11 gifts for people who love New Jersey
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The holiday season always brings up memories of home. If a loved one in your life is fond of the Garden State, they'll love these gifts. From a Stone Pony tee to Jersey-shaped chocolates, these gifts will help anyone rock their Garden State pride.
1. For the one who loves something sweet: Chocolate shaped like the Garden State
Got a proud Jerseyan/chocolate lover to gift? Enjou Chocolat has what may be the perfect present: milk or dark chocolate molded in the shape of the Garden State. "It's super popular," said owner Wendy Taffet. "With the locavore movement, people want items that are from their area; they want local." Taffet uses her own blend of beans to make the chocolate. A set of four 2-inch-long pieces called New Jersey State Pieces costs $9.95. One large 6-inch-long piece costs $14.95. If you'd like something engraved on the chocolate—say your friend's zip code or town name—just ask. Taffet will use white chocolate to make sure it stands out.
2. For the one who likes to mix it up: a healthy Bloody Mary
Christine Dodd, a 20-year Hoboken resident, loved Bloody Marys so much that her fiancé Ryan Grace, originally from New Orleans, decided they should try to come up with their own great mix. The lab they used: their kitchen table. Their final product: The Hoboken Mary, an all-natural, low-sodium mix that is "made in the North, inspired by the South" and available at most liquor stores in New Jersey. The mix comes in a 25.4-ounce mason jar that can be re-used to serve ice tea, suggests Grace, or... Bloody Marys.
Get the Bloody Mary Mix or Margarita Mix at The Hoboken Mary for $14.99
3. For the one who likes to cook: Recipes that remind them of NJ
Whether they're feeling nostalgic for the delicious eats they enjoyed when they were younger or they just want to try a new recipe from the Garden State, chefs who want to savor the tastes of N.J. will find these cookbooks the perfect gifts.
4. For the one who likes to rock out: Musical tees with local ties
From iconic talents like Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen to venues like Stone Pony, PNC Bank Arts Center and Prudential Center, New Jersey strikes a chord with music fans. Show off some of that N.J. pride with a T-shirt.
5. For the one who wants to keep a piece of the state close: A New Jersey artisan wood burning
This wood burning measures approximately 9”x 7” and is the perfect handmade holiday gift for fans of the state. Each one is drawn and burned by Rachael Marton, who has been wood-burning for more than four years and has been selling her pieces at variety shops across New Jersey.
Get the New Jersey State outline at CraftMarton for $18
6. For the one who wants to remember good times in N.J.: A custom map from Grafomap
Grafomap is a web platform that lets you to design and order a personalized map poster of any place in the world. Search for a place with sentimental value, such as the location of your first date or your home area, add a custom title and choose a color scheme that matches your taste. You will receive your custom map within a few days.
Get a Grafomap Customized Map at Grafomap.com starting at $49
7. For the one who likes to entertain: A NJ state bamboo cheese board
Fun serving platters bring cheer to any party. This bamboo board, precisely cut into the silhouette of New Jersey, will liven up your wine-and-cheese no matter where you are.
Get a New Jersey State Cheese Board from Uncommon Goods for $48
8. For the one who likes to garden: New Jersey tomatoes to cultivate
New Jersey grows the greatest tomatoes in the country. Let your giftee start up their garden with this Tomato Takeover Grow Kit from Foodie Garden. Made in the Garden State, this tomato grow kit is a great gift for foodies and gardeners alike who want to cultivate Black Krim, Green Zebra and Roma tomatoes. The comprehensive package includes coco fiber growing wafers, instructions and recipes for making tomato salads and sandwiches. The best part? It only takes 1 to 4 weeks for the seedlings to sprout, and they can be transplanted into larger containers—or even your backyard—to grow to their greatest potential.
Get the Foodie Garden Tomato Takeover grow kit from Uncommon Goods for $20
9. For the one who like a nostalgic scent: A New Jersey candle from Homesick
Homesick makes high-quality candles designed to remind your senses of different areas of the world. Their New Jersey candle is contains aromas of candy apple, cranberry, and vanilla, and is sure to resurface some Garden State memories.
Get the New Jersey Homesick Candle at Uncommon Goods for $30
10. For the foodie who likes to go behind the scenes: A walking tour
For the foodie who loves to go behind the scenes of the best restaurants in town, consider gifting a tour from Beyond the Plate Food Tours. They offer guided walking tours that celebrate the restaurants of Jersey City, Somerville, Red Bank and Princeton. The three-hour narrated tours visit four or five eateries ($89) and it's the perfect idea when hosting friends or family from out of town, date night, holiday outings, or just because. A ticket includes all the food (come hungry!) and select drink pairings. Tour line-ups vary in Jersey City but popular stops include Porta, Gringos and Luna, with alcohol pairings from local spirit brands like Misunderstood Whiskey and Corgi Spirits. Digital gift vouchers can be bought in any amount or for any city and either emailed to the recipient or the gifter for printing!
Get a gift card for one of the tours at Beyond the Plate
11. For the one who wants the Rockstar treatment: An experience at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
For the one who's been really good all year long, get the over-the-top package that the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City is offering this winter. You'll get a one-night stay in the South Tower in the 1,400-square-foot Roxy Suite with an ocean view, a custom Fender Guitar delivered to your room, a private dinner for two at Council Oak Fish with custom wine pairing, a couples massage in Rock Spa & Salon, and entry for two into the DAER Nightclub.
Get the Rock n’ Roller Package from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for $2,020
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed.com: Gifts for people who love New Jersey
