Just a quick one for those of us likely to get involved in street party or TV party baking for the two big events this year. Cake Craft Shop have a special Olympic and Jubilee section for cake decorations, and some great stuff to choose from. Might be worth stockpiling now before everyone gets themselves into the swing of things.

There’s a patriotic cupcake package, so everything you need from cases to a stand to serve them on, and even red, white and blue sprinkles. There are cupcake cases, sprinkles and toppers, in every kind of regal, patriotic fervour than you could want. I really like the crown cutter, could see getting use out of this for kid’s parties for ever afterwards.

And in a naff, cheesy, retro kind of way, I love the sporting figures for the tops of cakes, and am already working out what to make. Swimming pool cake got to be done, and gonna have to a running cake for when Twiglet carries the Olympic torch this year.

I’ll no doubt be coming back to these two events quite a few times as the year unfurls, but these are great starting points to get into the cupboard now.

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I’ve written before about how much I enjoy giving food experiences rather than just food things, and I’ve given a few from different “experience” companies. I really like Red Letter Days, and they have some great experiences for food lovers and cooks. Have a look at these and see if there’s someone on your list to match them up with:

* Get the inside track on some of the hidden food delights of Portobello Market with Celia Brooks Brown. Eat and drink your way round the area, drawing on Celia’s experience and knowledge, and including things like tapas and seafood. I think it would be fascinating and tasty, and a great way for two of you to spend an afternoon. You can also do Covent Garden with Celia as well, or book both!

* I’m a big lover of afternoon tea. And I’m rather fond of gin. So surely a Hendricks Gin Afternoon Tea is a fabulous combination. This experience pays for two to go to afternoon tea at Hush, with a proper spread, plenty of cake and then cocktails. And then you get to mix your own cocktails. Just don’t book for dinner afterwards!

* Fascinated by all those dishes going round on the conveyor belt at Yo Sushi? Well, now you can book in for sushi lessons with them at a number of the branches around the country. Two of you can get to learn some of the intricacies, the ingredient selection and learn how to make three different types. Then demolish them!

* If you’re going for broke this year, then opening an envelope containing a break at Le Manoir would definitely add a certain something to Christmas morning. This would be on my bucket list, and this “experience” buys one nights accommodation in a junior suite, a truly memorable five course dinner, breakfast, the run of the gardens, the whole lot. Personally, I’d be hoping to run into Adam, and if Mr Blanc was spotted would have to declare “voilà!”

* A little less onerous on the bank balance, but certainly still tasty and memorable, would be the tour of the Penderyn Distillery, the only whisky distillery in Wales. Of course you have to get there, you might have to stay, but sure you’d still be onto a great value weekend. The tour also includes a tasting of the product, which continues to win awards in the whisky world.

These are experiences that I guess you might not think to head out and do yourself, but if someone gave you the opportunity then you’d enjoy those things. I always think these are great options for those people you have no idea what the heck to buy!

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The Playboy Gourmet – a 1970s epic, that somehow has not been preserved as a classic through the years. Written by a man for men, by his own admission, this includes recipes such as Brandied Peach Alaska Pie, Curried Avocado Dip and even San Remo Dip, whatever that might be. Perfect for some retro entertaining, and a wry smile if this is a gift to be opened.

Eat Like A Man – a more recent cookbook, and billed as the only cookbook a man will ever need. Quite American and quite meat heavy, but I seriously considered bringing this back from my last trip from NYC. Probably not one if he has foresworn on meat.

Len Deighton Action Cookbook – renowned for his action writing, and characters like Harry Palmer, but less well known for his cooking initially. But this cookbook rapidly gained a cult status, indeed helping it to be reprinted recently. So this might be slightly less uncommon on bookshelves now, so you could try his French Cooking for Men as well.

The Grillin’ Wild Cookbook: Innovative Recipes for Hunters, Fishermen and Outdoor Enthusiasts – apparently this comes from a show of the same name in the US, all based on cooking in the great outdoors. Sounds like the sort of thing where you’re expected to catch your own dinner first, not to mention gut and skin it. But if that’s his thing, then this could be the perfect book.

The Butch Bakery – because who says real men can’t bake? These are cupcakes without all the fluff and flowers, and big gutsy flavours. Because, yes, unless my eyes deceive me, that is bacon on top of that cupcake. You don’t get that in the Hummingbird.

So, man up, and man that kitchen!

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First up is The Weald Smokery, based in East Sussex. Smoking over oak in brick kilns, their hot roast smoked salmon won gold at this year’s Great Taste Awards. You could go the whole hog, or fish, and treat someone to a whole side, or treat them to a gift box that includes it and a good selection of their other delicacies.

Moving round the coast to Suffolk and to The Artisan Smokehouse. Combining great smoking with the produce of other great British producers, their hamper offers some brilliant treats for Christmas including smoked beef fillet, smoked Cropwell Bishop Stilton and smoked rapeseed oil. Lots of things to work with to infuse smokey flavours into all kinds of dishes.

Heading a long way west, and to the Black Mountains Smokery. Working with both hot and cold smoking techniques, Black Mountains harnesses the best of tradition with modern technology across a wide range of products. If you’ve got someone to buy for who isn’t a fish lover, then have a look at the Meat Platter Hamper. Some great meals in there, with things like smoked chicken, duck and goose to start with, along with some sausages and even a boned quail.

For something a little different, heading south to Brown & Forrest in Somerset, and try their smoked eel, which they’ve been smoking for over 29 years. This is hot smoked over beech and apple, and comes as small packs, or whole sides, or even converted for you into a pate.

Got to feature smoked salmon, and so heading about as far north in the UK as is possible to go, and to the Hebridean Smokehouse on Uist. You can choose peat smoked or beechwood smoked, from a small pack to a whole side, sliced or left ready for you to tackle. Perfect for Christmas morning with a glass of fizz.

Want to learn how to do it yourself? Check out the appropriately named Smoky Jo’s, who do one day or weekend courses, and they can even sell you the smoking kit to get on with your own produce. If you need additional incentive to book, they’re based up near Penrith, so some beautiful countryside and good eating around you, and you get to pick up a new skill. Perfect.

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* For those that like to cook up a roast on a regular basis, then I really like the Cut & Carve Tray, which will give you a secure place to carve, but also capture all the great juices. And it can go in the dishwasher, a definite plus in my book!

* Got a lover of breakfast in bed? Or want to drop a hint to a loved one? This oak breakfast tray would definitely cut the risk of breakfast being more on the bed than in bed.

* I’m not even mad keen on vodka, but love this vodka set. Perfect for shots, more likely to be sloe gin in our house than vodka. Fill the carafe with spirit of choice and put in the freezer, and stand it over the base filled with ice when ready to go. Pretty coloured glasses too!

* I can think of someone that would love an apple press like this and will be busy sending this link to BFF. Although imagine her fella is less likely to leave the end product as just apple juice! If you always have an excess and wonder what to do, then this could be brilliant come next autumn. Local pig keepers will thank you for the leftovers too!

* For someone who is vowing that next year they are going to grow their own, then give them a real incentive by treating them to some great seeds. The beginner’s vegetable garden seeds gives them some interesting but straightforward stuff to grow, like French beans, minature cucumbers, cut and come again Green Oak Leaf lettuce and cherry tomatoes. If they’re more experience, then check out the large variety of single seed packets, for things like Green Globe Artichokes or Red Rubine Brussel Sprouts.

There are also great courses for cooking and gardening for cooking, and kit for the kitchen and obviously for the garden. A  taste of the good life for Christmas Day and beyond.

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We were given one of the Chocolate Panettones a couple of years ago and it was delicious. Whether just sliced off, toasted with butter, or converted into an amazing panettone and butter pudding, everyone who tried it loved it. Sophisticated white and gold packaging almost doesn’t need wrapping.

Discover what chocolate and orange can be like without Terry’s being involved. The Chocolate Clementine is the real deal, candied Calabrian clementines enrobed in thick dark chocolate. Delish!

Need a bigger gift? I like the Dinner at Home (Cena in Casa) hamper, which they describe as being ideal for a kitchen supper. For £35 you get coffee, fig jam, linguine and a good pesto, pappardelle and ragu and some anchovies. Now, there’s a good few great suppers in there, making it great value in my book.

Normally olive oils and oil gifts make my heart sink, as they have little provenance usually, or taste. Not so with this useful trio of a Ligurian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a Chilli and a Lemon infused EVOO. Great for salad dressing or finishing dishes, I don’t think anyone would turn their nose up at this threesome.

You might know by now that I love a teatowel, and I’m particularly fond of a fairly kitsch one. Which I think this one definitely qualifies as!

So, stop in, have a good coffee, a slice of toasted panettone, and give them your shopping list whilst you eat! Sorted!

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Ok, declaration of conflict of interests and bias upfront: I work with the team at Soap & Glory every day, they keep me very busy but we have some brilliant times. I am very proud of the cosmetics range they’ve just launched into our shops, and I’m delighted to give them a shout out for this brilliant gift.

Things you can’t have too many of: aprons and storage tins. And Yum at Heart gives you both, to keep you baking long after Christmas 2011 has disappeared from our memories. But there are even more benefits, as you get the daily delight of Breakfast Scrub. We could all tell you the lengths that were gone to to get this product to market, and I know more about the buying of oats than one person needs to, but boy, was it worth it!

Think warm bowls of porridge smothered in maple syrup. Now, keep it on the outside of your body, and you get a fabulous smelling, effective but gentle body scrub. Love it, love it, love it! Cheers shower time up no end.

And every cook and baker needs a good hand cream, and Hand Food will definitely tick all the right boxes to keep cooking hands in great shape. The gift is £16 at Boots, and is also part of the mix and match so maybe buy two for someone else and keep one yourself! Treat them, treat yourself, make us happy! Please!

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Official “Bewitched” Cookbook  – I’d love this one on so many levels. Was a huge fan of the show as a kid, and it surely taps into the whole early 60s vibe as well. Pre dinner martinis anyone? It also apparently contains the special recipes that saved Darrin’s career, and who knows when those might come in useful!

Zuzu Bailey’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” Cookbook – it’s not Christmas until the angel gets his wings, and maybe they get wings when we cook from this. These are good old-fashioned American recipes inspired by the fictional town of Bedford Falls. I can see myself making Potter Pot Pie and Silver Bells Christmas Cookies and settling down with the family to watch the film.

Pulp Kitchen – Recipes for the Good, Bad and Ugly – this is great for food loving film buff, with recipes inspired by all kinds of films and genres. From The Godfather to Bridget Jones Diary (blue string at the ready), Casino Royale to the Sound of Music, there are all kinds of recipes to add another dimension to your film viewing.

The Star Wars Cookbook: Wookiee Cookies and Other Galactic Recipes – I’m very tempted to buy this for Dr T, and imagine it will be a source of pride to any other Star Wars geeks and fan boys. In fact, it’s almost worth it for the photography alone, but then what other cookbook do you have that has Princess Leia Danish Dos and Mos Eisley Morsels? I would say this was actually aimed at littler cooks, but sure there are some very big kids who would really appreciate this!

Love at First Bite: the Unofficial Twilight Cookbook – I seem to remember that vampires don’t eat proper food, but couldn’t see that there wouldn’t be a cookbook to go with this hugely successful franchise. So there are Bites at Dawn, also known as breakfast, and even Howl at Twilight cocktail recipes. I would say it was again one for a real fan, though probably fan girls in this case!

Like I said, these are all a bit of fun, but sure there will be recipes in here that you’d have great fun making, and it may be a great way to introduce a reluctant cook into the kitchen. Just wiggle your nose and see what happens!

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It’ll be no surprise that the gifts mainly come from big names, some of which are definitely worth cupboard space to me. So have a look at the gifts from Hawkshead Relish, giving some good selections of pickles and jams, nicely presented.

Not everyone is some faceless big brand though, as personified by the cookie mixes in jars by Scarlet Bakes, a small Hampshire company. There are rainbow cookies, triple chocolate chip or even gingerbread mixes. Alternatively, you could have a go at doing this yourself.

Never heard of Abtey. Not keen on liquers. Love the box. And at least they are interesting liquers like calvados, cognac and pastis.

Just occasionally, but probably particularly at Christmas, it’s good to revisit naff chocolate. So, bring on the Matchmakers! Not sure why, but you have to have 5 boxes. But even I draw the line at Dairy Box!

Personally, I’ll probably stick to Amazon for delivering books and kitchen stuff rather than the eating stuff, but worth a look in case more gets added into the shop.

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In reality my house looks more like the proverbial explosion in a paint shop, nothing matches (and not in an arty way), my linen looks creased the minute I put it on and I look rubbish in shades of taupe and beige, like I’m dead already. And I can never claim to have had a clean child. Only a happy one.

But I still look longingly at the catalogue, and still think it’s not a bad source for gifts for those who can pull off the pale life. Or at least would like just a little corner of the house where they can pretend! For the cooks and food lovers, then there are a few choices I’d make:

I do love their candles, and the Winter fragrance is a great foodie scent. Combining cinnamon, clove and fresh orange, this is going to smell like Christmas baking, even when you aren’t busy in the kitchen.

A carafe is always useful, particularly for those of us definitely eschewing bottled water. Chilled tap water with a slice of lemon, served beautifully in something like this wins hands down for me.

I love a good cake stand, and have a lovely glass one similar to this one which I use an awful lot. Works well for cakes and desserts, or fruit and cheese. A good investment piece.

Ok, and I know this is not cheap at £45 but who doesn’t want to make trifle in this comport? Can imagine you could do all sorts with this, or just make a lot of trifle!

I had a bit of an obsession with champagne saucers last year, and still loving them this year as well. These feel elegant and decadent, even if you only pour Sprite into them.

The good thing about The White Company is that with it all being so neutral you could give their stuff to anyone, even someone you didn’t know very well, as it would fit in anywhere. This link to the site will give you 15% off everything through till 22 December, no code needed, so worth stopping by for a look.

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