Welcome to the second week of our festive journey!
Last week, I explored five innovative festive flavours making waves in the marketplace, and the response was fantastic. This week, I’m keeping the festive spirit alive by shifting focus to five standout Christmas gift ideas that caught my eye during recent discovery safaris in London and Dublin.
The market is bursting with creativity, and these selections showcase the kind of innovative thinking that can inspire your business's festive offerings next year.
From gourmet indulgences to beautifully crafted keepsakes, these gifts celebrate quality, ingenuity and the joy of the season.
I hope these highlights spark ideas and excitement as we all prepare for a season filled with cheer and inspiration. Dive in and discover what makes these festive finds so special!
Happy reading,
Annie x
KILLADOON MILK
Killadoon Milk, Ireland’s Best Start-Up winner at the 2024 Blas na hÉireann Awards, will donate 100% of sales of their award-winning whole milk and flavoured milk on Friday 20th December to Crumlin Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Health Foundation. If you've not tried their milk yet, you absolutely should. It's incredibly creamy, bursting with flavour, owed to its Jersey-cross herd, renowned for producing rich, high-quality milk. This single-source dairy ensures that every drop comes exclusively from Killadoon’s herd, guaranteeing traceability, integrity, and unmatched freshness. The award-winning whole milk, which took home gold at this year’s Blas na hÉireann, has been celebrated for the “creamy farmhouse flavour” that sets it apart. Pasteurised but non-homogenised, Killadoon Milk retains its natural texture and rich flavour, making it a wholesome, nutrient-packed choice for health-conscious families and individuals alike. At the heart of Killadoon Milk’s passion for sustainability are its innovative vending machines, which redefine how milk is delivered to consumers. Killadoon Milk has established a network of these eco-friendly machines in retail stores including located in Fallon & Byrne, Avoca Dunboyne, SuperValu Rathgar, SuperValu Lucan and Rye River Café, Kilcock, Co Kildare which champions a reusable glass bottle system to eliminate single-use plastic and
packaging waste.
NOSHY
During my recent food safari, I discovered Noshy at Harvey Nichols, and it’s a brand that truly stands out for its innovation and artistry. Their creations push the boundaries of food design, combining vegan, all-natural formulations with a deep respect for sustainability and nature. Handcrafted in their London atelier, Noshy products are made with edible rose petals, no added sugars, and are free from common allergens like gluten, wheat, and soy. Beyond their exquisite taste, their offerings are a sensory celebration—an ode to creativity, gifting, and experiencing the extraordinary. Noshy’s ability to blend artistry with sustainability makes it a brand to watch, and its ethos is an inspiring reminder of the possibilities in food innovation.
HARRODS 175TH CELEBRATORY COCOA DUSTED BOX
Harrods has masterfully combined artistry, heritage, and indulgence with their 175th Year Cocoa Dusted Box. Designed as a tribute to their iconic London façade, complete with its domed roof and turrets, this stunning box doesn’t just capture the eye - it also delights the palate. Inside, you’ll find hand-roasted and caramelised almonds, luxuriously coated in creamy milk chocolate and dusted with cocoa powder, making each bite a moment of decadence. This innovative blend of craftsmanship and storytelling transforms a confection into a celebration of Harrods’ legacy, perfectly balancing flavour with a sense of occasion. A true gift for chocolate lovers and admirers of timeless design.
BLACKBERRY BALSAMIC PICKLED OYSTERS FROM SLIGO OYSTER EXPERIENCE
The Sligo Oyster Experience has reimagined the oyster-eating experience with their award-winning Blackberry Balsamic Pickled Oysters. Harvested from Sligo Bay along the Wild Atlantic Way, these oysters are infused with locally crafted Wildwood Balsamics, creating a unique balance of sweet and savoury flavours. Not only do these oysters celebrate Ireland’s rich seafood heritage, but their versatility elevates them as a gourmet treat - perfect as a snack, a seafood platter star, or a sophisticated addition to a cheese board. With their extended shelf life and a balsamic marinade that doubles as a dressing, they are as practical as they are indulgent, making them a standout in seafood innovation.
FAT TOMATO PEACH GIFT BOX
Launched this year by Anthony O'Toole, Fat Tomato celebrates Irish horticulture, flavour, and biodiversity. From his North Wexford garden, home to over 500 heritage plant varieties, Anthony grows for taste, not yield. The Peach Gift Box exemplifies this ethos, featuring handcrafted peach-based delights - jam, syrup, chutney, and BBQ sauce - all made from Peregrine peaches grown under polytunnels to thrive despite Ireland’s unpredictable weather. Beautifully packaged in eco-friendly materials, it’s a perfect gift for food lovers and a testament to Anthony’s vision of reimagining Irish flavours.
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