Client gifts from Richmond/VA: What are you favorite locally made goods?

Submitted by Jolech t3_z1x5il in rva

EDIT: Thanks everyone for the great ideas. I really appreciate all of them. Also, thanks for not calling me out on typing "you" instead of "your" in the title. šŸ¤¦šŸ»ā€ā™‚ļø I just noticed it and felt a deep shame that'll be with me for the next 24 hours.

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Hey everyone. This year I started working as a creative freelancer, and I'd like to buy some end of the year gifts for my clients. I'm hoping y'all might have some good ideas for gifts from Richmond (or general Virginia) that might make for an interesting goodie package.

The folks I'm sending them to are mostly young (30-45), mostly creative (working at ad agencies or in creative departments), and mostly not from Virginia. For brainstorming purposes, nothing is really off the table, but I'd guess I'll end up settling around $50-$75 per person.

My thoughts so far include things like:

It doesn't have to scream "RICHMOND VIRGINIA," just be from around here.

So if you have any other ideas (or if you make something awesome you want to rep), I'd love to hear them.

Thank you!

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Comments

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Chickenmoons t1_ixdbj52 wrote

Studio Two Three has a lot of great locally made crafts (tea towels, cutting boards, aprons, prints, etc.). Worth checking out.

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Weekly-Eggs t1_ixdfnis wrote

I second S23! They're constantly putting out new merch in their studio shop and online! They're also hosting a independent artist/maker's winter market on 11/26-12/24

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Miss_Marna t1_ixdtx7x wrote

I would find hand made cards from S23 and write a heart-felt thank you. If your clients are agencies, they are getting baskets galore. yours will just be another gift that goes into the break room to get claimed.

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VA_Network_Nerd t1_ixdea5x wrote

Unless things have changed, the whiskey offerings from Resevoir are... not particularly good - especially at their current price points.

Operating out of Fredericksburg, the Bowman distillery produces a much nicer product.

https://asmithbowman.com/spirits/

The Port Finished is around $40 a bottle.

If you want something closer to Richmond, operating out of Powhatan, the Three Crosses distillery is a scrappy young distiller putting out some nice products.

https://threecrossesdistilling.com/powhatan-three-crosses-distilling-company-drink-menu

But Richmond is more of a beer town at the moment, and beer is generally easier to ship than distilled spirits.

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Beccas753 t1_ixetlue wrote

Second Three Crosses. Way better than Reservoir.

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__looking_for_things t1_ixd929t wrote

Isn't Blanchard's coffee from Richmond? I've never looked to see if it's sold outside of VA in stores.

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szeis4cookie t1_ixdcob8 wrote

In this vein, Ironclad Coffee is also great - I've given bags of coffee from there as gifts, to rave reviews.

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grantcary t1_ixf93ny wrote

Guy who owns Ironclad is a dick tho

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OrtizDupri t1_ixhq5q5 wrote

yeah I'm not buying weird 9/11 coffee for clients

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homebma t1_ixjhxxd wrote

Im out of the loop, what makes it weird? I had their coffee the other day and loved it

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OrtizDupri t1_ixjkx0z wrote

They have a very ā€œpatrioticā€ online persona, including very strange 9/11 posts every year and lots (and lots and lots and lots) of flag pictures, which some people find endearing but others find offputting

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homebma t1_ixjsxfl wrote

Hm they must have toned it down over time bc theres like 4 pictures total in the last year that Iā€™m seeing with a flag and nothing really iffy in the posts (unless itā€™s in the comments but idk)

Thanks for the follow up though! I went there bc they said they ship in bagels from NY and I was craving an egg everything with cream-cheese. Normally I just make coffee at home and cant bring myself to buy a $10 bag of coffee.

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Lidjungle t1_ixej22o wrote

Yep, this is what I always bring. Worked for me when I visited a client in Seattle. Dark as Dark is the one people rave about.

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Extension_Flounder25 t1_ixdl38u wrote

I'd suggest Belle Isle moonshine in place of the Resevoir whiskey. Pretty sure all of their bottles and even the variety pack are in budget.

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ryseing t1_ixdxqij wrote

Their canned cocktails are a great gift for that age range. Brought some to a wedding out of state and they were a big hit.

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Herownself t1_ixea3k9 wrote

Or a bottle of Buskey Cider - my Realtor dropped one off when I bought my house

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needward t1_ixh82qi wrote

Id take that over reservoir. Res can be a tad harsh

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SnarkMatter t1_ixedfq6 wrote

Dayum this is my Jam!

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Unicorn_hi5s t1_ixevivs wrote

i have a few Strawberry Zeals that im including in christmas gifts this year! i agree to add some ā€˜dayumā€™ items in your appreciation gifts too!

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nezukomoon t1_ixdt6t9 wrote

Maven Made for skincare/self care goodies. The room and linen sprays are a great ā€œgive to anyoneā€ gift!

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Turtlethymes t1_ixehkx1 wrote

They also have a new ā€œRichmondā€ fragrance line and have teamed up selling Sun Theory candles at their shop on East Main.

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roostersquawks t1_ixdh6cr wrote

Ames Hot Southern Honey is really good

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MKrushelnisky t1_ixdhtrr wrote

Ukrops rainbow cookies are a must

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Oni_Shiro37 t1_ixdh2xb wrote

I'd add a pound of Rostov's Coffee. They are literally all delicious.

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Diet_Coke t1_ixdm95o wrote

You can never go wrong with chocolate-covered Virginia peanuts

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rcb4d t1_ixf5cuq wrote

Definitely skip the Reservoir. Itā€™s overpriced and terrible.

Another local booze worth mentioning is Virago - they make an assortment of great rums, as well as cocktail kits.

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will_castel t1_ixfcgly wrote

I'm a local woodworker and make cutting and charcuterie boards and other things that make perfect gifts in your price range. The lumber yard I use is a mom and pop operation who source trees from the area. Feel free to DM me if you'd like more information, I'm still working on a website.

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GMUcovidta t1_ixdwljd wrote

Gift cards to local restaurants, plenty of people don't drink/ don't eat super spicy food etc. but everyone likes food

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ashdeezttv t1_ixgfzem wrote

Well Iā€™m saving this thread for gifts. Probably for myself. But theyā€™ll be gifts.

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jeb_hoge t1_ixd9cnx wrote

I've always gone for some Rostov's coffee beans...the Cuban Blend is a knockout. But you might want to make that into a gift card so people can go with their own choices.

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puppyciao t1_ixden73 wrote

Na Nin candles are really nice. I love gifting those!

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BubbleWrapGuy t1_ixdbcdo wrote

[Check out my sister-in-law's candles. They are excellent candles. Burn with Cassie the Nova] (https://www.cassiethenova.com/)

My SO and I will be slinging them occasionally at KD's Winterfest starting this Friday.

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montygreen18 t1_ixef8lj wrote

Lol I was just about to comment her business! I just bought 3 candles from her on saturday and they are so good!

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emelenjr t1_ixdeogu wrote

Reservoir and Belle Isle are already mentioned, but as far as local booze that's not local beer goes there's also Steely Can Wine. It's on the shelves at Outpost Market and Barrel Thief, or ready for delivery or shipping from the Steely Can shop.

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ImmobilizedbyCheese t1_ixe0qk7 wrote

The limoncello and limecello from Bombolini are delicious.

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Beaniebot t1_ixew8wk wrote

Oh I forgot about the yearly calendar by Eliza Askin. Lovely drawings of local landmarks and buildings. Barnes&noble usually sells them.

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BlueRibbon998 t1_ixg1cl4 wrote

Lammar Marie's Gourmet Popcorn in Short Pump. It's seriously good stuff and highly addicting

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ouidwife t1_ixh8kah wrote

I got earrings from a place called fragmented jewlers! It's all handmade jewelry and I'm obsessed with it all

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njbrews t1_ixddprp wrote

Elk Hill candles are the best Iā€™ve ever had in my life

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cstlesands t1_ixgja5h wrote

Second this! Knew someone who would get headaches from candles and they're one of the only brands that wouldn't make their head hurt.

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Oni_Shiro37 t1_ixdin0f wrote

I'd add a pound of Rostov's Coffee. They are literally all delicious.

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richsam76 t1_ixe4ffu wrote

Nightingale ice cream sandwichesā€¦if they donā€™t melt

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clogging_molly t1_ixebvrf wrote

The gift shops at the state library on broad and also in the capital have tons of Richmond/Virginia themed gifts/items (peanuts, dish towels, water bottles, books, art). Iā€™ve had luck getting VA themed gifts from there

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-OliveOilTaproom- t1_ixenfia wrote

The Olive Oil Taproom in midlothian is the place to go If you need gifts.

https://theoliveoiltaproom.com/

Its a Virginia based company, family owned with over 100 extra virgin olive oils & balsamic vinegars. They have local pasta brands, local hot sauces and local bloody mary mixes. The staff is helpful and they ship all over the US!

Lastly the employees can ā€œPairā€ an oil and vinegar to match whoever you are gifting to. Someone likes authentic Italian, they have a pairing. Someone likes french cuisine, they have a pairing. Someone wants authentic truffle oil then yes they have it. Please consider them for holiday gifts!

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Gothmom85 t1_ixew3kw wrote

https://ellicedarien.com/ Richmond based skincare that's fantastic. As a bonus, the owner is a great person.

For something a bit more spot on you could always do a RVA sticker or something cool from the science museum, vmfa, Poe museum is pretty unique.

The Nile sells their berbere spice blend. I know I'd be thrilled if that came in a basket of goodies.

Ukrops baked goods.

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nilsrva t1_ixh233g wrote

Gift boxes from Rostovā€™s

Art from some of the local namesā€¦ maybe even someone with RVA in their name

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Ms-Pamplemousse t1_ixdcs4u wrote

There are a few other robust threads about this from people asking for weddings, gift baskets, etc. It might be tricky to search for but they're definitely around.

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c53x12 t1_ixdldbv wrote

Gingerbread Stout

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