Christmas is all about celebrating the good times, with good company and even better food. But… this year is going to be a little bit different. With COVID19 restrictions still in place and the current uncertainty surrounding the big day plus added stress and pressures from every angle, we wanted to simplify at least one aspect for you - instead of hunting around trying to find gifts for everyone - we have put together a list of gifts the whole family can enjoy. Even though our family celebrations may be a little smaller this year than the last, we are hoping these gifts, chosen by Consommé Food writer Adam can remind us just how important our household bubbles are and to bring everyone together (as much as possible) on the special day.

Christmas 2020 is going to be one like no other. The usual months and months (and months for some) of planning and shopping for the perfect gift has all but gone out of the window (thanks Boris).

So… if you’re struggling to find that perfect gift for your foodie relative, or you’re looking for that special something to add to your own Christmas Day (or even something to have with your Boxing Day left-over sandwich!) - I’ve picked out some of the best things to buy for everyone this year.

Drinks All Round With These Superb Serves

Adults Only: Cider is Wine

Everyone loves a good Christmas drink, but not everyone likes a traditional one. So, for those who don’t fancy cracking a bottle of wine, but still want to fit in with the crowd, Cider Is Wine have picked out some delicious additions that are essentially Ciders with a hint of wine about them.

The ones I tried were Gospel Green 2016, The Newt Fine Cyder 2018 and Blenheim Superb Ice Cider 2018. The latter of the trio was something very special and dangerously drinkable. It’ll round off your Christmas meal perfectly, and would also make a great gift for that drinks specialist in your life.

Ranging from £3.50 from Cider Is Wine.

It’s Beer O’Clock - Salcombe Christmas Tide Beer

Picture this - it’s 11pm, you’re full of Turkey and someone slaps on the radio. What comes on? The Pogues, of course. And what goes well with that song? BEER.

And what is better than beer? CHRISTMAS FLAVOURED BEER.

Ok, I went a little off the rails with that description, but this beer is a brilliant way to end or start your Christmas festivities. It’s simple, yet complex. It’s a malt-driven beer with a chocolate back note. Although it doesn’t have any ‘specific’ Christmas flavours in it, it does kind of remind me of mulled wine in the way it drinks. And for that reason it’s a yes from me.

Available as a case of 8 - 500ml Bottles - £18.25 from Salcombe Brewery.

Make a round of G&T’s - The Outdoor Guide Gin

Coming by way of the Derbyshire Distillery, this is the result of an exciting collaboration between television presenter Julia Bradury’s The Outdoor Guide and Derbyshire Distillery, combining their respective love of the area and great outdoors to create a uniquely refreshing gin.

This is one of the most fresh-tasting gins I’ve ever experienced. It really does taste like the outdoors meets gin. A great gift for any gin lover and a perfect serve all round.

£39, 75cl from Derbyshire Distillery

For When One Gin Is Not Enough - Massingberd-Mundy Dry and Pink Gin

We all know that one G&T is never really enough - so if you have a family full of gin-lovers it’s definitely worth investing in these two which are a great addition to your festive drinks selection.

Created in Lincolnshire, on the South Ormsby Estate, these are the two newest products from the Massingberg-Mundy company. The bottles alone are well worth the investment and would make the receiver very happy. Stylish doesn’t quite cover it.

Both £39 at South Ormsby Estate

Stick The Kettle On - Coromandel Coast

Hey, after all that alcohol, you're probably going to need a bit of coffee - I know I do. But Coromandel Coast isn't just any coffee. Coromandel Coffee is a small, female owned coffee company based in South London that source and hand-roast beans from selected partner farms in Southern India making them the perfect gift for any family of coffee-lovers and loved all year-round. I mean what’s better than gifting your loved ones with the gift of a good morning, every morning - especially the late-night, hungover ones.

10% of all of their revenue goes towards rural projects that achieve the UN’s sustainability goals through their partnership with B1G1 Business for Good. So you can drink coffee and know you're doing something good for those who need it.

I tried the Hoysala Medium Roast, and the Ikshvaku Medium Dark Roast. Both are exceptionally high-quality coffees and will wake you right up in time for the Boxing Day sales!

From £7 at Coromandel Coast

One For The Little-Ones: Carisips Drinks

I always used to get annoyed when the adults would sit drinking their ‘special drinks’ and I was stuck with diet coke during the Christmas meal as a young boy. But thanks to founder Aisha Jade, Carisips provides that perfect answer to the constant ‘But…where’s my special drink?’ question.

I tried the Sorrel Spice, and Honey Ginger drinks as well as the Zest Tamarind cordials. They’re all homemade, and can be consumed hot or cold making them perfect for every taste and enjoyable all year round and are super delicious all the adults will be jealous for once.

You can purchase them individually, in a two pack or a trio from Carisips from £9.95

Loved All Round - Nine Elms

Nine Elms No. 18 Non-Alcoholic wine is just a little bit special, and would make a fantastic gift for anyone - regardless of their age or drinking preferences. Not only is the bottle design gorgeous, the product itself is something truly memorable. And the best part is that you really wouldn’t know it is non-alcoholic, as it really does taste like real wine! Making the little ones feel a little more grown-up and the grown-ups feel a little less sore in the morning.

£16.95 from Master of Malt

Get Your Snack On With These Festive Foods

Ginger and Spice and All Things Nice - Hawken’s Gingerbread

Gingerbread is a staple Christmas tradition, seriously show me someone who doesn’t love it. I’ll wait.

Plus the Hawken's range is so fantastic that it could turn even the worst ginger hater into a lover which makes it the perfect gift for all the family. I tried, and can highly recommend the Grantham Gingerbread box, the Christmas Trees, and the Gingerbread men… in all four flavours: Christmas, Lemon, Chocolate and Original. I told you the entire range was amazing!

Whether you buy these as gifts, put them into a DIY hamper, or make them part of your special celebrations, you won't go wrong buying these - I guarantee it.

From £2.15 at Hawken’s Gingerbread

We Ate All The Pies - Jack and Beyond

We all love a good mince pie at Christmas - it’s almost sacrilegious not to have one during the Festive season, and the Jack and Beyond range takes the humble mince pie up a level.

Their mince pies are all home-made, and available in traditional, chocolate or peanut butter and chocolate flavour; they're far, far better than anything you'll find in the supermarket.

And not only do they excel at mince pies, they also make some incredible festive brownies (because we understand that not everyone likes mince pies - our editor being one!) I tried the red velvet and salted caramel brownies, and I'd happily have them again, and again...and again.

The company was founded by Fulop Gabor who was previously manager of Konditor in Borough Market, so you can be assured that the quality is right up there with the best, as the best is exactly what every family deserves - all in one place.

Mince Pies from £12 for a box of 8 and Brownies from £28.80 for a box of 8 all available at Jack and Beyond

Ignore The Rules and Play With Your Food - Play In Choc

Now these are something a little different, and aimed specifically at the younger market but can be loved by any puzzle and craft lover.

The organic Christmas Gift set contains 6 boxes, each containing 2x 10g individually wrapped, deliciously creamy, organic dairy-free chocolates and a delightful Christmas puzzle card toy to assemble, as well as a little fact card, too.

These would make an amazing alternative to the traditional Christmas Crackers. A really, really well thought out product.

The Christmas Gift Set is £17.50, 6 Boxes from Play In Choc.

Let’s Go Nuts - Rita Farhi

Rita Farhi is a well-known brand, and with that name comes quality - and they never disappoint.

The dark chocolate pistachios, and the filled date selections are a great gift for any foodie, but would also make a lovely addition to your Christmas dinner table for hands both big and small to grab and enjoy.

To be fair, the entire Farhi Christmas range is worth investing in - it is only Christmas once a year after all!

Gifts start from £10 from Farhi

Get Your Brew On - The English Cream Tea Company

It was so difficult choosing the best one here as there is definitely something for every taste and every family - but I had to settle on the ‘Christmas Time For Tea Box’ purely by the amazingly delicious delights it contained that are perfect for the whole house in uniquely seasonal flavours: Including - The Nutcracker Tea, Cranberry Punch, Gingerbread Tea, Mulled Cider Tea and Milk Chocolate Mousse Tea and also some brew bags because several of them are loose leaf.

And you can pair them with their award winning chocolate brownie tin. Which is so incredibly fudgy and the perfect treat with a cuppa.

Christmas Time for Tea box £24.95 and Festive Brownie box, £21.75 from The English Cream Tea Company

Jam These Jars In Your Fridge - Hawkshead Relish

The Hawkshead Relish Company is an artisan producer of award winning preserves based in the historic village of Hawkshead in the heart of the English Lake District and I had the absolute pleasure of trying a whole selection of their amazing products including their: Beetroot and Horseradish Chutney, Hot Garlic Pickle, Raspberry and Vanilla Jam and their Red Onion Marmalade - and all four of these would make sterling additions to any gift hamper or your own fridge and spread, dolloped and dunked into all year round, jazzing up both school and office packed-lunches and taking mid-week family dinners to a whole new level.

My favourite of the four is the Hot Garlic Pickle - just imagine it on your Boxing Day leftover turkey sandwich, with some caramelised onions and cold roast potatoes (don't judge me).

Starting from £2.99 at Hawkshead Relish

All Mellowed Out - Belinda Clark

If you market yourselves as ‘suppliers to Fortnum and Mason’, on your front page, then you really need to back it up with the product. And boy, do these do just that.

Belinda Clark knows her marshmallows and has something for the entire family. My favourite - the Toasting Marshmallow Kit which can add something special to any families Christmas Night or saved for a super sweet Date Night. Each kit contains toasting sticks, a gel burner and two bags of marshmallows - approx 24 pieces of marshmallow in total.

The gel burner is non-toxic, smokeless and odourless and lasts for over two hours. And if you don't need the full two hours, just pop the lid on to put the flame out, cool, and store until you want to re-light it again - so you can keep toasting mallows to your hearts content.

The Toasting Marshmallow Kit is £19.99 (and you get to choose two flavours) on Belinda Clark

Grilled to Perfection - Traeger Grills Spices, Rubs and Shakes

Give the gift of delicious meals all year round with the addition of these super tasty and versatile rubs from Traeger Grill - perfect for the novice chef through to the culinary superstar. Plus little hands are the perfect tool to utilise and introduce the younger crowd to the joys of cooking together.

I tried the Garlic and Paprika, and the Chilli and Garlic rubs, on both chicken, fish and lamb (and on roast potatoes thanks to Consommés Editors suggestion and have added that trick up my chef’s sleeve).

These rubs are great to pop into any foodie hamper or to just gift on their own - their punch of flavour and ability to heighten any dish make them a star present in my eyes. Need some inspiration what to do with them - check out what Treager had to say when we grilled them earlier this year.

Normally £9.99 - but currently 20% off at Riverside Garden Centre until the end of November.

Getting a Little Cheesy - Cheddar Gorge Cheese Hamper

Seriously, what Christmas Day would be complete without that final gorge on cheese as you sit down to watch your favourite Christmas movies with full bellies and happy memories?! But the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company’s product are pretty special that they would also make the ultimate gift for any cheese lover in your life. They have been making traditional cheddar in the actual town of Cheddar since 2003, using only fresh, local unpasteurised milk; the love and care these people put into their products really shines through making it the perfect finisher.

The Christmas Hamper, priced at £65, comes with 3 different cheeses, 2 boxes of cheese straws (which are fantastic heated up in the oven), 2 boxes of Cornish biscuits, a large jar of locally-made red onion marmalade, a jar of sweet red chilli jam, an apron and a jute bag - a great all-rounder hamper for all the family to enjoy for days to come. Smaller hampers are also available but the cheese is just that good you’re going to want to eat or gift as much as possible!

A full range of Cheese-Laden products and hampers can be found at Cheddar Online

Something For Everyone - Cartwright and Butler

Cartwright and Butler have been invited to our Christmas tables and placed under our Christmas trees for years - and this year is no exception. Stocked to the brim of a whole world of foodie delights, you are sure to find something suitable for everyone.

From a perfect gift for the ultimate foodie family in their Cartwright & Butler hampers. Packed with the brand’s favourites and best sellers - treats are packaged in a beautiful box or basket, and ready to be gifted to a loved household this festive season. There are several options available including their infamous The York Grand Festive Hamper (£275) which contains over TWENTY different items including an iced Christmas cake, mince pies, Christmas pudding, prosecco, chocolate truffles, fudge and more.

To to their Festive Treats Gift Box (£30) which includes cranberry crumbles, spiced plum preserve and milk chocolate coated orange peel.

Each one is as special as the last and packed full of treats that are just begging to be opened and shared round the family with love - but don’t blame us if you have to fight for the last one in the box.

Gifts That Last Long After The Christmas Turkey Has Gone

Add the Finishing Touches In Style - The Food Obsessions

I'll admit that this gift is somewhat of a dream for me and, I know, any foodie friend you have who has a true passion for cooking will love them as much as I do.

They say we eat with our eyes first, and these amazing tools can help anyone stand out from the crowd in the visual aspect. We can let the food do the rest of the talking.

The Food Obsessions is a brand who make the highest quality of kitchen tools you could possibly want, with a focus on quality and style. Gone are the days of just plopping your cranberry sauce onto the plate - use the Off-set Spatula (£30) to add a swirl of flourish, add carefully picked herbs on-top your favourite dishes with the Garnish Tweezers (£20) and keep the Rocher Spoons (£50) within arms reach at all times. The perfect gift that will have a lasting impact on all.

All of the above The Food Obsessions products are available in three styles: Black, Platinum and Gold and a combination of two for the Spatula’s and Rocher Spoons.

Bottled Brew On Tap… Through The Post - Small Beer Brew

More alcohol? Sure. And what's better than one beer?

SIX BEERS,
EVERY MONTH,
FOR SIX MONTHS.

Yes, that needed to be written in shouty caps - I stand by it.

For just £120, the subscription from Small Beer Brew’s Small Beer Tasting Series, includes the opportunity to try a different beer every few days from one of the most unique companies to come along in a while and makes for the perfect night-in and conversation starter for any beer-loving family.

Made using natural carbonation, the beers spend a minimum of six weeks lagering - which is a real word - in a vessel to give them a unique flavour. Made using just water, malted barley, hops, oats and yeast and with a low alcohol status, up to 2.8% ABV, they have managed to make them taste so good, and so different with every one. A great gift that keeps on giving long into the summer.

The Knock On The Door Isn’t The Only Thing That Will Wake You Up - Apostle Coffee

Coffee subscriptions are all the rage at the minute and it is a gift I know a lot of families can definitely get behind.

Apostle Coffee operates from a converted stable, just a stone’s throw from the small hamlet of Middlehope, where the family in charge have lived for over twenty years. All their beans are sourced from farmers who uphold organic and sustainable practices; where fair prices are guaranteed. The roastery is powered by wind, solar and natural gas and they offset their carbon footprint by planting endangered Black Poplar trees.

AND, if that's not enough, all of their packaging and labelling is 100% compostable.

I tried the Devil's Chair Coffee, which comes in a lovely little re-usable jar; it's become a staple in the Cailler household. But in order to build the perfect subscription for your household, you need to tell them how you make your coffee, how many will be drinking it, how often, and how you want it ground and depending on the given answers, you can then choose a blend, a price tier and time limit that suits you, making it the perfect gift for any budget.

From as little as £8.95 from Apostle Coffee

Give Me An Extra Shot - Bean Coffee Club

Because coffee subscriptions are more popular than the most viral TikTok video - I had to give you an ‘extra shot’ of picking the best one. And… to me… the more coffee the merrier.

Bean is the UK's largest subscription coffee club, sourcing coffee from all over the UK, like most subscriptions, based on the answers you give in a quick questionnaire, they'll send you a bespoke selection of coffees for you to try based on specific taste and brewing preferences. They also make recommendations of new coffees to try based on your feedback.

Much like other leading coffee subscriptions, this will truly expand any households coffee drinking horizons and is the perfect gift for those who like to try something a little different and have a delicious reason for getting out of bed each day.

Prices range from £7.99 to £10.99, which can be done weekly or monthly, with every delivery followed up by an explanatory email by Bean

21 Christmas Gifts The Whole Family Can Enjoy