Even though Christmas seems far away and I’m still feeling full from Thanksgiving (how was everyone’s Thanksgiving, by the way? Semi-enjoyable, at least, I hope?), it’s time to keep riding this holiday wave and think ahead. These three weeks are going to friggin fly, so I’m trying to be planful. You know, think ahead like some of my very efficient and adult friends. If you’ve read my previous newsletters about Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, etc. I always say this and never follow through, but, this time, THIS time, I’m going to be on top of it! So, in the interest of thinking ahead, I want to share four of my favorite cheeses to give as gifts!

Rispens – Merry Rispmas! This sheep’s milk gouda from the Rispens family in the Netherlands tastes like Christmas cookies, all warm spices, butter, and sweetness, so of course it needs to be in my holiday lineup. Also, I’ve given this to a lot of friends and haven’t found a person yet who doesn’t like it.

Chabichou du Poitou – Chabs, yes it’s one of my favorite little goat’s milk cheeses because it has the texture of fudge and tastes tangy and lemony, but I really want to give it as a present because it’s so dang cute. It stands tall in a small cylinder with a wrinkly white rind. I envision tying a bow around a wheel wrapped in cheese paper for a sweet little holiday package. 

Pitchfork Cheddar – I really love this clothbound English cheddar, new to us this year. Whereas a wheel of Chabichou weighs about 6 ounces, a wheel of Pitchfork is fifty-five pounds! Lifting one of those babies makes me feel like a beast! More importantly gift-wise, it has delightful flavors of sour cream, baked potato, and mustard, too good not to share with everyone you know. Droooool.

Rush Creek Reserve – This soft, spruce bark wrapped cheese is basically a readymade fondue that may be the most delicious fondue ever. Slice off the top of the rind, and dip whatever you can find into the ooey gooey, woodsy, slightly peppery paste. Rush Creek is around for just a couple months a year, making it extra special, so get it while it’s hawt! And there’s nothing more festive than a Rush Creek tied up with a big bow.

Now, I gave you a lot to think about here. If you’re feeling like, this is nice and all that, Kiri, but I’m sick of making MORE choices and I want something delicious and pretty and done already to check off my never ending list, scrap everything I just wrote and go with one of our collections, yo. They are delicious. They are pretty. They are done. It’s chill and easy and bang bang boom, gifts are DONEZO.

Ok, I’m ready. Everyone’s getting a bag of these cheeses this year, so if you’re reading this and receiving a holiday gift from me, you know what it’s going to be. But hopefully since they’re SO GOOD, that’ll make up for it not being a surprise! Happy Cheesin’, everybody!

For the love of cheese and gifting cheese,

Kiri