Shopping local is easy in small towns where most folks probably know the only candy maker by first name. But with so many great food businesses in Los Angeles, finding a staring point is often the hardest part. Are you looking for a classic, like English toffee, or are your friends more likely to get all wide-eyed over grass-fed beef hot dogs? Here are a few ideas to get your gift wheels churning.

Artisanal Hot Dogs and Relish from Let’s Be Frank

Let’s Be Frank has recently expanded its take-home options, offering four-packs of both its all-natural, uncured beef and turkey dogs, brats and sausages from its cart in Culver City. Add a jar of the spicy devil sauce (a pepper relish) and John Scharffenberg’s own just-jarred homemade sauerkraut (the chocolate guru is friends with Let’s Be Frank co-owner Sue Moore), and you’ve got great New Year’s day grub for your hot dog–minded friends.
Helms Ave., between Washington & Venice, Culver City, letsbefrankdogs.com

Blood Orange Marmalade from E. Waldo Ward

This four-generations-strong family business boasts an adorable shop decked out for the holidays with a seemingly endless variety of old-fashioned jams and jellies in every little nook. If you don’t have time to head to Sierra Madre, you can order the great blood orange marmalade and other spreads, olives and pickled products online, including several gift packs.
273 E. Highland Ave., Sierra Madre, 626.355.1218, waldoward.com

Retro Soda and Candy Basket from Rocket Fizz

Pop rocks and Nehi soda await the old-school candy lover on your list. The website is currently under construction, so you’ll have to head over to Burbank to check out the rotating collection of nostalgia-laden sweets and sodas in person (rough job).
2112 Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, 818.846.7632, facebook.com/rocketfizzburbank

Burrata from Gioia Cheese

Vito Girardi’s hand-pulled mozarella stuffed with curds and fresh cream is a staple ingredient in local restaurant salads (although this time of year the heirloom tomato-burrata salads are often swapped for roasted beets with balsamic vinegar). You can also buy the cheese at many local markets for friends who truly love to cook. But keep in mind it will remain fresh for only three to four days, so it’s not ideal for the weekend warriors on your list.
Gioia Burrata is available online, at many Bristol Farms and Whole Foods stores, and at such specialty markets as Bay Cities Italian Deli

Cooking Class at Piccolo Chef

Kid’s cooking classes are a great way to get the next generation of food bloggers excited about cooking. Piccolo in Culver City specializes in after-school kids’ classes, from healthy cooking to classic Italian, and the school also offers a few adult classes in the early evenings.
Piccolo Chef, 12120 Wagner St., Culver City, 310.295.4208, piccolochef.com

Cookbooks from Local Chefs

If your goal this year is to nudge a Walmart-obsessed friend to regularly hit the farmers’ markets, hand over one of the many cookbooks written by local chefs. When the recipe testing happens in your hometown, the books are more likely to contain dishes featuring local ingredients. If your friends are chain restaurant-challenged types, we can’t help but offer this suggestion: Pick up the 2010 edition of EAT: Los Angeles, which just hit bookshelves this month.

English Toffee from Littlejohn’s

This is the kind of toffee that will convince you to stop trying to make your own at home. The L.A. institution has been making its famous milk chocolate and roasted almond toffee for more than 80 years. It’s the perfect thickness and fantastically sweet with an enviable snap, and it comes packaged in a cute, old-fashioned gift box. How they manage to avoid turning out a gloppy mess with all that humidity during L.A.’s rainy season remains a mystery (we recommend frequent tasting visits for further analysis).
Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., Fairfax District, 323.936.5379, littlejohnscandies.com

Pottery from Luna Garcia

EAT LA’s own Amelia Saltsman likes to scour the seconds room for deals on one-of-a-kind dishes and serving platters at this Venice pottery shop. Every piece is signed and dated, from the tiniest sake glass to the giant platters. Great gifts on their own, or for filling with home-baked goodies.
201 San Juan Ave., Venice. 800.905.9975, lunagarcia.com