Holiday Gift Guide
The elves in our workshop have scoured the Bay to find presents for everyone on Santa’s Nice List. They’ve uncovered a treasure trove of items that will warm the hearts of crab and oyster fans. To simplify your holiday shopping, Crab Decks & Tiki Bars is pleased to share 16 of our favorite gift ideas. Click here to find Chesapeake-related stocking stuffers and other treats for family and friends crabdecksandtikibars.com
1) Crab Decks & Tiki Bars of the Chesapeake Bay
Give the gift of adventure with travel guides that reveal the Bay’s waterfront destinations and jolly joints serving steamed crabs and tropical spirits. Maryland and Virginia editions highlight sweet spots all around the Bay. crabdecksandtikibars.com
2) Holiday Bay-Themed Ornaments
The perfect present for friends who love to see everything Bay on their Christmas tree. Features include crabs, herons, retrievers and much more. citizenpride.com/collections/ornaments
3) An Oyster Boy Christmas CD by The Eastport Oyster Boys
As the musical goodwill ambassadors to Annapolis, this band’s songs celebrate the life, culture and history of the Chesapeake Bay. Tap your toes and sing along, because holidays are brighter while listening to their Christmas album. oysterboys.com/music.html
4) Chesapeake Oyster Lovers’ Handbook
Reindeer recommended, this must-have guide sends readers on a journey to 120+ Maryland, Virginia and DC seafood houses that shuck and serve fresh Chesapeake Bay oysters. A handy tasting chart helps you order like a pro by detailing each oyster brand’s unique flavor profile. weloveoysters.com
5) Crab Cake Video
The crab cake is the shining star of Chesapeake Bay cuisine. Maryland Public Television travels from the markets of Baltimore to the Eastern Shore in a hunt for the tastiest crab cake: Eatin’ Crabcakes The Best I Ever Had. mpt-shop.myshopify.com/products/162
6) Crab Mallet Bottle Opener
It’s very merry to pop open a brew and whack your crab with one convenient utensil. Made by Bay Imprint Co., these solid maple wood and stainless steel mallets can be personalized with your custom design. bayimprint.com/crab-mallet-bottle-openers.php
7) Oyster Sox
You don’t just gather, shuck and eat the oysters; you wear them proudly. Make a statement wherever you go with these freshly-shucked socks. oxsoxshop.com/products/oyster-socks
8) Old Bay Can Throw Pillow
Old Bay brings a welcome kick to your Chesapeake dishes, and the Old Bay throw pillow brings a colorful dash of the Bay to your living room. redbubble.com/people/princerobbie/works/10190905-old-bay-can?p=throw-pillow&rel=carousel
9) Oyster Growing Floats
If you love oysters and want to enjoy them any time the mood strikes, then grow your own. It’s easy, fun and good for the environment, because these busy bivalves clean the water along the Bay. Santa suggests contacting Moonstruck Oysters in Maryland at moonstruckoysters.com or Chesapeake River Restorations in Virginia at oysterfloats.org
10) Crab Cuff Bracelet
Mrs. Claws would beam with joy if she found this charming bracelet under her Christmas tree. It’s made of surgical steel and the copper plating over the crab’s shell is polished to a bright luster. themarylandstore.com/product/2691.html
11) Awful Arthur’s Oyster Cans Koozie
Re-purpose that old oyster can into something useful—a beer koozie! Your thirsty elves will adore this vintage replica of oyster cans of yesteryear (beer not included). awfularthursusa.com/shop/koozie
12) Working the Water Book
History buffs and Chesapeake enthusiasts will have a merry time flipping through the pages of this beautiful tribute to watermen, workboats and the Bay’s seafood bounty. Author Jay Fleming’s photography is exquisite. jayflemingphotography.com/shop/the-book-workingthewater
13) Crab Feast Christmas Stocking
While crabs are hibernating with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads, you can remind yourself that crabbing season is only a few months away. This mouth-watering stocking should be hung by the chimney with care. zazzle.com/crab_feast_small_christmas_stocking-256802878333152392
14) Crab Baby Bib
Durable and adorable, this bib will last through plenty of crab feasts with the most enthusiastic eaters. Available at Café Press, its crab bushel design is printed on soft cotton fabric. cafepress.com/mf/94096260/maryland-crab-bi_bib?productId=1428589517
15) Oyster Shucking Knife
Santa’s helpers and oyster eaters need the right tools to get the job done, and this traditional Chesapeake knife is just what shuckers ordered. Made of stainless steel and solid wood, it pops open Bay bivalves with ease. rroysters.com/store/products/r-murphy-shucking-knife
16) J.O. Crab Seasoning in Five Flavors
This full line of J.O. Spice Company’s crab seasonings have the following flavors: J.O. #2, J.O. #2 X HOT, Black Crab, Garlic and Barbecue. The company encourages you to try them all and tell them your favorite. store.jospices.com/capt-carl-s-crab-mates-butter-wamer-set-of-two-2-2-1-2-1.aspx