON BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS/CANDLEWICK/DIAL BOOKS VIA AP
This combination of book covers shows “Leave It on the Track” by Margot Fisher, left, “I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This” by Eugene Yelchin, center, and “The Story of My Anger” by Jasminne Mendez.