9 Christmas gifts that will impress the epicurean in your life

We’ll admit, present shopping for foodies is not an easy task—what do you get the person who already has a box of the fanciest chocolates, or has a very specific taste in snacks (read: they have to be vegan and made with local produce)? Thankfully, Bazaar India’s list of Christmas gifts will help you navigate through the glut of gift hampers in the market and get the ones that are guaranteed to awe the food-obsessed people you know.

There’s something for everyone in here—from the one who can have endless cups of tea in a day, to the one who likes their sweets with a side of nostalgia. 

For the chocolate connoisseur—Royce'

Royce', the Japanese luxury sweet brand that is known for its ganache-based chocolates, has a special collection for the festive season. From the nutty and nice gift hamper that has chocolate almond bar, nutty chocolate bar, petite truffle, wafers and more, to the Nama—Amazing gift box that has their signature melt-in-your-mouth Nama chocolate. There’s a berry nutty surprise gift box too, which has an assortment of their berry-flavoured treats, and a cookies and cream gift box that comes with baton cookies, chocolate bars, and the classic Nama chocolates in bright-red gift boxes. 
Price: ₹2,040-₹5,045
How to order: Order via the website. 
 

For the indecisive one—Provenance assorted gift boxes

If you know someone who can’t make a decision to save their life, then get them one of Provenance’s gift boxes that are an assortment of snacks, sweets, and drinks that every foodie will love and appreciate (and if you’re that indecisive someone, get it for yourself!). Their extravagant Merry Christmas gift box has hot chocolate, marshmallows, chocolates, candies, Christmas baubles and toffees, among others. If something more subdued is on your mind, then pick the Christmas pantry gift box, which has a cake mix, jams, a mulled wine kit, along with toffees, dragees and ornaments. There’s a Christmas movie night box too, with cheese spread, crackers, potato chips, mulled wine kit, nuts, and more. 
Price: ₹1,485-₹10,850
How to order: Order via the website.


For the old-school mithai lover—Bombay Sweet Shop

Nostalgic sweets get the quintessential Bombay Sweet Shop treatment in their holiday special that is available for all-India delivery. The Christmas-special chocolate butter cookies come in a box designed by Chumbak, and there are all sorts of other treats too—from chocolate rummy balls, spiced caramel bon bons, Nana’s coconut ice, to peppermint and pecan barks. Pick your favourite, or get a mix with the special gift hampers like the cookie and cheer box, magic of Christmas bag, the Secret Santa hamper, and more. 
Price: ₹300-₹1,995
How to order: Order via Swiggy, Zomato, or the website.
 

For the one who likes travel-inspired desserts—Twenty Seven Bakehouse Christmas menu

Christmas is incomplete without sweets, and Twenty Seven Bakehouse’s special menu brings classic festive desserts from around the world under one roof. There are sweet mince pies and a moist Christmas cake on offer—both are made with fruits and nuts that have been soaked in rum, months in advance. The cookie tin has five different varieties for you to nibble on, including traditional Austrian crescent-shaped vanilla Kipferl cookies, Scottish shortbread, chocolate chip pecan cookies, and more. If you’re willing to experiment, don’t miss stollen—a traditional German Christmas bread studded with alcohol-soaked fruits, and panettone—an elaborate sweet and buttery Italian bread that takes two days to make. 
Price: ₹400-₹2,800
How to order: Order on +91 9372515271 or via the website. Products require a 24-hour pre-order, and the panettone requires 48 hours, as it is made fresh to order. (Mumbai only)
 

For the one who champions local, indigenous produce—Sequel X Noon Hamper

Vanika Choudhary’s restaurants Sequel and Noon have collaborated to bring a hamper that spotlights local winter flavours. Giving an indigenous twist to traditional Christmas classics, expect treats like salted brownie cookies, gingerbread cookies, onion biscuits, Kashmiri walnut and miso cookies along with the usual Christmas cake and a wild caper dip. There’s also a bottle of mulled wine that will pair perfectly with the snacks and desserts. Both the wild caper dip and onion biscuits are inspired by the Ladakhi cuisine prevalent in the regions of Turtuk and Saboo. 
Price: ₹4,720
How to order: Pre-order via the website (Mumbai only).
 

For the cheese fiend—Begum Victoria Cheese

Know someone in your friend group who turns up their nose at run-of-the-mill supermarket cheese? Then there’s a high chance that Begum Victoria’s cheese box is on their Christmas wish list. This year, their Christmas hamper has a medley of urban artisanal cheese—think brie, pista cheese, almond cheese, assorted cubes of manchego, cheddar and gruyere paired with fresh fruits, dips and crackers. 
Price: ₹3,900
How to order: Contact +91 9731669332 (Bangalore only).
 

For the tea fan—Vahdam 

What better gift to get your loved ones who like tea than a set of holiday-inspired blends? The best part about Vahdam’s gift sets are that they are packaged in the form of a traditional advent calendar, so they can open and enjoy a new brew every day. Choose from the 24 loose leaf advent calendar gift set, which is a best-seller, or the tea bag advent calendar gift set that comes with 120 tea bags. If you’d rather give specific brews, then there are plenty of options too—think cookies and cream, berry cinnamon, and ginger chocolate. 
Price: Gift sets starting from ₹799
How to order: Via the Vahdam website.
 

For the macaron aficionado—Ladurée

Ladurée, the French luxury confectionery famous for its macarons, has limited-edition Christmas boxes in different variants that make for a tasty treat for your loved ones. Pick from the box of 8, a box of 16, or the box of 24, all of which feature an assortment of pastel-hued macarons nestled inside a royal blue gift box. 
Price: ₹2,700-₹6,800
How to order: Contact +91 8988888811/44 or order via the website.

For the one who likes fruits in their sweets—Magnolia Bakery 

Magnolia Bakery, the NYC-based confectionery that has its Indian outposts in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, has a special range of festive goods that can be pre-ordered on their own or clubbed into a Christmas hamper. The desserts on offer include a decadent plum cake (that also comes in loaf form) made with fruits and nuts soaked in rum. There’s a wide variety of pies on the menu too—the mini apple pie and the caramel apple lattice pie will become a favourite for apple lovers, while the mini pear cranberry crumble pie is perfect for those who don’t like their desserts too sweet. 
Price: ₹160 onwards
How to order: Contact +91 96067 46364/+91 99809 99943/+91 98453 32233 (Bangalore only).
 

Lead image: Bombay Sweet Shop