The Kitsap Peninsula abounds with gift ideas for discriminating gourmands. From meats/cheeses and food baskets, to gourmet chocolate and organic coffee — a variety of possibilities will have your friend or family member saying “Yum.”

“People like to give something different, especially to people who have everything,” says Barbara Sweeney, owner with husband Mark of Sweeney’s Country Style Meats in Bremerton.

At Sweney’s, gift boxes of smoked salmon (Alaska King) and other fish are among the popular choices. The Sweeneys also make their own beef jerky and pepperoni sticks — great stalking stuffers — along with honey glazed hams, smoked turkeys, freezer packs and much more.

Those who can’t pass up summer sausage and other delicatessen by Hickory Farms may find it difficult to narrow down their choices when they visit the Hickory Farms shop in the Kitsap Mall. Baskets starting at under $20 and all the way up to $100 include not just all sorts of meats and cheeses but also teas, nuts, and mints — the staples of a good party.

For a truly personalized basket, visit Gourmet Essentials in Gig Harbor. The store, which specializes in kitchen accessories, also caries a wide selection of gourmet mixes, sauces, wines and other goodies. The wines have whimsical names such as Farm Boy, Mad Housewife, Lady in Red and Happy Camper. Cobbler mixes, plum sauces, exotic mushroom rubs, soup mixes, various chutneys, vinaigrettes — the list of possibilities goes on. Pair those up with a couple of cool gadgets with the same theme, and you have a personalized hit.

The store will sell baskets that you can fill, and get them nicely wrapped for you — or if you’re too lost by the number of choices, pre-made baskets will also be available during the holidays.

If your gift recipient has a sweet tooth, several local chocolate stores are ready to indulge. At the Candy Shop LLC in downtown Port Orchard, you’ll find yourself pulled in several directions as your mouth waters over all the chocolatey and sugary delights. Owners Becca and Sandy Charbonneau make the chocolates and fudges daily. The mother-daughter team have what seems like an unlimited number of molds and are eager to customize your gifts for any occasion.

At LaLa Land Chocolates in Kitsap Mall, delicious truffles made by owner Janie Marquiss are little works of art, and can be boxed for the ultimate treat. She also sells mixes for her mouthwatering scones, and husband Greg makes some of his own gourmet tea mixes. For the ultimate gift for chocoholics, they sell tiered chocolate fountains — a gift that will please any hostess who loves to entertain.

And don’t forget Boehm’s Chocolates in downtown Poulsbo. There is a virtual treasure trove of treats for the cultivated, chocolate lover’s palate.

If your discriminating gourmand is the coffee type, you can find a great gift in Kitsap that not only tastes good but is also good for the planet. Poulsbo-based Grounds for Change sells roasted coffee that is shade-grown, organic, and fair trade. The coffee is sold at several retail outlets around the area, and can also be purchased online at www.groundsforchange.com. The six-pack samplers and the “Coffee Aficionado Gift Box” are among the most popular items, according to owner Stacy Marshall. They also added a new item this year called the Fair Trade Bushel Basket that includes coffee, tea, hot chocolate and chocolate — all fair trade, of course — in a half-bushel basket that is nicely wrapped. Customers may be able to pick up their orders in Poulsbo; call for details.

Christmas would certainly not be the same without some yummy cookies and pastries, and there are several bakeries in the area that come up with special goodies for the holidays. Try Morningside in Port Orchard or Sluy’s in Poulsbo.

There are other edible possibilities locally — get creative and have fun with it. Holiday shopping can get stressful and out of hand, and all you have to do is remember that your friends and family members already have it all, and it truly is the gesture that counts. Or, if that’s not enough to take the stress off, grab a little extra chocolate for yourself. It works every time.