southern giftologist

Now that Halloween is over, the countdown to the biggest gift-giving season of the year has begun - but there is no need for anyone to panic! There is still plenty of time to figure out what to gift everyone on your list and I'm going to do my very best to help point you in the right direction. There are several local, holiday markets on the horizon that would provide a wonderful opportunity to think - and buy - outside the gift box this season.

Happening Friday, November 20th (noon - 7pm) and Saturday, November 21st (9am - 6pm) is the MADE South Holiday Market at The Factory in Franklin. This is a ticketed event for both days - $15.00 in advance; $19.00 at the door. I attended their first event a couple of months ago and it was chock-full of wonderful goods by regional vendors. Get more info here or check out my previous blog post about their last market here.

You're going to want to clear your calendar the weekend of December 4th - 6th for these next two markets. As I mentioned a couple of blog posts ago, Porter Flea is back for their holiday market Friday, December 4th (ticketed event 6pm - 9pm) and Saturday, December 5th (free event 10am - 5pm) featuring an amazing roster of artisans and their handmade goods. This event takes place at Silver Point Studios in East Nashville. Click here for more info or check out my previous blog post.

Also that weekend, there's a NEW holiday market taking place Saturday, December 5th (10am - 6pm) and Sunday, December 6th (noon - 5pm) - the WEHO Holiday Market & Art Crawl at the Track One building in the Wedgewood-Houston area of Nashville. This free market promises to bring together the "best of art, fashion, design and vintage" and will include artisans and vendors from Nashville and the surrounding region. This event is in conjunction with both the First Saturday Art Crawl in the area and the 2nd Annual Designers in Music City event presented by The WJA Nashville Chapter. Get more information about the WEHO market here.

In case you're wondering, yes, I plan to attend all three markets! If you go, please tag your photos with #southernggifts so I can see all the awesome goods you find. Happy gifting!

Bonjour, mes amis! After a brief break, I'm back and happy to share with you this wonderful French market located on Bandywood Drive in Nashville. I've followed Little Gourmand on Instagram since it opened late last year and first visited Easter weekend to purchase a box of beautiful macarons from Sweet Darling Patisserie. Last weekend, I had an opportunity to visit (during a torrential downpour) and was greeted by the lovely owner, Guenievre Milliner, who so graciously answered my questions about many of the products she carries in her store.

As you know, dear readers, my mission is to find gift ideas outside of the ordinary and yet stay within a reasonable price point. Little Gourmand is a French market with wonderful, unique products to fit any budget. So, I'd like to share just a few of the things that caught my eye during my recent visit.

Jars of honey...French honey! Imagine one of these paired with a loaf of artisan bread, a box of tea or alone as a "hey, you're sweet!" gift to brighten someone's day.

Chocolate helps alleviate many woes in life and Little Gourmand has your chocolate needs covered. How about these chocolate spreads? They look good enough to eat straight from the jar with a spoon but since we're not savages, how about picking up a box of butter cookies that are 2 shelves over at Little Gourmand to pair with? Or ask Guenievre for her recommendations on how to serve this chocolate goodness.

Little Gourmand has many gift options that will satisfy any foodie or someone who likes to cook: gourmet salts, oils, mustards, tapenades, a cold case with many specialty foods - the list goes on - but you can also find non-food items such as cookbooks and these gorgeous dish towels which Guenievre tells me many of her customers frame and hang in their kitchen.

Back to my original visit Easter weekend - the macarons! Every Thursday, Little Gourmand receives a delivery of macarons from Little Darling Patisserie. When I visited last Saturday they were already sold out, but I made a return trip this weekend when I saw the picture below posted by Little Gourmand on Instagram. A box of these would make a wonderful gift for most any occasion: new baby, birthday, welcome home, just because...

Looks too pretty to eat...but I'm going to! Image Little Gourmand Instagram

Whether you live in Nashville or are planning to visit, I encourage you to stop by Little Gourmand the next time you're in need of a unique gift or just want to pick up some special products for a dinner party or to keep at home. Also, starting next week, Little Gourmand will begin serving pastries and sandwiches on-site! I can't wait to plan my next visit to enjoy a croissant and espresso and to visit with Guenievre.

Au revoir - and happy gifting!

Add a little something special to that next celebration! Image southern giftologist