The Foodie's Christmas Gift Guide 2015

MUST-HAVE HAMPERS

Hampers are the ultimate luxury gift, something you would never buy for yourself - the grown up answer to a selection box.

The Club-Together-Classic – Fortnum and Mason,  £275

It’s a splurge, but this is definitely one to get all of the siblings and cousins to chip in for to make a real impression. A traditional hamper with everything from decorations and parlour games to a bottle of bubbles.

The Adventurous Chef – Nopi, Hamper + Book £100

We’ve all read the books and fallen in love with Yottam Ottolenghi’s recipes. This hamper is overflowing with the exotic ingredients like dried rose petals and Tamarind pulp to Japanese 7-spice mix, that Ottolenghi has made household names.

The Italian Job - Lina Stores, Medio, £65

The packaging alone will make you want to snap up this box of goodies from one of London’s oldest delis. Some real little gems in here including a bottle of top notch truffle oil, Panettone Milano Basso and dried porcini.

Brindisa - Artisan Selection Box, £55

Brindisa has taken its best-selling food and packed it into this delightful artisan box. Full to the brim of hand-carved Iberico belloa jamon, chorizo and Manchego.

LBJ - Festive Box 2, £65

London Borough of Jam is famous in the capital’s East End for its innovative jam creations, now you can buy their latest flavours along with treats from independent producers in this festive package.

The Green-Fingered Friend – Grace and Thorn, Mojave Desert Box, £75

An alternative to the food hamper, and something that will live on after you’ve taken down your tree. It makes a beautiful ready-made centrepiece for the big day too!

COCKTAIL HOUR

Let’s be honest, booze is never a bad call. But that doesn’t mean you can just wrap up a magnum of WKD Blue and be done with it. These gifts will an a bit of class to any gathering.

Gin set – notonthehighstreet

Our London Vodka, £24

Habitat glasses - Cabello set of 4 tumblers £28, habitat.co.uk

Cocktail shaker – £32, anthropologie.com

ONE-OF-A-KIND GIFTS

Something handmade makes a perfect gift – special, thoughtful and no one will unwrap the same on Christmas Day!

Spalted beech board (£55) and butter knife (£20), grainandknot.com

Vase (£25) and cups (£8 each), jessjos.com / @jessjos on Instagram

STOCKING FILLERS

Enamel bowl, £22, Labour and Wait

Personalised Nutella, £4.99, Selfridges

Geometry of Pasta – tagliatelle and porchini and truffle sauce

Plates (set of 4 £24.99) and tumblers (£5.99 each), Falconenamelware.com

British Sea Salt Caramels - Fatties Bakery, £5.40

Linen cross-over apron, £59, Toast

KITCHENWARE

When buying cookware, think practicality and aesthetic in equal measure. Good luck if you’re carrying either of these home this Christmas.

For Classic Chef - Le Creuset Signature Entertaining Family Set, £399

For the Modern Cook – Vitreous Enamelled Cast Iron, C1 Casserole £135, C2 Sautee Pan £110, C5 Griddle Pan £58 (also available as a gift set)

For the coffee lover

Tom Dixon – Brew espresso cups £95, Brew tray £139

For the tea lover

House of Hackney, Palmeral Tea Set, £171.60

And for the die hard food fan, who not only wants to eat it but wear it too. No, not Lady GaGa’s meat dress, something a tad more chic

Lucy Folk – anchovy £85, peppercorn ring £110