By KATIE WORKMAN, Associated Press

A gift doesn’t have to be big or pricy to feel thoughtful. Instead of the usual bottle of wine, give something that makes your recipient feel truly seen: a little edible treasure that nods to their hometown, heritage or favorite trip from years ago.

It’s a deliciously personal way to say “I know you.”

Regional condiments are like souvenirs, celebrating local flavors. A jar of barbecue sauce, a bottle of hot sauce or a regional mayo can tell a story and capture the essence of a place. Here’s a handful of beloved sauces, spreads, jams and more that make tasty and personal small gifts.

The condiments generally hover around the $10 to $15 mark, making them an economical pick.

Hot sauces and BBQ staples

Adoboloco hot sauces, from Hawaii’s island of Maui, carry a tropical punch with bold island chiles, perfect for grilled fish or roasted veggies. The ingredient lists are short and the peppers are grown in Hawaii itself.

In the South, Big Bob Gibson’s barbecue sauces, from Decatur, Alabama, are known for their smoky, tangy flavor, with the Original White Sauce a mainstay (especially on smoked chicken).

Pitmasters at Franklin Barbecue, in Austin, Texas, offer sauces and rubs that are rich, bold and unmistakably Texan.

Also hailing from Austin are Yellowbird hot sauces — the organic habanero and serrano hot sauces and the Classic Blue Agave Sriracha are particularly beloved.

For a taste of South America, Tari hot sauces from Peru showcase native peppers, such as aji amarillo and rocoto, both grown in the Andes. The ingredients are ground on a traditional batan (a stone mortar), creating sauces with a bright and fruity (not scorching) heat that elevates dishes from grilled meats to vegetables.

Specialty condiments

Duke’s Mayo is a century-old Southern classic, now based in Mauldin, South Carolina. It uses just the yolks of eggs (no whites) for extra richness, and has two kinds of vinegar for extra zing. The mayonnaise adds tang and creaminess to sandwiches, potato salads and more. (Some fans have even gotten mayo tattoos promoted by Duke’s — that’s brand loyalty.) Duke’s is generally available nationwide, but isn’t as much of a household name as Hellman’s and Kraft outside the South.

The rich texture and subtle umami punch of the Japanese Kewpie mayo have inspired a global following. It also uses just the yolks of the eggs, and also includes rice vinegar and a dash of MSG. Put it on sushi or okonomiyaki, or use it as a base for dressings.

Handmade small-batch condiments like Auntie Rana’s, made in New York’s Hudson Valley and in Maine, and inspired by South and Southeast Asian flavors, can bring a family-rooted touch to meals. Think Naga garlic mayo, mango achaar and smoked chili oil.

Jams and preserves

For fruit lovers, American Spoon, in Petoskey, Michigan, delivers artisanal preserves and sauces perfect for toast, charcuterie boards or baking gifts. Michigan cherry fans might swoon over a jar of their famous sour cherry preserves, and their Red Haven peach preserves feature hand-peeled peaches grown specifically for American Spoon.

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Marmalade Grove makes beloved citrus marmalades in Ojai, California. Handpicked pixie tangerines, Cara Cara oranges infused with hibiscus, Meyer lemons and honey — each flavor captures the sunny citrus of the area.

From San Francisco, We Love Jam offers seasonal, small-batch jams such as their popular Blenheim apricot jam, made from one of the last remaining orchards of these endangered apricots.

Katie Workman writes regularly about food for The Associated Press. She has written two cookbooks focused on family-friendly cooking, “Dinner Solved!” and “The Mom 100 Cookbook.” She blogs at https://themom100.com/. She can be reached at Katie@themom100.com.

For more AP gift guides and holiday coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gift-guide and https://apnews.com/hub/holidays.

By LEANNE ITALIE, Associated Press

Birding. Photography. The great outdoors. Big Macs.

Chances are good there’s a nonfiction book out there to suit just about anybody on your holiday gift list.

Some ideas:

For your puzzlers

This image shows cover art for “Puzzle Mania!” by The New York Times Games and Joel Fagliano. (Authors Equity via AP)

Imagine, if you will, a world without mobile phones, the internet or The New York Times (digital OR print). Would your favorite puzzler survive? The good folks at the Times have something perfect to put in the bunker: “Puzzle Mania!” It’s a stylish hardcover book full of Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and more. By a lead Times puzzle editor, Joel Fagliano. Authors Equity. $38.

Contemporary art

This cover image released by Monacelli shows the self-titled contemporary art book by Derrick Adams. (Monacelli via AP)

Painting, collage, photography, sculpture, performance. Derrick Adams has embraced them all in a career spanning more than 25 years. His first monograph, “Derrick Adams,” includes 150 works that explore Black American culture and his own identity. Portraiture abounds. There’s joy, leisure and resilience in everyday experiences and self-reflection, with a little humor on board. Monacelli. $79.95.

Steph Curry inspiration

This cover image released by One World shows “Shot Ready” by Stephen Curry. (One World via AP)

“Being shot ready requires practice, training and repetition, but it rewards that work with an unmatched feeling of transcendence.” That’s Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry in his new book, “Shot Ready.” The basketball star takes his readers from rookie to veteran, accompanied by inspiring words and photos. One doesn’t have to be into basketball to feel the greatness. One World. $50.

The American West

This image shows cover art for “Frank S. Matsura: Iconoclast Photographer of the American West.” (Princeton Architectural Press, an imprint of Chronicle Books via AP)

The photographer Frank S. Matsura died in 1913, but his work lives on in a hefty archive. He was a Japanese immigrant who chronicled life in Alaska and the Okanogan region of Washington state. He operated a photo studio frequented by the Indigenous people of the region. Many of those portraits are included in “Frank S. Matsura: Iconoclast Photographer of the American West.” Edited by Michael Holloman. Princeton Architectural Press. $40.

The gift of bird chatter

This cover image released by Storey Publishing shows “Bird Talk: Hilariously Accurate Ways to Identify Birds by the Sounds They Make” by Becca Rowland. (Storey Publishing via AP)

Cheeseburger, cheeseburger! The handy little book “Bird Talk” seeks to make identifying bird calls fun and accessible without heavy phonetic descriptors or birder lingo. Becca Rowland, who wrote and illustrated, offers funny, bite-size ways to identify calls using what’s already in our brains. Hence, the black-capped chickadee goes “cheeseburger, cheeseburger!” Storey Publishing. $16.99.

Mocktails and cocktails

This cover image released by Plume shows “Both Sides of the Glass: Paired Cocktails and Mocktails to Toast Any Taste” by Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka. (Plume via AP)

David Burtka is sober. His husband, Neil Patrick Harris, imbibes. Together, they love to throw parties. This elfin book, “Both Sides of the Glass,” includes easy-to-follow cocktail and mocktail recipes, with commentary from Harris, who took mixology lessons out of sheer love of a good drink. Written with Zoë Chapin. Plume. $35.

It’s a book. It’s a burger.

This cover image shows “McAtlas: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches” by Gary He. (Gary He via AP)

This tome with a cover design that evokes a Big Mac is a country-by-country work of journalism that earned two 2025 James Beard awards for Gary He, a writer and photographer who previously freelanced for The Associated Press and self-published the book. He toured the world visiting McDonald’s restaurants to do his research for “McAtlas: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches.” As social anthropology goes, it serves. $49.95.

Yosemite love

From the cute but ferocious river otter to the gliders of the night, the Humboldt’s flying squirrel, this striking book is the first comprehensive work in more than a century dedicated entirely to the park’s animal kingdom. “Yosemite Wildlife: The Wonder of Animal Life in California’s Sierra Nevada” includes more than 300 photos and covers 150-plus species. By Beth Pratt, with photos by Robb Hirsch. Yosemite Conservancy. $60.

Samin Nosrat’s new book

This book cover image released by Random House shows “Good Things: Recipes and Rituals to Share with People You Love: A Cookbook” by Samin Nosrat. (Random House via AP)

Samin Nosrat lays herself bare in this long-awaited second book from the chef and author of the acclaimed “Salt Fat Acid Heat.” Her first book was 17 years in the making. In its wake, she explains in “Good Things,” was struggle, including overwhelming loss with the deaths of several people close to her and a bout of depression that nearly swallowed her whole. Here, she rediscovers why she, or anybody, cooks in the first place. The recipes are simple, her observations helpful. You can taste the joy in every bite. Penguin Random House. $45.

Chappell Roan

This book cover image released by Hearst Home shows “Chappell Roan: The Rise of a Midwest Princess.” (Hearst Home via AP)

She struggled in the music game for years, until 2024 made her a star. Chappell Roan, with her drag-queen style, big vocals and queer pride, has a shiny Grammy for best new artist. Now, in time for the holidays, there’s a sweet little book that tells her origin story. “Chappell Roan: The Rise of a Midwest Princess.” With text contributions from Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, Dibs Baer, Patrick Crowley, Izzy Grinspan, J’na Jefferson, Ilana Kaplan and Samantha Olson. Hearst Home. $30.

Snoop’s homemade edibles

For edible-loving weed enthusiasts, “Snoop Dogg’s Treats to Eat” offers 55 recipes that can be done with or without the weed. The connoisseur includes tips on how to use your goods for everything from tinctures to gummies, cookies to cannabutter. Perhaps a loaded milkshake or buttermilk pancakes with stoner syrup. Chronicle Books. $27.95.

A style muse

This cover image released by Abrams Books shows “Jane Birkin: Icon of Style” by Sophie Gachet. (Abrams Books via AP)

With her effortless beauty, and tousled hair and fringe, Jane Birkin easily transitioned from her swinging London roots in the early 1960s to a cultural and style muse for decades. She lent a bohemian charm to everything she did, from acting to singing to liberal activism. And she famously was the muse for the Hermès Birkin bag. The new “Jane Birkin: Icon of Style,” encompasses all of Birkin. By Sophie Gachet. Abrams Books. $65.

More Taylor Swift

This book cover image released by Black Dog & Leventhal shows “Taylor Swift All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track” by Damien Somville and Marine Benoit. (Black Dog & Leventhal via AP)

All those Easter eggs. All those songs. It’s Taylor Swift’s world and we’re just eyes and ears taking it all in. Swift has been everywhere of late with her engagement to Travis Kelce, her Eras tour and now, “The Life of a Showgirl.” Add to the pile “Taylor Swift All the Songs,” a guide to the lyrics, genesis, production and secret messages of every single song, excluding “Showgirl” tracks. By Damien Somville and Marine Benoit. Black Dog & Leventhal. $60.

Got a theater buff?

What’s the beating heart of American theater? Broadway, of course. Teale Dvornik, a theater historian known on social media as The Backstage Blonde, has written a handy little history of New York’s Theater District, “History Hiding Around Broadway.” She takes it theater by theater, offering backstage insights into the venues themselves, along with shows that played there and Broadway highlights through the ages. Running Press. $25.

Christmas baking, Gilded-Age style

Sugarplums. They’re a thing! Fans of “The Gilded Age” are well aware and will eat up “The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook.” It includes treats from the era, some culinary history and a lot of old-time charm. For the record, sugarplums date to the 1600s, when they were basically just sugar. By the Gilded Age, starting roughly in the late 1800s, they were made from chopped dried figs, nuts, powdered sugar and brandy. Yes, please. By Becky Libourel Diamond. Globe Pequot. $34.95.

Forever flowers

This cover image released by Hachette Mobius shows “Everlasting Blooms” by Layla Robinson. (Hachette Mobius via AP)

Know a crafter? Know a flower lover? In “Everlasting Blooms,” floral artist Layla Robinson offers more than 25 projects focused on the use of dried flowers. She includes a festive flower crown, table displays, wreaths and arrangements with buds and branches. Her step-by-step guidance is easy to follow. Robinson also instructs how to forage and how to dry flowers. Hachette Mobius. $35.

Michelle Obama style

This cover image released by Crown Publishing shows “The Look” by Michelle Obama. (Crown Publishing via AP)

A brown polyester dress with a plaid skirt and a Peter Pan collar. That’s the very first fashion statement Michelle Obama can remember making, circa kindergarten. It was up, up and away from there, style-wise. The former first lady is out with a photo-packed book, “The Look,” taking us behind the scenes of her style and beauty choices. Crown. $50.

By DONNA EDWARDS, Associated Press

Look no further for great gift ideas for your kiddos. The Associated Press scoured the bookshelves for standout 2025 releases to share the love of reading with your child, student or friend, and came up with this list for the holidays.

Board books and read-to-me books (ages 0-3)

— “I Love You, Little Moose!” by Sandra Magsamen. A five-line poem about nature and all the things we love about it, with vibrant colors and bubble-letter text. This board book also has soft plushie antlers on top. Cartwheel Books, $8.99.

This cover image released by Cartwheel Books shows “I Love You, Little Moose!” by Sandra Magsamen. (Cartwheel Books via AP)

— “Why Does the Wind Blow?” by Eric Carle. Science made easy in classic Eric Carle style! This quick read explains in simple terms how wind blows, aided by illustrations and one Very Hungry Caterpillar. World of Eric Carle, $5.99.

This cover image released by The World of Eric Carle shows “Why Does the Wind Blow?: Weather with The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” (The World of Eric Carle via AP)

— “Little Heroes of Color: I’m A Little Hero” by David Heredia. Heroes range from hardworking Jim Thorpe to inventive Arvind Gupta to fearless Sonia Sotomayor. Rhyming and repetition make complicated words and ideas easier to understand. In the back, readers will find a mirror with a message that they’re a little hero, too. Cartwheel Books, $9.99.

— “Everywhere You Are” by Victoria Monét, illustrated by Alea Marley. This sweet book reaffirms a parent’s love for their child even when they’re not physically together. Grammy winner Monét’s musicality shines in this lullaby, illustrated in a colorful, swirly, star-speckled outer space. G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books For Young Readers, $18.99.

This cover image released by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers shows “Everywhere You Are” by Victoria Monet, with art by Alea Marley. (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers via AP)

Early readers (ages 3-8)

— “Bitty and Bub, Best Buds” by Janee Trasler. Five short, silly comics follow fun-loving friends Bitty and Bub. It’s a great introduction to reading comics, using speech bubbles in simple panel progressions. Holiday House, $14.99.

This cover image released by Holiday House shows “Bitty and Bub, Best Buds” by Janee Trasler. (Holiday House via AP)

— “Don’t Trust Fish” by Neil Sharpson, illustrated by Dan Santat. Why read another boring animal book when you can read something hilarious? The book teaches kids how to recognize mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds — and, chiefly, why you shouldn’t trust fish. Dial Books, $18.99.

— “Grandmother Moon” by Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason, illustrated by Trisha B. Waters. A girl’s grandma explains Grandmother Moon to her. The author’s Indigenous storytelling tradition is extended by dreamy full-page paintings. Includes a Moon Calendar and a guide to reading the calendar on the scales of Turtle’s back. Beaming Books, $18.99.

This cover image released by Beaming Books shows “Grandmother Moon” by Wunneanatsu Lamb-Cason, illustrated by Trisha B. Waters. (Beaming Books via AP)

Middle grade (ages 8-12)

— “Dory Fantasmagory 7: Center of the Universe” by Abby Hanlon. Book 7 in the silly illustrated series that’s a perfect bridge into chapter books. In this story, Dory has a new rival. Dory’s zany antics and odd friends could elicit laughter from any reader. Dial Books, $17.99.

This cover image released by Dial Books shows “Dory Fantasmagory 7: Center of the Universe” by Abby Hanlon. (Dial Books via AP)

— “Maker Girl and Professor Smarts” by Jasmine Florentine. So what if they don’t have superpowers? These supersmart best friends are ready to take on supervillains! This hilarious, hybrid graphic chapter book includes science-backed instructions for making sorbet and cardboard grappling hooks. MIT Kids Press, $19.99.

This cover image released by MIT Kids Press/Candlewick Press shows “Maker Girl and Professor Smarts” by Jasmine Florentine. (MIT Kids Press/Candlewick Press via AP)

— “The Weirdies” by Michael Buckley, illustrated by Forrest Burdett. From the creator of “Sisters Grimm,” these 10-year-old triplets and the world they live in are weird — and highly entertaining. Pencil-hatching illustrations accompany Lemony Snicket-esque humor and fourth-wall breaking. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $14.99.

This cover image released by Little Brown Books for Young Readers shows “The Weirdies” by Michael Buckley, illustrated by Forrest Burdett. (Little Brown Books for Young Readers via AP)

— “The Poisoned King” by Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie. It’s up to 12-year-old Princess Anya to save the dragons and her kingdom. The hotly anticipated Book 2 of the Impossible Creatures series is a fantasy adventure driven by an unyielding belief in the power of goodness. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $19.99.

This cover image released by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers shows“The Poisoned King” by Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Ashley Mackenzie. (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers via AP)

— “Bunns Rabbit” by Alan Barillaro. The other rabbits fear that Bunns’ short ears are a bad omen. Full of heart, this mature, tender chapter book showcases descriptive writing and stunning, dramatically lit illustrations. Candlewick, $18.99.

This cover image released by Candlewick Press shows “Bunns Rabbit” by Alan Barillaro. (Candlewick Press via AP)

Young adult (ages 12+)

— “The Story of My Anger” by Jasminne Mendez. Told in verse and as a play, this empowering story follows Yuli, a junior at a Texas high school, as she learns how to handle racism, the pressure to shine, and stress at home with a widowed mom living with a chronic illness. Dial Books, $19.99.

This cover image released by Dial Books shows “The Story of My Anger” by Jasminne Mendez. (Dial Books via AP)

— “The House of Quiet” by Kiersten White. A Gothic mystery that explores class struggle and what it means to make a positive impact in the world. The stunning ending pulls the pieces together without a single detail wasted. Delacorte Press, $19.99.

This cover image released by Random House Children’s Books shows “The House of Quiet” by Kiersten White. (Random House Children’s Books via AP)

— “When We Were Monsters” by Jennifer Niven. Arlo and Effy trade off narrating this genre-bender of dark academia, murder mystery, thriller and romance. A “Frankenstein” motif throughout the novel conveys themes of monsters and fate vs. free will. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $20.99.

This cover image released by Knopf Books for Young Readers shows “When We Were Monsters” by Jennifer Niven. (Knopf Books for Young Readers via AP)

— “Leave It on the Track” by Margot Fisher. After her dads die in a fire, Moose moves to a new state to live with her older half-sister, who convinces her to try roller derby. Fisher’s debut grabs you and doesn’t let go, tackling grief, being LGBTQ+ and finding community. Dutton Books for Young Readers, $19.99.

This cover image released by Dutton Books for Young Readers shows “Leave It on the Track” by Margot Fisher. (Dutton Books for Young Readers via AP)

— “Take Up Space, Y’all” by Tess Holliday and Kelly Coon. A body positivity book with guides and tips, from finding your fashion to having a healthy relationship with food to dealing with labels. It always defers to consulting your doctor for medical needs like skin problems and mental health challenges. Running Press Kids, $13.99.

— “I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This: A Graphic Memoir” by Eugene Yelchin. The sequel to “The Genius Under the Table” also stands on its own, chronicling a Jewish man’s escape from Soviet Russia in the 1980s with a unique art style that incorporates photographs. Yelchin’s mom and grandmother provide comic relief with their melodrama and uncanny wisdom. Candlewick, $22.99.

Why walk when you can run? The second Stephen King adaptation about a contest to the death for a large cash prize has hit theaters this fall — Edgar Wright’s take on “The Running Man,” which was published in 1982 under King’s pen name Richard Bachman. Also included in the 1985 collection “The Bachman Books” is “The Long Walk,” about a group of teenage boys taking part in a televised walk or die competition. That grim film adaptation, directed by Francis Lawrence, of “The Hunger Games,” debuted in September, but hot on their heels comes our man on the run, breathless, brutal and bloody.

It’s in fact his second lap. In 1987, Paul Michael Glaser directed a version of this dystopian media satire starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, set in 2017, but Wright’s version, written with Michael Bacall, and set in 2025 (as the book is), hews much closer to the novel than Glaser’s film. A beefed-up Glen Powell plays Ben Richards, a desperate man who has been blacklisted from his job after informing a union rep about radiation exposure in his workplace, and now has no choice but to audition for a dangerous game show while trying to protect and provide for his wife (Jayme Lawson) and sick daughter, Cathy.

The most popular program of the state-run media, “The Running Man” TV show is produced by devious executive Killian (Josh Brolin) and hosted by smarmy showman Bobby T (Colman Domingo). The contest is a 30-day affair in which three contestants have to try to outrun, outlast and evade a team of murderous Hunters, led by the masked McCone (Lee Pace).

They become enemies of the state, with citizens encouraged to report any sightings, hunted on all sides while mailing videotapes every day. While his compatriots, the hedonistic Laughlin (Katy O’Brian, Powell’s former “Twisters” teammate) and hapless Jansky (Martin Herlihy) are obvious chum, Ben’s physical skills, honed on the job, and righteous anger, instilled in him by the injustices of the fascist authoritarian government the Network, make him an ideal candidate for “The Running Man.” Ben is mad as hell and he’s not going to take it anymore.

Let’s be honest: it is deeply ironic that Wright’s “The Running Man” is among the first of Paramount’s high-profile film releases under the ownership of David Ellison, the scion of a tech billionaire who embraces right-wing politics and is seeking to create his own media monopoly, contemplating a purchase of Warner Bros. too. Wright and Bacall’s script is utterly savage in its critique of a fascist state media that turns broadcast bloodshed into propaganda in order to keep poor people at each other’s throats and away from the guillotine. The messaging isn’t subtle or even nuanced as it illustrates how these exploitative game shows disrupt class solidarity by villainizing participants, and that the other television offerings, like a Kardashians-style show called “The Americanos” is an opiate for the masses that only leaves them wanting more.

From storytelling to style, “The Running Man” delivers with a sledgehammer, not a scalpel. Both Wright and Powell are grittier, meaner, more unhinged than we’ve seen from a filmmaker and star known for their cheeky charm. At times it does feel as though both are posturing at toughness, teeth bared, but it’s fun to see them go just a little mad sometimes.

For Powell’s Ben, his motivations are rooted in family, which is more emotional than Schwarzenegger’s performance, and more suited to Powell’s natural screen abilities — he’s less murdering machine than Schwarzenegger, more (shockingly ripped) sad dad. Ben might be a little slow on his awakening about how he’s being manipulated in the game, but he figures it out soon enough.

Wright’s own agenda is made manifest with every helper that Ben finds along his journey — from an old friend (William H. Macy), who helps him gear up for the quest, to an underground activist in Boston, to a radical organizer in Maine (Michael Cera) — Wright makes an argument for the importance of physical media, an offline technology that doesn’t “watch you back” in the Network’s surveillance state, and for media literacy, to understand the video manipulation that the Network engages in to misrepresent the contestants on “The Running Man.” Their tools of liberation are public access TV shows, VHS tapes and photocopied zines.

Wright makes the argument that in such a dystopian, fascist state, there are only a few things that will save us: class solidarity, physical media and literacy. It’s a powerful and potent message that cuts through any and all of the bombastic busyness of “The Running Man.” The only question that remains is: has David Ellison watched the movie his studio is releasing? It could be vastly illuminating.

‘The Running Man’

3 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: R (for strong violence, some gore, and language)

Running time: 2:13

How to watch: In theaters Nov. 14

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