Something a little different this week. During my first gig writing on a magazine, one of my favourite jobs was putting together our Christmas gift guide. It was a labour of love and many hours were spent scrolling websites, scouring markets and trawling through press releases to put it together.
So I figured – why not bring it back for this week’s newsletter? I’ve rounded up some of my favourite food-themed gift ideas for grownups and little people to suit a range of budgets. They’re mostly from independent brands and producers so you know you’ll be supporting a brilliant small business, too.
It’s a long one with too much to fit into one email, so click through to the post on my site from the email to read the full guide.
Gift ideas for grownups
Under £10
Rum butter, £5
Rum butter is a traditional Cumbrian creation that dates back centuries. Spread this on crumpets or melt into pancakes.
Joie lemon and lime squeezer, £5
Hands-down the best citrus juicer I’ve tried – catches the pips, gets out every last drop and comes with a handy built-in measuring cup.
Good Earth seeds, £4
Soil Association-approved seeds for your favourite green-fingered pal.
Honey & Co. Baharat roasted cashews and pistachios, £8.50
Tossed in the restaurant’s signature spice mix, these are addictive.
Freezer martini, £5
Add something a little stronger to their stocking with these excellent mini cocktails in a can, designed to be frozen then enjoyed extra cold.
Under £20
Japanese fruit knife, £14
I love everything at Kitchen Provisions, and there are definitely some splurge-worthy knives on there if that’s what you’re after. This razor-sharp fruit knife lets you core apples or segment oranges perfectly.
Serving tongs, £12
Retro scallopped tongs to make salads sing in a cute pastel pink hue, from a decades-old French maker.
The Bruce, £15
Who wouldn’t be delighted by a slab of this epic Bogstrotter-style cake, from Leeds’ Northern Bakehouse, delivered to their door? Orders open once a week on Mondays – look out for their Christmas specials too.
Pear candle, £18
These beautiful candles, handmade in Italy, would look gorgeous on a Christmas table.
Under £50
Fergroni, £45
Get a taste of one of London’s most iconic restaurants at home with this pre-bottle version of St John founder Fergus Henderson’s favourite cocktail.
Dishoom masala dabba, £39
12 signature spices and house spice blends, beautifully packaged, from the much-loved restaurant chain.
Le Puzz wakey wakey puzzle, £31
A 1000-piece, breakfast-themed jigsaw to keep everyone entertained.
Letterbox brownie and candle gift, £25.95
The Exploding Bakery, in Devon, make the fudgiest, most moreish brownies ever, and you can send some – along a set of St Eval candles, handmade in Cornwall – straight to someone’s door.
Ideas for little people
Bao lonely man babygro, £12
Get them into cool London restaurants early.
Djeco felt pitta toy, £15
Use the tongs to load up the pittas with salad, cucumber, onion and feta.
Canvas lunch bag, £18
Make them the coolest kid at school with a stylish Japanese-designed insulated canvas lunch bag.
The River Café Look Book, £21.75
A kids’ cookbook you’ll definitely want to cook from too, with lots of bright pictures to look at.
Le Petit Chef 3 piece knife set, £29.99
Bigger kids who love helping out in the kitchen can practice their chopping and peeling skills with these child-safe tools.