The best Christmas gifts under £25 for cooks and food lovers
On the lookout for foodie Christmas gift ideas? Whether you’re searching for stocking fillers, treats for friends or the perfect Secret Santa prezzy, we’ll help have your Christmas list wrapped up in no time. What’s more, these 25 gorgeous gifts all come in at under 25 quid.
In the spirit of not clogging up our planet with more clutter, and it being the season to gorge, many of this year’s under £25 gifts and stocking filler suggestions are edible.
Retro cereal tea towels
We love these tea towels featuring nostalgic Kellogg’s cereal designs, from Rice Krispies to Corn Flakes. Each is made from 100% cotton – and there are aprons and tote bags too. Available from Dexam (£10 each).
A superior zester is a cook’s best friend, and these from Microplane have been all jazzed up to add a splash of colour to your kitchen. Perfect for grating cheese, ginger, garlic, and citrus zests as well as nutmeg and other spices – once you try these blades, you’ll never go back. A great gift for someone who has recently discovered joy in cooking and needs a toolkit upgrade. Available from Harts of Slur (£17.95).
It’s a Wonderful Slice voucher from Pizza Pilgrims
If you’re looking for a secret santa gift or just something to make someone smile for a mere £10, Pizza Pilgrims It’s a Wonderful Slice vouchers come packaged in a pizza box and entitle a recipient to a free pizza. Available from Pizza Pilgrims stores from 27th November, and redeemable in store or on Deliveroo (£10).
The Kew Gardens Christmas Book by Jenny Linford
From Kew Gardens comes an evocatively illustrated ode to all things Christmassy: there are recipes, there’s folklore, there are festive facts… A joy from first page to last and a gift to treasure. Available from Shop Kew (£20).
For the cook who has everything, give the gift of white soy sauce. Made with a higher percentage of wheat than traditional soy sauce – 90% wheat to 10% soybeans – it has a deep and delicate flavour but a pale colour that doesn’t overpower more delicate ingredients such as raw fish or vegetables in broths and soups. A luxurious ingredient they might not ordinarily take the plunge on. Available from Sous Chef (£7.99).
There are chocolate orange lovers and there are chocolate orange haters. These are an incredibly fancy version, consisting of confit orange slices with a chewy and caramel texture, they are dipped in 70% dark chocolate and finished with warm cardamom and cacao nibs. An ideal gift for lovers. Available from Harvey Nichols (£20).
The Gift of Oil oil and balsamic duo
If you’re looking for a gift for a keen cook of Italian food, this fruity oil from The Gift of Oil has a lovely herbal note from basil, and pares brilliantly with the tomato balsamic. They can enjoy it on salads, pastas, and risottos, or go rogue and throw some into their next sausage casserole. Big flavours will ensue… Available from The Gift of Oil (£22.70).
Le Swine bacon butty
We’ve tested them, and Le Swine’s Butty Box will start Boxing Day off right. This DIY kit for two has everything needed for top-tier bacon sarnies, including milk and onion buns, bacon butter and homemade chipotle and mushroom ketchups. Available from Le Swine (£15).
Frankly Delicious chocolate
Bean-to-bar chocolate from Frankly Delicious isn’t cheap, but it’s an experience to savour – ethically made with some unusual flavours. We rate the rich 35% Coffee White Chocolate and the tart edge of the 65% Blackcurrant Dark, made with freeze-dried fruit. Available from Frankly Delicious (£6.45 for 60g).
Founded by Amy Poon, whose family are renowned for the iconic Covent Garden Poon’s restaurant of the 1970s, Poon’s range of condiments includes a chilli vinegar dressing and a WO sauce (a reinvention of an XO sauce, made with salted shrimp and home dried bacon) alongside a soy and chilli oil that are out-of-this-world good. These condiments are an ideal stocking filler for the Chinese food lover in your life. Available from Sous Chef (from £6.50).
Kitchen Provisions The Chef’s Press
Create the toastie from heaven without the need for yet another electrical gadget that gets forgotten about in the cupboard. The press allows food to cook faster by increasing its surface area, and the vents release moisture, meaning you don’t get a soggy toastie. It’s not just for grilling sandwiches either, try it on a steak, fish or burgers for great results. Available from Kitchen Provisions, from £19.
If you know a friend who loves a sweet breakfast, listen up! Cheeky Nibble’s glorious granolas are inspired by famous desserts – think cherry bakewell, banoffee pie, and Victoria sponge cake. Handmade in Norfolk, this is the most exciting granola launch we’ve seen in some time. All flavours are vegan and nut-free, and there’s even a vanilla latte flavour, for those who like their morning caffeine twofold. We adore the large clusters and interesting flavour combinations. The packaging is irresistibly cute, AND it’s compostable, if you needed any more persuading. Available from Cheeky Nibble (£5.99)
For lovers of all things spicy, this top-shelf sriracha from hip sustainable restaurant Fallow is made with fermented British chillies, garlic, soy sauce and chardonnay vinegar – a special addition to a hot sauce lover’s condiment collection. Available from Fallow (£7).
If you’re buying for someone who is citrus mad, introduce them to the cheffy way to juice limes. Just cut the lime in half, place it cut-side down into the press and squeeze. The lime turns inside out and the juice runs out super quickly with the triangular shape helping all the juice run in one straight stream. Cleaning up is easy too – just quickly rinse the gadget under the tap to clean. Hey presto! No more pips in your food. Should you know a margarita lover, this gift is second to none. The gadget folds flat too, taking up less room in the cupboard. Available from Harvey Nichols (£14.00).
The mulled wine from Harvey Nicks is perfectly balanced, not overly sweet, deep and full flavoured. Made with German red wine from the Zellertal Rheinhessen and Pfalz regions, it makes the most warming, comforting treat and a lovely gift. We love the all-white festive bottle and that it comes in at a very reasonable price. Available from Harvey Nichols (£15.95).
Salami might contain a lot of fat and a fair few nitrates, but it isn’t half tasty. Sous Chef’s charcuterie themed socks get a big thumbs up from us, for comfort, stretch and cuteness. The camembert socks even come in a little wooden box to match. There are so many great small gifts on offer from Sous Chef this year, their online shop is worth exploring further! Available from Sous Chef (£11.99).
Dreamfarm Garject Lite garlic press
Prepare to have your mind blown. This garlic press not only crushes garlic, it peels it too! If you are buying for a friend who loves to cook or simply a friend who loves garlic, do them a favour and get them this nifty gadget. Small enough to fit in a stocking and big enough for under the tree, it’s a useful, practical and affordable gift. Available from Trouva (£15.95).
When it comes to panettone, leave it to the experts. The Sous Chef Milano panettone comes from a family of bakers in the north of Italy. Sous Chef owner Nicola visited the bakery and “was thrilled to see the panettone ‘mother yeast’ rising in its locked room – known as the ‘treasure room'”. The yeast is taken seriously here and along with free-range eggs, and top-quality fruit, it makes for a rich flavoured panettone. Best enjoyed toasted with a cappuccino or cuppa on Christmas morning. Available from Sous Chef (£24.99).
You’ll either cause a stir or a delight with these pickled brussels sprouts – our pick of this year’s foodie secret santa gifts. Available from Fortnum & Mason (£9.95).
Farhi’s chocolate covered brazil nuts
Chocolate nuts are somewhat of a Christmas tradition, and for good reason. Here chunky brazil nuts are coated with generous layers of dark and milk chocolate. This beautiful gift bag holds an impressive quantity. A mega gift that will have the recipient’s seasonal movie snacks sorted. Available from Harrods (£12.50).
Asda Extra Special Pâtes de Fruits
If they’re a fan of classic sweet shops treats, these morsels from Asda should appeal: think grown-up fruit pastilles, with a soft, yielding texture. There are four flavours: strawberry, pear, blackcurrant and mandarin. The box is so pretty, too. Available from Asda.
Want more? Discover how to make your own edible gifts here. You can’t put a price on a homemade gift and these edible creations are sure to go down a treat.