Whether you are buying a gift for someone just starting their yerba mate journey, or for a seasoned mate aficionado, there are always some interesting and unexpected ideas for holiday gifts. So if you have that someone special in your life who is passionate about yerba mate (or maybe it is you) and struggle with choosing a perfect gift I have compiled an official Matexperience 2020 Holiday Gift Guide that will get you covered no matter the budget.
Gifts under $10
Yerba mate under $10
The world of yerba mate is truly endless. No matter how much yerba mate someone has tried in their life, I can guarantee you that there are some yerbas that they haven’t had yet. Most of the brands are very budget friendly, even selección especial versions, and will alway be a great gift by itself or combined with some of the other gifts, like gourds and bombillas.
Do you have a hard time deciding what yerba mate to get? Head over to our reviews section so you can learn more about different brands and regional cuts of yerba mate and find those that suit the palate of your giftee.
Gourds under $10
Who said that gourds should be expensive? You can get a nice gourd made from natural materials even on a budget!
Every true matero must have a calabash gourd. Some may find them too much of a hassle, but the smell and taste that it imparts to the mate is very unique. Most simple and traditional calabash gourd is nothing fancy, but is a perfect risk-free way to try it for the first time.
Available on
Pampa Direct
Another great natural option is algarrobo gourd. Made from the soft carob wood, it is not only pleasant to touch and more crack-resistant than harder woods, like palo santo, but it also imparts a slightly sweet woodsy taste to the mate. It also needs an extra bit of care, but for that price it is a great first-time gourd.
Available on
Pampa Direct
Bombillas under $10
Easiest way of extending the selection of mate accessories is to get a new bombilla — there are dozens of different styles and filtration systems so it is easy to find a gift-worthy bombilla that is missing in the collection!
Most of the yerba mate lovers have spoon bombillas, but how about more unique and interesting options? Bombilla with a removable hexagonal slit filter should be enough for most Argentine yerba mates and is really easy to disassemble and clean.
Available on
Pampa Direct
A pick bombilla with a slit filter makes it easy to scrape used yerba mate from the gourd after mate becomes lavado.
Available on
Pampa Direct
Bamboo bombilla looks particularly great with a calabash gourd and is not going to burn the lips as much as the stainless steel ones.
Available on
Amazon
Gifts under $20
Yerba mate under $20
More exotic brands from Brazil and Uruguay are usually harder to find and are packed in 1kg bags, which results in a higher price tag. However, a rare yerba mate also makes a great gift! Head over to our Brazilian and Uruguayan yerba mate reviews section to pick those that you find more interesting.
Gourds under $20
A great step-up from regular algarrobo gourds are metal-wrapped ones. Even though algarrobo is a soft wood, it is still prone to cracking over time, so having a metal wrapper will stop it from leaking even when tiny cracks will start to appear.
Available on
Pampa Direct
Another wooden option makes its appearance in this price category — a heavenly smelling palo santo gourd. It is a must for any serious yerba mate lover and will take mate drinking experience to a whole new level of enjoyment. Palo santo is a harder wood compared to algarrobo, which means that it will more likely start to crack. That’s why I always recommend getting a metal wrapped one and stop worrying about the cracks.
Available on
Pampa Direct
A more modern approach for mateware is a silicone gourd that is easier to take care of and is a more durable option for travelling and commute.
Available on
Pampa Direct
Available on
Amazon
Yerbera
Yerberas are often overlooked, but it is a great accessory for those who enjoy mate on the go and don’t want to carry around an opened bag of yerba that can tear and make a mess. Some people also notice that this tin container makes yerba mate stay fresh for longer periods of time, and pouring yerba into the gourd is easier with a built-in serving spout.
Gifts under $50
Gourds under $50
Traditional calabash gourds are my favorite, but the cheaper ones are a bit too simple and dull, plus they are made from the bottom of the calabash fruit and usually are thin and not very durable. That’s why I absolutely love leather-wrapped porongos — not only do they look badass, but they are made from the top of the calabash gourd and have thicker walls, which makes them last a lifetime with proper care.
Available on
Pampa Direct
For those who are ready to get serious with erva mate, a proper Brazilian cuia is a must — there is nothing like sipping a fresh chimarrão from a beautiful curvy hand-made vessel.
Silicone gourds are great, but as far as the ultimate durability is concerned, nothing beats a solid stainless steel gourd. Perfect for everyday drinking or taking it to travels.
Bombillas under $50
Unlike Argentine and Paraguayan yerba mate, Brazilian and Uruguayan cuts are much more fine and require more skill and exquisite bombillas to enjoy them properly. A nice round bomba will be an amazing gift for someone who wants to start experimenting with finer yerba mates.
Available on
Amazon
Thermometer
In my reviews I often point out the importance of water temperature. Some mates are better with slightly colder water, while others shine with a water that is more on the hotter side. That’s why I think having control over the temperature of the water is crucial for those who want to treat yerba mate as a gourmet product and become a true aficionado of this beautiful drink.
The most simple way to control temperature is to use a food thermometer. Plus it is a very versatile item that will have a lot of use on everyone’s kitchen.
Available on
Amazon
Vacuum flask
Mate and vacuum flask always go hand in hand, no matter if you drink hot mate or cold tereré. Good vacuum flask can last you a lifetime and is a great gift for both novice materos and seasoned yerba mate sommeliers.
Available on
Amazon
To make the gift more special and closer to the heart of a true yerba mate lover you can go with a famous South American mate thermos. It is equipped with a special sprout that makes it extremely easy to pour water into the water hole which makes it so popular among yerba mate enthusiasts.
Available on
Pampa Direct
Gifts under $100
Kettle
As I mentioned earlier, getting the right water temperature is key if you want to become a true aficionado of yerba mate. While a food thermometer is a great tool, a quality kettle with temperature control is just much simpler to use and prepare water for a mate.
Available on
Amazon
Available on
Amazon
Matera
If you know someone who is really serious about mate, chances are they take it with them wherever they go. Or they want to take a mate with them but conventional backpacks and bags are not suited to carry everything you need for preparing mate on the go. That’s why materas are such an amazing gift — they are stylish, convenient and once you have one you’ll never leave home without your mate!
Bonus category: premium gourds
The endgame for every yerba mate lover is a custom made leather wrapped gourd with engraved alpaca silver bezel. Leo Messi and other football players are often seen drinking from premium gourds so this is the ultimate gift for anyone passionate about yerba mate.
Available on
Pampa Direct
Available on
Amazon
