Christmas Morning Magic
Some might think of Christmas dinner as the main event for holiday food, but others– especially those of us with little ones– know that the festivities start far earlier. Gather your family ‘round the tree and begin your day with take-and-bake cinnamon rolls from Antler Baking Company. (Their vast selection of cookies also make great offerings for Mr. Claus himself– if your little ones can resist eating them first, that is!)
As for what to sip on, the caffeine in a cup of breakfast blend from Tony’s Coffee is sure to wake up the grown-ups. Kids, on the other hand, can get a sugar rush with a Hot Cocoa Explosion by Banana Ohh Na Na.
Flying Bird Botanicals
Main Course Meats
When planning your holiday menu, it makes sense to start with the star of the show: the bird. Birds like turkey and chicken are classics for a reason– they’re both delicious and relatively simple to cook (if you’re okay with being a little patient). To keep things ethical, we recommend sourcing yours from local farmers. Prefer ham over poultry? No problem– many of these farmers also specialize in pork and other livestock.
Oak Meadows Farm in Whatcom County raises chickens in addition to a variety of other meats, and they utilize regenerative, pasture-based farming techniques that are kind to both the animals and the environment. We also love FarmWild; not only are they the largest hydroponic farm in Northwest Washington, but they also raise poultry, and each animal is given plenty of room to run free.
In Skagit, Well Fed Farms specializes in pasture-raised chicken and pork, and they place sustainability at the forefront of everything they do. In addition to beef, pork, and poultry, Skagit River Ranch raises organic turkey you can feel good about buying– after all, they’re members of the ASPCA’s “Shop With Your Heart” and the Certified Humane programs.
Farm Wild, photo courtesy of Farm Wild.
Produce, Sides, and Spreads
A holiday meal isn’t defined by protein alone– you’ll want top-quality ingredients for side dishes, too. Luckily when it comes to sourcing the freshest locally grown produce, the Community Food Co-op has your back. (Pro tip: They’re also a great source for meat, and even entire pre-made holiday meals!). But if you’d prefer to buy produce from the source, try looking directly to local farms.
Cedarville Farms grows more than 30 types of veggies and cooking herbs, whereas Mariposa Farms is certified organic and sells a variety of produce. The family-owned, sustainably-operated Wright Brothers Farms is another great resource for winter veg, whether it be beets, kale, carrots, or otherwise. In Skagit, look to Tangled Thicket Farms for seasonal produce, or go to Slow Food Skagit (slowfoodskagit.org) for a comprehensive list of resources for wintertime farmsteads.
What’s a holiday dinner table without the fixings? For bread, we recommend pre-ordering a loaf (or three) from the iconic Breadfarm in Bow-Edison. Try serving it alongside some top-shelf olive oil and vinegar from– where else?!– Drizzle in Fairhaven. The Co-op has you covered when it comes to gravy and other sauces, and if you’d prefer to put a local spin on classic holiday spreads, sweet/savory jams like Apricot Balsamic from 3 Generations Jam in Anacortes pair well with meats, cheeses, and other holiday dishes.
One last tip: The Washington Food and Farm Finder has a great guide to holiday eats, from produce to markets and more. Visit it online at eatlocalfirst.org/holiday-food-farm-finder.
Don’t Forget the Drinks: Five Ideas for Holiday Libations
- Mulled wine: If you’d like to try your hand at making it at home, pick up mulling spices from Living Earth Herbs in Bellingham.
- Cider and brandy: Bellewood Farms is your best bet for all things apple, and as such, their brandy is not to be slept on.
- Eggnog: If you don’t think you like eggnog, you should try the fresh (and local!) variety from Twin Brook Creamery– we’re willing to bet that you’ll change your mind.
- Sipping chocolate: Yes, you read that right. The drinking chocolate from Flying Bird Botanicals is a classy step up from basic hot cocoa, and it’s excellent enjoyed as-is or mixed with your favorite holiday spirit.
- Hot toddy: This classic winter concoction is meant to warm the body and the soul. To make it at home, get tea from Wonderland Tea & Spices and local whiskey from Chuckanut Bay Distillery in Bellingham or Terramar Brewstillery in Edison.
This is an excerpt from our November/December 2022 feature, Classic Christmas.
