Everyone loves to eat, right?

That’s why you can’t go wrong with a food-related gift idea, especially if you’re buying for someone who loves nothing better than getting down and dirty in the kitchen.

From sexy sea salts (seriously – they’ll turn even a humble boiled egg into something special) to organic veggies and a clever little invention for making homemade mayo, our six gift ideas are guaranteed to make a foodie very happy indeed.

All of our picks are available to buy directly from the suppliers or via an Irish website too so you can rest assured your Christmas budget will be helping support Irish small businesses.

Here’s six tasty ideas:

1. Give them a summer of organic produce…

Brown Envelope Seeds Purple Veg Box: €17

Nestled on the Turk Head peninsula in Skibbereen, with the estuary of the Ilen River on one side and Roaring Water Bay on the other, the Brown Envelope Seeds farm is certified organic by the Organic Trust Ltd.

Their Purple Veg Box (€17) contains five packets of vegetable seeds which produce purple vegetables, including Indigo Rose tomato, Purple Guatemalan broad beans, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Ragged Jack Kale, and Oak fire Mustard.

Why purple vegetables? “Well for a start they look cool,” says founder Madeline McKeever. “But the amazing thing about them is that the colour is caused by the presence of anthocyanins, which are plant compounds associated with a myriad of health benefits. They have a role in improving night vision, the reduction of cancer cell proliferation, improving memory, cardiovascular disease protection, healthy ageing and have been shown to aid in the prevention of diabetes and obesity (in mice), on a high-fat diet.”

You can browse the brilliant selection of Brown Envelope Seed Boxes here. 

2. Give them unlimited French mayo…

Cookut Mayozen Handmade Mayonnaise in Under One Minute

It just tastes better when it’s homemade and with this simple little glass bottle, your favourite foodie will never find themselves scraping the bottom of the mayo jar again.

Simply add the ingredients as per the instructions on the Mayozen bottle to create a traditional French mayonnaise; pop in the mayo silicone turbo ball, add an egg yolk, a tablespoon of mustard, some oil and shake. The built-in grip within the shape of the glass also makes it easy to produce a fresh serving of mouthwatering mayo whenever you need it.

You can order a Mayozen, €16.95 from Chalk and Easel, Ballinspittle.

3. Give them a selection of super fancy sea salts

Achill Island Seasalt Gift Set 

Founded in 2013, Achill Island Sea Salt is a family business inspired by the long-forgotten tradition of salt production on Achill Island.

The salt is organically hand-harvested in small batches using a slow evaporation process, preserving the characteristics of Achill Island Sea Salt that come from the high mineral content of the grade A wild Atlantic waters that surround Achill Island.

The trio of salt varieties  (€14) includes Achill Island Pure Sea Salt, Achill Island Smoked Sea Salt and Achill Island Sea Salt with Atlantic Wakame. It comes packed in a lovely craft gift box.

You can order Achill Island Sea Salts here. 

4. Give them a lifetime supply of cookies…

Helen James Considered Cookie Recipe Tea Towel: €4.92, Dunnes Stores

There’s nothing as satisfying as a hot tray of freshly baked cookies. designer and foodie Helen James has printed her favourite recipe on a beautiful watercolour tea towel so you’ll always have it handy.

The cotton tea towel has a handy loop for hanging near the sink. At less than a fiver, it’s probably a good idea to get yourself one too.

You can order one from Dunnes Stores here. 

5. Give them a slice of everyday luxury…

Handcrafted Kildorrery Butter Knife

These gorgeous and practical Kildorrery Butter Knives are designed and hand-crafted by woodworker Pat Murphy in the heart of the Golden Vale in Co. Cork.

Made of the highest quality sustainable hardwoods, they feel good to use and they look beautiful on the table for use with butter or cheese. Each knife is finished with a locally sourced, homemade beeswax polish and they come in Oak, Cherry or Walnut.

You can order a Kildorrery Butter Knife for €20 via Pat’s Facebook page here. 

6. Give them a saucy topping for sweet treats…

The secret to successful snacking is always having a little stock of exceptional goodies in your fridge or pantry, ready to bust out whenever the munchies strike.

Banana Melon Kitchen is a local St Luke’s based plant-based food company that is now selling some marvellously guilt-free vegan inventions via Neighbourfood.

The Salty Caramel Sauce is a creamy and decadent addition that contains only four ingredients; slather it onto pancakes, waffles, banana bread, brownies, popcorn or porridge (or just spoon it straight from the jar).

Fans describe it as “insanely delicious”.

Order Banana Melon Salty Caramel Sauce for €7.50 here.