The devil works hard, but the world of online shopping works harder. Welcome back to Eater Today, where we’re kicking off the holidays with some early intel about the best limited-edition food gifts that are sure to sell out this year. |
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The holiday creep has begun, and it's looking delicious |
In early August, I popped into a Walgreens to buy some pre-beach-day sunscreen, only to find my Coppertone chilling next to a light-up Halloween skeleton. Despite the fact that it was still very much summer, this was par for the course: As big-box stores compete with one another to get a leg up on holiday shopping revenue, they end up rolling out holiday promotions earlier and earlier every year. The result is a snake-eats-its-own-tail effect that the suits have dubbed the “Christmas creep.” (If a Hallmark producer is reading: I think this would be a great title for a pan-Halloween-Christmas film.)
What this means for food lovers, of course, is that some of the best food gifts have popped out of ovens both literal and proverbial. The food- and drink-themed advent calendars are out in full force, delivering 24 days of Bonne Maman mini-jam-jar bliss and Fly By Jing Sichuan chile crisps; the chocolate-covered matzo (yes) has arrived, the perfect blend of crispy, salty, and dark chocolate goodness; the alluringly postmodern, if not slightly confounding cooking gadgets from the MoMA Design Store have hit the digital shelves.
The thing is, while it may seem early to start holiday shopping, many of these gifts sell out by November. Plus, when the holidays actually do roll around, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to smugly pat yourself on the back for being done with all your gift acquisition? Pour yourself some coquito, and let’s shop for a few of the items featured in our cheat sheet.
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The advent calendars have landed
Every year, the Bonne Maman advent calendar dominates the scene with one of the coziest and most charming cals in the lineup. What’s not to love about treating yourself, or someone you love, to several weeks of preserves — many of them limited-edition holiday drops — in miniature jam jars that you can use all year long? (For more fun advent calendars, check out our complete 2026 advent calendar gift guide.)
2026 Bonne Maman Advent Calendar, $55.99 at Bonne Maman |
Chocolate-covered matzo
Bubbe is going to crown you as the most creative and talented grandchild of all when she snacks upon these chocolate-covered matzo squares, which are made to order by the luxury Los Angeles chocolatier Compartés. Chocolate-Covered Matzo Gift Box, $57 at Compartés |
This postmodern pancake maker
I’ve thinned out the gadgets that I no longer feel are essential in my kitchen, which means I finally have room to welcome a beauty like this into my life. This colorful Bodum pancake maker is a MoMA Design Store exclusive, and delegates all of the most annoying parts of pancake making (too many bowls, too many drips, and too much batter whisking) to this charming little device. Buy one for the teen cook in your life, and for yourself.
Bodum Pancake Maker, $40 at MoMA Design Store |
Check out more of the best food gifts that will sell out fast here. |
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Like what you see? Keep tabs on Eater’s 2026 holiday gift guides over the next few months. I can promise you that there will be more Italian pastries and cutely packaged tinned fish to come.
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From the Eater archives: These restaurants have the best Halloween costumes.
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Raclette truly is a clever hack for impressive but low-lift holiday hosting. Aside from the machine (look at this adorable one-person machine for under $20), all you need is cheese, meat, potatoes, and an electrical outlet.
- Ever wondered how exactly a restaurant comes together? “Across social media,” Bettina Makaltinal reports, “owners of bars, coffee shops, grocery stores, and restaurants are turning their buildouts into video series and finding an eager audience for niche, behind-the-scenes content.”
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