With Christmas just around the corner, many of us already have our bags packed for the plane ride back home for the holidays.

Don’t show up empty handed, or worse, with fistfuls of caganets and personalized torero posters for your friends and family. That’s just lazy and wasteful. Here are some thoughtful items you can take back to your loved ones that will give them a taste of Spain and win you points for culture:

1. Crema de orujo
   Crema de orujo is a liquor from Galicia that has a flavor, look and texture of Irish cream. It’s made by distilling what’s left over from wine production: grape skins, seeds and stalks. Serve it over ice or mix it in coffee. Delicious. A 700ml bottle runs between 8€-12€.
2. Ron miel
   Blending aged rum and honey to make ron miel is a time-honored tradition in Canarias and carries a geographical designation. Serve this in chilled chupito glasses and sip. A 700ml bottle is about 5€-8€.
3. Turrón de yema tostada
   Made from almonds, egg yolks and honey, this classic sweet is a Christmas staple for Spaniards. Ñam. Prices range from 3€ to 8€.
4. Chocolate a la taza
   Valor makes a chocolate bar that you can melt down in a saucepan into thick, creamy, rich hot chocolate. Churros not included of course. A bar is about 2€ in any supermarket.
5. Churros mix
   Of course we were going to get to this. Harimsa makes a kit which includes the mix and a piping bag. You can pick this up in any large supermarket for about 1.50€. Win!
6. Spice mixes
   Show off your cooking skills back home! Carmencita makes several spice mixes for preparing paella and gazpacho manchego as well as standalones like azafrán and pimentón dulce. This is a great gift for the cook in the family as well.

Remember to check with your country’s customs guidelines before buying though. Some countries like Australia, for example, won’t allow you to take products with milk in it (even dehydrated) so that churros mix would be out. It’s ok to bring liquor into the US but it has to be put in your checked in luggage.

When you can, spring for the good stuff. Come on, it’s Christmas.

Main photo by wilsoke

Gifts from Spain beyond Jamón appeared first on ¡Vaya Madrid!