Wondering what to put in your foodie friends’ Christmas stockings?
Try these little beauties…
Lift off
It’s top of every coffee lover’s Christmas list, the Rocket Giotto Pid espresso machine is a snip at £1,595 (payable over 10 months interest free) at Pumphreys, Bridge Street, Blaydon, NE21 4JJ, tel 0191 414 4510, www.pumphreys-coffee.co.uk
On the rack
There’s a lot of wine to get through at Christmas, so you may as well make a virtue of it and display it on this gorgeous wooden rack. Add a bauble or two for festive cheer! From £75 at La Cookshop, Milkhope, Berwick Hill Rd, Seaton Burn, Newcastle NE13 6DA, tel 01670 789142, www.lacookshop.co.uk
Chocs, h’away!
Kenspeckle chocolate, fudge and tablet is handmade in Northumberland and makes for a tasty stocking filler. From £3.99 at Blagdon Farm Shop, Milksop, Berwick HIll Road, Seaton Burn Newcastle, NE13 6DA, tel 01670 789 924, www.theblagdonfarmshop.co.uk
Grate idea
These Gourmet Cheese graters aren’t just useful, they’re stylish too. From £12.95 at Cook & Baker Queensway, Tynemouth NE30 4NA, tel 07905 367 457, Facebook@cookandbakertynemouth
A votre sante!
If you’re going to indulge, you may as well do it properly. These traditional Absinthe globe glasses and spoons from France add a touch of style. From £7.50 at RE, Bishops Yard, Main Street, Corbridge NE45 5LA, tel 01434 634 567, www.re-foundobjects.com
Lotsa Chocs
Whether you tuck into North Chocolate’s new Ho Ho Ho baubles stuffed with milk chocolate covered honeycomb or special Christmas bars like Caramel Cracker (forget the goo, just head for the crunch!), the dark and sophisticated toasted Pecan, Date & Ginger or favourites Xmas Stollen and Retro Rum & Raisin, this choc, handmade in Newcastle, has you all wrapped up this year. Shop at www.northchocolates.co.uk
Wooden spoon
Wooden Spoon Preserving Co. Damson & Sloe Gin conserve and Spiced Marmalade is not only tasty, it comes with its own spoon… North Acomb Farm Shop Stocksfield, NE43 7UF, tel 01661 843 181, www.northacomb.co.uk
Have a heart
Make your heart sing when you’re on with your chopping with these lovely wooden boards by Sophie Allport, from £18 at Stangers, Brentwood Ave Newcastle NE2 3DH, 0191 281 8563, www.stangerscookshop.co.uk
Light up
Take a natural approach to your Christmas table with these Alston beeswax candles – tall £6 a pair, stubby £8 a pair, big stubby £12.50 a pair at Broomhouse Farm, Whiten Gilbert, Co Durham, DH7 6TR, tel 0191 371 8382, www.broomhousedurham.co.uk
Fizzing
What are you drinking this Christmas? We recommend this Janisson & Fils Brut Nature Champagne. This lesser-known grower is one to watch, while this champagne is a beautiful evolution from Pinot Noir to Chardonnay with stone fruit aromas. £50 at Carruthers & Kent, Elmfield Road, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 4AY, tel 0191 213 1818, www.carruthersandkent.com
Cuppa cheer
Everyone loves a festive mug at Christmas – wrap up one of these lovelies and decorate your tree with tiny Emma Bridgewater mugs and jugs on ribbons. £19.95 and £14.95 at Homestore at Bradley Gardens, Sled Lane, Wylam NE41 8JH, tel 01661 852 176, www.bradley-gardens.co.uk
Bee sweet
A lovely buzzy bee gift, this Tynemouth Honey Co. mixed blossom honey is good for you too. £7.95 at The Deli Around The Corner, Hotspur St, Tynemouth NE30 4EE, tel 0191 259 0086, www.thedeliaroundthecorner.co.uk
In a pickle
Making up a local produce gift box? You must include Sticky Business jams and relishes made by the wonderful band of volunteers from Scotswood Gardens in Newcastle, £4.20 a jar at Dene’s Deli Jesmond Rd, Newcastle, NE2 1LD, tel 0191 281 8200, www.denesdeli.com
Booze crew
These jars of peaches in brandy and figs in port make for great gifts or easy desserts for those pesky unexpected guests. £10.50 a jar at Knitsley Farm Shop, East Knitsley Grange Farm, Knitsley, Consett, Co Durham, DH8 9EW, tel 01207 592 059, www.knitsleyfarmshop.co.uk
Cutting edge
All the best cooks swear by their knives, and this set of cheese and butter knives by Nkuku are hand forged from brass using traditional techniques, making them a gift which will keep giving for years to come. £34.99 at Pure Knead bakery and shop, Park View, Whitley Bay NE26 3QW, tel 07964 864 181, www.pure-knead.co.uk
Warm Chill
The coolest bottle around, the Chilly’s bottle keeps liquids cold or warm for 24 hours. From £20 at Corbridge Cookshop, Middle Street, Corbridge, NE45 5AT, tel 01434 632 582, www.corbridgecookshop.co.uk
Just the tonic
Locally produced in small batches in Whitley Bay, Seaglass is an aromatic gin of turmeric and ginger flavours. Beautifully clear and refreshing, it’s a fantastic gift. £42 at Boda, Whitley Road, Whitley Bay NE26 2NE, tel 07824 859 162, www.bodahome.co.uk
Hamper harvest
Make a foodie friend very happy this Christmas with a bespoke hamper created at Il Piccolo, where Italian produce is a speciality. In various sizes and packaged according to taste with treats such as pastas, delicatessen treats, malt whiskies, artisan gins and magnums of fine wine. Il Piccolo, St Helen’s Street, Corbridge, NE45 5BE, tel 01434 634 554, www.ilpiccolo.co.uk
