The food Christmas gift guide

You can't go wrong with a gift they can eat or drink, and this year our Foodhalls are bursting with thoughtful ways to spoil them. Whether it's the perfect Secret Santa treat, something delicious to drink, or a beautifully packaged panettone, we've got spot-on gifts in the bag. Stock up now with our editor's guide to all the best gifts in the Foodhall this season.

Best get-ahead food gifts

Get a head start on this year’s gift stash. We’ve got everything from tiny tokens of thanks to show-stealing biscuit tins, bottles and chocolate boxes galore – all available in the Foodhall now to pop away for the big day.

• This year’s selection of biscuit tins is even more spectacular than ever. Look out for our whimsical Magical Projector Chocolate Chip Shortbread Tin, wind-up Santa Jack-In-A-Box Musical Tin, and All Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies in a wow-worthy lenticular illusion tin.

• Our popular Peppermint Bark has made a return in its iconic red and white candy-stripe tin, alongside our moreish milk chocolate coated Caramel Crunch and Pistachio Muddles – ideal gifts for chocolate lovers.

Best foodie stocking fillers

Stock up on stocking filler favourites from as little as £1 in the Foodhall, and kickstart the festive fun from the minute they wake up.

• Sweeten up their Christmas morning with an individually wrapped Golden Blond Caramel Tree, Gingerbread Latte Whip or Made Without Dairy Santa – also great for keeping in your bag as a little festive pick-me-up.

• Our Swiss Truffles Tree Decoration Tin will go from filling up their stocking to lighting up the Christmas tree in minutes.

• Or treat them to their M&S faves in miniature form with a Mini Chocs Marks Milk Chocolate pack.

• Curating the perfect grown-up stocking? Our sophisticated Collection 85% Dark Chocolate Ginger Sticks and Orangettes will go down a storm.

• And don’t forget the all-important bag of Merry Percymas or fizzy Percy Pig Festive Fun fruit-flavour gums – adored by big and little kids alike.

The best drinks gifts

These drinks cupboard essentials are ideal for budding mixologists or fans of a laid-back cocktail hour at home.

• If they love Limoncello, this zesty Clemoncello Liqueur is destined to become their newest squeeze. Enjoy over ice or topped with sparkling wine.

• Fans of bar-quality cocktails will love these new premium Marksologist tipples, like our Marksologist Old Fashioned, crafted with Twin Stallions Bourbon and presented in a gorgeously giftable fluted bottle.

• Or treat them to a new four-pack of our iconic The Marksologist tinnies, including Margarita and Salted Caramel Espresso Martini cans.

• For a grown-up stocking filler, how about a mini can of The Marksologist Decaf Espresso Martini or Gin and Ginger Mule?

Best secret Santa gifts

Be the colleague everyone hopes to have drawn their name with these Secret Santa-approved goodies.

• A tin of our new The Original Gimme S’more Munch – with all the chocolatey, biscuity, marshmallowy flavours of a cosy campfire – will have crowds gathering around their desk in minutes.

• While our new milk, dark, white and blond chocolate covered Malt Balls will quickly become their new festive obsession.

• Or help them welcome in the holidays in style with a half-sized bottle of our crisp and delicate Bellante Prosecco or extra dry Bellante Prosecco Rosé. Pair with a Mini Double Chocolate Panettone (in store from 30 September) and still have change from £10.

The best chocolate gifts

• Look out for our Swiss Truffles Tree Decoration – a magical light-up chocolate tin filled with Swiss milk chocolates truffles.

• Stock up on cute Christmas Puppy Parade Milk Chocolate Shapes - our new cast of festive pups each crafted from smooth, creamy solid milk chocolate.

• Chocolate connoisseurs will love our Collection Salted Caramel Pinecones, each intricately detailed and finished with a snowy dusting.

• Help them find their perfect chocolate and nut combination with our Collection The Indulgent Chocolate Nut Collection, with four rows of richly-coated buttery nuts.

Best gifts for foodies

Show them how much you care with an irresistible panettone or a DIY hamper of foodie delights.

• A jar of our new Collection Sticky Figgy Mustard will fast become their go-to pairing with pigs in blankets.

• Nothing says Christmas quite like a proper pudding, and our Collection 12 Month Matured Pecan and Panettone version, wrapped in a stylish tea towel and loaded with brandy, Cognac, rum and Amontillado sherry, is pure comfort.

• Or gift them some glitz with these new Collection 6 Sparkle Christmas Tree Meringues (in store from 11 November). Perfect alongside our indulgent Collection Cherries in Kirsch.

• The perfect gift for a food-loving style icon? A Collection Single Origin Chocolate and Stem Ginger Panettone of course. Made traditionally in Fossano, Italy, its showstopping tin will be used for years to come. Find it in the Foodhall from 30 September.

Best gifts to bring as a guest

Whether you want to thank them for hosting Christmas dinner, or looking for something different to bring to a seasonal get-together, these gifts will guarantee you best guest status.

• Our elegant new Blanquette de Limoux is a brilliant value bottle of bubbles, while this Alcohol-Free Blanc de Blancs is an extra-special sparkling for non-drinkers around the table.

• Turn up with The Magical Theatre Chocolate Box and expect to be met with a chorus of oohs and aahs as the enchanted scene comes to life. In store from 28 September.

• Movie night with friends on the cards? Show up with a 1.2kg family Big Mix tin to bag the best seat in the house.