ROSIE'S CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE
a list of lovely things to gift to yourself or your loved ones
There are a million ways to spend your money at Christmas and we’re reminded of it daily in the media. This is my list of things that I think are worth spending on, that will bring you or your loved ones, great joy. I’m also a HUGE fan of a homemade gift and so you will spot a package of Masala Chai Blondies, the recipe for which will go out to paying subscribers next week.
I’ve broken down my recommendations into lists of things, but they are really all part of one bigger category which is beautiful things for your kitchen, home and life at large. I’ve only included gifts that I truly believe in and that I would be buzzed to receive. I’ve tried my best to not repeat anything from last year, although there are a few returning makers, with new things to offer this year. I like to try and shop small and independent the year round, but especially at Christmas, so the majority of my recommendations come from independents that I think deserve your attention.
There isn’t much else to say before we get to the good shit, so I’ll just say this, whilst it’s lovely to give and receive gifts at Christmas, I really think the biggest gift of all is quality time. So I hope you all find the small moments of warmth over a glass of something delicious with the people you hold most dear this year. I’m keenly aware that Christmas isn’t always a joyful time, and can bring up some of the toughest dynamics around family and home. So take care of yourself, do what’s right for you, and maybe consider gifting something to yourself this year, you deserve it.
As always, sending love, Rosie x
DELICIOUS THINGS
I stumbled across this stall on Broadway Market in the summer and have since become obsessed with all the various tinned fish on offer. They work with some of the best canneries in Europe, focussing on sustainable methods, small batches that are hand prepared, with high quality, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. I would recommend this Sardine, Tuna & Mackerel box (£15.95) and if you want to really treat someone, you could gift them a monthly subscription (from £60).
A hot new Pugliese Extra Virgin Olive Oil has entered my pantry and it is both beautifully packaged, thus inherently giftable, and delicious. Snag a bottle (£25) for someone you love.
If you’re a fan of Eggnog, but perhaps you are trying to cut down on dairy or have a plant based friend who is feeling left out, this rum laced oat milk bottled cocktail (£19) is for you. This year, for every bottle sold, black-lines will donate £1 to Save the Children's Gaza Crisis emergency fund.
We were lucky enough to work with Singleton on our Fall Supper this year and I have fallen in love with their whisky. If you have a whisky lover in your life who you are a bit lost buying for, I can’t recommend The Singleton enough, it’s super adaptable and blends really well with other flavours, but completely holds it’s own over ice or straight.
WORDY THINGS
Nights Out At Home by Jay Raynor
I’ve always enjoyed Jay Raynor’s writing, he has a way with words that perfectly capture the energy, feel and taste of a place. I’ve enjoyed reading his scathing reviews as much as I have his glowing ones. After 25 years working as a restaurant critic, he has an enclyclopedic knowledge of the UK food industry and for anyone who enjoys reading about hospitality, this book is a joy to consume.
Butter by Asako Yuzuki
This novel had me (and it seems everyone else) in a choke hold right down to the last page. It’s a gripping story, anchored in gastronomy, murder and misogyny. After one particular scene I genuinely got out of bed, tiptoed to the kitchen and made myself a bowl of steamed rice, with butter and a single drop of soy sauce. IYKYK.
A Waiter in Paris by Edward Chisholm
I ripped through this narrative non-fiction in a few days on holiday this summer. It feels like the book Anthony Bourdain would have written, had he been a waiter in Paris. For anyone who has worked a job in hospitality, you will feel seen and perhaps a little triggered by this book. It’s entertaining, eye opening and deeply evocative of the French bistro scene.
Better Than Nonna by Danilo Cortellini
I met Danilo earlier this year on a trip to Umbria to visit the Farchioni family. He is one of the sweetest and most genuine chefs I have ever met and his second cookbook lets you peek into his world. This is a great book to buy for anyone who wants to learn the foundations of Italian cuisine and how to experiment with them.
KITCHEN THINGS
We were lucky enough to be able to use this splatter ware crockery for our last supper club and it added so much energy to the table. There is no shortage of splatter ware these days, but this is the most beautiful (and affordable) I have found, having been individually hand made in Italy, making each one perfectly imperfect. The range comes in a variety of colours and pieces start from £7.99.
Ok this is a bit of a confession from me, but I have always struggled keeping my knives sharp. I have spent hours trying to perfect the skill with a whetstone and I just seem to blunt them even more. So in the end I opted for a classic steel and I can’t tell you how easy and effective this one (£43) from Victorinox is. Gift someone a good steel and you really gift them sharp knives for life.
I love everything All Day Goods make, particularly their chef’s knives, which are a brilliant addition to any kitchen. But these cutlery knives (£65) are a lovely option at a lower price point. Handmade in Sheffield, using waste plastic and with ADGs donating 1% of every purchase to environmental projects and charities close to their heart, this is a gift within a gift.
Josh, of Foon, is a woodworker based in North Yorkshire who makes the most beautiful hand whittled spoons out of locally sourced wood. He also happens to be my brother in law and I have really enjoyed watching him take a hobby and turn it into a craft over the last few years. His spoons all have a very beautiful and natural shape to them, soft to the touch and perfect for stirring a pot of porridge on the stove.
HOMEY THINGS
Virginia and I have been working with my sister, Lily, from Wayfaring Wild on the prints for our supper club posters since 2023. Lily’s latest porcini mushroom print (£32), commissioned for our Fall Supper, is available to buy, although I’m told stock is very limited, so you’ll need to hurry. The Amalfi Lemon (£25) is a close second favourite for me.
For anyone who is spending a lot of time in the kitchen, hand cream is essential, but never more so than in the winter. This balm and hand cream are the perfect duo to keep your skin fighting fit.
I love Niamh’s work and am lucky enough to see a lot of the process as she has a studio in our warehouse. Her practice spans works on paper, screen printing and this new “still life on linen lampshade” which you can DM Niamh to order.
I love Alice’s drawings with all of my heart, she illustrated my cookbook and I can’t wait to be able to share all of her beautiful work from the book with you soon. She is a very talented artist and I love these little Robin cards (£10), which I will be writing for all my loved ones this year.
OTHER THINGS
If you’ve gotten this far, congratulations and thank you for reading to the end. There are a few other things that I will shamelessly self promote, because I believe in them and they would make excellent gifts. Firstly, a homemade gift is my favourite type of gift, so keep your eyes out next week for my recipe for Masala Chai Spiced Blondies - you all loved my Masala Chai Spiced Cake last year so think of this as it in blondie form. Secondly, please do consider gifting a subscription of this newsletter to someone you know who would enjoy it, but perhaps can’t afford it right now, it will be a little weekly gift into their inbox to brighten 2025. And if you are feeling very generous, you could also pre-order my cookbook ‘In for Dinner’, which granted doesn’t come out until May, but will be a delicious reward for getting through the long, hard, cold winter months. And if you STILL have a little left to give, can I encourage you to join me in volunteering at your local Food Cycle, donate to a food bank, The Trussle Trust or The Felix Project, giving back to those most in need at this time of year.
THANK YOU FOR READING AND GOOD NIGHT X