First there was Twitter to distract me, and then I discovered Pinterest. Which is ideal for nosy people like me, always on the look out for new things, particularly tasty things. It’s been great for discovering new gift ideas, and new recipes, and even things where the two combine.

I’ve got a whole section going on Foodie Gifts the DIY way, and within that I had a post saved from Bakerella for Cowgirl Cookies in a jar. No idea where the name comes from or the history of the recipe, but I thought they looked like something I could do for my team.

I played around with the ingredients a bit and also with the order they went into the jar, as just doing them in the order from the post left a big chunk of flour at the bottom. I know, it should be just about the taste but I want them to look pretty too! So I measured out the flour and put it in three different lots. My version of the recipe is:

1 1/3 cup plain flour (level cup not heaped)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon bicarb

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup cooking oats (I mixed porridge oats & Waitrose’s Four Grain Porridge Mix)

1/2 cup bashed up Peanut M&Ms

1/2 cup plain choc chips

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

I just did these in different layers, and each jar was slightly different to each other. These are designed to go in 1 quart jars, or here that would be a 2 pint/1 litre jar. I bought mine from Jam Jar Shop, and the best bit of kit to go with this was my preserves funnel to make sure everything got into the jar cleanly. I finished it with some lovely red and white fabric from John Lewis, along with some cord.

The labels are on the Bakerella site, and I just printed them on labels and cut them out. And that was it. And the team all seemed genuinely happy and thrilled with them, and the thought of easily turning out hot cookies was a good one! And they are so simple to make, only needing an egg and some butter and a baking tray. Even the most non-cooking household should be able to lay their hands on those things!

You might even have most of the ingredients to hand, so this might make a great last minute gift as well.

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If you’ve read my blog before, you might know that I work in retail, and I will actually be working out in shops for the last couple of days of this festive season. But for my own shopping, you could not find me further from the high street, and the crowds. Although hopefully lots of you don’t share my aversion, otherwise it’s going to be a very lean year next year on the salary front!

But if you cannot face the shops, and you still need to do some/all your gift buying, what can you do at the last minute, from the comfort of your own chair, and still be in good books on Christmas Day? Here’s some thoughts for you:

* For general gift buying here’s a post I did over on English Mum’s blog, covering everything from music to magazines and amazing trips. All from the chair.

* Travelling by rail this Christmas? Well, if you’re passing through St Pancras, I think you can do all your shopping there and still have happy relatives on Christmas Day.

* In a similar vein to the first one, but definitely for the food lovers, this is my best list of  a lot of gifts that can be bought and something downloaded and printed, even whilst your loved one is in the shower on Christmas morning.

* Bake. Not sure it matters what, but I would go for something easy and always welcome, like chocolate brownies. Doesn’t take long, and it’s hard to be mad at anyone bearing a plate of deliciously gooey chocolate brownies. The corner shop may even be able to yield up a suitable tea towel to wrap the plate up in, so that it feels like a present.

* Try the corner shop but don’t buy anything that looks remotely festive. Wooden spoons, always useful (although perhaps avoid a rolling pin), and likely to be in stock. If they’ve got an extra virgin olive oil then go with that. Bottle of champagne, not original, but better than nothing (move away from the Lambrini though). I know my corner shop is not typical, but they stock Tiptree jam and a range of local pickles and chutney. If yours does anything similar, then good choices. They’ve run out of wrapping paper? Buy the Financial Times and wrap in that!

So, no need for last minute panic buying at your local garage, not like this lot!

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I know I’ve already written about my support for this, but just a reminder that the Military Wives Choir single went on sale today, and it’s now on the run into the Christmas number 1. This is not about just achieving that slot, but also about raising a heap of cash for two great charities.

And, as I wrote before, it’s about celebrating things that go beyond music and charts, and speak of friendship, of sharing, of coming together, and doing something for the greater good.

If that’s not a great aim for the festive season, I don’t know what is. So please consider supporting the efforts of this great group of women.

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Come on, who doesn’t want to find the King of the Ridge in their stocking this Christmas time? Or the Black Knight, Bloody Warrior or the Southampton Wonder?

If you’re not quite sure, then be reassured, these are just rare vegetables that the Heritage Seed Library are busy saving, and you can gift to a loved one this Christmas. This gift also helps to support the work of Garden Organic, which shares skills and knowledge with schools and local communities, as well as researching and promoting best organic practice to thousands of individuals, and helping to grow and preserve our seed heritage.

They get a gift pack, and if you go for some of the options then they also get seeds to grow a couple of these heritage varieties. I think it’s fun and a move on from adopting pandas and iguanas. And no one will object if you eat the King of the Ridge. They’re a bit funny about the pandas though.

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I spend quite a lot of time at St Pancras, mainly as a way to avoid spending any more time than necessary at King’s Cross. I always like to imagine I’m about to get on the Eurostar to Paris, but the truth is I’m always on the train to Grantham. Not exactly the same.

And I guess even more so than other stations, this one will be full of people heading home for Christmas, not just across the UK but back to Europe as well. Which got me to thinking, what if you turned up here on Christmas Eve, ready to head home, and then suddenly realised you’d done no Christmas shopping at all. And you had a whole host of foodies to buy for. All before the last train.

Could you shop, and not be out in the cold on Christmas morning? You could have a go, here’s my quick dash guide to last minute gift shopping en route to the buffet car:

* Maybe make Paperchase your last call, to buy gift bags for anything that hasn’t been wrapped already for you. They also have some great recipe folders and even aprons and tea towels.

* Head upstairs to Carluccios and stock up on Italian goodies. Always look good, taste pretty good too!

* There’s at least 1 big event in 2012, so stop by the London 2012 shop for Olympic goodies like mugs and teapots, lunchbags and teatowels. Go on, we might enjoy it when it happens.

* I know I didn’t love Marks and Spencer’s food gifts this year, but you could run in and buy their best champagne, and a big handful of packets of Percy Pigs. I think that would get you a warm reception from all age groups!

* Oliver Bonas always have an eclectic selection, particularly in books and small gifts. Definitely worth a look. I just have to try and not get distracted by the shiny things.

* If you want a broader selection of books, then Foyles has smallish shop, but usually it’s pretty good in food and drink. Although if you’re carrying them, maybe choose paperbacks, like the beautiful Penguin editions of classic titles by people like Claudia Roden.

* For some French flavours to your gift giving, try the little takeaway section of Le Pain Quotidien, as they have a small but tasty selection of things like jams and marmalades, not to mention plain, milk, white and chocolate hazelnut spreads. Buy all four, and get them wrapped, someone will love you lots for it.

* Two fail safe stops: Cath Kidston for those who like it country and kitsch, and The White Company for those that don’t. I’d do tea towels and aprons from the first, and foodie candles from the second, like fresh ginger or Tuscan fig.

* Peyton and Byrne would mean hoping for some baked goodies, like fig rolls or Scotch eggs. But even settling for some great tea, jam or mustard would be no real hardship. I am particularly partial to their raspberry jam.

* Finally, you’ve got about two minutes before the train, so I would suggest a supermarket style sweep through Sourced Market You’d find it hard to pick a bad treat from here. Wine and beer selections are particularly interesting.

Then head off and let the train take the strain. If you’re trying to do the same at King’s Cross, forget it. Unless your loved ones will thank you for a four pack of Strongbow and a Pork Farms sausage roll from Whistlestop. In which case, wrap up warm, it’ll be cold outside!

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* Cocktails with Bompas & Parr – I’ve not been to one of their events, only read about them with great envy. Innovative and imaginative don’t even begin to sum up the descriptions that I’ve read. This would be an adventure in cocktails for sure, so could make for some interesting evenings in!

* Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails – again, another one for the adventurous, who will really enjoy the 80 rare and worth rediscovering recipes. You might want to have a quick scan of the book before you hand it over and maybe accompany it with a bottle of one of the rarer ingredients not perhaps already in the cocktail cabinet. My best recommendation for tracking down weird spirits is TheDrinkShop.com.

* Japanese Cocktails: Mixed Drinks with Sake, Shochu, Whiskey and More – I imagine you don’t see these on your average cocktail menu! Perfect for either a real cocktail mixing enthusiast, or for someone with a real taste for Japanese culture and tastes. Personally, I’ve had enough sake to last a lifetime, definitely an acquired taste that I failed to acquire!

* Margarita Mama: 80 Mocktails for Moms-To-Be – I’ll forgive the awful American title if it gives some alternatives for non drinkers to lime and soda! In fact, these are mainly recognisable cocktails just without the alcohol, but there are some great themed drinks like Baby Shower Shake and Shake Your Booties.

* The Bubbly Bar: Champagne and Sparkling Wine Cocktails for Every Occasion – amongst my favourite cocktails, there are several based on champagne. And I think a few well chosen additions to any sparkling wine improve it immensly (I had a Sparkling Violet last week, Prosecco plus Creme de Violette, lovely). A great starting point, as my perspective is these tend to be simpler cocktails to make. And very easy to drink!

Some festive spirit, whether including spirits or not! If you want to get them the appropriate hardward to go along with one of these books, then try barmans.co.uk or Drinkstuff.com. Cheers!

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I know that this is not strictly food related, but does also speak to some of the things that I think sharing food does, or can do.

Firstly, this is not about the politics of war. For me, this is about people. The people who do a job, and those that they leave behind. You could say the first group know what they are getting into. I am not sure that that is true of the wives, girlfriends, the mums and dads, the siblings, and certainly not the kids. So having something that gave those left here something to focus on, something to help with the ticking off of days, as well as doing and creating something fantastic has to be a great thing.

It speaks of community, of coming together. Sort of what the best meals do, or cooking together, or eating and drinking together.

It speaks of recognising what is good in the world, done for the right reasons. Done without a desire for reward, for that thing called fame. It’s about doing stuff just for the sheer joy of it. Like cooking and eating.

I’ve nothing against Simon Cowell personally, or even whichever one of whoever is in the X Factor wins. It’s just that this single has a chance, in a pretty bleak year, to remind us about the things that really matter. And surely that is the true spirit of Christmas.

So, lets hear it for the girls, get them to number one for Christmas, and really take a small moment out of the year to recognise the true spirit of Christmas.

Not heard it? Surely not! Get your hanky ready! Then get your pre-order in.

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* Jamie Oliver’s Beetroot Relish – lots of people looking for this. Heaven knows why they click through here though, as Jamie Oliver’s own site comes out top of the search, and is the obvious place to look to buy this.

* Most beautiful cookbooks – I wrote a blog post with that term pretty much as the title, so guess that’s why people end up at this post. I still think that the Penguin Great Food books are the most beautiful books, and the three I’ve bought so far have been fascinating reading, as well as some great recipes.

* Gifts for spice lovers – I’ve written about all kinds of spice and heat since I started the blog, and it’s something we’re quite keen on here at Tarver Towers anyway. I wrote a post last year on this theme, covering everything from the hottest of the hot from Chilli Pepper Pete through to the great aromatics from Arabica.

* Lambrini gifts – do you lot never learn? I have nothing nice to say about them.

* Bespoke coffee tampers – be very happy if the person searching for this is buying for you. I think it’s a fabulous gift for a serious coffee lover, and I found one at a great site called Has Bean Coffee.

* Christmas tea towels – I love a great tea towel for every occasion. I’m not sure if these were searches for tea towels for Christmas gifts, or Christmassy tea towels. If I need a tea towel, then it has to be To Dry For. If they don’t have what you need, I don’t think you need it.

* Diamond Jubilee chefs aprons – blimey, some of you are organised! I’m still tieing up this Christmas, let alone getting into next year. I did briefly mention a vintage apron that might work for a street party next year but that’s as close as I’ve got to thinking about it!

Full marks to the person looking for a gold star champagne saucer. I’m still loving mine, though mine are less sophisticated as I have a mismatched set including a Babycham one. Good luck with your present hunting, let me know if you are looking for anything interesting, or having trouble finding something.

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Go for the cute factor with these stacking Russian doll measuring cups. Space saving, and practical, but not boring for sure.

Not strictly measuring cups, but useful as an add on, these measuring spoons go for full on colour, and accuracy of measurement from a quarter of a teaspoon up to a full tablespoon.

If it was the pretty colours of Rosie’s cups that were appealing, then these measuring jugs from John Lewis might fit the bill.

I’ve never had a posh set of measuring cups, but I’ve had the same set of stainless steel ones for about 20  years, and they are still going strong. Function over style maybe, but darn useful!

For the retro look, then the Tala Cook’s Dry Measure Cup might be useful too. I like one of these for if we are renting somewhere, which we often do for our holidays, and can’t guarantee a set of scales.

Also keeping with the retro feel, then these Mason Cash cups would do the trick as well. With quarter, half and full cup, these are very practical and quite lovely. Look great hanging up in a country style kitchen.

The only issue I have with my cups is I’m always losing one. So these magentic measuring cups would be incredibly useful. As long as everyone is trained to put them back together in one set in the drawer!

Maybe these will be a good substitute, maybe not. Just goes to show that even on the high street, you have to sometimes buy stuff when you see it, as there’s no guarantee it’ll still be there when you need it. I’ve still not bought Yum at Heart, and sure I deserve a Soap & Glory apron! And I never even got close to this year’s Heston pudding! I mean, anyone would think that Christmas is coming.

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Every home should have a sandwich defender plate! A great way of getting your kids (big or small) to clear their plates!

I know it’s kitsch, but I love a bit of kitsch and this ceramic jam ring biscuit box does it for me. In fact, if you wanted to go full out kitsch, then there’s even a pink wafer version!

I always love a good tea towel, and the La Biere Gallia tea towel feels like a small bit of proper Paris bistro transported into the home.

Need to check roasting times or weight conversions whilst you’re cooking? The Cooking Guide apron means you can check even with mucky hands! Printed the right way up from the cook’s perspective, definitely a useful apron!

Combine art and food with the  Great British Pudding print. Great regional delights and tea time treats, also comes as a useful shopping bag as well.

I know nothing about the designer but the Bob Cup and Saucer by Katy Leigh is quirky and stylish, and I rather like it. So whether they just like interesting design, or are devotees of Katy’s figure drawings, then this is a great tea time gift.

There is one veg that has no place on our Christmas table, unless it was like this! The Sprout Napkin Box makes for a festive table addition, without the added flatulence later.

Each purchase from Culture Label supports the arts, and the artists and museums around the UK, and further afield. Not only do you and your loved ones get great gifts, but the benefits go further, which has to be a good thing. Worth signing up for their newsletter, as there is always something new coming in, and I find it a great site for those difficult to buy for people.

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