Whether you’re new to Savannah or a long-time local, giving a classic Southern gift treats family and friends near and far to a taste (sometimes literally) of your city. Savannah has its fair share of signature items that make meaningful gifts for a relative who moved away or a friend who has yet to visit. Share memories of home or introduce someone new to Savannah’s distinctive character.
To make things easy, we rounded up the seven best Southern gifts to add to your shopping list this holiday season.
Byrd’s Cookies are probably Savannah’s most recognizable food stuff. Sweet or savory, these little biscuit cookies make a perfect cocktail hour snack (or anytime snack, for that matter) for the host or hostess in your life. If you’re gifting a traditionalist, go for classic Benne Bits or their best-selling Georgia Peach cookies. Someone more adventurous might like their Key Lime Coolers or Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits. But by all means, make Byrd Cookie Company a stop on your holiday shopping itinerary so you can try all of them before you buy.
Give the gift of buzz this holiday season. PERC coffee is hand-roasted right here in Savannah with beans sourced from around the globe. Try their special Holiday Blend or ask them for a recommendation based on your recipient’s preferences – light roast lover or caffeine junkie, they have something for everyone. Make their roasting house a stop after Byrd’s to give your shopping trip a jolt.
Savannah can’t lay claim to being the origin city of the cheese straw, but they’re probably the most Southern gift you could give and Savannah has its very own version. The Savannah Cheese Straw Company started at coffee•deli where the straws were sold alongside breads, sandwiches, and java. Then they branched out, selling their savory straws all over the city. These make a hostess gift for a party or a taste of home for someone who’s moved away.
Honey from Savannah Bee Company
Pick up something sweet for your sweetie at Savannah Bee Company. They have a wide selection of specialty Savannah honeys and a full suite of honey-based bath and beauty products to choose from. Make their flagship location on Broughton Street another stop on your shopping journey this holiday season to sample the goods.
Nothing says “I’m from the South” than initials emblazoned on, well, just about anything – cars, bags, towels, novelty necklaces. Southerners will slap their initials on the dog bowl if they could. Stop by Emily McCarthy for a set of monogrammed cocktail napkins or tea towels for the perfectly Southern hostess in your life. They’ll create a couture monogram made with your recipient’s personality in mind.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Give the lit lover in your life a true telling of a true Savannah tale. Murder, intrigue, and love affairs make for a gripping story amid Savannah’s historic homes and moss-strewn squares. Author John Berendt captures the mystery and mysticism of Savannah in his classic nonfiction narrative. Pick up a copy at The Book Lady Bookstore or E. Shaver Booksellers to keep it local.
Local Beer
After a day of shopping, make one of Savannah’s breweries your last stop for a beer, a bite, and a six-pack for your hipster cousin or discerning dad. Stop by Southbound Brewing, Service Brewing or Two Tides Brewing for a selection of Savannah’s best brews.
