Christmas gift ideas for all the family

Finding that perfect Christmas gift for a member of a farming family can be tricky. For a little inspiration, check our out brilliant ideas.

We’re flying the flag for our British farmers, and have selected some thoughtful gifts made or sold by farmers as part of diversification enterprises across the UK. 

See also: Christmas gift ideas for a farming family

Gifts for book lovers

Farming insights

Beef farmer and Farmers Weekly columnist Joe Stanley released his new book Farm to Fork, The Challenge of Sustainable Farming in 21st Century Britain in August.

Packed with 256 pages of seasonal farming life – and a foreword from NFU president Minette Batters – Joe shares his wealth of experience. Look closely at the vibrant illustrated book cover and you’ll spot Joe and his pet Jack Russells.

Exploring topical subjects from autumn to summer, planting to harvest, this book offers a compelling insight into the challenges and rewards of farming.

A must-read for any agriculture student, it will also appeal to those with an interest in their food, as well as the farmers who produce it.

The book is published by Quiller Publishing, and is available to order on Amazon (RRP £18.95).

Page-turning memoirs

Whether you agree with what he has to say or not, it’s undeniable that Farmers Weekly columnist Charlie Flindt is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

After the success of his first warts-and-all farm diary – Sweet Home Hinton Ampner – Charlie thought he’d do it all again.

His latest book is called Farming Hinton Ampner – the Brexit/Virus Year. “I decided this one should have a theme and be more than just a record of day-to-day activities,” says Charlie.

An enthusiastic Brexiteer, Charlie started putting pen to paper when the UK left the EU on 1 February 2020.

Ready to chronicle a period which many had dubbed “farmaggedon”, he was suddenly interrupted when a certain pandemic soon banished Brexit from the headlines.

It is sure to invoke discussions and debates across the country.

The book is published by Tricorn Books and available from Amazon, eBay and all good bookshops. Or send a cheque for £12.99 (payable to CH Flindt) to Manor Farm, Hinton Ampner, Alresford, Hampshire SO24 0LE.

Exclusive subscription saving

It wouldn’t quite be 2022 without Farmers Weekly landing on the doorstep every Friday. So if you know someone who enjoys up-to-the minute news, views and farming advice, a FW gift subscription is the ideal.

Available as a six- or 12-month subscription, it comes with unlimited access to the FWi website, along with the weekly digital edition – which can be read on a laptop, tablet or smartphone on the go.

Look out for our special Transition issues through the year, which offer guidance in the move towards a more sustainable future.

Sign up for a subscription today to ensure it starts on the first issue of the new year, and take advantage of our exclusive festive 25% discount, using the code XMAS25.

Conscientious cookbook

Celebrating British farmers and their produce, Jenny Jefferies’ debut book – For the Love of the Land – shares hearty recipes and stories from farmers across the country.

Showcasing a flavour of what agriculture has to offer, the book features familiar faces including Farmers Weekly columnist and “Rock and Roll Farming” creator Will Evans, and “The Black Farmer” Wilfred Emmanuel Jones.

The book is currently shortlisted for “Best Cookbook” in the Great British Food Awards, alongside Mary Berry, Jamie Oliver, James Martin and Pinch of Nom, which Jenny says is “very exciting and indeed humbling”.

“For The Love of the Land flies the flag for regenerative agriculture, sustainability, food provenance and community, and would make a truly lovely and very special Christmas gift – 22% of my net profits is also being donated to the National Literacy Trust,”  Jenny says.

The book is published by Meze Publishing and is available to order on Amazon for £22.

Gifts for festive foodies

Magical moments 

Whether your loved one is a wine connoisseur or has a taste for tapas, a luxury hamper could be the perfect gift solution. Imp and Maker offers an exciting range of food “experiences” to suit every occasion.

“Through collaboration with our producers, chefs and food technicians, we create showstopping, limited-edition food and drink experiences to create moments to be enjoyed and cherished in the here and now,” says the company.

The Night Before Christmas Gift Set – created by founder Sarah Louise Fairburn’s five-year-old daughter, Annie – offers child-friendly treats, plus some special extras for Santa’s reindeer.

It includes six Pullin’s Bakery Artisan Mince Pies, a jar of Simon’s Shortbread, Spice Kitchen The Yummiest Hot Chocolate, Reindeer Food and carrots. There’s even the option to add Santa’s favourite tipple, too.

Price from £39.95. Visit the Imp and Maker website for more details.

From the dairy 

Cheese fiends will be delighted to receive this speciality trio of marinated soft cheeses from Blackwoods Cheese Company.

Rich and creamy, with a feta-like texture, the cheeses are produced from raw organic cow’s milk, sourced from small herds in the South East.

They come in three flavours: Original, with garlic, thyme and pepper; Chipotle and Lemon; and Truffle.

“We are really proud of Graceburn, which is based on an old Persian feta recipe,” explains head cheesemaker David Holton.

It’s made by hand in Kent using the freshest local milk. “The result is a really unique cheese.”

Price £18 for three jars. Visit Blackwoods Cheese Company website for more details.

Christmas spirit

Got a gin aficionado on your Christmas list? Look no further than Warner’s range of distilled gins.

Founded by farming husband-and-wife team Tom Warner and Tina Warner-Keogh, the Northamptonshire company offers a selection of flavours – from Raspberry to Honeybee – that will tempt even the most discerning gin fan.

Every bottle of gin is created on-farm and distilled in small batches before being filled, labelled and sealed by hand.

Water is drawn from the farm spring for each distillation, and many of the botanicals are grown on-farm, while honey is collected from the beehives.

The limited-edition Christmas Cake gin is a real showstopper. It has been distilled with dark chocolate, ginger, juniper and festive spices, then blended with cherry juice, hand-picked sloe gin macerate and pure treacle.

The company says it is “knockout served over ice with cola and a slice of orange”, and “out of this world in a devilishly delicious velvety hot chocolate or game-changing espresso martini.”

Price £40 (70cl). Visit Warner’s Distillery website for more details.

Gifts with a personal touch

Warm welcome

What better way to welcome guests at Christmas than by decorating your door with a hand-made festive wreath?

Cheshire-based Rosaline’s Flowers runs wreath classes, where you can design your own display, while enjoying mulled wine and mince pies.

You can also order DIY wreath kits to make at home, with step-by-step instructions. Either way, it’s the perfect excuse for a creative get-together with friends.

Boutique florist Rosaline Darlington, started a second business growing flowers – The Flower Paddock – on her family farm during lockdown.

Selling seasonal flowers makes the business more sustainable in challenging times: “Home-grown was the way forward, and helps with reducing our carbon footprint,” she says.

Prices start at £35 a person for classes. Visit Rosaline’s Flowers website for more details.

Woollen wonders

Cosy knitwear always goes down a treat – and it is even more special knowing it has been produced sustainably on a British farm.

The cheerful hand-crafted designs from Loopy Ewes use fleece from the 150-strong native breed flock at shepherdess Katie Allen’s Cotswold farm.

As farmer, designer and garment producer, Katie takes responsibility for each stage of production – from getting her hands dirty in the field, to spinning the wool to fully fashioning each garment on her knitting machine.

Her colourful clothing range includes bobble hats, cowl scarves, wrist warmers and jumpers.

There’s also a collection of accessories and homeware, such as lavender bags, hand-woven pouches and cushions.

Prices start at £55 for wrist warmers. Visit the Loopy Ewes website for more details.

Pets in portrait

A cute keyring featuring a farm animal or much-loved pet would put a smile on anyone’s face.

Dairy farmer Kathryn Kow has combined a love for cows with her artistic talents to create these delightful hand-painted “cattle tag” keyrings.

Each is made to order, and you can choose a standard design or customise with a favourite animal or pet.

The keyrings come in three sizes, a range of colours, single or double-sided designs, and can be personalised with a name, too.

Greetings cards, wooden decorations and lino prints are also available to order.

Prices start at £8. Visit Kathryn’s Kows website for more details