Finest Foodie Gifts

Foodies are most definitely not all one and the same. Moreover, being a bit fussy is a typical characteristic of a foodie, so it can be quite easy to insult with a foodie gift.

Before you set about buying any self-proclaimed foodie a foodie gift, you need to work out their brand of foodie-ness.

Foodies are most definitely not all one and the same. Moreover, being a bit fussy is a typical characteristic of a foodie, so it can be quite easy to insult with a foodie gift.

Buy a massively snobby foodie some supermarket truffle oil, for example, and they’ll be offended you think they might use such cheap rubbish.

Buy an ethical eater a pot of the finest foie gras, and there’ll be tears before dinnertime.

Luckily, if you’re confused, there are a few failsafes. Posh chocolates for one. I’ve always loved chocolate so my family usually get me a stocking full of chocolate buttons for Christmas. Eeuw. My brother-in-law, on the first Christmas he spent with us, sensibly went out to the poshest chocolate shop he could find and filled a beautiful golden box. If he were to want to do the same this year, I hope he’d go to Paul A Young or Prestat. If it has to be stocking filler sized and priced, a Sea Salt Caramel Bar from William Curley would do nicely, as would a trinket box stuffed with chocolate-coated candied ginger or orange.

A really good quality olive oil shouldn’t offend, nor should a cheese selection from Neal’s Yard.

If you can afford it, a whole leg of Spanish ham will delight. Brindisa’s selection ranges from £90 to an eye-watering £850.

A posh smoked salmon from Frank Hederman or The Dartmouth Smokehouse is another option, especially if you need to take an edible contribution to Christmas or Boxing Day celebrations.

If you’re buying for a green-fingered foodie, this mini olive tree  (£35) from the Duchy of Cornwall nursery should do the trick.

The most obvious foodie offering is a Christmas hamper. But the problem with lots of mixed hampers (apart from their exorbitant cost) is that you won’t like or want everything in there. Choose a hamper offering variations on the theme, instead, such as Melrose & Morgan’s cute Honey Box (£25) or the Christmas Box (£50) for someone celebrating outside the UK. Betty’s has this Seasonal Preserves Gift Box (£15), or choose one of Hawkhead Relish’s well-priced Christmas gifts.