The holidays gift guide
Wine, spirits and beer gifts for the holidays
Find a gift for the host, the bourbon fan, the beer drinker and the person who has everything. Everything here is in stock at The Wild Duck now.
A random last-minute bottle
“Oh, thanks. I will put it somewhere.”
A bourbon chosen for a fan
“You remembered the one I like to sip by the fire.”
Gifts for everyone on your list
Each section starts from a shelf we carry and a type of gift, so you can match the bottle to the person.
A bottle of red is a dependable thank-you for anyone who has you over this season. Choose an easy pick or a bottle with more age and weight.
Sparkling wine suits a table that is about to raise a glass. Bring a bottle to a gathering or send one to someone who is hosting.
Bourbon is made from at least 51 percent corn and aged in new charred oak. It makes a warm gift for anyone who sips at the end of the evening.
IPAs are hoppy, aromatic beers. Pick up a few cans or bottles for the friend who always has a favourite brewery in mind.
Merchandise and cocktail extras for a secret exchange, a stocking or a thank-you that does not need a full bottle.
A gift with thought behind it
A good gift suits the person who opens it. Here is how a bottle from this guide compares with a last-minute grab.
Attribute
A pick from this guide
The forgettable gift
Verdict
Fit for the person
Chosen for their taste, such as a bourbon for a whiskey fan
Whatever was nearest the register
Occasion
A sparkling bottle for a toast or a red for the host's table
A bottle with no link to the evening
Presentation
A bottle you can wrap or pair with a small extra
Carried over with no wrapping or note
Ease of getting it
Ordered ahead with pickup, delivery or shipping at checkout
A rushed stop on the way to the party
Why shop for gifts at The Wild Duck
A wide range in one place
Wine, whiskey, sparkling, beer, ready-to-drink and small gifts sit side by side, so you can finish your list in a single visit to the page.
Gifts matched to the person
Each section is built around a kind of recipient or occasion, from the host to the bourbon fan, so you start close to the right answer.
Ordered the way you prefer
Add your gifts to the cart and choose pickup, delivery or shipping at checkout, whichever suits the person you are buying for.
Rated by our customers
The Wild Duck holds a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Google from 63 reviews, and we run the shop with service and selection in mind.
How to use this gift guide
Pick a section
Choose the section that fits the person you are buying for, from the host to the beer fan.
Browse what is in stock
Look through the bottles in that section and use the budget slider to narrow the list.
Choose how you get it
Add your gifts to the cart, then select pickup, delivery or shipping at checkout.
Holiday gift questions
How can I get my gift order?
You can choose pickup, delivery or shipping at checkout. Select the option that suits you and the person you are buying for.
What is a good gift for someone who likes whiskey?
Bourbon is a reliable choice. It is aged in new charred oak and tends to taste of caramel, vanilla and warm spice, which suits the colder months.
What can I give someone who does not drink much?
Look at the small gifts and stocking fillers section for merchandise and cocktail extras. A non-alcoholic bottle also works for a guest who prefers to skip alcohol.
Can I buy gifts for more than one person at once?
Yes. Add gifts from any section to the same cart and choose your pickup, delivery or shipping option at checkout.
Gifts for women: wine, spirits and gift ideas in Boston
The Wild Duck, a liquor store at 86 Massachusetts Ave in Boston, has gifts for women across wine, spirits, gift sets and snacks. A bottle of wine, a liqueur or a cocktail set is the simplest place to start, and you can collect it, have it delivered or have it shipped.
What are good gifts for women from a liquor store in Boston?
The most dependable gifts for women from a liquor store are a bottle of wine, a liqueur, a cocktail or drinks set, or a snack to go with them. Each one suits a different kind of person, so the choice comes down to how she likes to drink and entertain.
At The Wild Duck in Boston we have more than 4,500 products in stock across more than 700 brands, so you are not limited to one style of present. Our shelves cover wine, liquor, beer, ready-to-drink drinks, mixers, snacks and merchandise.
The sections below follow the questions shoppers usually ask: which wine, which spirit, what else to put in the bag, what to do when you are unsure, and how to get the gift to her.
Which wine makes a good gift for a woman?
A bottle she can open at dinner or share with friends is a reliable choice, and sparkling wine suits an occasion best. If you know she prefers red or white, buy to that preference and do not guess beyond it.
For a dinner host, red wine is a natural fit, and a pinot noir is a lighter style that goes with many meals. A cabernet sauvignon is fuller and works well with roasted meat or cheese.
If she drinks white, look at white wine, including chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. A rosé is a good option for someone who likes something in between.
For a birthday, a promotion or a holiday, sparkling wine marks the day without further explanation. Our Cava guide explains the Spanish style if you want something other than Champagne. We also carry Rachel Zoe.
What spirits or liqueurs can you give a woman as a gift?
A liqueur is often an easier gift than a spirit, because it can be sipped on its own, poured over ice or used in a cocktail. If you want to give something with some character, start in the liqueur section.
CHARTREUSE Yellow Liqueur is in stock now. Chartreuse is a French herbal liqueur, and the yellow version is the milder and sweeter of the two traditional types. It suits someone who enjoys making cocktails at home or likes to try something unusual.
If she prefers whiskey, our bourbon shelf and whiskey section are worth browsing. For a gin drinker, see gin. A bottle of tequila fits someone who likes margaritas.
Spirits are a better gift when you know her taste. If you do not, a liqueur or a wine is the safer choice.
Which gift sets and extras can you add to a bottle?
A set turns a single bottle into a complete gift, and a small food item or card finishes it. We have several themed sets in stock, so you can match one to the way she likes to drink.
The Rokz Bloody Mary Lover Set is for someone who enjoys a brunch drink. We also carry a Rokz Whiskey Lover Set and a Rokz Margarita Lover Set, which suit a whiskey drinker or a margarita fan.
For something to eat, the Chica De Gallot Pepper Salsa pairs well with a margarita set or a beer. More options are in our snacks section, and our chocolate pairing guide suggests which drinks go with chocolate.
Add a Thank You Card if the gift is a gesture of thanks. For more combinations, read our ideas for cocktail gift baskets.
What if you are not sure what she likes?
A bottle of sparkling wine, a mixed gift set or a gift card is the answer when you do not know her taste. These choices work because they do not depend on a precise preference.
Sparkling wine is flexible. It suits a toast, a brunch or a quiet evening, and it does not require her to share your view on red versus white. Our guide to choosing and serving Champagne covers the basics.
A gift set gives her a few things to try. A set built around one drink, such as the Rokz sets above, works well if you know she likes that drink even if you do not know the brand.
If you would rather let her choose, our gift cards page has the details. You can also ask us in the shop, and we will help you narrow the choice.
Can you give a woman a gift without alcohol?
Yes. Not every gift from a liquor store has to contain alcohol, and some of the best additions to a present do not.
Our non-alcoholic section is the first place to look for someone who does not drink. Mixers such as those from Fever-Tree work as a gift for a person who makes drinks at home, and they can be paired with a bottle or given alone.
Food is another option. Salsa, chocolate and other items from the snacks section can be packed on their own. Our merchandise section is also worth a look for a gift that is not a drink.
How do you get a gift to her in Boston, Cambridge or Brookline?
You can walk into the shop, collect an order, have it delivered or have it shipped. We serve Boston, Cambridge and Brookline, and each has its own page: Boston, Cambridge and Brookline.
The shop is at 86 Massachusetts Ave, Boston, MA 02117. We are open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM and on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
For in-store pickup, our pickup hours are Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Delivery runs Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 10:30 PM and Sunday from 10:30 AM to 10:30 PM. Our liquor delivery areas page shows where we deliver.
We are rated above 4.5 out of 5 from more than 60 Google reviews.
Where can you find more gift ideas for the holidays?
Our holiday gift guide collects wine, spirits and beer gifts in one place, which helps when you are buying for several people at once.
If she enjoys beer, see our beer gift ideas. For a gift in the colder months, winter warmers with bourbon and red wine are worth a look, and the Thanksgiving wine and cider page helps if you are bringing something to a table.
You can also browse our New Arrivals and Top Rated collections for ideas.




















































