Christmas Gift Guide: For Foodies
If there’s one thing 2020 has taught us, it’s how to eat/bake/drink. We’re all foodies now, be it creating or just consuming. So what have we tasted this year that really got us going? What would make the ideal gift for the foodie/food-lover in your life? Here’s Belle’s run down of the best bites, gulps and accessories to put under the tree this Christmas (although maybe not the butter, it may well melt…)
- Ridiculously Rich by Alana never fails to impress, from to the most mouthwatering Millionaire Shortbread you could imagine. A box of RRbA will impress anyone with a sweet tooth, in fact anyone without one either, they’re just so darn good. Order as a one-off or sign them (us?) up for a monthly subscription. Yes please! Individual boxes start at £17.99.
2. Sticking with the sweet tooth but onto an idea for the less kitchen-savvy, Doughlicious do a line of sticky, gooey cookie treats you can bake at home and eat fresh from the oven. All gluten free, and with many vegan, organic and dairy-free options, the red velvet and white chocolate ones are our favourite, but each flavour as been prepped to perfection we assure you. Individual packs from £3.99 or buy a bundle as a real treat.
3. The SMEG D&G mixer isn’t just a top of the range appliace, it turns any kicten into a piece of art. Dolce & Gabana Sicily is my Love designs adorn the traditional body which pairs with a stainless steel bowl. Harrods and Selfridges have already sold out this season so try Potters Cookshop to nab one of these for your favourite foodie before it’s too late. RRP £999.95.
4. Spice Kitchen UK offer a range of spice tin gift packages which smell and look as good as they leave your food tasting. Founded by mother and son team Sashi and Sanjay Aggarwal, these award winning spices, spice blends and gin botanicals are a great gift for the keen home cook. Gift sets from £24.95.
5. For that loved one who got into baking but moaned when they forgot to stockpile yeast, their troubles are over. Invest in a BakedIn subscription box and every month they are delivered ingredients and instructions for creating the perfect loaf in the comfort of their own kitchen. Subscriptions start at £7.50 a month.
6. KAMBUKKA flasks are a step forward in thermos design, both aesthetically and inventively. The premium drinkware brand has a range of bottles and food jars to keep food and drink piping hot all day long, from the Etna thermal mug (pictured), perfect for holding a hot cuppa, to the sleek Olympus, great for winter walks or those working outdoors, to the Bora food jar, which keeps food hot for up to 9 hours. The Etna pictured is priced at £27.90 on the Kambukka website.
7. Beeswax wrappers are the way forward when it comes to being eco-conscious in the kitchen. Wrap packed lunches, leftovers, anything in these reusable sheets which can be wiped clean and used again and again, rather than creating landfill waste with cling film or foil. These come in cute Christmassy patterns perfect as a stocking filler. £15 for two on the EarlyBird website.
8. Gourmet Games whisky tasting set (other beverages are available and yes, we fully intend to ask Santa for them all) takes whisky tasting into the social realm, with drinks and instructions supplied for a fun festive game after Christmas dinner. Party guests – Gourmets – pick up points called Guzzles by correctly identifying what’s on taste, plus they can pocket further Guzzles by giving the right answers in the quiz which follows the tasting. The Gourmet with the most Guzzles wins, and they walk away with a prize and a certificate to brag about (and possibly a slight headache the following morning). Small games start at around £0 up to £140 for the large whisky set.
9. Non-drinkers don’t have to miss out. Inspired by the sights and sounds of the glorious Devon coastline, Sea Arch is made using traditional distillation techniques and has an intense and inviting depth of flavour. It is sugar-free, sweetener-free and calorie-free, and can be enjoyed served as a ‘Sea & T’ over ice with a squeeze of citrus and a premium tonic, or in a selection of alcohol-free cocktails. It tastes delicious and provides a sophisticated alternative for days when people don’t want to drink alcohol – a non-alcoholic drink for gin lovers! The gift set pictured is £19.95 from the Sea Arch website.
10. Posh Cow butter is something else. Think normal butter, but posh (okay that doesn’t help) and really, really full of flavour. A great stocking filler for the foodie looking to cook up a Christmas breakfast storm packed with flavour, or to melt over those veggies during the main act.
11. These plastic-free recyclable Christmas crackers from Love Tiki have a Scandi design influence and 5% from the sales of the charity designs go to the Trussell Trust, which works to stop UK hunger. Priced from £15.99 for 12, the crackers are made out of Kraft paper and available in four designs and gifts are reusable.
12. NIO’s ready-to-pour cocktails are quirky, cute, and a whole gift box fits through a letterbox. All of these delicious cocktails are sealed in mini flat boxes which are 100% recyclable. You get a little bio of the drink and a run down of ingredients, then just snip the corner and pour over ice. Perfect for posting to friends you can’t see in person this holiday season. Build a box of six or nine cocktails or opt for one of the luxurious sets – https://niococktails.co.uk/collections/christmas. Boxes of six start at £39 with free delivery.
