Holiday gift guide These kids books from 2025 make great gifts for all ages BY DONNA EDWARDS
Associated Press
KATIE WORKMAN PHOTOS VIA AP
A variety of Adoboloco sauces from Hawaii’s island of Maui are displayed in New York.
A taste of home A jar of local flavors can add a personal touch to gift-giving BY KATIE WORKMAN
Associated Press
A gift doesn’t have to be big or pricy to feel thoughtful. Instead of the usual bottle of wine, give something that makes your recipient feel truly seen: a little edible treasure that nods to their hometown, heritage or favorite trip from years ago. It’s a deliciously personal way to say “I know you.” Regional condiments are like souvenirs, celebrating local flavors. A jar of barbecue sauce, a bottle of hot sauce or a regional mayo can tell a story and capture the essence of a place. Here’s a handful of beloved sauces, spreads, jams and more that make tasty and personal small gifts. The condiments generally hover around the $10 to $15 mark, making them an economical pick.
Hot sauces and BBQ staples
This image shows specialty condiments Duke’s Mayo, a century-old Southern classic, left, and Japanese Kewpie mayo.
Adoboloco hot sauces, from Hawaii’s island of Maui, carry a tropical punch with bold island chiles, perfect for grilled fish or roasted veggies. The ingredient lists are short and the peppers are grown in Hawaii itself. In the South, Big Bob Gibson’s barbecue sauces, from Decatur, Alabama, are known for their smoky, tangy flavor, with the Original White Sauce a mainstay (especially on smoked chicken). Pitmasters at Franklin Barbecue, in Austin, Texas, offer sauces and rubs that are rich,
bold and unmistakably Texan. Also hailing from Austin are Yellowbird hot sauces — the organic habanero and serrano hot sauces and the Classic Blue Agave Sriracha are particularly beloved. For a taste of South America, Tari hot sauces from Peru showcase native peppers, such as aji amarillo and rocoto, both grown in the Andes. The ingredients are ground on a traditional batan (a stone mortar), creating sauces with a bright and fruity (not scorching) heat that elevates dishes from grilled meats to vegetables.
Specialty condiments
Duke’s Mayo is a century-old Southern classic, now based in Mauldin, South Carolina. It uses just the yolks of eggs (no whites) for extra richness, and has two kinds of vinegar for extra zing. The mayonnaise adds tang and creaminess to sandwiches, potato salads and more. (Some fans have even gotten mayo tattoos promoted by Duke’s — that’s brand loyalty.) Duke’s is generally available nationwide, but isn’t as much of a household name as Hellman’s and Kraft outside the South. The rich texture and subtle
umami punch of the Japanese Kewpie mayo have inspired a global following. It also uses just the yolks of the eggs, and also includes rice vinegar and a dash of MSG. Put it on sushi or okonomiyaki, or use it as a base for dressings. Handmade small-batch condiments like Auntie Rana’s, made in New York’s Hudson Valley and in Maine, and inspired by South and Southeast Asian flavors, can bring a family-rooted touch to meals. Think Naga garlic mayo, mango achaar and smoked chili oil. Please see TASTE OF HOME, Page G4
Look no further for great gift ideas for your kiddos. The Associated Press scoured the bookshelves for standout 2025 releases to share the love of reading with your child, student or friend, and came up with this list for the holidays.
Board books and readto-me books (ages 0-3) “I Love You, Little Moose!” by Sandra Magsamen. A fiveline poem about nature and all the things we love about it, with vibrant colors and bubble-letter text. This board book also has soft plushie antlers on top. Cartwheel Books, $8.99. “Why Does the Wind Blow?” by Eric Carle. Science made easy in classic Eric Carle style! This quick read explains in simple terms how wind blows, aided by illustrations and one Very Hungry Caterpillar. World of Eric Carle, $5.99. “Little Heroes of Color: I’m A Little Hero” by David Heredia. Heroes range from hardworking Jim Thorpe to inventive Arvind Gupta to fearless Sonia Sotomayor. Rhyming and repetition make complicated words and ideas easier to understand. In the back, readers will find a mirror with a message that they’re a little hero, too. Cartwheel Books, $9.99. “Everywhere You Are” by Victoria Monét, illustrated by Alea Marley. This sweet book reaffirms a parent’s love for their child even when they’re not physically together. Grammy winner Monét’s musicality shines in this lullaby, illustrated in a colorful, swirly, star-speckled outer space. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books For Young Readers, $18.99.
Early readers (ages 3-8)
“Bitty and Bub, Best Buds” by Janee Trasler. Five short, silly comics follow fun-loving friends Bitty and Bub. It’s a great introduction to reading comics, using speech bubbles in simple panel progressions. Holiday House, $14.99. “Don’t Trust Fish” by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat. Why read another boring animal book when you can read something hilarious? The Please see BOOKS, Page G4
Angels
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