The best Christmas food gifts: 26 thoughtful ideas for the foodies in your life

The best Christmas food gifts are certain to delight this December, whether you're shopping for a dedicated gourmet or treating a family who deserves a feast.

With options for every budget, the best Christmas food gifts are a failsafe present even if you're not sure what someone will like. From Christmas food hampers to hands-on recipe boxes, they can often be enjoyed immediately, will be useful in weeks to come or have a practical purpose that will suit any home.

Think carefully about the person you're buying for before choosing one of the best Christmas food gifts. Some of these presents are best suited to keen chefs who love to experiment, while others are ideal for those who deserve to relax and indulge this Christmas. Our list ranges from kitchen devices to vouchers and also includes some perishable presents which will need to be given—and eaten—soon after buying.

So, whether you're looking for a Christmas gift for her or the perfect Christmas gift for the dad who has everything, if they like food, there will be a gift for them here. 

We cooked, chopped and chewed our way through everything from DIY dinner kits to decadent chocolate hampers to help you buy the very best Christmas food gifts for 2022.

Best Christmas Food Gifts

Restaurant meal kits aren’t always all they’re cracked up to be but we loved this one from Pizza Pilgrims so much, we’re already planning to order it again.

It’s an ideal foodie present for those who want to try new recipes and for households who love to stay in and indulge in fine food, all for a very reasonable price (including free delivery). We also think it would make a great Christmas gift for parents who want to treat the family to a festive takeaway that will actually taste good. Regular subscriptions are available but one-off kits include either two or four pizzas, can be gluten-free if desired and come in either margherita or double pepperoni and spicy honey flavours, plus special seasonal offerings. Ingredients are top-notch including 48-hour proved dough, Fior di Latte mozzarella and exceptional Italian tomatoes, all in a classic pizza box. It’s not at all difficult to make, but we’d never tried cooking pizza in a frying pan before as Pizza Pilgrims do and were amazed at our pizza’s crisp, delicious base. We're hoping to find a regular subscription in our Christmas stocking now.

Nothing says Christmas like grazing on an indulgent cheese board by the fire. Any fan of fromage will be thrilled to tuck into this hamper from Snowdonia Cheese Company, an award-winning family run business based in North Wales.

Packaged in a smart black wicker hamper that’s ideal for reusing afterwards, the present includes the company’s most popular cheeses, chutneys and crackers so it’s ready to tuck in to immediately. No need to worry about sending love-it-or-hate-it blue or stinky cheese either. This hamper includes three different kinds of mature cheddar and two types of red Leicester, feather-light buttermilk crackers and both balsamic caramelized onion and pear, date and cognac chutneys. We’d happily hunker down in December and gorge on these, but you could add a bottle of top-notch red wine if you really want to make someone’s Christmas merry.

If you're looking for a classic hamper, head to our dedicated guide on the best Christmas hampers.

Make someone’s tea break a little more festive with this pair of lovely painted mugs from Emma Bridgewater. Perfect if you’re stuck for present inspiration or shopping for a couple, we think they’d made a wonderful Christmas gift for grandparents but they wouldn’t go to waste in any home.

We loved the cute wintry pictures on the outside but were really thrilled by the huge half pint capacity that gave us enough tea in one sitting to wash down a whole extra piece of cake. Our junior testers loved using them for steaming mugs of hot chocolate in the cold weather too. You could also add someone’s favorite biscuits and a must-read book to give someone the ultimate me-time package.

Browse woman&home's Emma Bridgewater voucher codes for monthly discounts.

Wow the wannabe chef in your life with this premium pizza oven to help them whizz up restaurant-quality meals in their very own garden.

The Gozney Roccbox is a portable outdoor oven that is simple to set up straight from the box. It comes with a silicone jacket to protect from burns, a stone floor, a detachable gas burner and a built-in thermometer. A detachable wood burner can be added for an extra cost for the full pizzeria effect. We were astonished at how neat it looked in the garden too, so it can easily be tucked away in the corner or shed when thoroughly cooled and not in use. Prepare the pizza dough and toppings and a basic Neopolitan will cook in less than a minute—ours earned a major thumbs-up from our entire hungry (and impatient) family. Just remember to leave plenty of time for the oven to heat up if cooking with wood and turn the pizza halfway through to avoid burning one crust. Pizza lovers with less cash to splash should try a Pizza Pilgrims at-home DIY kit instead.

Is it even Christmas without a Jamie Oliver book under the tree?

This latest bestseller from chef Jamie features his most accessible recipes so far, making this one of the best cookbooks for new or nervous chefs, time-pressed households and busy families without the time to spend poring over the oven. It would also be a great gift for students just starting to cook for themselves. It includes 120 budget-friendly recipes, all cooked in just one pan and using no more than eight ingredients with minimal prep. Chapters include Puds & Cakes, Frying Pan Pasta and a really useful Batch Cooking section to stretch time and money even further. Our teenage tester was particularly taken with this book and felt confident cooking for the whole family using it, making sweet tomato gnocchi and a Cajun chicken traybake. If you’re feeling really generous, you could even team it with the Le Creuset casserole dish so they're ready to cook straight away.

Any serious chef will tell you that great knives are one of the ultimate kitchen essentials they couldn’t be without. Up their slicing n’ dicing game with this brand new set from Joseph Joseph and they’ll be desperate to get cooking with them over Christmas.

Six knives are included including a bread knife, a utility knife and our go-to, a 7” Santoku knife. Blades are made from ice-hardened, German stainless steel strengthened with vanadium for extra durability, while soft-grip handles made them easy to hold even when we were peeling a mountain of potatoes. The handy rotating carousel holds the knives securely between uses with magnetic slots so they're close at hand on a kitchen counter, though we were astonished how sharp they were so make sure they’re kept well away from children.

Forget the turkey and let someone feast on the very finest steak this Christmas instead. This tasting box is from Pipers Farm, a 50-acre farm in Devon which works with other small family farms to deliver British native breed produce.

All the steak is 100% grass-fed beef and includes two each of ribeye, chuck, rump and fillet. Each one is individually wrapped and we loved the fact it arrived frozen in insulated packaging so you don’t need to gorge on eight steaks in a matter of days—unless you want to of course. We cooked a ribeye with garlic butter and it was unbelievably succulent, a far cry from anything we could buy in the supermarket. We’d recommend serving the fillet with a glossy bearnaise sauce and gratin dauphinoise for the ultimate Christmas Eve blowout.

Okay, we know a jar of jam may not look like the most exciting Christmas gift but trust us on this one. This corking condiment comes from chef James Cochran, who won BBC’s Great British Menu and based this sauce on a recipe from his Caribbean mum.

Packed with Scotch bonnet peppers, red chillies and tomato, it transforms just about everything you serve it with and has already become our must-have store cupboard essential. It’s suitable for vegans, contains nothing artificial and will spice up everything from fried chicken to an average cheeseboard, though its warm sweetness means it won’t overpower everything it touches either. We especially loved it stirred into a chilli or slathered on cold meat sandwiches and it will revolutionise Boxing Day leftovers. A great Christmas gift for him, if he's partial to a bit of spice.

Even the very best food can be improved if it’s served on an elegant dinner plate. While this may not seem like a particularly festive present, most of us stick to the same old crockery when it’s long past its best so we think enthusiastic cooks would love the chance to upgrade the presentation of their favorite dishes.

This smart chalk-colored set will go with any kitchen and look just as good at a dinner party or special occasion as it will on a rushed weeknight. It comes with four stoneware dinner plates, four side plates and four bowls which we loved using for pasta, and all are dishwasher and microwave safe. Their scalloped edges give each dish a refined look yet all are sturdier than they appear so should last for years - making it a great Christmas gift idea for mom. And full disclosure: it even made our beans on toast look like a thing of beauty.

After one too many mince pies at Christmas, we all feel inclined to be a bit healthier come New Year. If you know anyone who’d welcome a head start or just wants to feel better in 2023, this fantastic book from Melissa Hemsley is a great place to start.

Although some of the ingredients used can be expensive, the 100 recipes are easy to follow and packed full of goodness including plenty of vegetarian dishes and good-for-you snacks and desserts. Some of our favourites included Mum’s Filipino Chicken with Mango-Tomato Salsa and Three-Ingredient Chocolate Pots, although our teen was besotted with slow-baked creamy berry and coconut oats for breakfast.

The ultimate kitchen status symbol, a casserole dish from Le Creuset has long been the wedding gift of dreams, used in French kitchens for nearly 100 years. 

Any budding chef would love to serve up dishes in one of the brightly coloured cast iron dishes, but the thrill doesn’t come cheap at nearly £200 for the smallest 20cm / 2.4 litre size. However they really are a dream in the kitchen, with a tight-fitting lid to seal in moisture, a wipe-clean enamel interior and an impressive lifetime warranty. It can be used in both the grill and the oven as well as on all types of hobs, and any regular cook will turn to it again and again - making this a fantastic sustainable Christmas gift choice.  We reckon buying anyone this entitles you to drop by for a casserole whenever you like too.

Ardent chefs get very protective about their kitchen knives but it’s likely many are using ones that are no longer tip-top without realising. Set them loose in the kitchen with this truly unique Christmas gift and their cooking will be revolutionised when they get their knives back in perfect condition.

Created by a father and son team in Germany, the neat-looking kit comes with two grinding angles for both more robust and finer blades. Industrial diamonds are used to ensure the sharpener itself never needs replacing, while the ceramic honing disc on the opposite side gives a smooth and clean knife edge. We were unsure if our knives even needed sharpening until we gave this a go and were in awe at how much better they functioned afterwards. The sharpener itself couldn’t be easier to use straight from the box and felt perfectly safe to use thanks to the strong magnetic hold. 

Who hasn’t dreamt of receiving an iconic Fortnum & Mason hamper packed with treats? Coveted as much for the distinctive reusable wicker basket as the delights inside, a hamper from the prestigious London store is the stuff of foodie fantasies.

This one is certainly a show-stopper and would be the perfect Christmas gift for your mother-in-law or someone else you’re desperate to impress. It has 15 items inside including Hot English Mustard, Strawberry & Champagne Preserve, Shropshire Honey and tea and coffee. We particularly liked the Piccadilly Dressing, which was delicious served with chicken salad, while the Fortnum’s Pickle is a bona-fide cheeseboard miracle. There are even a box of after-dinner Icy Mints and two good-sized tins of biscuits including the delightful, music-playing Mini Merry Go Round Tin our junior testers were completely charmed by. Full-sized bottles of Fleurie wine and Blanc de Blancs Champagne should seal the deal and ensure this gift will definitely turn heads this Christmas.

While we wouldn’t recommend making this the only gift you buy for the one you love, home cooks will quickly discover this could well be the most useful present under the tree this year.

Available in sleek black or white, the electric and rechargeable grinder can house salt or pepper and means they can finally bin that broken peppermill they’ve been battling with for years. There’s a viewing window to check ingredient levels and a wear-free ceramic grinder while grind consistency can be quickly adjusted to suit different recipes. We found it strangely addictive to press the button and grind pepper on almost everything we cooked and now use this spice mill every day. And you can’t say that about a bunch of flowers.

Leaving everything to the last minute doesn’t need to mean being stuck with second-best this Christmas. Stop frantically searching for the best supermarket wine and treat someone to a night out instead.

The One4all gift card can easily be bought in most supermarkets or online and loaded with any amount between £10 and £120 ($11 and $130). If you’re in a real panic, you can even send a digital gift card instantly with a photo, video or message for a more personal touch. The restaurant gift card can then be spent at all sorts of high street restaurants including Pizza Express, The Real Greek and Five Guys, which will be especially welcome in January when money’s tight and we all need cheering up. Cards are valid for 12 months and are easily swiped at the till but be sure the recipient knows their balance before they go as restaurant staff won’t be able to find this out.

Nothing beats homemade pasta. Any enthusiastic home cook will know it’s the only way to enjoy proper Italian food, so this sturdy steel pasta maker will get them churning out the good stuff in the comfort of their own kitchen.

Though this pasta machine is pricier than some others, it’s far more robust than most and really does deliver restaurant-quality pasta. The six-setting adjustable rollers and robust frame turn out uniform sheets of pasta that make the perfect lasagne and can also be used to make tagliatelle and fettuccine ribbons. We even managed a butternut squash ravioli the whole family declared a success. Combine it with the Marks & Spencer Antipasti Giftbox and you've got the perfect Italian package. 

Sending a Christmas gift to someone with a sweet tooth? If you’re not sure what they’ll like, an elegant box of macarons from world-famous Parisian pastry house Ladurée is bound to be delight. Available from November 2nd in a festive box decorated with snowflakes, it’s impossible not to be wowed by the rows of pastel-colored treats that—almost!—look too good to eat.

We loved the fact you could pick the flavors you wanted online to design the perfect box for the recipient, although it’s not possible to do this if you order the limited edition Christmas boxes. However, we think you just can’t go wrong with the classic flavors, and our favorites were the melt-in-the-mouth chocolate and the tasty vanilla. Boxes start at £23.50 ($25) for 8 but you could also send a giant collection of 24 for £62 ($67) if you’re buying for a family. Or treat yourself to a box instead and bring them out after the turkey for a Christmas dessert that will really impress your guests.

Encourage kids to get hands on in the kitchen early with this fun Christmas Ice Cream Sundae set from Next. 

A perfect stocking filler for any ice cream lover, it comes with a tall ice cream sundae glass, a long spoon, sprinkles and blueberry candy floss for a final bright flourish. Our junior testers were excited to create their own sundaes when they saw this and were keen to experiment with other flavors and toppings too. We’d definitely recommend stocking up on whipped cream, different ice cream flavors and sauces before the big day to avoid disappointed faces, especially as kids may prefer to skip Christmas pudding and whip up their own festive concoction instead.

The air fryer is this year’s must-have appliance so any curious cook or gadget lover will be intrigued to find one of the best air fryers under the tree this Christmas. Just check first to make sure they have enough worktop space for it or they’ll be thanking you through gritted teeth.

This Ninja Foodi Max is actually a lot more than an air fryer and can also be used to do almost anything an oven can, from roasting a joint of meat to grilling healthy salmon steaks. We even used it to bake a batch of surprisingly tasty Christmas cookies and it would be especially handy at Christmas when extra oven space is often needed. The smart cook system means it’s a doddle to use and will work out the ideal cooking time and temperature for every dish. We also loved the built-in probe which can be set to ensure steak is cooked exactly how you like it, while the air-fryer is perfect for golden brown chips and speedily cooking frozen food such as onion rings. It’s a mini kitchen miracle.

Wine and dine someone this Christmas by sending them this chic antipasti gift box from Marks and Spencer. 

It’s filled with everything you could need to hunker down with over Christmas for a tasty time by the tree including Rosemary and Olive Crackers, Italian Grilled Mixed Peppers, Italian Olive Collection and All Butter Double Gloucester Cheese and Sundried Tomato Bites. There’s a fruity bottle of Nerello Cappuccio red wine that's a match made in heaven with antipasti nibbles, but the real star of the show is the Rosemary and Lemon Olive Oil which is so good, you’ll almost want to drink it neat.

Don’t present your little darling’s teacher with yet another box of supermarket chocs this year. Instead, choose a thank you gift they’ll love and treat them to a proper tea break with this festive-themed tin they can reuse once Christmas is over.

Inside, there’s a packet of good English Breakfast Tea plus two packs of essential biscuits—the very Christmassy Spiced Winter Shortbread and the plain delicious Chocolate Brownie Biscuits. It's almost enough to make them look forward to term starting in January.

We all want to cook healthy dinners but it’s always difficult to find the time to discover new recipes and shop for ingredients. This Red Letter Day voucher is a thoughtful way to relieve the dreaded midweek what’s-for-dinner panic for someone you love and sort the ideas, shopping and cost for them for three meals every week.

Once they’ve activated the voucher, they’ll receive a box of seasonal ingredients and step-by-step recipes each week for four weeks. There are 30 meals to choose from and ours included the likes of beef rendang with coconut rice and halloumi burger with roasted red pepper and sweet chilli sauce. Everything is pre-measured to cut down on prep time and we loved the fact we could make homemade meals without any hassle or last-minute supermarket trips. Just remember the recipient must cancel their subscription after the first four weeks to avoid being charged if they don’t want the subscription to continue. If you're not keen on the meal selection, check out our guide to the best food subscription boxes, many of which can be gifted.

When you’re not sure what to send and don’t want to spend a fortune, you can never go wrong with chocolate. This delicious box of mini brownies will go down a storm with families or any busy household over Christmas. It's happily affordable too, making it a great Christmas gift idea for coworkers.

Handmade in London, there are 12 mini brownies in each box though larger boxes of 24 are also available. They will be delivered the next day if they’re ordered by 4pm and you can add a gift message at checkout too. We think it’s hard to beat the Classic Chocolate box which have a heavenly chocolate fudge ganache to die for, but there are other flavors available including Nutella, salted caramel, peanut butter fudge, millionaire shortbread and a vegan and wheat free option. Order a box to make someone’s day then bake your own triple choc brownies so you won't miss out.

Every home needs a decent coffee machine. If you know someone who is still suffering bog-standard instant or spending a fortune on takeaway coffees every week, this gift could be a game-changer.

They won’t need to faff around with hard-to-wash milk frothers or beans either. This Tassimo machine uses pods to make everything from espresso to latte macchiato and even hot chocolate. The flow heater system warms up almost immediately so it’s great for rushed mornings while the built-in Brita water filter ensures barista-standard coffee. We particularly liked the fact we could set the temperature, intensity and even cup size for every drink to get it exactly the way we wanted. It also looks great in the kitchen and won’t take up too much space. Throw in the best coffee travel mug with this gift and it's hands down one of the best gifts for coffee lovers. 

After indulging over Christmas, we’re all likely to start considering ways to be healthier in January. And what better way to do that than investing in one of the best blenders? Indulging in the odd easy smoothie is the tastiest possible way to ease into a New Year and this compact blender will excite anyone with good intentions, teenagers keen for quick and easy breakfasts and even budding chefs looking to whizz up sauces and marinades.

It’s a doddle to use for everyone. Just twist on either the standard or oversized cup and blend for a smoothie in around a minute. The extractor blade spins at 25,000 RPM so it has no problem shredding tough skins or crushing ice either—our teenager loved using it to make milkshakes with frozen fruit. Better still, it’s just as simple to wash as the cup goes in the dishwasher and the blades can be rinsed with soap and water.

One thing’s certain this Christmas—you can’t go wrong with a good bottle of bubbles. Whether you’re buying a Christmas gift for a friend who loves to sip while she cooks or sending to a family to enjoy with Christmas pudding, a bottle of fizz is always an impressive failsafe when you’re short on inspiration.

Make it special by choosing one they won’t just pick up for themselves in the supermarket. This Fitzrovia Rosé NV is made by Ridgeview in East Sussex and was served to Barack Obama at the Buckingham Palace State Banquet. Its fresh, fruity taste would work a treat with a festive seafood platter but we think it would make almost anything taste better this Christmas.

How we chose the best Christmas food gifts

The writer and the woman&home team have tested and personally approved each of the gifts in this guide - either through prior experience with the product in our own homes over the years or because the product was specifically tested out to be considered for inclusion in this guide. By trying and testing all of the Christmas food gifts included in this guide we can ensure that when we say we think these are the 'best' you can buy this year for the foodie in your life, we really mean it and these products reflect the quality and value for money we look for when doing our own Christmas shopping. 

Things to consider before buying Christmas food gifts 

Always think about what the person you're buying for loves. Consider their tastes rather than your own, how they love to spend time and what they would consider a treat. It's also worth thinking about who they live with and what their house is like, so you don't saddle them with a new gadget they don't have room for. With Christmas food gifts, think about if they love to cook or find it a daily chore and would welcome a break. Would they prefer something practical they'll use every day or something extravagant that can be enjoyed over the holidays?

If sending food, it's also very important to know if the person will be at home to receive and consume it—there's no point sending a hamper full of perishables the day before they jet away for a tropical Christmas holiday.