Do you want to give your employees a Christmas hamper from the region, or are you just looking for something tasty or fun to give away? In Midden-Groningen there are many great (regional) shops where you can make your purchase!
From young matured to specula cheese
For tasty organic cheeses from the region, go to Tjuchemmerkaas. This cheese shop is small but nice and open every Friday and Saturday. All cheeses are home-made. "At every cheese shop, the cheese tastes different. It depends on what kind of cows you have, what the cow eats, the grass that grows here, everything affects the taste." Proudly, Rico Agterberg lists the varieties, from the 'ordinary' Gouda cheese to fenugreek, nettle and wild garlic cheese. "Occasionally we experiment. At Sinterklaas, for instance, we make speculaas cheese. But young mature sells best, people love that. Cheese is still the tastiest sandwich filling there is, I agree! And if you want Christmas packages, it's best to contact us in November because of the planning."
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Dreuge sausage
A genuine Groningen Christmas parcel should include a Groningen dry sausage. They make it themselves at the organic farm Arkema just outside Noordbroek. "We keep our own cows here, Blonde Aquitaine cattle and pigs, and also process the meat ourselves," Hilde Driessens explains. At the farmyard, all kinds of meat is for sale in the in-house farm shop. Just before Christmas, there are special shopping evenings.
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Regional products
You can find apple or pear juice from your own apples and pears at Plattelandswinkel Bosschaart. The local shop sells juices as well as home-made jams and chutneys. Wecking is still done the old-fashioned way, they even make poffert in a weck jar! At Meinardi, you can buy a complete Groningen Christmas package including Groningen sausage, Groningen special beer, krentjebrij, Groningen mustard and of course Vegters Rolletjes. This delicacy from Hoogezand is sold everywhere during the festive months and should not be missing in any Christmas parcel in Midden-Groningen. Those who really want something special can check out De Ei Halte, a sales stall on Achterdiep in Sappemeer. Katelijne de Jager makes her own juices and jams, as well as kimchi, granola and even chocolate like a real Dubaireep!
Winter items
Concept store Lak of Smak in Sappemeer is the place to go for cosy homewares. The shop was recently transformed for the festive months and has a beautiful entrance with new, wintery items. "Reindeer, trees and candlelight - we are officially in cosy mode! It's like a lovely winter scene here, but without an overload of glitter," say owners Jorn & Arnold. You will find pretty mugs by Zusss, houses and angels made of stained glass, beautiful silk flowers, LED candles and much more. Also fun: you can regularly take part in jewellery-making workshops in the Lak of Smak atelier. You are guaranteed to go home with cool and unique items. Additional editions of this popular workshop will follow in the new year.
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Getting started yourself
Would you rather make something yourself or give it to someone who loves crafts? Then have a browse at Suzanne's Handwerk Shop. "Here you will find all kinds of things to knit, crochet, embroider and dry felt," Suzanne Haks explains. "How about Christmas sock wool with and without glitter, for example, to enjoy the festive season nice and warm and still in style. Also if you want to learn to knit or crochet (better), you can succeed here, for example with the Beginners Knitting Boxes, (Easy) knitting books or one of the fun packages to knit or crochet your own soft toy, wrist warmers, a hat or a turtleneck."
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