A tisket, a tasket…a lovely gift basket

I’m making a gift basket and here is what I’m putting in it…and where you can get these items too!

First, I’ll start with a beautiful hand-made basket by Martha Malford-Dreswick. You can see Martha at the Stockton Farmers’ Market every weekend, quietly weaving her baskets of all sizes and shapes. Pick a few out. You may be tempted to keep them for yourself.

Ah, but what to put in it? I’ll be at the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance’s 2nd Annual Holidays from the Farm tomorrow night, December 1st, perusing the vendors for yummy stuff to include in my basket. This event highlights local food producers and artisans. There will also be food tasting from local caterers and bakers, so don’t eat dinner before coming. The event begins at 5 pm and goes until 8:30 pm in the Northampton Public Library’s Community Room. Click here for directions.

Let’s start with some delicious brownies, shortbread, cookies and scones from the Bucks County Cookie Company. How about some tasty preserves to put on those scones by Bucks County Preserves? Owner Jerry Krone began making specialty jams in 2003, using local fruit as much as possible and no additives, preservatives or high fructose corn syrup. And the flavors! Blackberry, blueberry, peach, apricot, raspberry, blackberry brandy, strawberry, plum, wineberry, elderberry jelly to name a few. Or try one of his unusual flavors like Queen Anne’s Lace or dandelion, horseradish jelly (my favorite) or hot pepper jelly (great with cheeses and meats).

Next, some coffee from The Coffee Scoop. Local coffee roasters Karen and Warren May – one of only two Pennsylvania roasters with organic certification – use only fair trade coffee beans. Our favorite? A medium-dark roast called Peruvian HALF-CAF – half Peru Regular and half Peruvian Decaf. It wakes us up every morning.

For something more mellow in the afternoon, you cannot go wrong with teas from Cardamom & Curry. This Warrington-based family business creates hand-blended authentic Indian spiced teas (like chai) in a dizzying array of flavors. Treat a loved one, or treat yourself, to one of these special teas.

To go with that warm tea, try Yaffa’s Joy Natural Sesame Treats. These all natural, preservative and gluten-free sweet treats are made locally in Perkasie with all vegetarian ingredients.

They’ll be more foodie gifts too, like Delice De Carthage Organic flavored olive oils and other Mediterranean delicacies. Or local honey, fruit, cider or produce from Snipes Farm or the Milk House Farm Market (pretty gourds, anyone?). Bee Well Honey & Beeswax will also have local honey and related honey products like beeswax candles.

Want to keep your loved one soft, warm and smelling nice this holiday season? How about toasty socks, hats, gloves, scarves and wraps made from local alpaca and llama? WoodsEdge Wool Farm will bring their warm wares to the event too, including their wool for the knitters in your life. Why not throw some all natural handmade soaps in the basket from Marie’s Soaps and the Milk House Farm Market? Or rich shea butter lotions and creams from Karibbean Kappra? Handmade with jojoba oil, mango butter, olive butter, and coconut oil they are a treat for winter hands.

Finally, stuff a handmade apron, bib or table runner in the basket from SEWphisticated Handmade Swedish Designs or decorative holiday items from the Milk House Farm Market and Snipes Farm, like wreaths, hand-painted gourds and evergreens.

2nd Annual Holidays from the Farm: Locally Produced Gifts
Wednesday, December 1
5:00 to 8:30 pm

Community Room at Northampton Township Library
25 Upper Holland Road, Richboro PA 18954

And…if you can’t make it to tomorrow night’s event, come to  the Ottsville Holiday Festival at Linden Hill Gardens, this weekend, Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5 from 10 am to 4 pm for a wonderful array of unique hand crafted and home made gift items by local friends for the holidays:

Chestnut Hill Farm Gourmet Foods ♦ Church Hill Gardens Homemade Cosmetics ♦ Cornelia Pierce Homemade ♦ Cottage Street Studio Ceramics and Pottery by Renee ♦ EON Organics Cosmetic ♦ Hand-dyed Silk by Robin Long ♦ Jen’s Gems Original ♦ The Kitchen Potager ♦ The Kitchen Garden Cooking School ♦ Linden Hill Gardens ♦ Mediterranean Delicacies Organic Olive Oil ♦ Ridge Valley Farm Maple Syrup ♦ River Valley Waldorf School ♦ River Nymphs Sweet & Savory Treats ♦ Selah Parfums ♦ Pipersville Frame and Art ♦ WoodsEdge Wools Farm, LLC ♦ Yaffa’s Joy Sesame Treats ♦ Zoe’s Real Fruit Jewelry

The Barn at Linden Hill Gardens
8230 Easton Road (Route 611) Ottsville, PA
Rain, Snow or Shine!