As a food teacher, I love a Christmas present that gives someone an excuse to try a new flavour or get back into the kitchen. I’m pulling together ideas for enthusiastic home cooks, the person who always brings something delicious to share, and anyone who’d happily spend Boxing Day working through a good hamper.
Some brands have offered review samples for consideration in this guide. Product details and press photographs are supplied by the brands where credited, and I add my own testing notes as we try the products. Prices can change, so check the linked retailer before ordering.
Sweet treats and festive drinks
Ichendorf Milano Jumping Santa Tumbler
A tiny glass Santa sits inside this 350ml tumbler, making it a playful gift for someone who loves festive tableware. It is handcrafted, and the little figure stays visible through a clear drink. Wrap it with a bottle of something alcohol-free or a packet of favourite snacks to make a small Christmas-night-in gift. £16.99. Shop Ichendorf Milano Jumping Santa Tumbler.
Mariage Frères Noël Royal Loose Black Tea
This 80g tin from the Parisian tea house is a treat for a loose-leaf tea drinker. The bright festive packaging makes it easy to give as it is, or it can be paired with a tea infuser and a little packet of biscuits. It is a useful alternative to another box of chocolates when the recipient looks forward to their morning pot of tea. £31. Shop Mariage Frères Noël Royal Loose Black Tea.
Aapa soft drinks
Aapa is a fruit-juice-based soft drink stocked by Asda Express. There are four flavours: wild berry, orange, tropical, and lemon and lime. A few cans would make a useful addition to a festive drinks hamper or a Christmas table with alcohol-free options. RRP £2 a can. Available at Asda and WHSmith. Asda has been running an introductory offer of four cans for £4 (usually £5.50).
Gifts for home cooks
ProCook Non-Stick Springform Tin 2-Piece Set
Two matching 20cm tins are a useful gift for someone who bakes layer cakes. Each tin has a loose base and quick-release clasp, which helps when lifting out a cheesecake or delicate sponge. The carbon-steel construction and non-stick coating make them a practical everyday choice. I would give these with a handwritten Victoria sponge recipe and a cake box for taking the finished bake to a friend. £18 for the 20cm set. Shop ProCook Non-Stick Springform Tin 2-Piece Set.
ProCook Silicone Utensil Set
A three-piece silicone utensil set is a useful starting point for someone setting up their kitchen, or a small upgrade for a cook who has been using the same worn tools for years. The grey finish is easy to match with existing kitchen bits. It could go into a homemade cooking hamper with a favourite recipe and the ingredients to get started. £15. Shop ProCook Silicone Utensil Set.
ProCook Professional X50 Chef Knife Set
For an adult who enjoys cooking, a matching knife set can be a gift they use well beyond Christmas. ProCook’s X50 Chef range offers different combinations, including smaller sets with a block and larger sets with drawer storage. Choose the combination around the recipient’s kitchen and the knives they actually use. The range is a better starting point than buying the largest set simply for the number of pieces. Sets from £39 for the 3-piece set. Shop ProCook Professional X50 Chef Knife Set.
KneadAce Sourdough Starter Jar Kit
A gift for someone who’s been talking about baking their own sourdough. It comes with a glass jar, thermometer and feeding tracker, so they can keep an eye on how their starter is doing between bakes. Shop the KneadAce kit at Sous Chef.
Opies Fruits with Alcohol
Opies’ range includes black cherries in kirsch, baby pears in amaretto and peaches in brandy. I’d put the cherries with chocolate sponge and whipped cream for a Black Forest dessert, or spoon the pears over a warm pudding. These jars contain alcohol, so they’re a gift for grown-ups. If you’re putting a hamper together, Opies has recipes you could pop in with the jars. RRP £7.50 a jar. Shop Opies at Bennett Opie. Best price spotted: £5 for the black cherries with kirsch at Ocado.
Hampers and sharing gifts
Bloom & Wild Chocolate Lover’s Hamper
A compact chocolate gift for someone you might be sending a present to by post. The five-item selection includes coffee-flavoured milk chocolate, salted caramel truffles and sea-salt chocolate shards, packed in a Bloom & Wild gift box. It offers a little tasting selection rather than one large bar. Check the ingredient information carefully if you are buying for somebody with an allergy. £39. Shop Bloom & Wild Chocolate Lover’s Hamper.
Thornton & France Christmas Gift Box Hamper
A ready-packed Christmas box is useful when you want to give several festive treats without assembling a hamper yourself. Thornton & France’s gift range starts with smaller boxes and runs through to larger sharing hampers. Choose the exact box around the recipient’s tastes and check its contents before ordering, particularly if you want an alcohol-free option. Christmas gift boxes from £24.95. Shop Thornton & France Christmas Gift Box Hamper.
Bonne Maman Christmas Cracker Surprise
This food-filled cracker makes a small present for a jam lover or an extra surprise on the Christmas table. The current brand listing describes four mini jars, including mixed berries, white fig, citrus marmalade and milk caramel with dark chocolate. I would pair it with fresh croissants or a loaf from a local bakery for a Christmas breakfast gift. Shop the Bonne Maman Christmas Crackers at Ocado.
Buyagift Côte at Home Steak Date Night for Two
A meal at home can be an easier present to enjoy than trying to fit a restaurant booking into December. This Côte at Home experience is built around steak and classic sides for two. It would suit a couple who like a quiet evening together, with the table laid and something good to eat. Check the voucher’s delivery area, booking arrangements and current menu when choosing it. £54.99. Shop Buyagift Côte at Home Steak Date Night for Two.
ProCook Cast Iron Fondue Set
This burgundy cast-iron set comes with six colour-coded forks for a sociable supper. The enamelled pot retains heat and works for cheese or chocolate fondue. Give it with chocolate and marshmallows, or put together a savoury version with bread and a cheese recipe. It uses a separate burner, so it is one for an adult to set up and supervise at the table. The burgundy version has sold out at ProCook, but the same set is available in grey. £45. Shop ProCook Cast Iron Fondue Set in grey.
Spring Valley Coffee Origin Bundle
If you’re buying for someone who always puts the kettle on first thing, I’d tuck a bag of Kenyan coffee into their stocking. The Origin bundle is a good option if they enjoy trying different beans. It brings together four single-origin coffees roasted in Kenya, so they can try them side by side and see which they’d buy again. Shop the Spring Valley Coffee Origin bundle.
A DIY dessert hamper
Pair a jar of the Opies cherries with good cocoa, a bar of dark chocolate and a handwritten brownie recipe. It’s an easy way to turn one jar into a gift for someone who loves to bake.
More Christmas gift ideas: stocking fillers · self-care gifts · toys, games and books.
Last Updated on Thursday, November 12, 2026 by Lavania Oluban