I can’t believe I forgot about the Nordicware Christmas Tree Bundt Pan! Nordicware pan are always special, transforming simple cakes into beautiful edible sculptures. The Christmas Tree Bundt Pan creates a dense forest of decorated pines with a small toy train pattern running around the bottom. As always the Nordicware tin creates so much detail that extra icing isn’t needed. With a simple sprinkling of icing sugar you can create a gorgeous new fallen snow. The aluminium mould is made through high-pressure die casting, for a durable heavy gage and detailed construction. Dishwasher-safe and with a 20 year warranty, the fabulous Nordicware Christmas Tree Bundt Pan is available for £23.95 from DeCuisine. (If they run out of stock you can also try Colanders!)
I’ll admit I’m not a morning person, but if you have to be up early you may as well share your breakfast with friends. Rosenthal has created a quirky and endearing collection of characters to serve your daily toast and egg. The white porcelain pieces are decorated with vibrant cheerful colours. All residents of the imaginary Vinilaville, Sir Randolf conceals your boiled egg under his hat while Pablo eagerly waits for you to spread jam on your toast. A whimsical collection of serving pieces that creates a relaxed moment before your busy work day, the Rosenthal Pepe and Friends Breakfast Range is available from Heals.
Deceptively simple, the beauty of the Emile Henry is in the gorgeous glazes. The ceramic bottles and jars have a pure basic form decorated only with simple bands and the Emile Henry mark. The glaze pools in the bands for a deep rich colour, while the Emile Henry mark rises faintly through the glaze. The oven-to-table dishes provide an elegant presentation for your favourite meals, the simplicity letting your culinary masterpieces shine. Available in Muscade and Poivre, the Emile Henry Tableware is available from House of Fraiser.
Now these mugs show the style and sophistication you’d expect from the Pantone brand! While I’ve seen the solid Pantone mugs before, they don’t quite carry the excitement and vitality I hoped for. Now with the Pantone Stripes, at least you don’t have to struggle to choose a single colour! Available in five different palettes they each capture a different energy and personality. From the vibrant citrus and raspberry colours of the Pink Mug to the confident black, tans and blues of the Black Mug, these stripy mugs mix colours into dynamic and engaging patterns. A fabulous addition to the Pantone Universe the Typhoon Pantone Stripe Mugs are £7.83 each.
To match the Pantone Striped Mugs we featured yesterday, Typhoon have also created these stylish Aprons. Rather than over face you with stripes, here the designer has taken a bold solid colour and then accented it with the stylish pattern. The trendy strips are applied to the back of the neck strap and waist ties, while the iconic pantone bar is applied to the pocket. An understated design, the Pantone Aprons are perfect for the serious home chef. Available in five different palettes, Pantone Universe Aprons are £18.50 from Amazon UK.
Hurrah! It turns out the Hungry Little Caterpillar isn’t just a children’s tableware pattern. Perfect for families and avid bakers, the Hungry Little Caterpillar Baking Set includes a lovely large ceramic mixing bowl banded with brightly coloured dots. There is also a child’s cotton apron decorated with charming inch worms and a stylish bandana for the fashionable young baker. Rounded out with a silicone spatula, plastic cookie cutters and cupcake cases the Hungry Little Caterpillar Baking Set makes a brilliant family gift this Christmas. Available from The Handpicked Collection the Hungry Little Caterpillar Baking Set is £34.95.
If you’ve a curry fan on your Christmas list, the American Masala Pestle & Mortar may be the gift you are looking for. Perfect for mixing up your own curry spices, the wide pestle head makes it easier to grind your own flavours. The porcelain pestle & mortar just needs an easy circular wrist motion to create smooth spice blends. Redesigned by top chef Suvir Saran, the American Masala pestle handle is decorated with a glamorous Indian quilt design that brings a sophisticated style to this kitchen essential. Sure to be popular with curry aficionados, the American Masala Pestle & Mortar is available for £24.46 from Lakeland.
At every party there is always someone who wants just a tiny sliver of cake and someone who wants a monster slice. Well now you can celebrate these differences with the Konstantin Slawinski Multi Portion Cake Tin. The flexible silicone cake tin creates a multi-level cake of fifteen different sized slices. With baked in divides, the Konstantin Slawinski Cake is easy to slice neatly. Perfect for your next family gathering, the Konstantin Slawinski Multi Portion Cake Tin is £20.85 from The Handpicked Collection.
If you’re a Christmas baker the Cup Cake Caddy is a brilliant way to transport your festive baked goods. The internal tray features raised rings that prevent your cupcakes or muffins from sliding into each other. A great way to protect your icing, the reversible tray design can hold 12 standard cupcakes or 24 mini cupcakes. You can even remove it altogether to transport larger cakes. And if you’ve a few things to take on you holiday visits, the Cupcake Caddies stack securely. Ensure your hard work always arrives in one piece, the Cupcake Caddy is £19.56 from Lakeland.
They say our greatest fear is of the unknown, and it appears this applies to cheese boards as well. If it’s not immediately apparent what the cheese is, it’s often left untouched. The Natural Slate Cheese Board offers the perfect solution. The stone board helps keep cheeses cool, while allowing you to write the names on with chalk. A brilliant rustic serving style that also works well for canapés and quiche, the Natural Slate Cheese Board is £16.95 available from The Handpicked Collection.
If you plan on ringing in the New Year, the Laguiole Waiters Friend & Champagne Opener will help you pop open those bottles of bubbly. With everything you need to open all your festive tipples, the Laguiole Waiters Friend will keep the cheer flowing. Concealed within the lovely wooden handle are a corkscrew, bottle opener, foil cutter and champagne bottle opener. A staple of every party, the Laguiole Waiters Friend & Champagne Opener is just £9.99 from DeCuisine.co.uk.
Dynamic and clever, the NOOOOdle Trivet is handy to have both on the table and in the kitchen. Designed by Konstantin Slawinski the chrome noodle twists and turns creating four handy loops. Each loop increases in size so you can measure enough spaghetti for one, two, three or four people. With no need to guess, you’ll never be left hungry or waste left-over pasta. And when everything has been cooked to perfection, the NOOOOdle goes straight on the table ready for your hot pans. A clever gadget with designer style, the NOOOOdle Spaghetti Measure & Trivet is available for £19.95 from The Handpicked Collection.
If your Mum used to lecture you about playing ball in the house, the thought of popping open a bottle may fill you with dread. Rather than risk the cork flying around like a pin ball, Le Creuset has created the Screwpull Champagne Cork Catcher. The tower like opener traps the cork before it has chance to escape. Stop worrying about breaking your best glasses and enjoy ringing in the New Year with your friends and family. Available from John Lewis, the Le Creuset Screwpull Champagne Cork Catcher even offers a 10 year Guarantee.
If you’ve stocked up on wine for the holidays, the Wine Knot offers a fabulous display in which to store them. Made from two undulating rings of wood, the Wine Knot has a warmth and organic style missing from so many wine racks. The contrasting colours of birch and walnut give it a dramatic engaging presence. Designed to hold seven bottles of wine, the central compartment can also accommodate oversized bottles of champagne. Perfect for in the kitchen, dining or living room the Wine Knot is a brilliant contemporary storage solution. Available from Lifestyle Bazaar, the Wine Knot is £85.
If like me, you’ll spend the next week baking Christmas treats you might want to pick up a few of these spatulas and bun cases to help get you in the holiday spirit. Stars have always been my favourite shape, they so often symbolise magic, hope, dreams and the best feelings in life. So what better shape for your Christmas fairy cakes? Made from silicone, the cheerful red cake cases are reusable and can be popped in the oven, microwave or freezer. Paired with these festive silicone spatulas, you’ll be eager to dive into the kitchen. The bright green pine tree is moulded into the head, ensuring it won’t wear off. Pop out to the store and buy yourself a treat this Christmas with these affordable Christmas Spatulas and Bun Cases.
Bah! I didn’t find this one in time for Christmas, but this has just jumped to the top of my list. I love the smooth clean lines of this Gravy Jug, while the Saucer protects your tablecloth from inevitable drips. Available in the both the Bridgewater Black Toast & Polka Dot patterns, the Gravy Jug & Saucer compliments casual and eclectic china. A great addition to the Bridgewater range, the Gravy Jug & Saucer is £34.21 from Emma Bridgewater.
Do you despise the office coffee machine or simply have no space in your kitchen? The Handpresso Wild is brilliant solution to both. A must have for caffeine junkies, the Handpresso offers a simple way to make espresso no matter where you are. There’s no need for batteries or electricity. Simply pump up the handle, add a bit of hot water from a thermos or kettle and in seconds you’ll have a delicious pick-me-up. Available on its own or in a sophisticated Outdoor Set, it’s perfect for business travellers tired of bland hotel coffee. The Handpresso Outdoor Set comes in a handy shoulder bag which includes a thermos, four unbreakable espresso cups, and space for napkins, coffee pods, sugar and spoons! Available from ‘I Want One of Those’, the Handpresso Wild with have espresso fanatics frothing!
While snow and cold are fine for Christmas, I’m already looking forward to spring. With these Bamboo Servers and Chopping Board you can bring the fresh taste of Spring to your kitchen. Featuring simple flower shapes, the Bamboo collection has a charming graphic style. Made from bamboo, the quick growing material is sustainable and doesn’t even need pesticides! Perfect for serving up salad and bread, these warm striped utensils have a natural charm and beauty. Cute eco-friendly accessories you can afford the Bamboo Servers and Chopping Board are available from Nigel’s Eco-Store.
Now that Christmas is over we’ve officially entered the season of leftovers. If your fridge looks like a sea of cling film and foil you may want to invest in a few of these Eco Food Covers. Made from food-grade silicone, the Eco Covers stretch over plates, bowls, pots & pans. Suitable for use in the fridge, freezer, oven and microwave, they are also great when taking dishes to parties and picnics. Easy to clean in the Dishwasher, these handy covers can reduce the amount cling film and tin foil you need to throw away. Available from the Guardian Eco Store, each set includes 3 covers:
Small: Covers up to 15cm containers Medium: Covers up to 20cm containers Large: Covers up to 25cm containers
It turns out that 75% of jars sold worldwide use the same size lid. For designer Jorre van Ast this simple fact inspired the clever Jar Tops. The set of five plastic lids transform your empty jars into handy kitchen tools. Instantly create a sugar shaker, a milk jug, a chocolate sprinkler, oil or vinegar bottle and a water jug. Perfect for students or those moving frequently, the Jar Tops offer loads of personality and function that packs up small. Whether you use common everyday jars or special interesting jars you’ve collected, the Jar Tops let you change your servingware whenever you fancy. They always say it’s better to reuse than to recycle, and with these clever lids you can save space too! Available from Nigel’s Eco Store, the Jar Tops are produced by Royal VKB.
