Food is such a key part of Christmas experience for us all, but it’s a great source of fabulous gifts for those of us that enjoy a little culinary indulgence. So I’ve picked some of my favourite foodie gifts.
For those with something to celebrate
A great alternative to the traditional Christmas cake or mince pies is this Chocolate Celebration Cake from OGGS. This vegan friendly chocolate sponge cake is filled and topped with chocolate fudge frosting and finished with chocolate curls, edible stars and festive gold shimmer. It was quickly snaffled up in this house as chocolate cake is always a favourite. Available from Waitrose RRP £8.00.
For those with a sweet tooth
HARIBO is always popular in this house and it makes a great stocking filler or small gift. The HARIBO Sweet Medley has an assortment of HARIBO’s favourite treats all in one box. Perfect for sharing amongst friends and family, this thoughtful gift includes a handy tray to offer out a delicious mix of sweets including Starmix, Tangfastics, Supermix, Giant Strawbs, Jelly Babies Double Trouble and Jelly Beans.
For those seeking inspiration
The 2021 Dairy Diary is prettier than ever with two beautiful British Butterflies and gorgeous photography. But what it’s really famous for is its recipes – there’s a new one every week – delicious and triple-tested, so you can be sure they will work every time. In addition to the recipes, there is all sorts of interesting information on topics such as the Art of Calm, Quirky Museums and Gardening for Wildlife. Of course, there’s everything needed to keep organised – a useful notes pocket, dates stickers, reminders, addresses and even gift lists. All of this, and plenty of space to write appointments, thoughts and plans each day.
The Dairy Diary has been sold by milkmen and women for the past 39 years and it continues to grow from strength-to-strength as more people join the millions who choose to have their milk delivered in glass bottles – a greener alternative to plastic. The doorstep delivery service, once seen as old-fashioned is now the eco-friendly, responsible way to get your milk. I can remember Mum getting this diary for Christmas from her mum and it’s always been a joy to leaf through. Priced at £8.85.
For vegan chocolate lovers
Just because you are vegan or trying to cut back on dairy shouldn’t mean that you can’t have a bit of a chocolatey treat. The Hot Chocolate Bursting Bauble is a festive hug in a mug. Hang up these hot chocolate baubles on the Christmas Tree for an edible decoration to share with all the family or give them as a stocking filler. A true treat for the eyes, the chocolate bauble can be added to a mug of warm plant-based milk. There it will melt to create a luxurious hot chocolate, bursting to reveal snow-white fluffy marshmallows. These are the perfect addition to any Christmas Eve Box. Available in single packs and packs of three, shoppers can make the purple, red and green foil-covered baubles part of their Christmas tree design – or gift individually. Both pack sizes are presented in colour-coordinating stripy boxes. RRP £2.99 for 1 and £6.99 for a pack of 3.For the cookbook fan
A Zest For Life is packed full of colourful, energising recipes, made with ingredients that taste great and also help you to feel great. With superfoods galore and meals that keep you full for longer, this collection of clever, nutritious recipes is one that you’ll turn to time and again. All ingredients are widely available too – I hate it when that recipe you want to make has some obscure ingredient that it’s tricky to find. Discover delicious recipes for a healthy lifestyle throughout the year including dishes suitable for vegetarians and vegans. RRP £9.99
For those who like a selection of goodies
I can remember as a child looking through Christmas catalogues looking at Christmas hampers and being dazzled by the array on offer. I still love picking out a hamper for Christmas packed full of culinary goodies. Bradfords Bakers are a family owned and run business. I’ve picked out their Sweet Treats Box to share in this gift guide. Many of the items featured within this hamper are hand baked or made fresh in their premises. My favourite was the Bradfords Fruit Ginger Loaf Cake, but the wine went down very well too. Priced at £32.90.
For those who like spicy food
For the home baker
I’m a real fan of a good cake tin. The best ones are decorative as well as functional and these Mason Cash Innovative Kitchen Cake Tins score highly on both counts. What is so innovative is that they turn the traditional cake tin upside down, so the lids are tall and not the bases. The advantage of this is that you can use the bases to cut straight from the tin, which is a game changer in my view. Because of the recessed lids you can stack the tins like in the picture when they are in use, but they also nest together for easy storage when you haven’t got a cake in the house. Currently priced at £29.99.
For soup lovers
For me soup is the perfect lunch time meal, it’s quick to eat, filling, nutritious and I’m getting through more of it whilst we are in lockdown. If you are a soup fan, you have probably made your own, but it’s much easier with a soup maker. This Tower soup maker has a generous 1.6 litre capacity, which reduces the need for refills, so it’s quick and easy to make hearty soup for the whole family. The stainless steel blade and powerful 1000W heater both blend and heat your ingredients, allowing you to produce various textures of soup or even your own baby food. Complete with an intelligent control system to ensure your safety, this sturdily built, powerful and efficient appliance is the ideal way to create great tasting soups.
For those in need of an energy boost
If you are looking for something special to replace your morning cuppa or coffee shot, you should try INNERJI, the first ever caffeine free, carbonated, low sugar tonic made with the unique antioxidant properties of Jiaogulan. Jiaogulan is found deep in the mountainous regions of the far east and possesses the most wide-ranging benefits for human health and wellness of any plant yet discovered.
The super-herb provides energy to the body naturally, meaning you can be on the go, at any time of the day without the need for caffeine. The plant is also proven to include wellness benefits such as reducing high cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, and improving heart function, making you feel good from the inside-out. Combined with B1 and B12 vitamins, INNERJI, which is also vegan friendly and gluten free, works with your body to help activate blood flow and circulation, increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and tissues, contributing to overall well-being. Unlike the stimulating effects of caffeine found in other herbs, Jiaogulan contains energising properties which increase strength and endurance naturally to give you the energy boost you need, without the caffeine. Priced at £13.99 for 6.
Some fantastic things here – I really like the look of the cake tins – much more stylish than my plastic tubs haha!
I’d be very happy with any of these.