We all know that the best gifts are the ones you can chew, swallow and digest. Whether you’re buying for a craft beer fanatic, a health enthusiast or a friend with a giant sweet tooth, there’s sure to be a present on this list for even the pickiest person you have in mind. Treat your friends, loved ones or colleagues to some edible goodies because really, what’s Christmas without a little bit of indulgence?
1. Sample Coffee Roasters subscription
Who for? The coffee addict
Price: $23.80-$68.80
Know someone who’s a bit of a coffee snob? Surprise them with a subscription. Sample Coffee Roasters (the crew behind the famous Surry Hills hole-in-the-wall shop) offers fortnightly or monthly deliveries of freshly roasted coffee direct to your doorstep. Choose between Sample’s seasonal espresso blend designed for milk or rich espresso, or Brew Crew which’ll get you a new single origin blend from around the world each delivery. There are 250g, 420g or 1kg sizes – depending how caffeine-crazed your buddy is.
Photograph: Kiera Chevell
2. Archie Rose Distilling Co spirits
Who for? Your boozy bestie
Price: $94-$99
Create a tailored spirit for someone truly special. Archie Rose Distilling Co sell custom bottles of vodka or gin – all you have to do is select a bunch of botanicals (e.g. lemon myrtle, blood lime, juniper berry, angelica root) set their strength and let Archie Rose work their magic. They’ll even chuck you and your friend's names on the label. And don’t worry if you’ve left Christmas shopping to the last minute, you can always buy a non-tailored bottle.
3. Cornersmith’s jars of pickles and preserves
Who for? The one you don't know what to get
Price: $12-$70
If you’ve ever been to Cornersmith, you’d know how absolutely delicious their preserved fruit and vegetables are. Treat someone special to a Three Wise Jars gift pack (green tomato relish, bread and butter pickles, peach and rose jam and tote bag) or a Pickle Pack (malt pickled onions, fennel pickle, ploughman’s pickle, Worcestershire sauce, chilli salt and tote bag). The best thing about buying pickles? Pickles have a hell of a long expiry date, so if you’ve forgotten to give your gift to them you’re safe to hang onto it for another occasion.
Photograph: Kiera Chevell
4. Farmer Jo Muesli
Who for? Your fitspo pal
Price: $14.75-$159
We’ve all got that one friend who’s intent on buying all things paleo, organic and/or wholegrain – and we bet they’re a massive muesli lover. Treat them to a 400g bag, 3kg bag or a case (12 x 400g bags) of delicious, artisan muesli from Farmer Jo Muesli. There are loads of flavours available including coconut roasted in maple syrup with chia seeds; paleo cacao granola; and honey granola with quinoa whole almonds and pistachios. Plus, there’s a special Christmas granola with cranberry and white chocolate – but be quick if you want to order this online, it’s only available until December 22.
5. Beer Cartel craft beer subscription
Who for? The beer lover
Price: $30-$164.99
If your friend is a craft beer enthusiast, they’ll know that there’s certainly no shortage of craft beers to try. Beer Cartel takes the guesswork out of deciding which beers to give by delivering a selection of brews straight to their doorstep. Choose from monthly subscriptions: the Starter Pack (a mixed six-pack of three different beers); the Enthusiast (a mixed 12-pack of four different beers); the Crowd Pleaser (a mixed 24-pack of four different beers) or the quarterly Expert Pack (16 different beers sent every three months).
Photograph: Eugene Hyland
6. The Stinking Bishops cheese hampers
Who for? Your cheesy companion
Price: $60-$175
If you’ve ever had a meal at the Stinking Bishops, you’re bound to be as excited as us after hearing they’re selling Chrissie hampers. The hampers are available in three sizes and come with all the components of any good cheese board – Fine Cheese Company Cheddar, Italian ‘mini lingue’ crackers, quince paste, muscatel grapes and more. Order these bad boys online and pick them up in-store from December 19-22 (11am-6pm), or December 23-24 (9am-5pm).
7. Katie Swift Cordial
Who for? Your purest pal
Price: $17
There’s nothing like an ice cold glass of cordial on a hot summer's day – and what makes it even better is when it comes with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Buy a bottle of Katie Swift Cordial (makes approximately 15 glasses) and treat your pals to a tasty beverage that’s handmade and filled to the brim with natural ingredients. Choose from a bunch of flavours including blood orange, lime, pink grapefruit and raspberry.
8. Feather and Bone meat
Who for? Your meathead mate
Price: $5-$270
Heading to a Christmas lunch and stuck for what to bring? Or maybe you’ve got a friend who’s go-to pub meal is a 250g rump steak? If you’re buying for a meat lover, you can’t go past Feather and Bone Providore for the highest quality, ethically-sourced meat in the business. Choose from pastured pork, pastured beef, mutton, chicken, turkey, ham or any other delicacy you can think of – chances are they’ve got it.
Photograph: Mitch Lui
9. The Urban Beehive honey
Who for? The sweetest friend
Price: $5-$20
A jar of honey is a pantry staple. Whether you’re buying for someone who’s a honey-on-toast or a honey-in-tea sort of person, the most delicious honey is the kind that’s locally made. Buy a tube (60g), jar (300g) or tub (1kg) of honey from the Urban Beehive and you’ll get just that. Their honey is made in various locations across Sydney – from city backyards to community gardens, businesses to rooftops. Plus, it’s raw, unheated and minimally filtered so it’s as close to being straight-from-the-beehive as you can get.
10. Box Fresh fruit and vegetables
Who for? The fruit fanatic
Price: $35-$74
Christmas is a time of indulgence but the silly season often comes with feelings of regret. Why not help kick off a loved one’s new year health resolution by sending them through a box of fruit and veg. The crew at Box Fresh hand source local produce from all over New South Wales, pack them and deliver them straight to your door. Plus, for an extra $15, they’ll dress up the box into a Christmas-themed hamper and attach a personalised gift card. Post-Christmas cleanses have never been easier.
Photograph: Graham Denholm