The Hudson Valley is replete with innovative cooks and vendors who offer a bounty of foods, treats, and wines that are natural, unique, and made right here. For the table, choose free-range, organic, and 100 percent grass-fed meats from Fleisher's in Kingston (845-338-MOOO) and Jack's Meats and Deli in New Paltz (845-255-2244). Both offer heritage, organic, and natural turkey; turkey breast; goose; pheasant; duck (Jack's keeps mallard and Long Island in stock, while Fleisher's sells Muscovy and Pekin); quail; Rock Cornish game hens; Guinea hens; capons; chicken; smoked chicken; and turkey. Or opt for ostrich, buffalo, bison, upstate grass-fed lamb, goat, pork, or beef. Although Jack's and Fleisher's stocks are large, order ahead so meat can be custom-cut to fit your recipe. Fleisher's will even roast your turkey or goose for you. Be sure to also try their homemade sausages and their wide variety of local, artisanal, and European 100 percent grass-fed cheeses.
If you're heading out, treat your hosts with a Hudson Valley gift basket from Selah's in Rhinebeck (845-876-3851). Priced at $25 and up, Selah's baskets are beautifully stocked with local wines, cheeses, foods, and cookies; along with reusable items including dishes, towels, kitchen implements, flower pots, and ornaments; fresh flowers and greens; and seasonally scented homemade soaps, candles, bath, and aromatherapy products (think cinnamon, clove, and spruce) from Merriweather's, which shares shop space.
Despite the anti-carb movement, bread remains a wondrous foodstuff, especially when it's cold outside. The Apple Pie Bakery Café (845-905-4500) at the Culinary Institute of America's Hyde Park campus functions as a classroom for students majoring in baking and pastry arts, and oh, how they excel! Open 8am to 6:30pm daily, it's a great place to pick up fresh plain, sweet, and savory loaves and rolls to complement any meal.
Every table needs topping, and nothing is more welcome as a centerpiece in winter than fresh blooms. The Flower Nest in Kingston (845-331-4440) specializes in unusual arrangements, including cornucopias and pumpkins filled with fresh-cut flowers, bittersweet, gourds, curly willow, and berries. For Christmas, there are trimmed boxwood trees; candles and miniature sleighs filled with pinecones, berries, and greens; and deep jewel-tone arrangements, including roses, poinsettias, hypericum berries, orchids, amaryllis, and, of course, holly.
Totis Gourmet in Beacon (845-831-1821) arguably sells the area's best artisanal eggnog - Ronnybrook's - as well as pumpkin crème brulee, and eggnog-, pumpkin-, and crème brulee-flavored ice cream. Or pick up some locally-grown pears and apples poached in plum syrup - just add whipped cream and nutmeg and you've got a great dessert.
Truffles are always a classic. Rare Finds in Millbrook (845-677-1776) carries eight flavors by Birn in dark and milk chocolate, shipped fresh weekly from Vermont. Priced at a reasonable $18 per pound (64 cents each), the truffles are packed into gold boxes and tied with gold ribbon. But if you'd prefer a sassier chocolate touch, try Aztec Pyramids - dark chocolates filled with cayenne pepper - from The Chocolate Moose in Chatham (518-392-8732). Aztec Coffee Spoons will stir and flavor your after-dinner coffee.
Whether home or out, keep your imbibing light but festive by mixing local apple cider (Highland's Wilklow Orchards' is good) with sparkling wine (try Clinton Vineyards in Clinton Corners). Or pick up a bottle of pinot noir (red) or chardonnay (white), both of which blend easily with most foods and are readily available from New York State wineries, say the folks at Olde Mill Wine and Spirits in Rhinebeck (845 876-5343). For extra pizzazz, "dress" your bottle, literally, in a tiny dress-shaped wine jacket from Rare Finds.