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DC-area gifts to bring home to your out-of-town family

Dan Friedell | dfriedell@wtop.com

December 11, 2018, 4:51 AM

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WASHINGTON — Between honey made from beehives on a historic burial ground to bourbon rested in wine barrels, the District and its surroundings have plenty of “bring-home-to-mom-worthy” gifts.

Consider cured meats from Silver Spring’s Urban Butcher, or preserved fish at the Ivy City Smokehouse. Or, if you’re looking for a little whimsy with your whiskey, check out gorgeous illustrated cards from Marcella Kriebel.

Call Your Mother Grab a baker’s dozen ($22) of these unique brick-oven baked bagels from Call Your Mother on Georgia Avenue NW. Don’t forget the cream cheese and the “just coffee” you can buy in bulk to brew at home. Bagels are available in plain, sesame, everything, Za’atar and one special flavor each day from Tuesday through Sunday. (Call Your Mother/Mojave)
Call Your Mother/Mojave
Courtesy Urban Butcher
Urban Butcher This downtown Silver Spring butcher shop/steakhouse (8226 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring) has a unique charcuterie program. Seen here is “lamb bacon” ($6 per 4 oz.) which you probably can’t find in your hometown. (Courtesy Urban Butcher)
Courtesy Urban Butcher
WTOP/Dan Friedell
All Mapped Out In DuPont Circle, you can find these coasters that show off various District neighborhoods. Visit Shop Made in DC for the full selection of items created by Candice Luebbering. (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
WTOP/Dan Friedell
Courtesy Jos. A. Magnus
Joseph A. Magnus It’s on the shelves at liquor stores throughout the District, Maryland and Virginia, and it’s a gift that the bourbon fans in your life will appreciate. Jos. A. Magnus’ flagship, award-winning bourbon is bottled at the distillery in Ivy City and can be found for about $100. The distillery also makes gin and vodka for those who like clear liquor. You can make it an outing and have a drink made with the house whiskey in their lounge. (Courtesy Jos. A. Magnus)
Courtesy Jos. A. Magnus
Courtesy Dominion Wine and Beer
Dominion Wine and Beer For a fresh taste of local beers, visit Dominion Wine and Beer in Falls Church, Va. This beer and wine store makes sure to source kegs from some of the best craft breweries in the state, including Veil and Aslin, Triple Crossing and Ocelot. Visit the crowler station for a can of Citra Triangles (pictured) a hazy, hoppy IPA from Triple Crossing. (Courtesy Dominion Wine and Beer)
Courtesy Dominion Wine and Beer
Courtesy Urban Butcher
Urban Butcher’s meat cellar is worth seeing. Bring home a selection of cured meats from the butcher counter at the front of the restaurant. (Courtesy Urban Butcher)
Courtesy Urban Butcher
WTOP/Dan Friedell
Pratt Standard Tory Pratt’s syrups and garnishes run about $17 apiece. They’re available at Shop Made in DC and online.  (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
WTOP/Dan Friedell
Bicycle Trash Do you have a cycling fan on your gift list? Shop Made in DC has a selection of belts, wallets and bottle openers made from bike chains and used innertubes. Belts and bottle openers are $25. (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
WTOP/Dan Friedell
Looking for an easy gift? Buy a container of Old Bay, the legendary seasoning blend that complements Maryland blue crabs (and even found its way into beer), and wrap it up with a few slices of Urban Butcher owner Raynold Mendizabal’s Chesapeake Saucisson. You’ll be amazed by how nicely the Old Bay flavor comes through in the sausage. $9.50 for 4 oz. (Courtesy Urban Butcher)
Courtesy Urban Butcher
WTOP/Dan Friedell
Marcella Kriebel Art & Illustration These cards, available at Shop Made in DC, are great for food and drink lovers. Her original illustrations are perfect for those who have family members who would appreciate both a nod to food and pop culture. The cards are $5 each. (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
WTOP/Dan Friedell
WTOP/Dan Friedell
Bailiwick Clothing Company JC and Jeff Smith started this apparel business after they realized their designs might have some resonance with D.C. residents. Take, for example, this 51st State t-shirt. Other proud-to-be D.C. items celebrating “the 202” are available as well for men, women and children. Prices range from $20 to $30. (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
WTOP/Dan Friedell
Maple syrup-finished rye whiskey from Purcellville's Catoctin Creek. (Courtesy Catoctin Creek)
Catoctin Creek Distilling A special seasonal release maple syrup-finished, cask strength, rye whiskey from Purcellville’s Catoctin Creek will provide a little extra kick the night before Christmas, or perhaps even Christmas morning. It’s available at the distillery itself (about $90), and if you’re lucky, on some ABC store shelves in Northern Virginia, or liquor stores in the District and Maryland. The maple syrup comes from Langdon Wood, a D.C. producer, too. Their syrup can be found at markets around the area. (Courtesy Catoctin Creek)
Courtesy Catoctin Creek
Chris Bergman design (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
Chris Bergman Design Looking for a stocking stuffer with D.C. flair? Look for these neighborhood keychains from Chris Bergman. You can find them at her site for $15 and also at Shop Made in D.C. Bergman also sells earrings, pins, bracelets and more. (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
WTOP/Dan Friedell
(Courtesy Ivy City Smokehouse)
Ivy City Smokehouse Market If you’ve ever shared the awesome fish board at the Ivy City Tavern, you know how good the salmon candy, whitefish salad and smoked trout can be. A quick run to the market (on the ground floor, below the tavern) can be a one-stop shop for the preserved fish fan in your family. Pair the salmon with some bagels and cream cheese for a perfect combo, or grab a bag of salmon jerky to soothe your hunger during a long drive home. (Courtesy Ivy City Smokehouse)
Courtesy Ivy City Smokehouse
(WTOP/Dan Friedell)
D.C. Honey from Congressional Cemetery Toni Burnham, of the D.C. Beekeepers Alliance describes honey made by local bees as “delicious” since it’s influenced by the stately tulip poplar and basswood trees unique to this part of the country. Snag a 4 oz. jar of “Rest in Bees” honey from the Congressional Cemetery’s gift shop (1801 E Street SE) for $10 while supplies last. Proceeds go to help preserve the cemetery. (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
WTOP/Dan Friedell
(WTOP/Dan Friedell)
Mare Naturals Pick up lotions and soaps made from Ethiopian beeswax, created by Ebise Bayise in DC’s Edgewood neighborhood. The products start around $7 and can be found at Shop Made in DC. (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
WTOP/Dan Friedell
(WTOP/Dan Friedell)
Shrub District Need something to brighten up your winter libations? Turn to Shrub District, Don Morton’s startup in Petworth. The flavorings (about $10) can also be added to seltzer for those who don’t want alcohol. (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
WTOP/Dan Friedell
(WTOP/Dan Friedell)
Chris Cardi Bags, wallets, hoodies and more come from DC designer Chris “Cardi” Clayton. Water resistant canvas bags start at about $165. (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
WTOP/Dan Friedell
(WTOP/Dan Friedell)
Phillumeni: The Art of the Matchbook John Harvey makes these unique posters from old matchbook labels. Find them at Shop Made in D.C. (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
WTOP/Dan Friedell
(WTOP/Dan Friedell)
MIKS Letterpress Celebrate your favorite D.C. neighborhood with these posters from Mariko Iwata, who does, however, do more than just design based around D.C. inspirations. She makes cards, pins and baby rompers. The posters run about $25. (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
WTOP/Dan Friedell
(1/20)
Courtesy Urban Butcher
WTOP/Dan Friedell
Courtesy Jos. A. Magnus
Courtesy Dominion Wine and Beer
Courtesy Urban Butcher
WTOP/Dan Friedell
WTOP/Dan Friedell
WTOP/Dan Friedell
Maple syrup-finished rye whiskey from Purcellville's Catoctin Creek. (Courtesy Catoctin Creek)
Chris Bergman design (WTOP/Dan Friedell)
(Courtesy Ivy City Smokehouse)
(WTOP/Dan Friedell)
(WTOP/Dan Friedell)
(WTOP/Dan Friedell)
(WTOP/Dan Friedell)
(WTOP/Dan Friedell)
(WTOP/Dan Friedell)

Snag some maple syrup for some New Year’s morning pancakes, or if you’re on the verge of gifting a special someone the key to your heart this holiday, you can put it on a key ring from Chris Bergman.

Regardless of what you may wrap up, there are plenty of good D.C.-made gifts suitable to bring home to your out-of-town family. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop, consider DuPont Circle’s Shop Made in D.C. or Steadfast Supply in the Navy Yard.

Dan Friedell

Dan Friedell is a digital writer for WTOP. He came to the D.C. area in 2007 to work as digital editor for USATODAY.com, and since then has worked for a number of local and national news organizations.

dfriedell@wtop.com

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