Treats and munchies are a sure-fire way to put a smile on someone’s face, and luckily for Kitsap Peninsula holiday shoppers, there’s lots of locally made goodness to help you get through your shopping list. And do think outside the (fruit) box. Fruit cakes and mass-produced summer sausage need not apply.
Most of the merchants will ship their treats for you around the country — if you don’t procrastinate and order in time, that is.
To indulge the sweet tooth, there are at least half-dozen chocolate shops alone on the Kitsap Peninsula. From Bainbridge Island’s Bon Bon (www.bonboncandies.com) to Port Orchard’s Carter Chocolates (www.carterschocolates.com) and The Candy Shoppe LLC (www.thecandyshoppellc.com), you don’t have to go very far to find fresh, locally made candy.
Amy Jablonski, owner of Amy’s Decadent Chocolates (www.amysdecadentchocolates.com) in Bremerton, says business has been steady, and like all chocolate shops, she’s gearing up with special goodies. In addition to peppermint and cranberry/pistachio bark, she’s making peppermint caramels with crushed candy cane for the holidays, as well as a special flavor for her popular caramel apples — peppermint caramel apple with crushed candy canes. The shop is also offering solid-chocolate Santas and festive packaging for its boxed sets.
“We have stocking stuffers anywhere from $4 to $20,” she says.
For other fun stocking stuffers ideas, check out the chocolate cacao pods (filled with chocolate coins) at Carter’s Chocolates and the sinfully indulgent, fresh-made fudges at The Candy Shoppe or Bon Bon (which come boxed and in all sorts of flavors).
With help from Port Orchard-based Two Sisters Candy Bouquets (www.twosisterscandybouquets.com), you can cross off two things from your list: a delicious present and a decorative showpiece. The bouquets are made from chocolates and other candies (including sugar-free choices), and for the holidays you can also order a candy wreath, a table centerpiece and smaller hostess gifts.
Owners Deborah Horn and her sister, Sharon Weathers, can customize an arrangement based on your color preferences, cost and other needs — so you don’t have to stay with traditional holiday colors if you don’t want to. “A lot of folks like a lot of glitz, something that goes with gold and silver and is elegant for the holidays,” Horn says. The sisters can both deliver locally and ship around the country.
For something more savory, stop by the Crimson Cove Smoked Specialties (www.crimsoncove.com) shop in Poulsbo (open only Friday and Saturday but extended hours are planned the week before Christmas). In addition to the smoked salmon and cheeses, Crimson Cove offers pre-made or “create yourself” gift baskets with all-local products except for the crackers. Choices include Amy’s Decadent Chocolates, CBC Chocolates from Poulsbo, sweet pepper sauce from Port Hadlock, Two Snooty Chefs spices, smoked nuts using CB’s Nuts of Kingston, smoked sea salts plus extra touches such as ornaments made by a local artist and a locally made salmon-themed wood box.
While you’re shopping and sampling at Crimson Cove, stop by the newly opened factory and retail facility next door for Viking Feast Ice Cream and take some home for your holiday table (if your family can wait that long). The ice cream, made with a special yogurt recipe from Iceland, has a unique flavor and several of its varieties are made using local ingredients.
Popcorn is a favorite holiday treat but don’t even think about checking out those department store tins. Kitsap’s Popcorn Chef (www.popcornchef.com) is your headquarters for freshly made, gourmet popcorn. Butterscotch Caramel, Dark Chocolate with Chipotle and Butterscotch Heaven (which tastes like a Pay Day candy bar) are among the popular new flavors, along with all-time favorites like Caramel, White Cheddar (our Publisher’s personal favorite) and Cracked Black Pepper and Dark Chocolate Coconut, among others.
Owner Dona Keating says Christmas delivery is guaranteed if orders are placed by Dec. 3. “That doesn’t mean an order placed after this date won’t make it, just that we can’t guarantee it,” she says. The online-based business delivers to some parts of Kitsap and ships around the country.
If you have a tea lover on your list, a must-stop is Aroma Tea & Herb in Silverdale. In addition to dozens of varieties of loose teas, the store sells herbs and spices and some tea accessories including cups. Holiday flavors include pumpkin spice, spiced cider and buttered rum but don’t limit yourself there — you can put together a great assortment of teas that range from Belgian chocolate rooibos, the very popular Hairy Crub (pineapple/coconut) and Russian earl grey to mountain huckleberry, almond cookie and caramel cherry. You’ll even find some unique stocking stuffers, like the $19.99 “perfect tea timer” that uses the old-fashion sand hourglass to help brew the perfect tea.
For more tasty possibilities, inquire at CB’s Nuts (http://cbsnuts.com) in Kingston (make sure to try the peanut butter, you may just refuse to go back to any other brand); new products include tins and there’s even a “gift tower.” At the Gluten Free Bakery & Market (www.yourglutenfreebakery.com) in Poulsbo, you can stock up on organic and gluten-free treats for a food basket to that special person who has food allergies or loves healthy food.
And for your holiday table, let Bella Bella Cupcakes (www.bellabellacupcakes.com) worry about the baking. Four holiday flavors will be featured this year: Pumpkin Spice, Eggnog, Chocolate Raspberry Chai and Dark Chocolate Peppermint ($27 per dozen, with special pricing for events and occasions serving 100 or more cupcakes). There’s even more good news for fans of Bella Bella’s: In addition to ordering online and finding some flavors at Cornerstone Coffee shop in Poulsbo (and soon at Juliana in Port Orchard), around mid-December or so Bella Bella Cupcakes and Celebrations will open doors at 10726 Silverdale Way, Suite 107 in Silverdale.
One bonus tip for this holiday season: Why not leave the baking to others (there’s no sin in that, really) unless holiday baking is a tradition that involves your kids. Bainbridge Island’s My Kids’ Cookies, Poulsbo’s famous Sluys Bakery are just a couple of starting points, so you can safely ditch the flour and the sprinkles off — and don’t worry, your secret is safe with us.
