Christmas food and drink gift guide 2023: Gifts for foodies, coffee fans, vegans and more
If you don’t know your truffle oil from your sourdough or your single malt whisky from your bourbon then shopping for foodies and drink connoisseurs can be extremely difficult.
With more and more people opting for plant-based diets and ditching alcohol too, trying to find a unique, special foodie gift can feel like a challenge.
Whether your friends are coffee connoisseurs or you’ve got health-conscious cousins, our editors at Express.co.uk have researched and compiled a Christmas food and drink gift guide to make picking a present for that special someone a little easier.
Gifts for foodies
Ooni Pizza Oven Gloves
£29.99 from Ooni
With more and more people purchasing outdoor pizza ovens to take their outdoor dining to the next level, it makes sense that they should be equipped with the best tools including gloves. Ooni Oven Gloves received the second-highest heat-resistant certification in the UK, which means they stand up to the top contact temperatures of the Ooni oven range.
Popcorn Shed Christmas Cracker
£22.50 from Popcorn Shed
Filled with eight snack packs of gourmet popcorn and wrapped with a bow, this is a delicious gift for foodies who also love watching movies. Popcorn Shed has a selection of festive artisanal flavours on offer this year including gingerbread, Christmas pudding and chocolate orange.
READ MORE: Most affordable Christmas gifts for under £15
The new KitchenAid Glazed Stoneware makes a lovely festive gift for friends and family
Ada aprons from conscious clothing brand, Lucy & Yak
£20-26 from Lucy & Yak
Ada aprons from the conscious clothing brand, Lucy & Yak, make the perfect gift for any budding chef. With three large pockets and adjustable straps, these versatile aprons come in various colours and prints and are all made from deadstock fabric which means they’re better for the planet too.
The Classic Christmas Hamper
£130 from Mouse & Grape
The Classic Christmas Hamper is the ultimate gift for foodies, cheese enthusiasts, and wine lovers. Make sure to pre-order before December 20 for delivery on December 20, 21st or 22nd. Gifters can also upgrade their hamper for extra indulgence with truffle honey or a Christmas candle.
Doughnut boxes from Crosstown
from £29.95 at Crosstown
Christmas is traditionally all about Christmas cake, mince pies and Yule log so why not break tradition and tuck into some festive-flavoured doughnuts instead? Crosstown’s doughnut boxes make a fantastic and unique gift for foodies and can be delivered to doors across the UK. There are a plethora of doughnut flavours available but the new Christmas flavours – Pecan Caramel and Ginger, Blackberry & Pear – come highly recommended.
KitchenAid Glazed Stoneware
From £25 at hartsofstur.com
The new KitchenAid Glazed Stoneware makes a lovely festive gift for friends and family who are passionate about cooking. The range can be used in the oven and to store leftovers. The collection is available in three colours – empire red, almond cream and pistachio and in three sizes:
- Small baker with lid 24.1 x 14.5 x 5 cm RRP £25
- Medium baker with lid 31.2 x 18.5 x 6 cm RRP £45
- Large baker with lid 38.7 x 23.5 x 7.5 cm RRP £50
Tracklements Festive Goodies Box
£23.05 from Tracklements
The perfect gift for cheese and condiment lovers. This delicious festive box includes:
- Christmas Spiced Chutney, (new embossed jar, 370g)
- Cranberry, Port & Orange Sauce, 210g
- Apple & Cider Brandy Chutney, 320g
- Spiced Plum Chutney, 310g
- Strong Horseradish Cream, 140g
Witt’s Infrared Thermometer Gun
£44.99 from Witt’s Amazon Store
An accurate temperature measurement tool for optimal baking results. The built-in laser pointer is accurate and allows people to target the exact spot on their pizza stone for measurement.
Ashmolean Pantry Gift Box
£25 from Asmolean Museum
The Ashmolean Museum has launched a carefully curated collection of Christmas hampers for the first time this year. Each handpicked box includes a selection of sustainably sourced, British-made products from local artisans. The Ashmolean Pantry Gift Box includes Oxford Blue Oatmeal Biscuits, Oxford Cheese Co., Lemon Curd, Hot & Spicy Tomato Relish, Strawberry & Marc de Champagne Preserve and Caramelised Onion Chutney.
Gifts for the health-conscious
MOMO Kombucha Christmas Gut Health Hamper
£50 from MOMO Kombucha
South London-based husband and wife team MOMO Kombucha have launched a Christmas Gut Health Hamper that showcases the very best new food producers the country has to offer. This hamper makes the perfect gift for health-conscious individuals who don’t want to overindulge this Christmas. The hamper includes Queen Butter Beans from the Bold Bean Co, Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Citizens of Soil, Original Kimchi from Kimchi & Radish and a bottle each of MOMO’s Ginger-Lemon Kombucha & Elderflower Kombucha.
Hush & Hush PlantYourDay®
£48.30 from Hush & Hush
Perfect for gym-goers and fitness fanatics, this plant-based protein powder, featuring organic pumpkin protein and Clean Clinical Vitamins®, is a game-changer for gut health and radiant skin.
Eaten Alive Gut Booster Pack
£16.99 from Eaten Alive
Eaten Alive is an award-winning fermented foods producer founded by two Michelin-trained chefs. For those looking to improve their gut health in 2024, this Gut Booster Pack is ideal.
A compact coffee machine that can brew two coffees at once or one double coffee in a single cup
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Gifts for vegans
H!P Oat Milk Chocolate Bar – Salty Pretzel
£2.65 from Sainsbury’s
Creamy, sweet oat milk chocolate made entirely from plant-based ingredients. What’s not to love? The salty, crunch of pretzels makes this a bar you won’t want to put down.
Vegan Christmas Sweet Box
£26.50 from Sweet Hamper Company
The perfect gift for those with a sweet tooth, this branded sweet box is filled with vegan-friendly sweets including green and red candy canes and gummy reindeer. Vegan best-selling sweets are also included such as double dips, Giant Love Hearts, Rainbow Drops and a Sherbet Dip Dab.
Il Dolce di Natale Vegano – Vegan Panettone
£18.95 from Carluccio’s
A traditional Italian Christmas cake using plant-based ingredients such as olive oil and cocoa butter. This panettone also includes candied orange peel and juicy sultanas.
Cake or Death Christmas Brownies box
£19.50 for six from Cake or Death
Cake or Death is is serving up a limited-edition Christmas brownie box of three festive flavours which include candied orange, tiffin and Black Forest. Cake or Death’s offerings are always vegan and can be delivered through letterboxes.
Lazy Day’s Salted Caramel Crispies
£2.45 from Ocado
A crunchy, sticky and delicious sweet treat that’s the perfect stocking filler for vegans.
Honestly Tasty The Festive Bestsellers bundle
£30 from Honestly Tasty
A plant-based cheese hamper with a difference. This hamper includes Honestly Tasty’s best-selling Blue and Brie alternatives, their award-winning Shamembert, a pot of delicious cheese spread and Willicroft Original Fondue.
Gifts for drink connoisseurs
Chapel Down Brut: Tour & Taste Voucher for Two Gift Box
£88 from Chapel Down
This gift box includes Chapel Down’s best-selling Brut and a tour and tasting voucher for two people, including a guided tour of the Chapel Down vineyards and winery followed by a tutored wine tasting.
Aberfeldy 12-year-old Whiskey with limited edition gold bar tin
£45 from Dewar’s
Most families have a whisky-lover so why not treat them to a great dram they can enjoy all year round. This whisky has flavours of honey, vanilla and spice with a hint of smokiness at the end.
Guinness NitroSurge™ Device
£25 from Asda
If you know a Guinness-lover then this might be a gift for them! The NITROSURGE™ Device uses innovative technology to put you in control of the iconic Guinness™ two-part pour. The result is a satisfyingly smooth Guinness at home.
Double Dutch Party in a Box
£19.99 from Double Dutch
A great stocking filler or secret Santa gift, this gift includes Double Dutch Cucumber & Watermelon, Pink Grapefruit Soda, 5cl El Rayo Tequila, 5cl Masons Original Gin, biodegradable glitter and a confetti cannon
The Partner in Wine Journal
£29.50 from Partner in Wine
The perfect gift for wine enthusiasts who like to take notes when tasting a new tipple. The journal includes mini lessons and tips as well as recommendations.
Edinburgh Gin “Christmas”
£34 from John Lewis
The new limited edition “Christmas” botanical blend includes hints of nutmeg and ginger root to create a warming, wintery tipple.
Gifts for under £20
Truffle Hunter black truffle oil
£18.95 from Truffle Hunter
A luxurious yet delicious gift for truffle lovers that’s perfect for seasoning and marinading.
Thai Made Easy
£16.99 from Amazon
MasterChef quarter-finalist, Yui Miles has just launched her first cookbook, Thai Made Easy which demystifies and breaks down the process of cooking Thai dishes at home.
Aperol Spritz Pack Duo
£16.99 from Amazon
This set includes a mini Aperol and Prosecco alongside a recipe so you can make a delicious Aperol Spritz at home. Fresh, zingy and a great tipple to enjoy over Christmas.
Gordon’s Sugar Plum Gin Liqueur Limited Edition Bottle
£18.50 from Tesco
Gordon’s Sugar Plum Gin Liqueur is a brand new offering from Gordon’s that has a decadent, rich jammy plum flavour. This can be served with tonic or lemonade or as part of a cocktail.
This delicious festive box from Tracklements is the perfect gift for cheese and condiment lovers
Border Biscuits Sharing Box
£3.75 from Tesco
There’s nothing better than sharing a box of biscuits at Christmas and this offering from Borders is one of the best – especially for under £5. The box includes:
- Butterscotch Crunch
- Sultana Melts
- Chocolate Viennese Whirls
- Chocolate Cookies
- Milk Chocolate Oat Crumbles
- Shortbread Rings
Alcohol-free gifts
Plus Minus Non-Alcoholic Premium Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Rosé Wine
£15.20 from Zero. Zilch. Zip.
A delicious tipple that’s rich in antioxidants, minus the alcohol. This non-alcoholic wine is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir grapes from the Adelaide Hills 2021 vintage so even non-drinkers can feel like they’re enjoying a drink this Christmas.
The IMPOSSIBREW Best Seller Bundle
£48 from IMPOSSIBREW
The perfect gift for those looking to cut down their drinking over the festive period or those gearing up for dry January. IMPOSSIBREW claims to offer all of the buzz but with none of the booze and is made using natural ingredients. The Best Seller Bundle is a perfect gift and includes 18 beers and a free glass.
Crodino
£6 from Sainsbury’s
Campari’s non-alcoholic aperitivo, Crodino, is a delicious bittersweet tipple that’s both rich and zesty but without the alcohol.
Gifts for coffee-lovers
Chilly’s Original Coffee Cup
£20 from Chilly’s
Available in multiple colours, this coffee cup is the perfect gift for coffee-lovers and commuters who want to keep their morning cuppa toasty warm. For an extra £10, gifters can get the coffee cup engraved.
L’Or Barista Sublime Bundle
£89.99 from L’Or or purchase the machine for £55 from Argos
A compact coffee machine that can brew two coffees at once or one double coffee in a single cup. Compatible with all L’Or capsule pods as well as other brands, this is a fantastic gift for coffee-lovers who prefer to keep it simple when it comes to making a brew in the morning. The bundle contains a L’OR BARISTA coffee machine and 100 capsules.
How to make the best coffee at home by James Hoffmann
£8.99 from Axel Books
The Sunday Times bestseller by James Hoffmann contains everything you need to know about making the perfect brew at home. The guide includes information on how to grind coffee, the basics of brewing and understanding the difference between a latte and a cortado.
Complete collection of 90 coffee pods
£40 for 90 pods from Grind
Grind is offering coffee lovers nine different expertly-roasted blends so they can easily find which blend is their favourite. All Grind’s pods are home-compostable, filled with speciality-grade coffee and are compatible with original style Nespresso® pod machines.