• Dorothy Lane Market's "The Ohio Bag," which can be ordered from DLM's mail-order web site, shopdlm.com. The local grocer will stuff a DLM tote bag with Mikesell's Potato Chips, Montgomery Inn Barbecue Sauce, Esther Price Chocolates, Mamma DiSalvo's Authentic Italian Sauce, Pine Club House Dressing, Jump's Gourmet Peanuts, and Skyline Chili. And while you're ordering and sending your Ohio Bag, your eyes may just wander to the "Killer Brownie" selection …
CHRISTMAS DINING: Which Dayton-area restaurants are open on Christmas Day?
• The Pine Club steaks and dressings. Sure, you could send your former Daytonian the "Pine Club Variety Pack" that consists of two pints House Salad Dressing, two pints Stewed Tomatoes, and two pints Steakhouse Sauce packed in a gift box. But you know they want more. They want the meat. And you can send it to them. Strip steaks. Rib eyes. Filet Mignon. All are available at thepineclub.com/shop.
• Trophy Nut, based in Tipp City, carries a wealth of nut and candy riches that come in a variety of gift boxes or a gold gift tin, all available for shopping and shipping at www.trophynut.com. Likewise, Dayton Nut is now part of Friesinger's Chocolates, and offers all kinds of nut and chocolate goodness, including the popular Super Giant Cashews two-pound holiday tin, at www.candyandnutstore.com.
Four delicious sparkling wines for $25 or under
• China Cottage Sichuan Chili Sauce is available only at China Cottage restaurants — but if you live in the Dayton area, you live near one. The locally based chain that has been serving up great Asian food for three decades has locations in Kettering, Centerville, Springboro and Trotwood. $4.95 for a four-ounce jar, $8.95 for an eight-ounce jar. A little dab will spice up your life.
• "Opa! The Healthy Greek Cookbook," by Theo Stephan and Christina Xenos. What's so local about a Greek cookbook? Well, both co-authors have extensive Dayton-area ties. Stephan was born and raised in Dayton to Greek immigrant parents, founded Real Art Design Group, and moved to California in 1996. Xenos grew up in Kettering and served as her class president at Fairmont High School in 1998; she says the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dayton was a catalyst to her cooking career. The book is available on Amazon.
About the Author