Top 8 Edible Christmas Gift Ideas

Buying Christmas gifts for your nearest and dearest can be an alarmingly complex operation. However, edible gifts are fail-safe options that always go down a treat. Instead of trawling streets during the busy festive season searching for the perfect gift, a delicious treat or a bottle of something extra special can be an excellent way to say “I love you” without the unnecessary stress. Here are some of the best edible gift ideas to spark your imagination this Christmas.

Cookies And Biscuits

Cookies and biscuits are synonymous with Christmas. The tradition of baking and sharing cookies during Christmas has roots in mediaeval Europe, where delicious baked goods were distributed during festive celebrations as gestures of joy and goodwill. These days, sweet treats like gingerbread and shortbread have come to represent comfort and nostalgia during December. As such, a box of freshly baked cookies or biscuits can serve as the ideal festive offering for a recipient with a sweet tooth.

Flavoured Oils

If you require a last-minute edible gift that leaves a lasting impression, consider whipping up some flavoured oils. Ideal for a recipient who enjoys getting creative in the kitchen, flavoured oils can be used in salad dressings, marinades, sauces and more. All you need is some sterile oil bottles and enough good-quality olive oil to fill them. Flavour your oil by gently warming it in a saucepan with the herbs and spices of your choice, such as fragrant rosemary or fiery chilli, before carefully pouring it into your bottles using a funnel.

Jams, Preserves And Pickles

Jams, preserves and pickles make excellent gifts with a long shelf life. Additionally, crafting these delicious concoctions takes a degree of culinary skill, and the extra effort goes a long way. Consider creating something for your recipient to enjoy as part of a festive meal, such as a spicy chutney or dill pickle relish that can be served as part of a cheese board. Alternatively, you could take their favourite fruit and boil it down into a delightfully sweet jam or jelly.

Cake Mix Jar

A cake mix jar is another excellent option for recipients who enjoy cooking and baking. This exceptionally simple gift can be thrown together in no time and requires minimal preparation, making it an ideal last-minute solution for unexpected festive occasions. Gather all the dry ingredients needed to make a simple chocolate cake, i.e. flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and sugar. Grab a sterilised jar and layer in your ingredients, along with any extras like marshmallows or chocolate chips. Remember to include a tag listing the required fresh ingredients and baking instructions.

Luxury Hamper

A luxury hamper is a fantastic gift idea that combines variety and indulgence, perfect for any recipient. Pre-filled hampers typically contain an array of high-quality items, such as artisan confectionery, herbal teas, nuts, cheeses, crackers, wine and much more. You could even create your own hamper from scratch, granting you greater control over its contents; however, most luxury hampers can be tailored or themed to suit the preferences and interests of your recipient. For instance, if they avoid animal products, you can easily source a vegan hamper from most suppliers.

Wine And Cheese

Speaking of luxury, indulging in a delightful selection of wine and cheese can be the perfect way to celebrate the festive season in style. If your recipient enjoys the finer things in life, consider sourcing them a truly exquisite bottle of wine from their preferred region, along with a few expertly paired cheeses to enhance the culinary experience. If you're not a seasoned sommelier, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance from the knowledgeable staff at your nearby wine store, or you could use this guide as a starting point.

Spiced Peaches

A beautiful jar of spiced peaches is another superb option for a last-minute edible gift guaranteed to impress. All you need is a large, sterilised jar, a tin of halved peaches in syrup and some classic festive spices, including cinnamon sticks and cloves. Heat your ingredients together until the fragrant spices have infused with the peaches. Once added to a jar, your spiced peaches will last up to a week and are best served cold as an accompaniment to ham or cheese.