Here is a selection of suggestions for the foodie in your life:
A Belgian Chocolate Cracker
Let’s start with a cracker. Pierre Marcolini’s Pettits Bonheurs Christmas Cracker is a delightful little gift.
Packed with mini chocolate surprises, these luxurious crackers are sure to add a touch of magic.
Delicately wrapped, the Petits Bonheurs contain: Hazelnut praline: Coffee almond praline: Caramel praline and Piedmont hazelnut praline.
The cracker is also perfect for the table settings and is available at £15 online here or from the Marylebone Boutique, counters in Selfridges, Harrods, and via the E.store.
Just Spices
Any foodie will appreciate finding a tub or two of specially blended spice mixes from Just Spices on Christmas morning.
Maybe even something they can put straight to use. I’m pleased to see that they are more widely available now, and stocked by retailers such as Waitrose.
Think Speculoos Spice; Scrambled Egg Seasoning; Turmeric Latte Seasoning; Avocado topping; Roast Potato Seasoning.
£4 a tub from Waitrose and also available online here
In a Spin Coasters
This funky set of Vinyl Record Coasters from Rex London is the perfect quirky item for any music or drinks lover!
The set contains six coasters, each designed like a classic LP. Made from silicone, each coaster has a light and flexible feel, ideal for protecting surfaces from scratches and splashes.
The set comes in a fully recyclable cardboard presentation box, in the style of a turntable.
So, if you know someone with a penchant for cocktails, or who lives for their vinyl collection, this is a great gift for them.
Very reasonably priced at £7.95 from rexlondon.com.
Slabs of Chocolate Popcorn
An indulgent slab of chocolate, encrusted with delicious flavoured popcorn will be a welcome find for a chocoholic of any age on Christmas morning.
These ones from Joe & Seph’s are really delicious – popped corn smothered in Belgian milk and creamy white chocolate.
New this year is an Orange Chocolate flavoured popcorn slab. £8 for 115g from Joe & Seph’s.
Alcohol Infused Fruit
Another festive treat that will feel really intriguing at the foot of a stocking is a fat, heavy jar of Opie’s fruits preserved in Luxardo® liqueur.
Choose from peaches steeped in a 12-year old brandy, black cherries in Kirsch, baby pears in Amaretto.
£6.75 from Waitrose.
Award Winning Sloe Gin
Talking of alcohol, Hayman’s Sloe Gin has wonderfully fruity notes from wild-foraged berries combined with its award-winning London Dry Gin.
It’s even been voted best English sloe gin, and you can buy a hand gift wrapped bottle that’s perfect for slipping into a Christmas stocking or popping under the tree.
It has notes of sloe berry, almond, subtle plum, flavourful fruity, rich, tangy and slightly warming spice.
26.0% ABV and available here , from just £3, for 5cl, 20cl, 70cl and 70cl wrapped.
Rather Special Christmas Drinks
If you’re going to be near a branch of Fortnum & Mason before Christmas, do pop in and have a look at the great range of products. Shop carefully and you can find some very special products that won’t cost the earth.
I was very impressed when I tasted the special Christmas Ale. Made with six Kent-grown hops from the Westerham Brewery, this rich and malty Christmas Ale delivers sleighfuls of sweet caramel and roasted nut notes, with plenty of festive spirit. £3.50 for a 440ml can.
And then there’s the beautifully packaged special tins of Christmas tea and Christmas coffee.
A cup of lovely coffee to welcome even the frostiest of December mornings, this fragrant blend of small-batch, hand-roasted Honduran, Ethiopian and Indian beans is rich, with warming notes of festive spice, dried fruits, dark chocolate and figs.
£15.95 for a 250g tin
Everything starts with tea: The festivities begin once the first pot of this smooth and subtle blend has been brewed. Celebrating all the rich, zesty and warming flavours of the season, £18.50 for a lovely festive 200g tin.
Mince Pie & Marmalade Liqueur
A joyous gin liqueur inspired by the famous mince pies and ever-popular F&M Monarch Marmalade, this tipsy creation is amazing as an after-supper aperitif over ice, or served alongside a rich festive dessert – and a dash in your post-feast Christmas coffee is spectacular, too. £35 for 50cl (29% ABV) 29% ABV
