A Review of the Best Stocking Stuffers for Men Including Seniors

Stockings are a traditional part of Christmas as far back as the 1800s.  There are many stories of how the tradition came to be, but there is no proof that any of them are factual.  However they came to be, hanging stockings and filling them with presents is one of the most beloved customs of Christmas.  

In my family, you are never too old to have a stocking.  My parents had a stocking for me every year, until I got married, when then handed the baton to my husband.  My husbands family, on the other hand, only gave stockings to the youngsters.  He was delighted to reinstitute the practice between the two of us.

Since then it has become a fun challenge to find new and unique things to put in each others stocking every Christmas.  So here are some of the things that I have given to my husband.....who for the past few years has been a senior, which is why I have put a special section at the end of the page for senior stocking stuffers.  I hope you find some things to help you stuff your stockings!

Mini Drone - These are small drones that you can fly in or outside.  Trust me, any man will love this!!  They start around $30.

Mini Drone

Magnetic Wristband - Usually nylon with Velcro closure.  Interior magnets will hold screws, nails, nuts, staples, just about any small metal object. No more  having to repeatedly reach into your toolbox!  Starts around $7.

Password Keeper - If your man is constantly forgetting his passwords, this is the perfect gift!  You can get him a password book if he is an old style guy for about $8. If he is a more digital type, you can get him a computerized handheld keeper that starts at around $20.

Mini DVD Player - This gift is really great for everyone, not just the guys!  These small DVD players fit in your hand and usually play movies, music CDs and show photos.  Perfect for places with no WIFI, or in a plane or car.  Entertainment on the go!  They start around $25 like the one below from Amazon.

Craig Mini DVD Player

Universal Socket - I already bought this for my husband's stocking!  Whether your man is a beginner or has a monumental toolbox, (like mine) this is a great item to keep in you kitchen drawer for small jobs.  It will save him from having to go search for the correct size!  They start around $7.

Deodorizing Balls - If your man has a stink problem, be it shoes, gym bag, locker or closet, this is what he needs!  These little balls will help rid any confined space of distressing odors for only about $7 for six balls.

Beef Jerky - Don't put candy canes or chocolates in your man's stocking when what he really wants is JERKY!!  Small, individual packets of jerky always go over great, just stuff them right in that stocking and see his face light up!

Mini Bluetooth Speakers -  These speakers are small in size but big in sound.  You will be surprised at the quality of the sound.  They are available in all shapes and sizes, but I recommend the one below, which I have and runs about $19 and comes in six different colors!

INSMY Mini Bluetooth Speaker

Knit Hat with a Light - I got one of these for my husband last Christmas.  I was afraid that he would never use it, but I could not have been more wrong!  He wears it all the time.  Anytime he needs to go out and do something at night, he puts it on.  Putting our animals away, going out to retrieve something he left in the car, he even uses it when we grill on the deck at night.  He says it is one of the best things I ever bought him because it leaves his hands free while giving lots of light!  His is USB rechargeable and cost about $9.

Solar Charger Power Bank - These are about the size of a phone, a bit thicker, and one side is covered will solar panels.  You can charge the bank by plugging it in and at full charge it will fully recharge your phone three times.  If you are someplace with no plug in, you can charge this power bank using the solar panels.  This is a great gift that could save a life in a bad situation.  Starts at around $20.

Belly Band Holster - Because many people don't know what these are, I decided to include a picture of one so you would know what I mean.  These holsters can be used for guns, but they can also be used for so many other things.  It is especially nice for hiding things you don't want out in the open in case you are mugged or threatened, or you don't want to carry a purse.  They are also useful for walkers or joggers. The compartments and pockets in these bands are awesome for smart phones, wallets, inhalers, medications, pepper spray, ID, cash and so much more.  These are great gifts!  They start at about $16.

Belly Band Holster

Personalized Playing Cards - Wouldn't your guy love to have a deck of cards with a his favorite photo on the back of each card?  Show you really care with this personal gift!  You can order these from Shutterfly for about $20 along with other great personalized stuff like calendars and magnets.

Leather Apple Watchband - These bands are made especially to fit Apple watches and look far more stylish than what comes with them.  They start around $12.

Mini Survival Kit - If your guy drives long distances, or if he jogs, hikes or camps, he needs a survival kit.  This kit is very small with only the bare minimum of survival equipment, but it has things in it that you will need if you find yourself caught out with no resources.  Each kit has different things, but most include at least an emergency blanket, fire starter, multitool, compass and wire saw.  These mini kits are usually small enough to fit in your glove compartment, but in an emergency they could save your life, for around $20.  A thoughtful gift.

Mini Work Lights -  I bought these lights for my husband a couple months ago.  We were both really shocked at how bright they were and all the extras they had.  Three different levels of brightness, strobe, on/off switch, means to hang it up or stand it up, keychain attachment and bottle opener.  For the price, you will never get a better small light.  I keep one in my car, and one in my kitchen in case we lose power.  They charge with a USB plug and the lights I bought were two for $12.

Mini Work Lights

Stocking Stuffers for Senior Men

Though senior men would probably love any of the suggestions above, there are some items that are especially loved by older gents.  Here are a few!

Neck Light - My husband uses his all the time when he reads, as the lamp by his chair is not bright enough for him to read easily.  You simply drape them around your neck and the legs are bendable into any position you like.  A great gift for people who like to read or do crafts.  Prices vary widely but start at around $10.

Neck Light

Newspaper or Magazine Subscription - Some seniors still prefer to receive their reading material on paper, and the price of these items has risen greatly in the last five years.  The Wall Street Journal is $33 for four weeks and a year subscription to TV Guide is $56!  Many seniors have a problem with high cost of their favorite print material, so a gift subscription would be a blessing for them!

Tracker - These small items clip on to car keys, remotes, pill satchels or other things that are commonly misplaced.  Must have a smart phone or smart home to use most trackers.  Simply download the free app and search, your tracker will ring out so your item is easy to find.  Prices start about $17.

Lazy Shoe Horn Helper - Many older folks have trouble getting their foot in their shoes.  The heel folds in and it is very frustrating.  These shoe horn helpers solve this problem instantly.  You simply slip them on the back of the shoe and your heel will slide down the horn and right into the shoe.  My husband loves his!  They start at around $6.  This is what they look like:

Lazy Shoe Horn Helper

Back Scratcher - I know it sounds silly, but you would be surprised how hard it is to reach places that itch if you have arthritis, or a bad back.  A nice telescoping back scratcher is a thoughtful gift for any senior's stocking, man or woman!  You can pick these up for about $5.

And last but not least, this is my favorite stocking stuffer for seniors.  However, if you plan to give this, make sure the recipient has a good sense of humor!  

Old Lives Matter Mug

Stockings full of lots of small presents make a great gift for anyone, who says kids are the only ones that should have them?  My husband and I always have stockings hung by the big screen TV with care!  (we don't have a fireplace)  After all the gifts are opened on Christmas morning, they are the last thing we open.  It is so fun to see what unique stuff our better half has gotten us, small enough to fit in a stocking!  

Merry Christmas!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Panda Girl ~ A Historical Novel by Lawrence V. Drake ~ A Book Review

 So I'm going to tell you a secret!  Historical Novels are one of my favorite genre of books. It doesn't really matter what the time period is, I just happen to be very adept at getting my mind into whatever period I am reading about!

Panda Girl by Lawrence Drake is one of these books.  Set in the period of the Second World War, just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, this novel had me right from the opening few sentences of the Prologue.

Based on true life experiences, Panda Girl captivates and sheds some light on a part of WWII that many people don't know anything about.  It certainly was the case for me.  We think of the war as taking part mostly in Europe, but there was a whole contingent of the War that was taking place in  China, Burma, and India. 

Known collectively as the CBI Theater of WWII,  the Americans, while fighting Germany and the Japanese in the Pacific, also vowed that Japan would not overrun China.

Victor Dance (the main character) knows little about the world beyond his family's dairy farm in Montana.  He is reserved, shy, a hard worker and well liked.  He's also a talented artist in his own right.

When Pearl Harbor was bombed and the scope of destruction was realized, Victor and many of his friends enlisted in the Army to do their part for America and world peace.  Victor knew he wanted to fly!  It was a dream of his since he once witnessed Lindbergh flying over the family farm.  

When Victor and his friends had enlisted, their minds were full of thoughts of flying to France or England, they had never in their wildest dreams thought they would end up in India and  thought much less of the terrain they would be flying in.

Lawrence Drake does a wonderful job of bringing the realities of some of these missions to the pages of this book.  At times I felt that I was drowning in the heat that many of these pilots had to endure and just as I was getting comfortable in the heat,  I'd find myself freezing right along with them when they were flying at 20,000 ft.  I can't imagine the shock to the body when those kinds of extremes are happening within a short span of time. 

Missions over the Himalayas  were treacherous as winds, clouds and some of the highest mountains in the world stood between the pilots and their missions to take out Japanese tankers, railroads, bridges and transfer stations.  

Sometimes the only thing that kept these guys in the air and focused on their missions were the thoughts of those people back home who were counting on their success in this War. Letters from home were the only way many of these men kept going.  Hobbies helped too, as Victor in his "off time" was often drawing.  His talents as a pilot and an artist were in high demand, but you will have to read the book to see why.

War is never an easy thing and writing about it in a way that makes you fully understand the sacrifices is a real gift for us who have never had those experiences.  Truly it makes you even more thankful that we have not had to take part in this kind of "action".

If there is someone on your list of friends that enjoys Historical Novels, then this book gets a big Green Light from me.  I really enjoyed the story and came away with a much better understanding and thankfulness for all the sacrifices these men and women made for us.

You can get your own copy right here and I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Happy Reading, until the next Review!

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Reviewing Our Experience Of The Treetop Walkway Kew Gardens London

The Treetop Walkway is an exciting part of Kew Gardens London. Stepping up to the walkway in the tree canopy and looking out over the vista of the gorgeous Kew gardens was one of the highlights of our trip.

The many steps to reach the top was absolutely worth it and we took our time and enjoyed the views on the walk up to the top. 

I have wanted to visit and experience Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway for years and when I got the chance I was so happy. I was especially excited to find out what it felt like walking high up amongst and above the tree canopy and it was amazing!

The walkway itself is essentially a walk at height on a wide safe pathway through the treetops of Kew Gardens. It is an amazing piece of architecture built with more than four hundred tonnes of weathered steel, which although quite industrial looking, has its own beauty and surprisingly does become absorbed and integrated by the trees all around.

The structure needs to be strong though as there are 118 steps up to the main walkway in the sky, then you walk up onto the pathway which is 18 metres or 59 feet above the ground! 

The walkway itself is 200 metres or 656 feet long and that means you really do get a great experience literally walking in amongst the amazing trees and seeing them with a totally new rarely experienced perspective.

As a child I was always climbing trees and loved being high up in the midst of a tree among the leaves and berries and closer to the birds. However there is no way I could have safely climbed this high and now I would not even attempt it! So enjoying the amazing tree canopy in a safe way like this is just perfect.

 

I love looking up at trees from the ground level and being in awe of their beauty and majesty. It was amazing to be walking amongst the uppermost branches of the trees really close to the birds taking a rest in the branches, the fruits of trees, seeing the insects that live there and noticing he fungi and lichen at that level. It felt a real privilege and joy to be there. 

It is however important to note a few safety aspects of the walkway. By its very nature being so high up you need to be Ok with walking around at that height. 

The walkway is quite wide and has semi circular places where you can stop and look out over the views and let others pass as necessary. In some areas there are benches to sit.

To me it all felt very safe and secure. The walkway is designed to flex a bit and we certainly did feel that from time to time which initially was a bit strange, but we got used to it. We found it not bouncy and not at all like the swinging of a ropewalk, but rather feeling sturdy with some movement. The flex in the walkway is an important design feature so that it can cope with the winds without breaking.

You do have to leave buggies and pushchairs on the ground and young children must be closely supervised. The rails are high but I would not like to take chances with very young children, so best to keep hold of them.  

 As there are 118 steps up and many steps down, you do need to be fit enough to walk them. You can certainly take your time, which we did and look out over the wonderful views on the way up, but if you have any issues with climbing steps it would be better to use the lift provided. It may be best to check ahead of your visit if you need the lift or assistance to ensure it is available and suitable for you. 

 

Also personally we did avoid the large school parties which were there. It was wonderful to see the children so engaged and excited, but we wanted to go at a calmer time so that we could go at a steady pace on the way up without feeling rushed or obligated to go faster, and could drink in the atmosphere in a more peaceful way.  

It is best to check before visiting when the walkway is open both in dates and times. Clearly safety is always considered first so weather conditions need to be taken into account. Have to say although I am good with heights I was glad it was a still and warm day. I am not sure if I would have enjoyed it as much had it been windy and cold.

Spring, Summer and early Autumn are all wonderful times to visit and will give very different experiences of the tree canopy.  It does often close or partially close during the Autumn and winter months.

I thoroughly enjoyed the treetops experience and am glad that we took the time out to experience it. We spent probably about two hours exploring and absorbing the treetops. We saw some people wizz around in less than an hour and we could have probably stayed longer but had so much more of Kew Gardens to explore! It is both an educational and enjoyable experience.

More Travel Reviews

Reviewing Our Visit To The Waterlily House Kew Gardens London.

Travel Reviews By Contributors

Diary Of A Wild Country Garden

Essential Wildlife Gardening Gifts

Raintree Earth Design

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Hallmark Christmas Movie Review: A Merry Scottish Christmas

A Merry Scottish Christmas is a movie Hallmark fans have been waiting for since the announcement of its' stars. Lacey Chabert and Scott Wolf star in a Christmas movie as estranged brother and sister travelling to Scotland at Christmas. The movie was filmed in Ireland and Scotland.

Family mysteries, family reunions, Scottish holidays plus a few romances along the way combine to make A Merry Scottish Christmas a must see for the Hallmark holiday season. The chemistry between Chabert and Wolf is just like old friends meeting up after years apart. Watch how the siblings unravel a mystery and work towards a united family for the holidays.

Lacey Chabert And Scott Wolf

There is no doubt that Party Of Five fans are very familiar with Chabert and Wolf. Each played a member of the Salinger family in the ensemble cast family drama which ran in the mid 1990's to 2000. The show began with a small engaged audience and it took a few seasons for a larger audience to find the show. Fans of the show would love a Party of Five reunion and no doubt will enjoy a mini reunion of two of the five stars.  

Lacey Chabert is one of the most popular stars of Hallmark and this season has two Christmas movies with a sequel to  Haul Out The Holly: Lit Up. Both movies are worth repeat streaming and bookmarking to rewatch this season. The Holly sequel brings back a 2022 cast with chemistry and is plain ole fun in the realm of the Christmas romcom. 

More Hallmark Christmas Movies Reviewed

Hallmark Christmas Movies 2023 Reviewed by The Savvy Age

Hallmark Christmas Movies 2022 Reviewed by The Savvy Age

Hallmark Christmas Movies 2021 Reviewed by The Savvy Age

You, Me & The Christmas Trees by The Savvy Age

Christmas Tree Lane by The Savvy Age

Broadcasting Christmas by Cynthia

Top Ten Hallmark Christmas Movies by The Savvy Age

Debbie Macomber's Mr. Miracle Hallmark Movie Review by Cynthia

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A Durable Dental Dog Chew Toy - Recommended

My oldest boy and his family recently moved away, and we're currently grandparenting our granddog. 

We sure love him, so of course, Nana here had to hunt for a dental dog chew toy that was good for his teeth, health, and breath and that couldn't be destroyed. 

We Approve of the Benebone Dental Durable Dog Chew Toy - Here's why...

1. Keep Those Canine Smiles Sparkling

A natural dental care toy chew was absolutely a part of our choice. We wanted his teeth to get an indirect clean, and this does the trick. 

Doggy Dentistry Delight: The Dental Chew's stimulating ridges help to provide our doggy with a more in-depth workout and clean. 

2. Tougher Than Your Hound's Toughest Chew Session

Unleash the Beast: Is your dog a super chewer? Our granddog can be, and this Benebone Chew is the heavyweight champion of the chewing world, tougher than real bones and built to endure weeks of enthusiastic gnawing. 

He's been using it for a month, and there are only a few teeth scrapes on it. I can't see him ever breaking it up; I think... no way.

3. It's Bacon Time: 100% Real Bacon Flavor

Our granddog loved the bacon scent; it drew him to chew, chew, chew, which is what we wanted him to do. 

Sniff, Sniff, Snack: Move over, artificial flavors – it's all about that real bacon goodness. The scent immediately intrigued our granddog, and he immediately started a fierce chewing session. 

4. Paw-Friendly Design: Grab, Chew, Repeat

Pawsitively Easy Chewing: The Dental Chew's curved design is innovative and paw-friendly, allowing your hound to easily grab and chew.

Grip-and-Chew Magic: Explore the brilliance of the ergonomic design that makes this chew toy a breeze for your dog to handle. Our doggy easily manipulates this chew toy in his mouth and can hold it safely between his two paws.

5. It's Made in the USA

Homegrown Goodness: Benebone takes pride in being red, white and chew blue :) Although I'm Canadian, I support investing in good products made in the USA .... absolutely.

Behind the Scenes: Take a peek into how Benebone brings the best to your pup from start to finish. Spoiler: it involves a lot of American love and care. You can check out more details when you click the link below. It's available on Amazon.

6. A Guaranteed Product

Dive into why Benebone's happiness guarantee is more than just words – it's a promise according to their marketing material. Again, you can read more about that at the link below that takes you to the product.

A Few Added Notes:

• It's available in multiple shapes, sizes, and flavors (Bacon, Chicken, Peanut)
• Note that it's so durable that it will make noise when it hits the floor, and it's not really a dog toy that you toss. It has sufficient weight, so don't toss it, you could damage the walls - but honestly, it's not meant for that anyway, so we haven't found that to be a real issue.

 

🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

AVAILABLE on AMAZON Here

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A Review of Zweigles Red Hots and White Hots

Zweigles, a German frankfurter product, is a regional treat anyone who has ever lived in or visited the Rochester, New York area will tell you is the best they have ever tasted. 

Zweigle's Products

Zweigle is a family-owned company in Rochester, New York which has been in operation since 1880 when C. Wilhelm and Josephine Zweigle opened their butcher shop.  They became known for producing great tasting “Old World” German products. Their products include their famous Pop Open products (our family favorites) to authentic ethnic sausages, chicken sausages, and deli meats. They also now have new lines of meatballs, chicken breasts and breakfast sausages. 

A Rochester Favorite

Having grown up in the area, my family became big fans of Zweigle's pop-open hot dogs which come in both beef and pork varieties and are referred to locally as Red Hots and White Hots. They come in a natural casing and pop open when cooked.

For many years, the only way you could buy these delicious hot dogs was to either live in the area, or have your hometown family and friends bring them to you on a visit. Once you have tasted a Zweigle's hot dog or other sausage product, you will be a fan for life. Thankfully, today's technology has made these products more readily available outside Rochester, and you are now able to order them on Amazon or through the Zweigle's website. 

Over the years, I have lived in many places around the country and family members have often made visits. Last week, my brother & sister-in-law made a trip to where I now live in Kansas City. Before leaving the Rochester area, my brother called and said “shall I bring Zweigle's hots?” The question wasn't necessary; the whole family knows that's a standing order ~ LOL.

The weekend they arrived, the weather was terrible – a cold front had moved in just hours before, turning October Indian Summer sunshine and warm temperatures to a cold near freezing with rain. The best way to cook a pop-up Zweigle's Hot Dog is on the grill; cooked until the skin pops open. Despite the rain and cold, my son put on his winter jacket and fired up the Weber grill. It was dark, 35 degrees, and raining, but the end result was well worth the delicious dinner of Zweigler's Red Hots enjoyed by everyone.

Summary

If you have never had a Zweigle's German frankfurter or one of their other sausage products, you are in for a treat. Once you have tasted Zweigle's, ordinary hot dogs and sausage products are never the same. A truly delightful and delicious regional dish. 

Quick Links:

• Zweigle's Red Hots on Amazon
• Zweigle's Products on the Zweigle Website

*Review of Zweigle's Hot Dogs written by Wednesday Elf

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304 Stainless Steel Colander Set with Catch Mixing Bowl, 5QT Reviewed

When my brother was in town for the holidays last year, he watched me drain the grease off fried ground beef into paper towels in the sink.  When he asked if I didn't have a colander bowl set, I had to admit that I had no idea what he was talking about.  He promptly looked them up on Amazon and showed me.  I was amazed!  I had never even seen them.  Since neither my mother nor myself had one, he promptly bought each of us a set and had them shipped to our homes.  

Now that I have the set, it makes practical sense to have a colander that perfectly seats into a slightly taller solid bowl.  This allows the grease, or water, to drain through the colander and be caught in the bowl below.  After the grease is drained, I can pour it off into the trash, never risking any grease going down the sink drain.

I wipe the residual grease out of the bowls and put them in the dishwasher.  

Now, how cool is that!  I can't believe I didn't know about this colander set long before my brother's visit.

 

304 Stainless Steel Strainer with Bowl Set

 Ptinyiv 304 Stainless Steel Colander, 5QT [Extra Large] Rice Strainer with Mixing Bowls, Strainers and Colanders for Kitchen for Draining Cooked Pasta, Washing Fruits Vegetables(2PC), Dishwasher SafeCheck PriceThe set includes a 304 stainless steel colander strainer and matching stainless steel bowl.  304 stainless is important because it is food safe.  It is also corrosion resistant. 

The colander set comes in a variety of sizes.  My brother sent me the 5 quart size which is large enough to soak, wash or rinse beans, cabbage, lettuce, rice, or vegetables.  It is really nice to be able to simply lift the filled colander directly from the bowl of water without risking any kind of spills.  You don't realize just how convenient it is until you actually start using it.  Well, at least I didn't realize how convenient the set could be until I started using it.

The solid bowl can also be used as a mixing bowl.  The strainer can also be used separately to strain boiling water off pasta and more.

This made the perfect gift for me and my kitchen and I truly appreciate my brother's consideration and thoughtfulness.  Frankly, I think everyone should have one.

Read More Product Reviews On
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304 Stainless Steel Colander Set with Catch Mixing Bowl, 5QT Reviewed by:

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Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported the Review This Blog over the past year.  We, the writers of Review This, truly appreciate you and wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving Day.

My Photography

One of the things I am very thankful for is my hobby of photography, so today I thought I would share with you some of the photographs I have taken over the past year.

This photo was taken at my backyard birdbath where a Robin stopped for a drink on a cool November morning.  Birds are one of my favorite things to photograph.

Here us a hummingbird that I photographed at a feeder in my backyard.

I love to visit local parks and photograph all of the beautiful wildflowers that are growing there.

The photo above was taken at a local park where I went for an outing.  The colorful boats on the shoreline caught my eye.

The bandstand in the photo below stands in Forest Park in St. Louis where I took my granddaughters to see a musical at the Muny Opera.

Sometimes I only need to go into my own yard to capture the beauty in nature.  The raindrops on these Pink Primrose make a pretty photo.

 Sunflowers are always a favorite photograph of mine.  I visited a local sunflower field several times this summer.

I will leave you with several fall photos from my neighborhood.  Fall is my favorite time of the year.

May You and Your Family Enjoy the Beauty this Season has to Offer.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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An Awesome Low Carb Gourmet Gift Basket Everyone Will Love

Food gifts are always popular for the holidays. Unfortunately, traditional gourmet gift baskets aren't as popular as they once were. There is so much feasting between Thanksgiving and New Year's that a basket of typical high-calorie, starch- and sugar-laden holiday treats can be an unwelcome way to pack on even more unwanted pounds. Recipients may give away the high-calorie, high-carb items in the gift baskets they receive (or eat them and feel bad afterward).

Fortunately, as more and more people are choosing to eat low carb, savvy manufacturers are creating an ever-increasing array of delicious foods that consumers can indulge in without negatively affecting their health or piling on the pounds. A gourmet gift basket filled with tempting low carb treats they can indulge in guilt-free is a present everyone can enjoy.

You can customize the contents of each gift basket to suit the recipient's taste, preferences, and dietary restrictions by choosing sugar-free, keto-friendly, gluten-free, or dairy-free products.

Have fun picking out the perfect low carb goodies for your holiday gourmet gift baskets!

The first thing you'll need to do is to choose your low carb gourmet treats. Then, you'll pick a suitable basket or another container to fill with the items you've chosen.

From luscious chocolates and caramels to festive cookies, savory meat sticks, high-protein pasta, low-carb baking mixes, and more, you'll find recommendations here to delight everyone on your holiday gift list. 

Festive (and Guilt-Free) Sweet Treats

If your gift recipient has a sweet tooth, the holidays are the time to indulge!

Chocolates for Connoisseurs

My favorite low carb chocolates hands-down are made by ChocZero and The Good Chocolate. Both these companies have extremely high standards for quality, flavor, and mouthfeel. Everyone on your list, regardless of dietary requirements or preferences, will love these luxurious, gourmet chocolate treats!

ChocZero Royal Milk Chocolate
Hazelnut Truffles - click to buy!

The ChocZero Royal Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles are absolutely divine. Silky milk chocolate sweetened with monk fruit enrobes a hazelnut center and crushed gluten-free cookies. No one would ever believe there's no sugar in these fabulous truffles!

Each truffle is wrapped in elegant metallic gold foil and nestled into its own depression in the custom-molded inserts in the clear, hard plastic presentation box beautifully designed for gift-giving to even the most discerning recipient.

These are no-added-sugar masterpieces from a truly talented chocolatier. A perfect pick that's also gluten-free and keto-friendly. 

(Bonus: They also contain healthy prebiotic fiber to support gut health and help you feel full longer!)

I'm so excited that ChocZero will be introducing additional flavors of truffles in the coming months!

I wrote an in-depth product review of The Good Chocolate bars that explains in detail all the reasons I love this company's terrific chocolates.

The Good Chocolate
Keto Chocolate Bar Variety Pack - click to buy!

Although their products aren't inexpensive, this is a luxury product that any chocolate connoisseur would appreciate.

They have an excellent variety of flavors including some unusual gourmet options, such as Dark Chocolate with Ginger and Dark Chocolate with Coconut & Turmeric (which sounds weird but is absolutely delicious!).

I also love their Signature Dark Chocolate, Salted Dark Chocolate with Roasted Almonds, Dark Chocolate with Himalayan & Sea Salt, and Milk Chocolate bars.

I highly recommend adding an assortment to your low carb gourmet gift baskets so your gift recipient can find his or her favorites. For example, The Good Chocolate Keto Chocolate Bar Variety Pack includes one bar of each of the above flavors except the Dark Chocolate with Coconut & Turmeric.

ChocZero Rhea Bars - click to buy!

Another terrific option for people who love Snickers bars but not all the sugar they contain is the new ChocZero Rhea candy bars. These are positively decadent! I defy anyone who tries them to guess that they don't contain any added sugars.

This is a real, good old-fashioned candy bar that tastes like that famous childhood favorite but contains no added sugars.

Each Rhea bar is yummy nougat topped with loads of chopped peanuts embedded in gooey caramel, and then the whole bar is enrobed in a coating of decadent milk chocolate.

An interesting tidbit: The Rhea in the name is ChocZero's wonderful Chief Growth Officer, who not only leads the brand's excellent marketing (which is both principled and transparent) but also is actively engaged with customers. 

I really love this company, its products, and its people! It's no wonder they are growing so quickly and have such a loyal following.

ChocZero Dark Chocolate Peppermint
Keto Bark - click to buy!

ChocZero Chocolate Keto Bark is one of the brand's most popular products, and for good reason. It comes in a wide range of delicious flavor choices, with new flavors introduced from time to time and some occasionally retired. My husband and I really love these delicious squares of rich, luscious chocolate either filled or studded with flavorful additions.

Some of our favorites include Dark Chocolate Peppermint, White Chocolate Cookies & Cream, and Milk Chocolate Almond. They are all sweetened with monk fruit and are the perfect size to satisfy a sweet tooth without overindulging.

They are available in bags and, new this year, in large, collectible gift tins that also bring down the cost per piece. We always have a good selection of flavors on hand at our house!

Chewy Caramels

Another of this year's sweet innovations is ChocZero's Soft Sea Salt Caramels. These soft, chewy candies have that yummy salted caramel flavor that is deservedly popular among foodies.

ChocZero Soft Sea Salt Caramels - click to buy!

Sweetened with monk fruit and salted with fine Celtic sea salt, these individually wrapped, kettle-cooked, classic caramels will remind you of old-fashioned homemade caramel candies. These sugar-free treats contain no sugar alcohols or corn syrup.

A serving of three of these yummy caramels has just 100 calories, 0 grams of sugar, and 2 net carbs.

Bonus: You can also melt these down to make a luxurious sugar-free caramel sauce!

Marshmallows

ChocZero Sugar-Free Marshmallows -
click to buy!

Another exceptional sugar-free treat from ChocZero is their marshmallows. 

They make regular marshmallows, mini marshmallows, marshmallows in fun seasonal shapes, twisted rainbow Unicorn marshmallows, and freeze-dried mini marshmallows like the ones in many popular kids' cereals.

I haven't been able to stop eating them since they launched earlier this year! They're perfect for floating in hot cocoa, snacking, and using in recipes.

For someone who loves Rice Krispie Treats, consider including a bag of ChocZero Marshmallows and a copy of my recipe for Healthy Pistachio Cherry Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cereal Treats.

Low Carb Cookies

There are a lot of commercial keto and low carb cookies on the market. Frankly, very few of them are worth eating. Here are some noteworthy exceptions.

ChocZero Premium Butter Cookies - click to buy!

ChocZero Premium Butter Cookies look just like the wonderful Danish butter cookies we all know and love, right down to the round blue collectible tin, but minus the added sugars. They are crisp, sweet, buttery, and delicious!

The recipe is in the process of being reformulated without coconut flour, but the ones currently being sold at the time of this post's publication (November 2023) contain coconut as well as almond flour and have a noticeable coconut taste.

My husband and I love them just the way they are, but ChocZero's CGO, Rhea, assures us that the new version will be even better and much closer to the flavor of the popular Danish butter cookies in the famous blue tin.

They would make a great addition to your low carb gourmet gift baskets!

HighKey Mini Cookies Variety Pack - click to buy!

HighKey Snacks is best known for its delicious, bite-sized mini cookies.

HighKey Mini Cookies come in a wide variety of flavors, including Double Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, Vanilla Wafers, Vanilla Shortbread, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Lemon, and Ginger Spice.

The Ginger Spice are definitely a holiday favorite and are great crushed to make a flavorful cheesecake crust. (I love them as a crust for pumpkin cheesecake!)

The Classic Variety 3-Pack includes one bag each of Double Chocolate Brownie, Chocolate Chip, and Snickerdoodle mini cookies, so your gift recipient can try a few flavors.

I've also written an in-depth product review of HighKey Sugar-Free Sandwich Cookies, which are my favorite Oreo alternative and a gift any Oreo lover who's trying to cut back on sugar would appreciate.

HighKey Chocolate Chip
Protein Cookies - click to buy!

The newest HighKey cookie offering is also a winner and might be my favorite cookie from this brand! 

HighKey Chocolate Chip Protein Cookies are very large, soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies packed with a whopping 14 grams of protein per cookie.

They're individually wrapped to keep them soft and fresh, and they're as nutritious as they are delicious.

I love bringing these along in my purse or carry-on bag in case I need something to stave off hunger pains on the go.

I really hope HighKey decides to make these in additional flavors. They're a terrific addition to their product line!

Savory Goodies

If your gift recipients prefer savory to sweet, here are some tasty picks they're sure to enjoy.

High-Quality Meat Sticks

Meat sticks are a convenient low carb snack. They're high in protein, low in calories, and great to tuck in a purse or carry-on bag for a satisfying protein boost on the go.

My favorites are PaleoValley 100% Grass-Fed Beef Sticks. According to the manufacturer's website, "Paleovalley 100% Grass-Fed Beef Sticks are the only beef sticks in the USA made from 100% grass-fed/grass-finished beef and organic spices that are naturally fermented." These delicious, individually wrapped, grass-fed beef sticks come in several tasty flavors: regular Summer Sausage, Garlic Summer Sausage (my personal favorite), Jalapeno, Teriyaki, and Original.

All the flavors except Teriyaki have 6 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, and 70 calories; the Teriyaki beef sticks have 80 calories. They are non-GMO, gluten-free, grain-free, corn-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. 

I also love PaleoValley 100% Pasture-Raised Maple Bacon Pork Sticks. These are made primarily from pasture-raised pork with organic spices and a touch of sweetness from organic maple syrup. They are naturally fermented to make them shelf-stable without the use of preservatives.

Each delicious maple bacon pork stick has 80 calories, 5 grams of protein, and 2 net carbs. They're gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, with no added sugar, no artificial nitrates, or nitrites.

CHOMPS Grass-Fed Beef Sticks - click to buy!

The PaleoValley beef and pork sticks are soft and moist. If your gift recipient prefers a firmer, chewier, beef jerky-style meat stick, I highly recommend the CHOMPS Grass-Fed Beef Sticks.

These individually wrapped, jerky-style sticks are made from grass-fed and grass-finished beef. They come in your choice of Original, Habanero, Jalapeño, Italian Style, Sea Salt, and Taco Beef flavors.

Each CHOMPS beef jerky stick has 9 grams of protein, 0 grams of sugar, 90 calories, and no gluten, soy, or dairy.

The flavors range from extra-mild to medium spicy to suit the recipient's preferred spice/heat level.

Pasta and Sauce

Kaizen low-carb fusilli pasta - click to buy!

A low carb lifestyle can include pasta, as long as you choose the right kind.

Although low carb pasta doesn't have an identical taste or texture to conventional pasta, there are some satisfying options.

One of my favorites is Kaizen pasta made with high-protein lupin flour. It's available in a variety of popular pasta shapes including fusilli, ziti, cavatappi, and radiatori.

I recommend cooking it a bit longer than the package directions suggest, since otherwise, it can be a bit chewy.

Rao's Homemade Tomato Basil
Marinara Sauce - click to buy!

Because the taste is a bit different than that of conventional pasta, I highly recommend pairing it with a robust low carb sauce. 

We really like Rao's Homemade Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce made with fresh basil.

It's more expensive than some other brands, but the taste is worth the premium price, and the ingredients are fresh and high quality, like those you would use to make your own marinara sauce at home.

Another good low carb option to try that's considerably less expensive is Yo Mama's Keto Marinara Sauce. It's a lesser-known brand that deserves more recognition.

Baking Mixes

I've reviewed several low carb and keto baking mixes here on Review This Reviews. Two of my favorite brands are Scotty's Everyday and Good Dee's.

Scotty's Everyday Keto
Pizza Crust Mix - click to buy!

Scotty's Everyday Keto Pizza Crust Mix is a fantastic option for enjoying fresh, homemade pizza. It makes a delicious crust that has 80 calories, 2.5 grams of protein, and an amazing zero net carbs per slice.

We like baking ours on a pizza stone to get a thin, crispy crust. It's the closest thing to real pizza dough that's also keto-friendly!

Read my in-depth product review of The Best Keto Pizza Crust Mix With 0 Net Carbs to learn more about why this baking mix is a winner.

I've reviewed Good Dee's Low Carb Cookie Baking Mixes here on Review This Reviews. We recently made a batch of my favorite (butter pecan cookies) and they were delicious!

Good Dee's Corn Free Bread Mix -
click to buy!

I also love Good Dee's brownie mixes, cake mixes, and bread mixes. Good Dee's Corn-Free Bread Mix is a key ingredient in my Low Carb Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins recipe, which is delicious and one of my husband's favorite meals.

A package of the Corn Free Bread Mix along with a copy of my cheddar corn dog muffins recipe would make a great addition to a low carb gourmet gift basket.

This mix is the best alternative to cornbread for people who are avoiding corn and grains, especially when enhanced with additional corn flavoring, as I do in my low carb cheddar corn dog muffins recipe.

You really can't go wrong with any of the Good Dee's baking mixes. They also make sugar-free rainbow sprinkles that would be great paired with one of the cake mixes!

Livlō baking mixes are another great option. Livlo makes high-quality keto baking mixes, such as the biscuit and scone mixes I use in my yummy Low Carb Blueberry Biscuit Scones recipe. Check out my recipe to learn more about these excellent, easy-to-use mixes.

Wholesome Yum Soft White
Bread Mix - click to buy!

Another great addition to your low carb gourmet gift basket would be the Wholesome Yum Soft White Keto Bread Mix.

I've written a detailed review of this bread mix prepared both according to the package directions and according to the yeast bread recipe. Both methods make delicious loaves.

Read my Wholesome Yum Keto Bread Mix and Yeast Bread Recipe review and consider adding the bread mix and the yeast bread recipe instructions to your basket.

A good low carb pancake or waffle mix would also be a welcome treat. Scotty's Everyday, Wholesome Yum, Livlo, Good Dee's, and Nüsh Foods all make excellent ones.

Nush protein pancake & waffle mix -
click to buy!

Since my husband and I try to prioritize protein in our diets, especially first thing in the morning, we really like the Nüsh Protein Pancake & Waffle Mix, which packs a hefty 20 grams of protein and 8 net carbs per serving (three protein pancakes).

This protein pancake & waffle mix is gluten-free and high in flax fiber and Omega-3s. It's also quick and easy to prepare—just measure out the desired quantity of the mix and whisk in half as much water by volume (e.g., 2 Tbsp. water for 1/4 cup dry mix), and then cook on a greased, preheated pan.

Although Nüsh also makes a blueberry protein pancake & waffle mix, we prefer to add our own fresh berries to the prepared mix batter. A mixture of fresh raspberries and blueberries is a favorite in our household.

Don't forget to include a bottle of high-quality sugar-free maple syrup! We love Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Maple Syrup and ChocZero Maple Syrup. 

Crackers

A lot of low carb and keto crackers taste like cardboard. Fortunately, there is one brand I can recommend enthusiastically.

Real Phat Foods almond crackers -
click to buy!

My favorite, far and away, is Real Phat Foods almond flour crackers. They're made with simple, clean ingredients "with no artificial anything ever." They're grain-free, gluten-free, yeast-free, soy-free, and GMO-free, and all flavors except cheddar are also dairy-free.

A 1-ounce serving has 150 calories and only 1–2 net carbs per serving.

I've tried and enjoyed all the flavors, which include Rosemary, Cracked Pepper, Original, Cheddar, and Sweet Cinnamon Crunch. The cheddar and cinnamon are my top picks, but the Original flavor is great paired with your favorite cheese or jam.

I suggest getting the assortment with one bag of each flavor so your gift recipients can find their favorites to reorder.

Jams, Spreads, and Honey

ChocZero sugar-free jam - click to buy!

This is another category where ChocZero has been knocking it out of the park. ChocZero jams are the best quality sugar-free jams on the market, in my opinion.

They're sweetened with monk fruit instead of unhealthy artificial sweeteners, chock-full of real fruit, and taste fantastic. They're also thick and jammy, not watery or gummy like some other sugar-free jams I've tried.

ChocZero Jams come in Grape, Raspberry, Strawberry, and Orange Marmalade flavors and the brand-new Black Cherry jam should be coming to Amazon soon. These are great for PB&J sandwiches, with crackers, to fill thumbprint cookies, and lots of other tasty uses.

ChocZero chocolate hazelnut spread -
click to buy!

For the Nutella lovers on your holiday gift list, both ChocZero and Livlō make excellent sugar-free chocolate hazelnut spreads. 

My favorite is the ChocZero Dark Cocoa Hazelnut Spread, which is also vegan, but the closest to Nutella is the ChocZero Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (shown at the left) or the Livlō Zellō Keto-Friendly Chocolate Hazelnut Spread.

ChocZero Cookie Spread is also fabulous!

Sugar-free honey is a relatively new invention. ChocZero Keto Honey Substitute is a vegan clover honey alternative that comes in an adorable bear-shaped bottle. It has only 1 net carb per serving and packs 18 grams of dietary fiber per serving. It's sweetened with monk fruit instead of artificial sweeteners and tastes delicious! It's a 1:1 replacement for honey in any recipe and is delicious in tea.

Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar
Honey Substitute - click to buy!

The other low carb honey we love is Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey Substitute.

This keto-friendly honey alternative is sweetened with monk fruit and allulose and has only 15 calories and 0 net carbs per tablespoon. It also has 6 grams of dietary fiber.

It has the same consistency as honey from the bees and, like ChocZero honey, is designed to be used in recipes as well as drizzled on pancakes or toast, stirred into tea, etc.

The most notable thing about Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey Substitute is that it comes in different flavors: original, cinnamon, jalapeno, turmeric ginger, and orange. Imagine using the orange honey in a glaze or marinade for chicken or the jalapeno honey to make hot honey chicken wings!

Any of these jams, spreads, or honey choices would be excellent paired with Wholesome Yum Bread Mix, Livlo biscuit or scone baking mix, Real Phat Foods almond flour crackers, or Nüsh protein pancake or waffle mix.

Baskets and Other Container Ideas

Whenever I receive a gift basket, I always save the container to repurpose. That's what I did to make the low carb gourmet gift basket pictured below.

I repurposed the wicker basket from a gift I received, wrapped the handle with fancy ribbon and a decorative pick, and filled it with delicious sweet and savory low carb treats.

If you don't happen to have one on hand, Amazon has a huge selection of wicker baskets for gifts in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit your needs.

You could get creative and stow your gourmet treats in a crockpot or air fryer for a more extravagant gift.

The easiest approach of all would be to tuck your low carb goodies into a festive holiday gift bag. My friend and fellow Review This Reviews contributor Raintree Annie has some great suggestions for Reusable Christmas Gift Bags.

Alternatively, if you want to give mostly smaller treats, you might use them to stuff a beautiful Christmas stocking.

An Awesome Low Carb Gourmet Gift Basket Everyone Will Love by Margaret Schindel

Read More Low Carb & Keto Reviews by Our Review This Reviews Contributors

Read More Christmas Reviews by Our Review This Reviews Contributors

Read More Gift Reviews by Our Review This Reviews Contributors

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