Festive gift guide
For loved ones who like food and print
One of the things I love most about the festive season is giving. I love the whole process – from thinking about what I might like to get someone, sourcing it (or making it), wrapping it up in brown paper and ribbon, before giving it to that special loved one. Over the past few months, I’ve been slowly putting together this gift guide, finding inspiration in window-displays, beautifully curated life-style shops, online browsing and through word of mouth. I’ve tried to put the prices next to items wherever I can and have included some ideas if home-made presents are more your bag (my favourite kind). Hopefully this guide can provide pockets of inspiration in the lead up to the festivities.
Kitchen companions
For the dough enthusiasts - this natural birch wood and stainless steel dough scrapper (£22.95) would make a very chic addition to the baking-drawer. I would be utterly lost without mine and this one is a timeless classic. In a similar vein, this knife (£35) is my most-reached-for knife in the kitchen. I bought it at Elliott’s stall at the Spots on my Apples event at Bowhouse this summer and it’s the best for cutting fruit and veg. I also love this stoneware spoon rest (£18.00) by Clod and Pebble - if like me, you know someone who precariously attempts to balance wooden spoons on the edge of saucepans, only for them to fall off and splatter food all over your kitchen counter, this could be the answer. I’m still very much a fan of a speckled ceramic but the plain version of this is also really lovely.
During the winter months, I am that person who will immediately pop the kettle on as soon as I return from a trip outdoors. Our friend, Hattie, has a charming whistling kettle which I adore and so when I spotted this one (£49) in Quince & Cook, I couldn't resist adding it. A Bialetti Moka Express Coffee Maker (£19.20) would also make a lovely gift - I’m sure I’ve seen this (or similar) stocked at Mr Eion’s (who also does really wonderful coffee) but there are really gorgeous, similar makers in Papyrus.
In our first issue of Dulcify Journal we featured Katie Brigstock, the founder of Style Your Spaces. She runs a beautifully curated shop on Howe Street (but lots of goodies are available to buy online too) where I spotted this striped green tablecloth (£80). Since writing this, it’s now out of stock but there is a notify button on the website to let you know when it’s back in! This block orange tablecloth (£85) is a gorgeous, bold alternative. Like the tablecloths, these flow napkin rings (£39.00) stocked by Lifestory would bring a little extra something to the festive table but could easily be used all year around. They are also the perfect size to slip into a Christmas stocking.
Earlier this year I interviewed Aimee, the founder of Carrick and found out that The Edinburgh Mercantile Store stock her ceramics. This beautiful stoneware short tumbler (£26) is currently available on their website and looks like the perfect shape to clutch a morning tea and warm your hands. Katie Warner’s baskets – which very much speak for themselves. They come in various sizes and designs so it’s tricky to list an exact price (I’d suggest £50+). Get in touch with her here to find out what baskets she has in stock.
One for the Edinburgh locals (as you can’t currently order this online) but the Brass Pasta Cutter with Single Toothed Blade (£35) from Aemilia would make a gorgeous gift to someone who is into their pasta-making. They have a range of other tools in their shop in Portobello so it’s worth popping in to have a look (and at the very least coming away with a decadent hot chocolate for yourself). This brown enamel bread bin (£98) had me swooning from Labour and Wait for the pop of colour and character it would bring to a loved one’s kitchen. Plus keep bread, croissants, other yeasted delights fresher for longer! Pricey but something that’s made to last for years to come. And if I was in the market for a cake stand, I think this one (£56) from Quince and Cook would be a really lovely choice. Another timeless piece with beautiful detailing around the edge.
Stocking fillers
We featured the Edinburgh Honey Co (120g for £6.30 or 400g for £15.80) in our first issue of our printed mag - their heather honey remains my go-to, perfect on toast, porridge or drizzled on ice-cream. They have their own shop in Leith, Edinburgh but you can also find them online. Not far from their shop, is Hobz which I am a huge advocate off, especially their pains au chocolat. They are making pannettone (I think it’s around the £35 mark) this year - you can’t order it and they don’t make it every day but if you’re a local and can get your timings right, then I’m positive you’d be in for a treat here.
Who doesn’t love chocolate at Christmas?! I’ve heard brilliant things about Fatso chocolate which is stocked at The Bear’s Larder, Up Up chocolate and long-standing favourite, Bare Bones chocolate - this mince pie edition looks particularly special.
For the jam enthusiasts, Juno general store (around £4.50) jam is a real gem (these crackers are making an appearance at various markets but you can also buy jars of Mhari’s jam at Lon Store, Dunkeld). London Borough of jam (£6.50) also has a fantastic range - pink gooseberry is my dad’s favourite so I always gravitate towards that one. Trodden Black’s chilli death jam (£5.50) - can only imagine how incredible this would be on a melted cheese toastie. And not a jam but equally delicious on toast, is this pistachio spread (£12.99) that you can buy in Valvona and Crolla. I’m willing to bet it would also be very nice on this panforte (£5.99).
Finally, a tote bag is always a useful thing and this one is a super fun one which you can buy from Lannan Bakery. On the subject of fun, this lemon vinegar feels quite playful - one for a keen cook in your life. Last but not least, a gift voucher to an independent cafe, bakery or restaurant - I like the idea that someone could spend that in the New Year with a friend or loved one. I’ve popped a gift voucher to Kate’s here but there are so many places around Scotland (and beyond) that offer gift vouchers.
For the print lovers
Not only are books and magazines very easy to wrap, I love that they are something that can be referred back to again and again. I have most of the above on my kitchen shelf, some are looking a little tired now with how much use they’ve had but I could not be without them.
For the bakers
I would recommend buying Anna’s book, The Last Bite (£22.00), purely for the rice pudding recipe which is heady with vanilla and cream and is easily one of the most delicious puddings I’ve eaten. (A heads up: the recipes in here are definitely aimed towards more experienced bakers or pastry chefs.)
Lazy Baking. I love this book when I am time-poor. There are some brilliant quick and easy recipes in here - the flourless chocolate cake, chocolate truffles and the triple ginger cake being firm favourites. I also love the porridge soda bread rolls from Jess’ cafe days - when I’d pop into the cafe, they’d warm the rolls, slather them in salty butter and home-made jam. You can get signed copies of this book here (£16.00).
The Aran Bakery cookbook (£24.00) is easily one of my most used books in my collection. It’s covered in splatters from making batches of jam and even has a tiny scorch mark on one of the corners where it sat too close to the hob. I refer frequently to the shortbread, sausage roll and the ginger loaf recipes.
I think there is something really special about making your own gifts. I love unwrapping a jar of jam in my stocking and Camilla Wynne’s Jam Bake (£24.99) is spectacular - unique flavour combinations that are delicious spread on toast, porridge or yoghurt.
Ever since enrolling in the Puff Pastry School, I've followed Nicola Lamb’s projects - including her incredible Kitchen Projects newsletter. She’s recently announced the launch of her debut cookbook, Sift (£30.00). It doesn’t publish until next year but pre-ordering it for somebody at Christmas, would be such a lovely thing for them to look forward to in 2024. Similarly, I’ve also followed Ravneet Gill since Puff days and The Pastry Chef’s Guide (£18.99) is a bit of a baking bible for me - it has all the base recipes you could need that you can then build on and experiment with.
For the cooks
I am an Alison Roman fan girl. I love that her recipes are non-fussy and yet, they consistently deliver on flavour. A couple of years ago I cooked a Christmas dinner for a group of pals using her Thanksgiving recipes and it’s one of my favourite memories to look back on. I really like all her books (plus her Substack) but especially like Nothing Fancy (£28.00).
For the readers
Due to space limitations, I’ve only included a few here - Solo magazine (£16.00) is a fairly recent (personal) discovery - it’s all about good coffee and the articles are so thoughtfully curated along with the photography. It has a fab weight about it and I love dipping in and out of it when I have pockets of time free. And then Fare (£14.00), which I think has the most brilliant concept - a print publication that explores city culture through the intersection of food, history, and community. It’s a magazine that’s clearly created with a lot of care, attention to detail and with local input, and is one I turn to when I’m looking to temporarily escape and switch off.
And finally, a cheeky mention of our latest issue of Dulcify Journal (£15.00). It’s currently at the printers - we need a bit of a Christmas miracle in order for this to arrive with us before the last post date. But we will be publishing by the end of this year which is so exciting! I can’t wait to share it with you all.
