20 Christmas gifts for cooks

All year I bookmark things I like, saving them up for my annual foodie Christmas list. Men, this is what your WAGS want. There are some blokey, butch-in-the-kitchen, gifts towards the end of this post.

I lust after Sophie Conran's range for Portmeirion pottery. White, hand-made looking, simply designed but a twist on the classic white china. I like the fact that it's slightly irregular and that despite the fineness of the china, it is oven to table. I'm looking forward to using the tajine. At the moment they've got a sale on, 20% off.

A great big sugar-pink mixing bowl for £17 with hearts on it by Cargo.

Jars are another of my fetishes. Vintage Ball jars came in blue/turquoise and are a collectors item. Kilner are doing new blue, pink and green jars. Useful and pretty.

A gorgeous carbon steel knife with boxwood handle from Catalan craft producers Pallares Solsona. Available from this classy American website QuitoKeeto or directly from Spain: Pallares Solsona.

The New Craftsmen is promoting exactly that, beautifully made British products. This bowl may look ordinary in the photo, but in the 'flesh' it has character and refinement, made from Sycamore wood by Robin Wood (good name!)

Again from The New Craftsmen, this apple Storage Chest by Arne Maynard. Cost a bunch at over 2k though. Imagine having the kind of place/money to spend that on storing your apples stylishly! Big treat, lovely gift.

I love enamel. Light, unbreakable and portable for popups, camping, picnics. This is a Polish site Emalia Olkusz, where you can buy it online.

This pink enamel candle stick costs 23 zloty, about £4.50p

This sunflower yellow coffee pot costs 52 zloty, about ten pounds.

Creamware with inscriptions from Doris & Co. Cheeseboard and mug

Teatowels from Rice. Adorable. Someone buy me these!

Nice homeware at Rigby&Mac.com like this glass cake stand only £4.95

Handpainted signs by Button and Jewels. Reasonably priced and charming. She'll make any sign you want. The 'beach hut' sign above costs a mere £25

I like this idea, from More Than Words, of getting an old family recipe painted and written beautifully onto reclaimed wood. Quite pricey though at £125.

Peza, smooth and fruity Viannos, fruity and peppery

Olive oil. This Greek extra virgin olive oil from Crete, cold pressed from Koroneiki olives, comes in pretty tins, a good stocking filler for the keen cook.

Wooden 'trook': £9.50p

Frank has a nice selection of British-made gifts, like this hand-carved 'trook'.

Foodie jewellery: a Marmite bracelet from Foodjewellerydirect.com but there are custard creams rings and other food related jewellery. You can even create your own via their site.

More wrapping materials or ways to decorate your foodie gifts: food ribbons from Craftyribbons.com. Like this cherry ribbon.

Twine to wrap your gifts, or your baked goods, from Sugden and Daughters. They have lots of lovely stuff, including Mini hovis tins. You can use these in the kitchen or as storage for seed packets, recipes.

For men and WAGS with an outdoor bent: I've always wanted a good canvas tent, like a teepee or a medieval marquee tent. Panther Primitives make them in different styles, often historically accurate, which they provide to movies. They have a charming and fascinating catalogue with camp kitchen items too: good strong cast iron bbq grills, dutch ovens in different sizes, wooden canteens, boneware, copper kettles, barrel drinking cups. Hours of fun. (Note: they are based in Virginia, USA).

In the UK you can go to Wild Stoves to order tripods and pots.

S Hooks. I use these everywhere, in the kitchen, in the shed. I don't think you can have enough hooks. Not girly, not glam, but useful. From Labour & Wait.

Hand-made liqueurs and alcoholic blends fromalchemistdreams.co.uk. Ruth Ball makes special potions, beautifully packaged in a sealed wax topped bottle. You can order them online or order a 'mystery' box of potions for £20.

You know what I've asked for this christmas? A decent pastry brush, that doesn't shed hairs and properly bastes, by Rosle. £15.20p for pastry happiness.

Other ideas: hampers, why not make your own?

Gift vouchers for specialist food shops like the Italian Lina Stores.

Check through my recent post on essential items for the kitchen.

PS: I've changed the typeface of this blog to Vollkorn, in a bigger size. What do you think? I'm no graphic designer unfortunately but I want a classic but old-fashioned font. Is it easier to read now? Does it look better bigger? Let me know in the comments.

Posted by Hodie J