Rum, biscuits and fancy chips: The best last-minute Christmas gifts for food lovers
Still wrangling gifts? Whether you need a KK in a pinch or a stocking filler that will actually get used (or eaten), these are our favourite food and drink gifts that will arrive in time for Christmas.
A food hamper is a lovely idea in theory, but too often they’re filled with tiny jars of jam and odd-tasting macadamias and cheese crackers from unheard-of brands. Here are some delicious food and drink gifts that will actually get eaten.
Red Mill Christmas Rum 2025, $84
There are far better drinks to enjoy at Christmas than eggnog or Irish cream. At the top of that list is Red Mill’s Christmas Rum – a limited edition spiced coconut rum infused with panettone, apricots, cranberries, cinnamon and vanilla sugar, by a 90-year-old Sydney rum label. “It’s a little lighter in alcohol. It’s something grandma can have, but it won’t put her to sleep,” says owner and head distiller David Fesq. redmillrum.com.au
Nadine’s Christmas Biscuits Tin, $95
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Sign upIs there anything more joyful than an old-fashioned biscuit tin lined with crumpled wax paper and filled with an assortment of bikkies? This Christmas-inspired version by Woolloomooloo bakery Flour & Stone comes stocked with hazelnut shortbread, amaretti and hand-iced angel-shaped gingerbread. Handmade by Nadine Ingram and her team, they’re just rustic enough that you can pass them off as your own. flourandstone.com.au
See also: In Melbourne, Penny for Pound bakery’s Festive Cookie Collection ($62) is a tin filled with three pieces each of the following six biscuits: wagon wheels, chocolate-dipped florentines, passionfruit melting moments, soft iced gingerbreads, classic butter shortbreads and salted chocolate chip cookies. Pre-order at pennyforpound.com.au for collection from the Camberwell, Richmond or Moorabbin locations.
Mud Australia Christmas Ornaments, $55
If you prefer a traditional Christmas tree decked with glass baubles and family heirlooms, these porcelain ornaments from Mud Australia will fit right in. The new Christmas collection features three glazed ceramic bells, in Milk and Red, with a small love-heart charm that doubles as the clapper. Like all Mud Australian pottery, each piece is handmade in its Marrickville studio. mudaustralia.com
Gildas Basque Snack Pack, $125
Mixed nuts and chips are always welcome at Christmas, but for something a little more elevated, Lennox Hastie from Sydney’s Firedoor and Gildas has created this ready-to-serve snack pack. It features roasted Valencia almonds, marinated olives, guindilla peppers, Cantabrian anchovies, Basque ham, Superbon potato crisps and more. firedoor.com.au
Bonilla a la Vista Patatas Fritas, $54
These Spanish crisps are dangerously moreish, and it doesn’t help that they come in a 500g sized tin. Bonilla a la Vista chips are made in the Galician hills from just three ingredients – potatoes, cold pressed olive oil and salt. Here are Alice Zaslavsky’s tips for serving them. notwasted.com.au
Grape Garden Chilli Oil, $19
Critics’ Pick restaurant Grape Garden in Potts Point has started bottling the hot smoky chilli oil it spoons over its chewy, hand-pulled noodles and san xian dumplings. Owners Lun Gao and Jie Zhang’s family recipe is infused with Sichuan peppercorn, garlic, soy and toasted chilli flakes. grapegardenbeijingcuisine.com
Tarts Anon mince pies, $38 for six
If you’re in Melbourne, be sure to jump online and order a six (or 12) pack of Tarts Anon’s limited edition Christmas tarts, available to pick up at its Richmond or Collingwood locations. A sweet layer of fruit mince is encased at the bottom of a pastry shell and topped with a layer of wobbly spiced brandy custard. It’s just like Christmas in a bite. cookaborough.com/tarts-anon
T.House Giving Gardening Set, $110
Not-for-profit homewares label T.House has everything you need for the homemaker in your life. Think servingware, bespoke tea towels and napkins, and stylish gardening accessories. We particularly love the gardening sets, complete with a pastel steel toolbox filled with Japanese steel gardening tools. The best part? The profits are all donated to charities focused on addressing hunger, homelessness and health inequality across Australia. thouseshop.com
Market Lane coffee subscription, from $132
Got a coffee obsessive in your life? Give the gift of freshly roasted Melbourne beans with Market Lane’s fortnightly subscriptions. It’s suited to both filter and espresso machines and will be delivered to your loved one’s door every fortnight. You can choose whether to receive a unique, seasonal blend each time, or a consistent Brazilian espresso bean. Subscriptions range from $132 for a three-month delivery schedule, $264 for six months, or $572 for the entire year. marketlane.com.au
Intentional tea Christmas bundles, from $45
New Aussie tea label Intentional Tea is all about crafting herbal blends to seamlessly incorporate into your daily life. Alongside its cute blush glass mugs with wavy handles, the Christmas bundles make for the perfect gift. There’s a smaller bundle for those shopping under $50, or a larger one that includes the entire tea range and a set of four mugs. intentionaltea.com.au
Baker Bleu panettone and Christmas croissants, from $8.50
Pick up a Christmas-themed sourdough treat from cult-favourite bakery Baker Bleu, found across both Melbourne and Sydney. This year, there’s panettone two ways: traditional and studded with citrus, or a sour cherry and dark chocolate variation (both $65), both available until sold out. Plus, a special Christmas almond cream croissant stuffed with fruit mince ($8.50) is on the menu up to Monday, December 22. bakerbleu.com.au
Koko Black Christmas range, from $4.50
Whether it’s a stocking filling, KK contribution or something to bring for dessert, everyone loves the gift of chocolate. Koko Black is offering a wide range of Christmassy goodies from star-shaped chocolate pops to mulled wine marbles, Advent calendars, and our personal favourites, the white chocolate-coated Christmas pudding bites. kokoblack.com
Home-made foodie gifts
Christmas is an expensive time of year, and sometimes, the most thoughtful gift of all is something made with love at home. Luckily, we’ve got you sorted with all of our favourite recipes to whip something up for your loved ones. There are hot sauces galore, Christmas cookies, spiced nuts and more. See the full list of ideas here and save your favourites to your own custom festive list on the Good Food app.
Two Good Co. x Hunter Candle, $59
Social enterprise Two Good Co. has launched a range of Christmas gifts that give back. Highlights include the Summer Citrus Blossom Candle by Hunter Candles, inspired by long summer lunches outside; a Pepe Saya porcelain ceramic butter keeper in Forget-Me-Not blue; and a table runner and set of napkins featuring designs by local artist Lisa Nooin. Profits go towards providing meals for shelters and refuges. twogood.com.au
KitchenAid Stand Mixer with Walnut Wood Bowl, $999
KitchenAid’s walnut bowl has had fans in a whirl since it launched last year. It’s now back, paired with a Porcelain White stand mixer – a combination that feels balanced and stylish. The price includes free engraving. kitchenaid.com.au
Smeg’s Bean to Cup Coffee Machine 917 Salzburg, $2499
The most affordable Porsche you’ll ever own. Smeg has teamed up with the German sports car maker to release a limited-edition automatic coffee machine inspired by Porsche’s 1970 Le Mans win. Each machine is finished in Salzburg Red, individually numbered, and fitted with a metal plate of authenticity. smeg.com.au
Erina Starkey – Erina is the Good Food App Editor for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. Previously, Erina held a number of editing roles at delicious.com.au and writing roles at Broadsheet and Concrete Playground.
Emily Holgate – Emily is a producer for the Good Food App at The Age. She previously wrote for the likes of Broadsheet and Urban List.Connect via email.