When it comes to Christmas, there is such joy in giving presents to others. The older I get, the more excited I find myself getting when buying gifts for other people, and the less interest I have in receiving them. However, what comes with the celebration is a season of gift-giving block, and a need for help finding that something special for friends, family, or the person I’ve draw for Secret Santa.
Hence this gift guide, which is perfectly designed to help you find the perfect gift for your foodie friends. There’s a range of budgets included, and personalities too, so you are sure to find something.
Above all else, I would recommend trying to shop locally and supporting the small businesses nearby first. They’ll have such unique gifts that are sure to go down well. Otherwise, try to find an ethical business. The prices may be a bit higher, but it’s better to spend those few extra pennies supporting a good cause.
A gift for an Avid Baker
Anyone who bakes will have a natural draw towards anything in Bundt form. It’s like the universal baker magnet. They make the perfect gift, and if you’re looking to keep your budget down, consider buying that special someone the half-sized Bundts (which are between £10-15 cheaper). For an even tighter budget look at the ornaments, which are still impressive and won’t bankrupt you.
Quite Nice is a foodie’s clothing heaven: specialising in hand-drawn foodie designs that are too good to ignore. There is such a range to choose from: from pesto pasta, baked beans on toast, a good cocktail, to a chocolate chip cookie. Sizing is good, with the full range available, and the quality of the fabric is exceptional. These will let your friends show off their baking knowledge while looking stylish.
A baker will never have enough cookie cutters, piping nozzles, cake pans or aesthetic utensil. So, if you are really struggling to find something – or need a lower budget option, browse for something in a trusted shop like Lakeland. This will mean your gift will not break in 5 seconds, and make great stocking fillers.
A Connoisseur Cook’s dream gift
MOB is probably the best place to get your student recipes from, so any of their cookbooks would be a great gift for that roommate who thinks they are on MasterChef every night. Alternatively, you could buy them an annual subscription to their website, which will enable them to have access to thousands of recipes.
This is not restricted to MOB either – have a browse of other cookbooks depending on your friend’s food preference. Look at new trendy books like CRAVEABLE by Seema Pankhania, PROPER HEALTHY by Calum Harris or ELLY’S PLATE by Elly Smart.
A bit bougie, but gift your roommate whose obsessed with flavours a pot of spices from Ottolenghi and they will love you forever. There is a range to choose from and you probably will not go wrong with any of them. However, the safest option is to go for the premade spice blends like the Comfort Spice collection, or the Spice Rub Trio. The bonus with Ottolenghi’s spices, is that you get a super cute jar afterwards!
If my kitchens anything to go by, cooking is messy! So, save your friend a few white t-shirts and gift them a genuinely good quality apron. Of course, you can find a cheap version, however, it’s always better to shop ethically, so that those gifts do not get thrown away and waste money. Besides Lucy & Yak provide so many different prints, you are definitely going to find something for your friend.
Another great small business is BATCH1, that create graphic t-shirts and jumpers with logo-style art on their clothing. Utterly adorable, unisex and come in a brilliant range of styles, and colours. This will make your friend give off off-duty chef vibes, which, let’s face it, they are definitely trying to achieve. Besides, who does not like a pun on a t-shirt?
The Aesthetic Roommate
For this person I’ve simply given you a range of websites to browse because, let’s face it, they are probably the easiest friend to buy for. Cute mug, sorted. Nice tea towel, done. I would recommend looking for something you know matches their overall aesthetic, because the pride knowing they are using your present will be your own personal gift. Look at mugs, plates, bowls, candles, books, jewellery and cutlery.
Have a look at Søstrene, Oliver Bonas, Wick Guru, Papier, Wolf and Moon, Wolf and Badger and Anthropologie as a basis.
The Chocoholic
Croissant chocolate anyone? Treat your chocolate fanatic friend this year to something truly special and gift them some artisanal chocolate from Pump Street. Only if just to see their faces as they try an ecceles cake chocolate. But if they are also somewhat of a chocolate connoisseur why not gift them several chocolates from around the globe, and let them conduct their own taste test.
Christmas so happens to fall within hot chocolate season, and if your friend is fanatic about chocolate, they definitely will love drinking it. Hot chocolate gift sets and hampers are such an easy thing to put together, and offers you a chance to splash out on one or two items but save on the rest. One item to splash out on has to be a speciality hot chocolate, I recommend any Hot chocolate from Whittards, because the flavours are amazing.
While it is easy to buy a simple, cheap chocolate bar from the local supermarket, it is always better to look for the sustainable option. Tony’s Chocolonely have such a good campaign behind them. But when they offer such a good range of flavours, it would be a shame to skip over their range.
Hotel Chocolat is probably branded in all of our minds as the most luxurious chocolate out there. Perhaps it is a leftover memory made in childhood, but nonetheless, it is a great option for someone you do not really know that well. We have all been there at the office secret Santa draws, do not worry. Their cocoa liqueurs are also guaranteed to spice up a party.
Three words: personalised Nutella jars. Simple but effective. I don’t think I need to explain this otherwise.
Coffee Lover Gifts
Coffee mugs are essential for that friend that always clutches a coffee in their hands. I personally have to recommend Yeti Thermus for they have kept many of my drinks warm for well over 5 hours. They come in a range of styles and colours, plus have accessories, so you have more options for other gifts after you have bought them the basic mug. There are of course other brands available, like Chilly’s bottles.
Coffee beans are another great gift for that one person that either runs out of coffee 24/7, has a connoisseur palate, or spends way to much money out and about on coffee. Good companies like Grind have sustainable notions behind them so are a good brand to support. Plus look really pretty so will keep your kitchen aesthetic going.
Another option for those without a coffee machine is a tea bag version of coffee. Try The Little Coffee Bag Co. for an unusual twist on a classic.
Words by Ellen Hollingshurst (@a_bakingmess)