Fun for all the Family
‘Tis the season to gift and eat and gift the joy of eating! I, personally, can’t get enough of Christmas and all the festivities surrounding this pretty magical time of year. FoodGoblin has teamed up with some of our favourite brands, to create the ultimate “Christmas Must Haves” post. Here you’ll find what’s been tickling our fancy all year round and what we’ll be unwrapping on Christmas morning.
Firebox
Every Christmas Firebox is my go to for stocking fillers, it’s niche and a little bizarre. Perfect for the man (and woman!) that has everything. I once bought my parents matching “C” handled unt mugs. You can make of this what you will, but be assured they were a big hit! The Artisan Cheese Maker’s kit is heading to my boyfriend’s stocking -it’s a really fun activity for an avid foodie and contains everything you need to whip up ten batches of gourmet cheese. With recipes included to make, mozzarella, ricotta, goats cheese and paneer – you just need milk!
Obviously, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a nod to her Majesty. What better way to do this than by wearing pink corgi socks and enjoying a tipple. May we present to you the “Pixie Tears” gin, flavoured with elderflower, cucumber and silver glitter.
When gin time is over and it’s time to settle down for a cuppa – don’t forget the king of cups. The Simba shaped mug. Perfect for siblings or little cousins that have just gone to Uni, it’ll be a talking point for sure. Team this with an underwater disco light show – fantastic for anyone from ages 3 to 30, it’s a silly little gizmo that makes bath time a lot more fun and actually helps get toddlers in the bath! (it may not help get teens out..)
To keep the holiday peace, make sure you’ve equip each member of the family with a cable bite – these nifty nibblers not only keep chargers in place but help you identify your own – so no one can make off with what’s rightfully yours!
Pixie Tears Gin – https://www.firebox.com/Pixie-Tears-Gin/p8712– £39.99The Lion King Simba Mug – https://www.firebox.com/The-Lion-King-Simba-Mug/p8972– £12.99 Corgi Socks – https://www.firebox.com/Corgi-Socks/p8997– £9.99 The Artisan Cheese maker’s Kit – https://www.firebox.com/The-Artisan-Cheese-Makers-Kit/p6781£24.99. Cable Bite – https://www.firebox.com/Cable-Bites/p8752– £7.99. Underwater Disco Lightshow – https://www.firebox.com/Underwater-Disco-Lightshow/p2031£9.99
The Present Finder
Showcase all of your recipes in this stunning family cookbook. A great gift for families that love to cook together. Perfect to treasure family recipes and your very own tips and tricks. I’ve complied magazine cut outs and gathered old recipe cards that I’ve found along the way. Such a thoughtful idea.
Gift the family cookbook alongside the Gin and Tonic cupcake set by bakedin. An absolutely marvellous gift, for anyone that loves a good bake. Perfectly measured ingredients with easy to use instructions and a mini gin and tonic. Comes with green Cupcake cases, piping bag and nozzle. I was especially impressed by the quality – the piping bag and nozzle are catering grade and won’t fall apart. The box itself is a cake box – so you’ll be ready to store and gift your treats. At £22.99 it’s a little pricey but great for any enthusiastic baker and a perfect treat for after dinner.
If sweets don’t tickle your fancy you could try the Chorizo Roulette – from the award-winning Cornish Charcuterie. Beautifully packaged, with rules on the back, these artisanally made Cornish chorizo sticks come with one sinfully hot imposter. A great present for any cured meat lover – in my case my dad and all my meat loving female cousins. Great value at £17.99 and would definitely go down a treat with a boozy tipple.
Another versatile stocking filler is the zero waste panda sandwich bag – great for school children who are starting to take an interest in reducing plastic consumption (my son’s school has banned single use plastic!) or for grown-ups who want to brighten up their tea break. I really like this and it’s machine washable – we actually fight over who gets to use it!
Gin and Tonic cup cake kit https://www.thepresentfinder.co.uk/buy/gin-tonic-cupcake-kit_3311.htm Chorizo roulette https://www.thepresentfinder.co.uk/buy/chorizo-roulette_4144.htm Zero waste panda bag https://www.thepresentfinder.co.uk/buy/zero-waste-panda-sandwich-bag_4127.htm My family cookbook https://www.thepresentfinder.co.uk/buy/my-family-cookbook_3966.htm Cake featured from our friends at https://hummingbirdbakery.com
Chococo
Handmade in Cornwall, these chocolates have become my favourite. Truly delectable – the flavours are sublime and believe me when I say. They will not last in your household! Every year I buy a chocolate hamper from Fortnum & Mason. This year I have switched allegiances and will be purchasing all of my holiday chocolate from Chococo as I was so unbelievably impressed. With flavours like Arbequina & Sea Salt, Gingerbread Caramel and Date & Cognac, you just can’t go wrong! I was gifted the advent calendar – that comprises of a large box of 25 fresh chocolates covered by a frosted sleeve inside, which shows date order in which to eat your chocolates. Though, this is no longer available – the large fresh chocolate box is very similar. https://www.chococo.co.uk
Jelly Belly
Jelly Belly advent calendar – 25 days of jelly beans, what more could you ask for? My mother’s favourite. In fact, though this item was gifted, I buy her this every year! £15.99 – Available from Amazon and Selfridges, instore and online.
Harry Potter wand – A great stocking filler for kids and adults alike. It’s a chocolate wand, what’s not to love. Really impressive packaging. https://www.jellybelly.co.uk/harry-potter-s-milk-chocolate-wand-42g
PrezzyBox and First4Hampers
What to buy for secret santa? Look no further. Prezzy box has you covered. The mug cakes book is beautifully illustrated and has simple easy to follow recipes. No fancy equipment required! Only your most favourite mug and a microwave. Great for any millenilal.
My personal favourite is the, “How to tell if your cat is trying to kill you” book, filled with hilarious illustrations. I’m sure they’ll keep you (and your cat lady co-worker) entertained this festive break. Whilst engaging in some pre holiday planning be sure to wear these fetching llama slippers. Available in S/M/L they’re really the icing on the cake in cuteness – great for all ages but especially great for mums.
Another excellent gifting choice is the chocolate avocado by choc on choc. Based in Somerset, this father daughter team manufacture all manner of chocolate shaped goodies. From Avocados, to replica cheese boards (made entirely of chocolate!) The winner for me this year? – life like oysters with truffle ‘pearls’ that will be making their way into my boyfriend’s stocking (and his tummy no doubt!) Or if chocolate and booze is more up your street check out the handcrafted slab of Columbian Chocolate paired with artisan alcohol. Teacher’s especially love these!
Mug Cakes – https://www.prezzybox.com/mug-cakes.aspx How to tell if your cat is trying to Kill you https://www.prezzybox.com/how-to-tell-if-your-cat-is-plotting-to-kill-you.aspx Chocolate avocado – https://www.prezzybox.com/avocado-chocolate.aspx Llama slippers – https://www.prezzybox.com/llama-slippers.aspx BottleNBar – https://www.first4hampers.com/bottle-n-bar-pink-gin-p2565
Pimm’s Preserve
Can you imagine a better stocking stuffer for the jam lovers in your life? Neither can I. Granny will be thrilled to receive this mix of strawberry, tangerine, mint and pimms jam. It’s really tasty on hot buttered toast or hot fluffy scones – perfect topped with clotted cream. Available from selected Waitrose stores and online at Ocado, priced at £2.49. https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/pimm%27s-strawberry-tangerine-and-mint-preserve/633846-696957-696958
Swizzels
Did you know that Swizzels Matlow is an English company that started in London in 1928? I love finding out fun facts about brands that I’ve grown up with (and that my parents and grandparents loved too!) I’m beyond impressed by the Christmas range. The attention to detail in everything they do (virtually all online orders are hand packed in Derbyshire!) is remarkable. The advent calender, priced at £5.00 was one of my favourotes this year. It’s a handsome size and great for kids (mine are allowed sugar!) and adults (I am also allowed sugar).
Sweet shop favourites 750g – https://www.swizzels.com/shop/swizzels-sweets/750g-sweetshop-favourite-tub £5.00 Mixed tubes – £1.00 – https://www.swizzels.com/shop/christmas/stocking-fillers-and-secret-santa-gifts/parma-violets-tube-108g Extraveganza tube – https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/swizzels-matlow-sweet-extravaganza-tube-324g/p/0337862
Pierre Marcolini
The most fabulous hostess gift, stocking filler or little treat for anyone that brightens your year. These cubes of praline chocolate, with an intensely crispy interior, are an absolutely divine after dinner treat. Pair with an post supper apéritif or a double macchiato for that final festive touch.
https://eu.marcolini.com/en/product/box-of-6-praline-presents-2/
Untuck it
A few months ago Untuck it launched in the UK, after a tremendous run in the USA. A shirt, created by it’s founders, to be worn untucked. Revolutionary. I met the founders (two of the best looking men in North America) and we chatted about spouses, kids, business school and untucked shirts. https://uk.untuckit.com/collections/checks-ginghams/products/graach-wf
The Boyfriend Hamper
My boyfriend loves a negroni, as does my law school friend’s Italian wife. I love one too. This year I wasn’t sure how to proceed with stocking fillers for the man friend and decided to come up with a hamper that included everything you needed to make the perfect negroni, plus snacks and picnic ware. S’well have launched the most fabulous teakwood collection. This includes, drinking bottles, wine tumblers, nesting food bowls and cocktail shakers. In order to (try) and eliminate single use plastic I included a nesting food bowl, water bottle and two wine tumblers. Perfect for picnics, as the vacuum seal keeps drinks cold for 24 hours, or hot for 12 hours! The clever people at Cocchi have created a negroni in a box, which is one of the cutest stocking stuffers I’ve ever seen (and it tasted fantastic). The drinks that this company produce are some of the best – the sweet dry vermouth is simply delicious as an ingredient or alone. LoneWolf Gin, brought to you by the Brewdog Distilling Company has notes of juniper, Scots pine, fresh grapefruit peel, fresh lemon peel, coriander seed, cardamom, angelica root, orris root, Thai lemongrass, pink peppercorn, kaffir lime leaf, mace, almond and lavender flower which pair really beautifully with the FeeBrothers grapefruit bitters. If you need a snack alongside your beverage try the baked pretzels from Indie Bay. If these aren’t enough to satiate the hunger, nibble alongside some cheese. My favourite is the vintage organic black truffle cheddar from Godminster. This comes in a triple cheddar collection, which includes: Oak-Smoked Vintage Organic Cheddar, Vintage Organic Cheddar and Black Truffle Vintage Organic Cheddar. Heavenly.
https://www.brewdog.com/lone-wolf-gin
https://www.johnlewis.com/s’well-teakwood-vacuum-insulated-drinks-bottle-500ml/p3342511
https://www.johnlewis.com/s’well-teakwood-insulated-stainless-steel-tumbler-295ml-brown/p4209598
https://www.godminster.com/products/triple-cheddar-collection-round/
https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/51831/cocchi-negroni-in-a-box-5-pack
https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/cocchi-vermouth-di-torino/422587-653925-653926
https://www.ocado.com/browse?filters=indie-bay-snacks-191333
Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila
Blended using reposado, anejo and extra anejo 100% agave tequilas. The blend is then subject to a proprietary filtering process that removes the colour while at the same time making the tequila exceptionally smooth and creamy in texture.
Eleven generations of expertise inform this small batch, handcrafted tequila – Maestro DOBEL Diamante™ is the best-selling ultra-premium tequila in its homeland of Mexico, and Humito is the world’s first smoked silver tequila – a great alternative to Scotch.
‘Cristalino’ is the world’s fastest growing style of tequila and DOBEL was its pioneer – DOBEL Diamante is the world’s first Cristalino, multi-aged tequila – and is also aged uniquely in Balkan oak casks
Dobel prides itself on superb craftmanship – its tequilas are handcrafted in small batches and it only uses blue agave which has been aged in the ground for at least eight years (most other producers harvest three year old agave
I made a Puerto Rican coconut based coquito – mix equal parts coconut milk, evaporated coconut milk, cinnamon, agave syrup, Dobel and ice in a blender. Top with cinnamon and enjoy. My boyfriend drinks it neat. You won’t be disappointed with this magical concoction. £50.25
Penny Post Hamper
One of my favourite things to gift and receive is a hamper – especially because I’m like a child and love getting post (this first through the letterbox!). This gorgeous offering is from the Penny Post Hamper, available to purchase from www.first4hampers.com and costs £20.00. It’s a fabulous gift for inlaws.
Lush Goodies for all!
The Lush store, has got to be one of my absolute favourite places. In the world. Ever. If you’re a lushie then you just know! Luckily you can buy this all online and send it to a loved one (or yourself!). Every holiday, without fail the gorgeous team whips up divine scents to titillate our senses and tempt us into a long hot bubble bath. This season why not treat a loved one to these goodies. I can assure you, you might even be invited to join in the bath time fun! Photographed here is The following: Yog Nog – shower gel – https://uk.lush.com/christmas/shower-gel/yog-nog– £14.00 Once upon a time – body lotion – https://uk.lush.com/christmas/body-lotion/once-upon-a-time– £9.95 Yog nog – body conditioner – https://uk.lush.com/christmas/body-conditioner/yog-nog– £10.00 Candy cane – toothpaste jelly – https://uk.lush.com/products/all-christmas-gifts/candy-cane£5.00 Snowflake – body lotion – https://uk.lush.com/christmas/body-lotion/snow-flake– £10.00 Pumpkin Spice lip scrub Galaxy – lip scrub https://uk.lush.com/christmas/lip-scrub/galaxy– £6.50. Snow apple – https://uk.lush.com/christmas/soap/snow-apple– £7.50. Rudolph – https://uk.lush.com/christmas/jelly-masks/rudolph– £8.00 Golden pear – https://uk.lush.com/christmas/soap/golden-pear– £7.50 Satsuma – https://uk.lush.com/christmas/soap/satsuma– £7.00. Rudolph – bath bomb – https://uk.lush.com/products/christmas-bath-bombs/rudolph– £3.95 Fireball – https://uk.lush.com/christmas/bath-bombs/fireball– £4.95 Popart – https://uk.lush.com/christmas/bath-bombs/pop-art– £4.95 Baked Alaska – https://uk.lush.com/christmas/soap/baked-alaska– £6.00 Luxury Lush Pud – https://uk.lush.com/christmas/bath-bombs/luxury-lush-pud– £4.95
Green Stem
Green stem are a British company producing cbd based oils, edibles and skincare. The components contain NO psychoactive ingredients and can help support the body’s natural balance. Some sources claim that cbd can help relieve the body of inflammation, but you’ll have to try that for yourself! It’s a wonderful line for an alternative stocking stuffer. The bath bomb smells sublime and induces the most relaxing evening bath. The oils can be taken sublingually or added to hot drinks. The hand cream is wonderful for anyone suffering from arthritis or inflammation and the gummies are an effective way to efficiently consume your required amount. Available through https://www.greenstemcbd.com or https://www.boots.com. https://www.greenstemcbd.com/green-stem-cbd-oil-seville-orange.html https://www.greenstemcbd.com/green-stem-cbd-oil-peppermint.html https://www.greenstemcbd.com/cbd-gummies-10mg.htmlhttps://www.greenstemcbd.com/cbd-tonic-water-citrus-10mg.html. https://www.greenstemcbd.com/greenstem-cbd-hand-cream.html. https://www.greenstemcbd.com/green-stem-cbd-bath-bomb-100mg.html. https://www.greenstemcbd.com/green-stem-cbd-lip-balm-50mg-eucalyptus.html
Piece by Kate Antoni, FG London Correspondent
