10 local Christmas gifts anyone on your list will love

Keith Magill, The Courier
·4 min read

Looking for Christmas gifts with local flavor?

Here are 10 ideas sure to please anyone on Santa's list, including several that will also help local businesses or groups as they and the community at-large recover from Hurricane Ida and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Restaurant gift cards: Many locally owned restaurants offer gift cards or certificates you can use immediately or later. Or you can always order takeout. Pick your favorite or try one of these suggestions: Milano in Houma, Flanagan's or Cinclare in Thibodaux or Big Mike's BBQ or Peppers Pizzeria in either city.

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2. Craft beer: Spigot's Brew Pub, 622 Barrow St., Houma, will put together a sampler of its craft beers and ales, or you can get a giant glass growler filled with your favorite. Phone: 333-3103. Online: spigotsbrewpub.com.

Bayou Terrebonne Distillers' Contraband whiskey might be the right choice for an adult on your Christmas gift-giving list.
Bayou Terrebonne Distillers' Contraband whiskey might be the right choice for an adult on your Christmas gift-giving list.

3. Houma-made whiskey: Speaking of holiday spirits, Bayou Terrebonne Distillers' small-batch Contraband and Good Earth whiskies make tasty gifts. Its T-shirts and caps, with sayings like "Lache pas la patate" and "Good whiskey, good people. good earth," will also add local flavor to your Christmas gift-giving. Whiskey must be picked up at the distillery, 8043 Main St., in downtown Houma. Phone: 790-7722. Online: btdistillers.com.

ExclusiviT by EsScents sells hand-poured soy candles and other gift items at Market at the Marina in Houma.
ExclusiviT by EsScents sells hand-poured soy candles and other gift items at Market at the Marina in Houma.

4. Shop Market at the Marina. You'll find plenty of local Christmas gifts at this outdoor farmers market, held 8 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of every month under the Houma twin spans near Terrebonne General Medical Center. Items offered by local vendors include fresh produce, freshly baked breads, sweet treats, homemade pet treats, homemade honey and jams and fresh seafood and plants for home and garden. The next Market at the Marina is scheduled for Dec. 4. Info: tghealthsystem.com/about/market-at-the-marina.

5. Laurel Valley goodies: Laurel Valley Village in Thibodaux is the largest surviving 19th and 20th century sugar plantation complex in the U.S. Its country store, 936 Laurel Valley Road, offers plenty of gift ideas, including souvenirs, local honey and jam and homemade pralines. The store is usually open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Call 446-7456.

6. World’s best beef jerky: That’s what Bourgeois Meat Market in Schriever advertises, and anyone who has enjoyed it would have a hard time disagreeing. This local institution will shrink wrap and send its Cajun-spiced specialty to anyone on your Christmas gift list. Visit the meat market at 543 W. Main St. or buy online at bourgeoismeatmarket.com.

TARC’s Cajun Confections offers handmade chocolates in the shapes of alligators or fleur de lis, plus lots of other sweets.
TARC’s Cajun Confections offers handmade chocolates in the shapes of alligators or fleur de lis, plus lots of other sweets.

7. Satisfy the sweet tooth: TARC’s Cajun Confections, 158 Enterprise Drive in Houma, offers handmade chocolates in the shapes of alligators or fleur de lis, plus lots of other sweets. Plus, sales help this nonprofit, which aids local residents with mental or physical handicaps. You can also visit TARC’s restaurant and gift shop, 117 Moffet Road, Houma, for some great local and Louisiana-made gifts, including homemade salsa, jams and jellies and paintings and photos by some of the people the agency serves. Info: 851-2117.

8. Santa delivers shrimp: Visit laterdirectseafood.com and choose from a list of local shrimpers and other fishermen who sell direct and will be happy to have Santa pack and send gifts fresh from local waters. Your loved ones will thank you, and so will shrimpers, whose fortunes have also taken a hit from both the hurricane and the pandemic.

9. Get reel: Visit The Reel Outfitters, a family-owned shop at 502 St. Mary St. in Thibodaux, for breakfast, lunch or dinner. And while you're there, pick up some local or Louisiana made fishing gear. For instance, you'll find Backjack Lures from Chackbay, Crappie Psychics from Raceland, Delta Lures from LaPlace, Cajun Tackle in Morgan City and Humdinger lures from Donaldsonville. Phone: 235-7475. Online: facebook.com/thereeloutfitters/

The Ceramics Club at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux will hold its annual sale next week.
The Ceramics Club at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux will hold its annual sale next week.

10. Nicholls pottery: The Nicholls State University Ceramics Club will host its annual Christmas Pottery Sale next week. Alumni, student and faculty artists will sell hand-crafted pottery, jewelry and prints for sale in the Student Union's Cotillion Ballroom. Pottery includes bowls, pitchers, trays, mugs, platters and containers. The sale is scheduled for 4-8:30 Dec. 1 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 2-3. Proceeds are used to buy studio equipment, host guest artists and support student awards.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: 10 local Christmas gifts anyone on your list will love