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 the country’s best smoked salmon to memory-making hot chocolate and big hunks of cheese, our 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.

1. Lost Valley Dairy Cheese

At West Cork’s artisan Lost Valley Dairy and Creamery, owners Mike and Darcie have once again put together a selection of whopping great cheese boxes… and they’ll even deliver your pick to your doorstep in Cork completely free of charge.

The couple, who live outside Inchigeelagh with their son Ned, hand milk five cows in their micro-herd of Droimeanns and Shorthorns. The farm is spray-free and they don’t use chemical fertilisers. All packaging is plastic-free too.

A rather ingenious option is the ‘One for me, One for you’ box (€55), which gets you two boxes – one for you, one for a friend, each containing Carraignamuc and Sobhriste. Postage is included and they can post one to you and one to a pal, or both to you.

All Christmas Boxes will be sent out Tuesday, December 17th, with delivery on December 18th-20th. Check out the full range of Christmas treats from €25 in their delightful online shop here.

Darcie will also be selling the Christmas Boxes at Skibbereen Market on Saturday’s throughout December and Bantry Market on December 20th if you miss the delivery cut-off or you want to pick one up in person.

2. Hederman’s Smoked Salmon

It’s not every artisan producer who is the proud owner of a Walter Scheel Medal. Cork’s Frank Hederman of Hederman Smokehouse is the first Irish person to receive  the prestigious annual European prize, which recognises outstanding contributions to European culinary culture.

That’s because his commitment to doing things the right way, the way they’ve been done for centuries, has been recognised at the highest level. Belvelly Smoke House, established 1982 near Cobh, remains Ireland’s only authentic timber smokehouse for Irish salmon.

Frank and his wife Caroline run the business, stocking their English Market stall with all manner of delicious smoked produce, from fish to unctuous butters and even chili flakes.

They recommend skipping the squeeze of lemon juice in favour of a dusting of lemon zest. Add a hunk of brown bread and you’re laughing.

Order online here or swing by their stall in The English Market. You can ‘click and collect’ yourself a Hederman Hot Smoked Irish Salmon with Chillies from around €32.

3. Ó Conaill Hot Chocolate

One for the Christmas stockings, a little bag of O’Conaill Hot Chocolate is more than a treat, it’s a memory that can be replayed every year.

O’Conaill Chocolate is a family business built by three generations of chocolatiers and confectioners. They are committed to using traditional methods of chocolate making so all of their products are handmade and hand wrapped and use finest quality ingredients – no vegetable or other fats, just cocoa butter, which is the natural fat of the cocoa plant.

Ó Conaill Hot Chocolate Flakes in Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate is widely in artisan grocery shops and in The English Market. Order a bag for €6.80 here.

4. Maharani Gin

If you’re looking for a present that offers many nights of enjoyment, an interesting bottle of booze is an excellent choice,

Maharani Gin Aged in Beer Barrel is a limited-edition release born from an extraordinary collaboration between Cork’s Rebel City Distillery and Elbow Lane Brewery. This unique expression combines the craft of gin-making with the artistry of beer brewing, delivering a spirit like no other.

“For this special release, we aged our signature Maharani Gin in a French Oak barrel that was previously used for Elbow Lane’s rich, flavourful Amber Ale.” founder of Maharani Gin, Bhagya Barrett told us.

“The result is a beautifully complex gin with bold malt notes, warm vanilla, caramel, and subtle hints of spice.”

You can nab a limited edition bottle now, €50 at rebelcitydistillery.com.