A Basket of Edible Joy: Handmade Gifts for Christmas

When the frost paints lace on the windows and the garden slumbers under its winter quilt, the Fleur Kitchen fills with the soft hum of stirring spoons and the scent of spice. Christmas is not only about twinkling lights and evergreen branches—it’s about gifting a little piece of warmth, a taste of love, something crafted by hand.

Edible gifts are simple magic: jars and parcels filled with delights that sparkle brighter than any shop-bought box.

Mulled Wine Syrup

All the flavours of Christmas in a bottle—orange, cinnamon, cloves, and star anise. Add a splash to warm wine or cider, or drizzle over poached pears.

Gather Your Ingredients

• 750ml red wine (a good but inexpensive bottle works beautifully)

• 150g soft brown sugar

• 2 oranges (1 sliced, 1 juiced)

• 1 lemon, sliced

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 6 cloves

• 2 star anise

• 1 thumb of fresh ginger, sliced

• Optional: 2–3 cardamom pods, lightly crushed

  
  

The Fleur Kitchen Way

1. Combine the flavours. Pour the wine into a large pan. Add sugar, orange slices and juice, lemon, and all the spices.

2. Warm gently. Heat slowly over a low flame, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Do not boil—just let it whisper and steam.

3. Simmer with patience. Leave the mixture on a gentle heat for 20–30 minutes, so the spices infuse and the liquid reduces into a fragrant syrup.

4. Strain the magic. Pour the syrup through a fine sieve into a jug, catching the citrus and spices.

5. Bottle with love. Decant into sterilised glass bottles while still warm, sealing tightly. Tie with a ribbon and a little blank tag.

Festive Chutney

Made with apples, pears, dried fruit, and warming spices. Ideal for Boxing Day spreads and to tuck into a hamper with cheese.

Gather Your Ingredients

• 500g apples (peeled, cored, and chopped)

• 500g pears (peeled, cored, and chopped)

• 200g onions, finely chopped

• 200g raisins or sultanas

• 100g dried apricots, chopped

• 250g soft brown sugar

• 300ml cider vinegar

• Zest and juice of 1 orange

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• ½ tsp ground cloves

• 1 tsp mixed spice

• A pinch of salt

  
  

The Fleur Kitchen Way

1. Prepare the fruit. Peel, core, and chop the apples and pears into small pieces. Chop onions and dried apricots.

2. Combine in a pan. Place all the fresh and dried fruit, onions, sugar, vinegar, orange zest and juice, and spices into a large heavy-bottomed pan.

3. Bring to a bubble. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

4. Simmer slowly. Allow the chutney to cook on a gentle heat for about 1–1½ hours, stirring occasionally, until thick and glossy.

5. Pot with care. Spoon into sterilised jars while hot, seal tightly, and let cool. The chutney will deepen in flavour as it rests—give it at least 2 weeks before enjoyin

Spiced Clementine Marmalade

A golden preserve that captures the sunshine of winter fruit. Tied with a ribbon and a sprig of rosemary, it’s a jar of brightness for cold mornings.

Gather Your Ingredients

• 1kg clementines (unwaxed if possible)

• 1 lemon

• 1 litre water

• 1kg granulated sugar

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 4 cloves

• 2 star anise

  
  

The Fleur Kitchen Way

1. Prepare the fruit. Wash the clementines and lemon well. Slice very thinly, removing any pips, and keep all the juice.

2. Simmer gently. Place the sliced fruit, juice, spices, and water into a large pan. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer uncovered for 1–1½ hours, until the peel is tender and the liquid reduced.

3. Add the sugar. Stir in the sugar over low heat until dissolved.

4. Boil to set. Increase the heat and let it boil rapidly for 15–20 minutes, until the marmalade reaches setting point (a wrinkle on a cold saucer test).

5. Pot with care. Remove the spices, ladle the hot marmalade into sterilised jars, seal, and let cool

Wrapping with Whimsy

The wrapping is as much part of the gift as the treat inside:

• Recycled parchment and brown paper tied with string.

• Cloth squares (old napkins or scraps) folded and tied Furoshiki-style.

• Sprigs of holly, rosemary, or dried orange slices slipped under the bow.

• Handwritten tags, maybe with a little doodle of a star or pinecone.

  

  
  

A Seasonal Whisper

“The smallest gifts, made with care, shine the brightest.”

When jars are stacked, ribbons tied, and parcels ready for giving, your kitchen becomes a place of quiet magic. Every gift carries the story of your hands, your garden, your home. And that is the true sweetness of Christmas.

We can't promise Christmas music is not playing!

The Fleur Kitchen