Tidewater Virginia Seafood for the Holidays

Seafood is a traditional food in many holiday cuisines, so its popularity as a Christmas or other holiday gift is understandable. These traditions vary by region, often including whatever seafood is available locally in season. In Tidewater and much of Virginia, oysters, striped bass and other seafood are popular for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Dinners might include rich chowders or soups with clams, crab meat or other local seafood. Lobster is another item that may be served during the holidays.

In the USA, coastal communities have always served seafood as part of family meals. Regional seafood dishes became a holiday tradition throughout much of North America. After a few generations of coastal residents left their small fishing towns to live elsewhere, the demand for seafood as a holiday food spread across the nation, creating a need for shipped seafood.

Fortunately the seafood industry has responded with a variety of solutions. A wide range of non-perishable products are available now for seafood enthusiasts and holiday shoppers. Items such as smoked salmon, canned oysters, pre-cooked seafood soups, chowders and stews are all offered in forms that do not require refrigeration.

For shoppers that want the highest possible quality, local Virginia seafood is available fresh from the boat at area shops. Lobsters, crabs, shrimp, clams, oysters, scallops, mussels, fish and other seafood are also available online, ready to be shipped overnight in special chilled containers. Stores also offer frozen seafood products, either uncooked or fully cooked meal entrees.

Gift baskets are another option when choosing a seafood-related gift for a loved one. Baskets are available that contain single types of products or a mixture of several items such as smoked salmon or other fish, canned smoked oysters, caviar, canned stews and other delicacies. Gift baskets are extremely popular for outdoorsmen as many come with combinations of seafood, wild game, cheeses, condiments and other treats.

Seafood cookbooks are a perennial favorite gift. These are available at local bookstores or via online specialty stores. Seafood collectibles are another popular gift idea. These include t-shirts, prints, photographs, calendars, coffee mugs, stickers and other gifts.

Seafood Gift Links

Smoked Salmon

Oysters

Crabs - Crabcakes

Caviar

Seafood T-Shirts - Art

Hampton Roads-Tidewater Seafood Markets