2020 Holiday Gift Guide: 5 Last-Minute Local Gifts We’re Buying This Christmas

There’s something magical about Christmas, especially how it enables my shopping addiction. This year, my friends and I have been much more laser-focused on finding local items to give. Here are five of my favorites (that I already own) that I’ve already wrapped up. Their next stop:under other people’s trees.

For: Everyone

Photo: Christi Young

Ask the HONOLULU team or anyone I’ve met in the last month and they’ll tell you the first thing I do is offer them a spritz of Lanikai Bath and Body hand sanitizer. I was searching for seasonal sprays and fell in love with the festively packaged Joy, Mele and Noel versions launched by the Kailua company in November. The yummy coconut and candy cane Joy carries the indulgent aromas of minty chocolate. (I’m hoarding three of them right now.) The Mele spray elicits Christmas tree memories with its spicy balsam notes. Noel brings orange scents into the mix. Like all of Lanikai’s hand sanitizers, the moisturizers won’t dry out your hands and the bright and clearly Hawaiʻi-made labels will bring anyone a boost of cheer.

$4.75 for 2-ounce spray bottle. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Lanikai Bath and Body, 600 Kailua Road, #119. lanikaibathandbody.com, @lanikaibathandbody

SEE ALSO: 5 We Tried: Hawai‘i-Made Hand Sanitizers

For: Those Who Want to Spice It Up

Photo: Christi Young

I blame Martha Cheng. After our food and dining editor wrote about ʻŌpala Food’s Day Tripper Hawaiian Grown Mushroom Jerky, my husband and I have been fighting over every bag. The sweet and spicy coating over the chewy dried oyster mushrooms tastes like a vegetarian version of taegu. But there’s just enough heat from the gochugaru—Korean red pepper flakes—to keep you from downing the whole thing at once. Well, most of the time. You can usually find ʻŌpala Foods at weekend farmers markets, but we found you can still order online and pick up a bag of the Korean Sweet Heat or the Guava Sweet Street Mesquite from the business’s Kāneʻohe warehouse through Wednesday.

$9. The warehouse is open weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 46-178 Kahuhipa St., Unit R, (808) 744-1991, opalafoods.com, @opalafoods

For: Sippers

Photo: Christi Young

My sister fell in love with hard cider during her college days in Boston. And during the fall months, I find myself also seeking the seasonal spices in these drinks. Paradise Ciders is Hawaiʻi’s first local hard cider company and I’ve run to Kalihi a few times to pick up bottles of its lilikoʻi, mango and dragon fruit blends. But recently I have been gravitating toward the Shortboard, a crisp straight up apple cider. Paradise Ciders has just launched six packs of Lei’d Back Lilikoʻi and Guava Lava in 12-ounce cans so there will be one for everyone in your small group, with an extra for you. You can find the brand’s regularly stocked flavors in stores including Village Bottle Shop and select Foodland locations or, for limited blends or after-Christmas presents, the tasting room will reopen after Dec. 25.

Prices vary from $12 for a 22-ounce bottle to $30 for a filled growler. 2003 Colburn St., paradiseciders.square.site, @paradiseciders

SEE ALSO: Taste Test: We Tried 6 Ciders at Paradise Ciders in Kalihi and Ranked Them

For: Huggable Keiki

Photo: Courtesy of Island Heritage

They’re soft, friendly and just so cute. Island Heritage’s Keiki Kuddles are infinitely huggable pillows in various Island and animal shapes. But the food ones caught my eye: Spam musubi, rainbow shave ice, pineapple and a kamaboko-topped bowl of saimin. I’m squishing mine down into smaller boxes so they can burst out for Christmas day giggles.

Around $17 on welcometotheislands.com,  I also found them at SoHa Living and other retailers.

For: Anyone Who Wants Local Delivered

Photo: Christi Young

My girls dance around when Farm Link Hawaiʻi boxes arrive at our door. Getting fresh produce delivered is, of course, convenient, but we love the chance to try new fruit and snacks from local producers: My highlight list includes Rainbow Trader’s crispy sprout mix of mung, green pea and adzuki bean sprouts that I sprinkle on everything from salads to salmon; SJ’s kim chee; jaboticaba berries; and a cacao pod that we bought and never quite figured out what to do with. Farm Link has also expanded its pickup locations, which means you’ll likely walk out with not only your box, but also impulse buys from Beer Lab Hawaiʻi, Banan, Mānoa Chocolate, Kalapawai Market in Kapolei and other local businesses.

farmlinkhawaii.com, @farmlinkhawaii