Now Halloween is out of the way, I'm riding the slippery slope all the way to Christmas. I happen to love Christmas, probably more than most, and love nothing better than sitting with a juicy, fat gift guide and planning presents for people. Over the next few weeks I want to share some finds and recommendations with you in a series of some themed Christmas Gift Guide posts. The first one is one of my favourite subjects - the food & drink edition!
1. Nothing says Christmas to me like Ferrero Rocher. I'd be sorely disappointed if one year these weren't under the tree waiting for me! This year Ferrero Rocher is celebrating it's 30th birthday and has created a new collection in fabulous new decorative packing - the Ferrero Rocher Gift Box (£5.99) and the Ferrero Rocher Christmas Tree (£4.99). As well as these there is the new Ferrero Collection that includes Rafaello by Ferrero Rocher and Ferrero Rond Noir. The Ferrero Collection starts at £4.69 and is available from all major retailers.
2. I recently undertook a product review for Delimann (you can find it here). I think that their Christmas afternoon tea is the perfect gift idea for someone who is really tricky to buy for - after all, everybody loves tea and scones don't they? Priced at £19.50, it includes the gorgeous mug featured below.
3. If like me, you're a bit of a Nando's fanatic (or you know someone who is) you might like this years range of gifts from Nandos. My top picks for this year are the Marinade Hot Tub bucket set (£22.50), the egg shaped sprinkler that comes with Peri Peri chip salt (£10.00) and the chip and dip bowl complete with Nando's Salsa (£18.00). All these, and many other Nando's gifts are available at Debenhams.
4. I love this mulled wine set from Marks and Spencers. Perfect for serving warm mulled wine in style the set includes a decorative jug, a wooden spoon, mini grater and an infuser. It's priced at £22.50 and would make a beautiful gift.
5. Sainsburys recently made me aware of some of their products that are ideal Christmas presents. Their mini bottles of Taste the Difference Conegliano Prosecco, priced at £2.99 per bottle would make great stocking or hamper fillers - or I'm thinking gifts for teachers. Other great little gifts are the mini Taste the Difference Chocolate Panettone (£3.00) and the Sainsburys milk and white Chocolate Cherubs or Stars with gold lustre (£1.99)
6. Macaroons are all the rage at the moment so how about this macaroon gift set from Lakeland? The set includes an easy-clean silicone piping bag and a stand for simple filling, 5 piping nozzles, a rigid silicone baking sheet, piping bag cap and cleaning brush as well as an 84-page recipe book. It's priced at £34.99 and would make a great gift for any budding baker!
7. I was lucky enough to receive some samples of Lindt chocolate. I'm sure Lindt needs no introduction and their chocolate Santa's are a always in our Christmas stockings. If you're making a gift food hamper this year, or looking for stocking fillers for adults, try the new Lindt Creation bars, they are delicious. Priced at £1.99 each they come in four flavours - Luscious Caramel Divine Hazelnut, Velvety Vanilla Almond and Sumptuous Dark Orange. My favourite is definitely the Divine Hazelnut!
8. Another product that I think would be great for a gift hamper a bottle from Gran Stead. Their latest traditional drink, Light & Fiery Ginger Wine, is just the job to warm you up this winter. I cannot resist anything with ginger and love the idea of using a bottle of this when making mulled wine. Also in the range is the Dark & Mellow Ginger Wine, Traditional Still Lemonade and Still Lemonade with a Zing of Ginger. The drinks are available through their website or at various stockists through the UK (find your nearest retailer by clicking here).
9. If you've got a cheese lover in the family then the Cheese Lovers Hamper from North Yorkshire deli Hunters of Helmsley could be the perfect gift. Attractively packed in a gift box and priced at £35.00 the hamper includes three different cheeses, two chutneys, two crispbreads and some unusual accompaniments including a Fig & Almond Wedge and a Chocolate Truckle.
10. Finally, if you're looking for some wines to gift this Christmas, take a look at some South West France wines. Whether you're looking for a fresh, zesty white to go with smoked salmon, a full bodied red to accompany a hearty Christmas dinner or a luxuriant sweet wine that can be matched perfectly with Christmas pudding, the wines of South West France have something to offer. My person favourite was the deep-coloured Madiran, one of the healthiest red wines there is, which I think would be perfect paired with a cheese board. There is a current offer at the 'Maison des Vins du Sud-Ouest' which is located at Comptoir Gascon at Smithfield Market, London where diners at the restaurant are able to sample a selection of these delicious wines for free. For more information visit www.comptoirgascon.com/maison-du-sud-ouest.html
10. Finally, if you're looking for some wines to gift this Christmas, take a look at some South West France wines. Whether you're looking for a fresh, zesty white to go with smoked salmon, a full bodied red to accompany a hearty Christmas dinner or a luxuriant sweet wine that can be matched perfectly with Christmas pudding, the wines of South West France have something to offer. My person favourite was the deep-coloured Madiran, one of the healthiest red wines there is, which I think would be perfect paired with a cheese board. There is a current offer at the 'Maison des Vins du Sud-Ouest' which is located at Comptoir Gascon at Smithfield Market, London where diners at the restaurant are able to sample a selection of these delicious wines for free. For more information visit www.comptoirgascon.com/maison-du-sud-ouest.html
Hope you found my list useful. If you've seen any great foodie gifts in the shops this year - do leave a comment and/or link below, I'm always on the look out for great gift ideas!
Disclaimer: I have not been paid to promote the products featured in my Christmas gift guide. I may have undertaken product reviews of some of those featured in the blog posts and this will be mentioned where it is relevant. Many of the products I have featured in the gift guide series are there purely because I like them! I always try to be upfront and honest - if you have any questions, please get in touch via email.
That Macaroon set looks fab, I've never tried making them because I've not been brave enough! Maybe I'll give the Mister a nudge to get me one of those so I will finally give them a go :)
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ReplyDeleteFab blog post. I haven't really had chance to get out and about to have a look at all the Christmas gifts out in the shops.
ReplyDeleteMight be dropping a few hints about the Macaroon set ;)
I can vouch for Delimann. We'd just come back from Devon when Fathers Day rolled round this year so I thought of buying OH a cream tea by post. We must have driven past Delimann as we stay near Bovey Tracey! I found it pretty good value for mail order and they could do next day delivery. The stuff was fab although poor OH had to share some of his cream tea with the children (oops, yes, and me!).
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