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Are you still procrastinating over your last-minute Christmas gifts? It’s not too late to find great gifts that scream ‘good gift-giver.’ “I usually go for chocolates and cookies or a box of mini muffins for my relatives. This year, I’ve chosen gifts which funny or creative so they look planned or thoughtful, like personalised coffee blends,” says Mini Kankaria, a mother of two from Bengaluru.
If you’re looking for gifts online, there are still plenty of platforms and gifting brands that will deliver within the week, despite the festive rush. So, whether you’re looking for luxury desserts some assorted festive boxes, or even something themed, this list has some great options:
Dry Red Wines/New Releases/Collector’s Edition
There’s no better gift to bring to a dinner party than a dry red wine and even science backs it up! Dry, structured red wines tend to pair well with fatty meats and desserts, both of which are aplenty during Christmas. This year has also been a standout one for Indian single malts and rums, and there are plenty of new releases that are available at online and offline stores. Here are some of the best picks:
Camikara
Camikara is India's first pure cane juice rum and the oaky 3YO undergoes an extensive ageing process of 3 years and is bottled at 42.8% ABV. It has subtle oak and char-induced smokiness which goes well with most Indian grills.
Priced At: Haryana: INR 1,500, Rajasthan at INR 2,410 and Uttarakhand at INR 1,830; also available online
Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill’s Cheateau Indage has a collection of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot shiraz, Sauvignon blanc and Shiraz wines. Go for the ruby-red Merlot Shiraz which is aged in French oaks and has a nose of ripped red fruits, like cherry and blackcurrant and complex aromas with fruits like blackcurrant and cherry blended with coffee.
Priced At: Rs 1099; available online
Haku Vodka
Curated by master distiller Kazuyuki Torii, the new Japanese vodka pays homage to Japan's renowned Hakumai rice; it's fermented, distilled in Kagoshima, and then filtered with bamboo charcoal. It’s light, yet complex and has a subtle sweet taste. It’s best paired with soft grills, sushi and steamed/baked fish.
Priced At: Available across Maharashtra, Goa, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana; price ranges from Rs 3,950 to Rs 6,140
Maka Zai
The Goa-based rum brand has a Bartender’s Edition which is perfect for gifting and has an elegant, creamy aroma. It has white and gold variants. The white Rum is made with sugarcane grown in and around the Panchaganga river in Maharashtra, where the cane is grown. So, the rum picks up the natural influences of red soil, making it floral, sweet and herbaceous.
Priced At: Price ranges from Rs 1100 to Rs 2244
Pop Culture Gifts
Explore gifting options around this year’s biggest pop culture moments! Be it custom ‘Barbenheimer’ cupcakes, Taylor Swift-inspired cookies or even gothic treats which would get the seal of Wednesday Addams’ approval, this is a great time to choose pop culture gifts for your friends, siblings or colleagues. Here are some of the best options:
Bombay Sweet Shop
If you’re obsessed with Suhana Khan and Khushi Kapoor’s new Archies movie, like the rest of the world, check out the movie’s collaboration with Bombay Sweet Shop. The adorable Sweet Love Triangle Hamper has Archie’s Peppermint & Pecan Barks, Veronica’s 3-Layer Chocolate Fudge and Betty’s Choco Plum Cake Balls, so you don’t have to choose!
Priced At: Rs 1,690; available online
La Folie
Do you know a Wednesday Addams doppelganger who’s impossible to impress? Gift them la Folie’s Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt Sable which has an irresistible dark and rich profile with delicate flakes of sea salt. Throw in their Chocolate Thins as well which is made from finest origin dark chocolate thins made with award-winning organic cacao beans from Peru, Madagascar, and India.
Priced At: Rs 400
Dessert Hampers And Subscriptions
Instead of standalone gifts, indulge your loved ones with curated dessert hampers or monthly subscriptions. Several dessert brands are offering pan-India, door-to-door delivery service for their curated dessert selections. “I’d never tried gifting hampers, but this year I ordered assorted dessert hampers featuring cupcakes, pralines etc, for three of my closest friends. It definitely takes the pressure off from my head, haha!” says Sonali Thakur, a Chennai-based professional. Here are some options you can explore:
Third Roast
Artisanal coffee brand Third Roast offers dessert and coffee subscription boxes that offer fudge, cookies etc. Their coffee subscription has weekly, three-monthly and six-monthly services. Also, check out their diabetic-friendly section which festive bakes made using stevia.
Priced At: Subscription boxes start from Rs 1,999
Artisante
Go the full mile with this Wonter Wonderland hamper featuring truffles, spiced hot chocolate, candied nuts and assorted chocolates. If you’re doing some last-minute shopping and want your delivery within a week, this is the perfect gift!
Priced At: Rs 3,850
The Simple Brew
The perfect gift for your coffee lover friend! Their brew bundles has a medium-strength, single brew, steeped for 24 hrs which is well-balanced with low acidity & low bitterness, Their double brew is steeped for 48 hrs with medium acidity & medium-low bitterness and a clean and smooth finish.
Priced At: Rs 1,125
Traditional Christmas Items
Want some good ol' German stollen or a Yule log? Desserts that have a spiritual significance in Christmas make for wonderful gifts! There are plenty of brands offering shelf-stable options which are also good for pan-Indian shipping. Here are some good options:
Theobroma
The popular bakery is offering a classic stollen which is a German Christmas bread made with dried fruits, candied citrus peel, nuts, spices and home-made almond marzipan. Fun fact, the marzipan log is said to symbolise Baby Jesus in swaddling clothes. The loaf also has raisins, cherries etc.
Priced At: Rs 490
Smoor
Instead of chocolates, choose traditional mince pies as gifts. Smoor’s mince pie tarts come in a pack of six; they are easy to pack and have Tutti Fruity, black currant, and raisins as fillings along with a spice mix.
Priced At: Rs 450
Food-Themed Wearables
Food-inspired clothing and jewellery are a big trend this year. If you can’t get your hands on the viral burrito blanket or cigarette earrings, there are plenty of clever options available online. Here are some good ones:
Siesta O’Clock
All of us have a friend who can live on a steady pizza diet. Siesta O’Clock has quirky food-themed shirts. Their vibrant, yellow pizza slice shirt can be worn by everyone. Also, check out their cheeky Salmon Bhai and mango tango shirts.
Priced At: Rs 1,790
Coddles
Who doesn’t need bread slippers in their life? Coddles has cute bread loafers which look exactly like croissants – for your feet! They’re available in multiple sizes and can be the perfect house slippers
Priced At: Rs 2,200
