If it tastes as good as it looks, then it should be in your kitchen!
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CUPCAKE!
These little beauties are by Ellie’s Cupcake Kitchen and come in many and various flavours for £1.25 or five for £5.
Ellie’s Cupcake Kitchen, Albion Road, North Shields, NE30 2RJ
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WE’RE JAMMIN!
Bradley Gardens – an 18th Century garden, food, and shopping experience – is replete with gifty goods. We like this Damson and Plum Jam £4.50 and Tomato & Apple Chutney £3.95.
Bradley Gardens, Sled Lane, Wylam, NE41 8JH, tel 01661 852 176, www.bradley-gardens.co.uk
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HOT CHOC!
The Little Coffee House on Team Valley in Gateshead is a hidden gem for all things sweet. These wee cookies in a jar make for fab foodie gifts.
The Little Coffee House, Princessway, Gateshead, NE11 0NF, tel 0191 447 3404
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MACAROONS!
We love Benny’s Toon Macaroons at Tynemouth Market every weekend and also at Fenwick and the Sunday Quayside Market in Newcastle. Flavours include honeyzest, melty choc, banana, citrus and more.
facebook.com/BennysToonMacaroons
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SWEET!
Try these artisan chocolate bars in flavours including the limited-edition Yultide Bizarre Belgian dark chocolate with spiced pineapple, roasted hazelnuts, and a glug of rum (£3.70); and this candy cane hot chocolate complete with popping candy (£10).
Available online and at stockists including Fenwick, Vallum and Tynemouth Market. www.thechocolatesmiths.com
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TELL ‘EM ABOUT THE HONEY!
The Hive Maker is a fab family business run from a small workshop in Whitley Bay. Owned by husband and wife team Shaun and Tina Scrimegeour, you can buy hives handmade by Shaun through their website and their honey from markets and specialist retailers.
www.thehivemaker.co.uk
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SAUSAGES!
This travelling market trader specialises in chorizo and cheeses from Spain and France. These sausages are £3.50 each or £12 for four.
facebook.com/Passion du Fromage
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SPARKLE!
We love a gift with sparkle, like this scrummy acacia honey with real gold (£9.75), and cranberry jelly and elderflower jelly with silver (£4.25).
Vallum, Miltiary Rd, Newcastle, NE18 0LL, shop tel 01434 672 406, www.vallumfarm.co.uk
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STONE ME!
The prize for the strangest yet most useful present of the year goes to these drink stones (£14.95), which come in a velvet pouch to store in the freezer. Pop them in your drink without diluting the taste; perfect for whisky lovers!
Stangers, Brentwood Ave, Jesmond Newcastle, NE2 3DH, tel 0191 281 8563
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BALSAMIC!
The always fabulous Carruthers and Kent wine shop and enoteca has this gorgeous 15-year-old balsamic in stock now. This one is toffee, chocolate, savoury pie and coffee all rolled into one. A must buy!
Carruthers and Kent Elmfield Rd, Gosforth Newcastle, NE3 4AY, www.carruthersandkent.com
