I’ve already watched Home Alone, the tree is up and I’m visiting the Edinburgh Christmas market this weekend to sip on a mug of hot Winter Pimms and devour a Nutella and banana crepe; to say I’m feeling festive is a bit of an understatement. I love this month’s Degustabox as it’s packed full of Christmas nibbles that are perfect for scoffing on whilst watching your favourite festive movies on Christmas Eve, dividing into hampers or for stocking up your food cupboard over the holidays.
Each month for only £12.99 including delivery (don’t forget to use my promo code at the end of today’s post!) you receive a box full of food products from new innovative brands as well as some old favourites. Last month’s box contained tasty treats from Heinz, Hersheys and Robinsons.
Let’s start with two products that are sure to add a little extra sparkle to your table this December. The Hartley’s Glitter Jelly in Raspberry and Mixed Berry (75p each) and J20 Glitterberry (£2.49) both contain edible glitter which gives a lovely shimmery effect. Glitterberry is a unique grape and cherry spice flavour and is perfect for anyone driving and looking for an alcohol-free alternative, but still wanting to be a part of all the festive cheer, this party season.
These three products are perfect for popping into a Christmas hamper for a loved one. I used to love making my own hamper using personalised tags and baskets from Ebay, tonnes of tissue paper, ribbon and cellophane wrap from Tiger for only £1 a roll. The Christian Potier Hollandaise Sauce Sachets (£2.50) contain no artificial flavourings and colourings and can be popped into the microwave and ready in just 10 seconds. The box contains three sachets of the creamy sauce which can be served with asparagus, salmon or boiled eggs to create an easy starter in minutes. The Jules Destrooper Butter Crisps (£1.19) and Ahmad Dessert Green Tea (£4) go perfectly together for a midmorning snack. The butter biscuits are incredibly crispy and sweet due to the delicious combination of caramelised sugar and butter. Plus, they can also be used to decorate desserts and ice cream. The blend of lemon, grapefruit and mint in the sorbet-inspired green tea is refreshing and zesty. The box contains 15 loose leaf pyramids and contains expertly chosen Chineses green tea.
This month’s box contains two full-sized bottles of cider from The Good Cider of Sans Sebastian (£1.50 each). Containing the best apples from their own trees in Spain, this craft cider is not only affordable, it’s simply delicious. There’s nothing better than a cold, crisp fruity cider bursting with flavour and I was lucky to receive two flavours, Wild Berry (packed full of cranberries and blackcurrants) and Strawberry & Lime. I’ve tried many varieties from Pipers Crisps and I’ve never been disappointed. Their newest flavour is hand cooked potato crisps seasoned with wild thyme and rosemary gathered from The Atlas Mountains in Morocco. They are wholesome, morish, heart and flavoursome, just the way crisps should be!
Now, for some lunchbox favourites that kids, and big kids, will be sure to enjoy. The Gruffalo Golden Apple Fruit Drink (x3 for £1.49) is part of the Appy Kids Co Lunchbox range. The drinks are 100% natural, with no added sugar and sweetened with plant stevia, making then a healthier option for kids. The Michel et Augustin Cookie Squares Bar (89p) contain four squares of buttery biscuit topped with rich dark chocolate perfectly seasoned with a pinch of sea salt and finally, the award-winning Crunchy Slam Dunk Peanut Chunk Bar from Broderick’s (£1.20) contains whole roasted peanuts, crunchy Rice Krispies, white and milk Belgium chocolate and peanut butter spread.
The cheese board is one of my favourite Christmas traditions and these crispy savoury nibbles from Ryvita are the perfect accompaniments. The thins (£1.89) aren’t dry and plain, they are flavoured with caramelised onion which gives them this sweet taste that really compliments all the smelly cheeses I buy at this time of year. The cracked black pepper crackers (£1.29) contain olive oil and wholegrain rye and have an almost smokey taste to them and are perfect for towering red onion chutney and brie on top of.
Finally, we have a household favourite: Butterkist popcorn. What is Christmas without cosying up on the sofa next to the tree and watching Elf with a bowl of popcorn? Everyone knows how great their Sweet Cinema Style Popcorn is (£1.69 for 6x multipack) but the new Choco Mallow variety (£1.49) is heavenly. Chewy, sweet and indulgent – simply the perfect movie snack.
No one can argue that this month’s box wasn’t packed full of delicious treats. What was your favourite product? Do leave me a comment down below as I’d love to know. This month I am delighted to offer my readers a £7 discount off their first box using the code: 2RS8F, just head over to degustabox.com to treat your family to a box of festive goodies!
