12 Christmas present suggestions for foodies 2014

My annual Christmas list for foodies.

Hatchet and Bear's site is a treat for those who love unique handmade objects, especially from wood. Last year I featured the hand turned wooden bowls from the aptly named Robin Wood; I even use mine in the microwave, for a portion of noodles or porridge. I like the feeling, the sensation of eating from natural materials. One of the most unusual looking objects for sale on the Hatchet and Bear site is the spatula. It looks a bit like an axe. £18

I like turquoise and blue for photographing food. Look for a bowl that has a colour or pattern on the inside rather than the outside. This handmade porcelain pouring bowl by Linda Bloomfield is attractive and useful. £24

Not necessarily something you'd use in the kitchen but a foodie themed 'Elspeth chocolate skirt' from Poppyengland.com. I saw one of the ladies that works with this online shop wearing one of their stunning print dresses at Britmums Live conference earlier this year, and immediately asked 'Where did you get that from?'. I discovered quite a few of their clothes; the stripy tights, the nicely shaped cardigans, beautiful shades of petticoat, all quite Sweeney Todd/cartoonish, a look I like. £85 for the skirt and £134 for the dress

I'm a pasta freak and like all the bits and bobs you can buy to make the shapes. How about these rolling pinsfrom souschef.co.uk to make pappardelle, tagliatelle and spaghetti? £4.50p each

How about a feminist oven glove? From the radicalteatowel.com £11.95

Do you know about Meyer lemons? These perfumed almost sweet lemons are grown in America; any cook, dessert maker, jam and preserve maker or ex-pat American will adore these as a gift. Order them from the lemonladies.com, a Californian orchard owned by Karen Morse. (Thanks to Gloria Nicol for alerting me to this). Shipping is included! Between $10 and $65.

Photo: Gloria Nicol

Now you will need to wrap those presents so how about this incredible Plantable Broccoli Wrapping paper from Mr-Fothergills.co.uk £4.99 a sheet. Mine has just arrived, it's thick and luxurious. As someone pointed out, it's a gift in itself. Why not give someone a beautiful bunch of broccoli, wrapped in this paper?

A subscription to a food magazine. I suggest Cherry Bombe, a biannual that celebrates women in food. One year $38

Biscuit cushions from Not on the High St. These are cheerful as heck. Just right for lounging on with a cup of tea and a biccy. £22 each

For those foodies who a) like to eat in bed b) and blog about it from the same location, how about this 'ibed lap desk'
"Check your emails or watch a movie whilst your iPad or tablet comfortably sits on your lap along with a bowl of popcorn and a drink. The iBed features padding to comfortably rest on your lap, a slot to firmly hold your iPad and just enough surface space to hold a plate or two. Use it in bed, on the couch or travelling, and with most tablet computers." What's not to like? From the Science Museum £10

I should have put this on my Christmas books list but it's such an important present for a foodie that it deserves a special place here. Any foodie that you buy this for will be forever grateful. Anyone that has ambitions to be a food writer/blogger needs this book.The Oxford Companion to food. £26 or £20 on kindle

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A course such as cookery, bread making or food photography would also be welcome for any foodie at Christmas. One is always in a state of learning in cookery. Here are a few suggestions: Vanessa Kimbell's food photography course, 8th May 2015 £165, Northhamptonshire Bake with Maria, baking courses from £85 to £145, London Cookery, foraging and preserving courses Vale House Kitchen, Somerset. I did the wedding cake course with Sandra Monger £165 Baking, cooking and patisserie courses at Bertinet Kitchen, Bath, from £35 to £400 Have you any suggestions that a foodie might like for Christmas? Do let me know in the comments.