Festive Edible Gifts

The countdown to Christmas is finally upon us, it’s official, with the new festive Coca Cola advert now featuring on our TV screens, this can only mean one thing - ‘the holidays are coming’, and I, like many others, get extremely excited when this moment arrives. 

Having reluctantly accepted that science and common sense prevent Santa from coming down that chimney, I have since found an outlet for my enthusiasm elsewhere. 

With several advent calendars dotted around the house, the spiced scent of mulled wine and mince pies wafting from the kitchen and bottles of brandy lined up to feed the freshly baked Christmas cakes; this is when my love affair with Christmas cooking truly began.

In my opinion, there is no better time to be sharing your culinary skills with your loved ones. 

After all, Christmas is a time for giving and receiving gifts, and I, like most of you I’m sure, love opening presents on Christmas morning. 

Whether it be stockings neatly placed at the end of the bed or the blind-folded parade into the living room to be greeted by a dazzling tree in all its glory and glistening parcels.

For me however, there is nothing better than being presented with a homemade gift, especially if it’s edible. 

Every year, I put together festive hampers for family and friends, packed with various homemade jams, chutneys, pickles, sloe gin, mulled wine, truffles and baked goodies. 

It’s incredibly easy, great fun to create, something the children can muck in with and the smile on the lucky receiver’s face makes it all worthwhile.

Therefore, in the run up to Christmas I encourage you to take to your kitchens and have a bit of fun - pour yourself a glass of mulled wine, (warm spiced apple juice for the children), get those Christmas tunes blaring and the apron on as I have for you a few of my favourite festive gift ideas that will bring Christmas cheer to friends and family.