Local Honey Gift Guide: Ideas From a South Coast Beekeeper
By November the bees have stopped working and the jars are on the shelf. That is when people start asking us what to give the person who already has everything. The answer we keep coming back to is something made a few miles from home, by someone you could actually meet.
Quick answer: The best local honey gifts are things people will actually finish: a jar of raw honey, hot honey for pizza and cheese boards, whipped honey spread for toast, or infused honey for tea and cooking. Beeswax candles and lip balm round out a basket. Pick by how the person eats, not by price. Honey keeps well, so nothing needs to be used right away.
What makes a good local honey gift?
A good honey gift is one the person will use, so match the honey to how they cook and eat. A tea drinker wants a jar they can stir into a mug. A cook wants something to drizzle or glaze. A person who hates mess wants a spread that does not run. Local honey also carries a story, since it comes from flowers within a short drive of where the person lives, and that story is half of why it makes a good present.
We keep our own bees in Rochester, Massachusetts, so everything below is from our Honey House shelves. Varieties change with the season, so what is on the shelf the day you visit is what you can give.
Which honey gift suits which person?
Match the gift to the person: raw honey for anyone who likes honey as it comes from the hive, hot honey for the cook who likes a little heat, whipped spread for the toast-and-bagel crowd, and infused honey for tea drinkers and cheese-board hosts.
| Gift | Best for | How they will use it |
|---|---|---|
| Raw honey | Anyone, the safe pick | Tea, toast, yogurt, baking |
| Hot honey | Pizza fans, cooks, cocktail makers | Drizzled on pizza, fried chicken, cheese |
| Whipped honey spread | Breakfast people, kids over 1 | Spread on toast and bagels with no drips |
| Infused honey (lavender, garlic or thyme) | Tea drinkers, hosts, home cooks | Stirred into tea, served with cheese, glazed on roast chicken |
| Beeswax candles | People who love a candle | Burned at the table or on a mantel |
| Lip balm | Stocking stuffers, teachers, coworkers | Kept in a coat pocket |
| Herbal tea | Anyone who likes a caffeine-free mug | Brewed hot and sweetened with honey |
If you are not sure which honey a person likes, raw honey is the safe choice, and it is the one most people have not tried in its unheated, unfiltered form.
How do you put together a honey gift basket?
Start with one jar of honey, add one thing to eat it with and one thing that is not food, and stop there. A basket does not need to be big to feel thoughtful. Three combinations we like:
- The tea basket: a jar of raw or lavender-infused honey, our herbal tea, and a mug.
- The host gift: hot honey or thyme-infused honey, a small wedge of cheese and a box of crackers.
- The cozy one: a beeswax candle, a lip balm and a small jar of raw honey. If you are curious how beeswax compares with other candles, read beeswax vs. soy vs. paraffin candles.
Wrap a jar in a dish towel, tuck a wooden honey dipper in the ribbon, and you are done. Nobody has ever complained about a dipper.
Will the honey change in the jar?
It might, and that is fine. Raw honey often turns thick and cloudy as it sits, which is called crystallization, and it is a natural sign that the honey has not been heavily processed. If your recipient worries, tell them to set the jar in a bowl of warm water until it loosens. Our post on crystallized honey covers it in full, and it is worth slipping a note in the basket so nobody tosses a perfectly good jar.
Can you ship or mail Nettie’s Bees honey as a gift?
No. We do not ship. Our honey and bee products are sold at the Honey House in Rochester, at a few local stores and at farmers markets, so the gift has to travel with you. That works well for family and friends you will see over the holidays, and it is the reason we call this a local gift guide. If the person lives out of the area, pick up a jar when you visit and hand it over in person. You can also find local honey from a beekeeper near them, since nearly every region has one.
Our Honey House page has the details on visiting.
Frequently asked questions
Is honey a good gift for a family with a baby?
It is a fine gift for the grown-ups, but do not give honey to children under 1. If the family has an infant, choose a candle, lip balm or tea instead, and write a note so the honey stays on the high shelf until the baby turns 1.
How long does a jar of honey stay good after you give it?
Properly stored honey keeps for a very long time, so a gifted jar does not need to be opened right away. Keep it sealed, at room temperature and away from heat. We explain why in does honey go bad?.
What is the best local honey gift under a small budget?
A lip balm or a small jar of honey is the easiest small gift, and both fit in a stocking. Check the Honey House shelves for what is in stock and current prices, since a number we quote here could be out of date.
Is hot honey a good gift for someone who does not like spicy food?
Usually yes, because hot honey tastes sweet first and warm second. It is meant to be drizzled in small amounts. If you are unsure, pick lavender or thyme-infused honey instead, which has no heat.
Do I need to refrigerate a honey gift?
No. Honey does not need refrigeration, and cold can make it crystallize faster. Keep it in a cupboard with the lid on.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
If you are driving the South Coast this season, stop by the Honey House and take a look at the shelf. We promise the honey is sweeter than the puns.
