Christmas gifts for food lovers 2021

From stocking fillers to luxury presents, as selected by Observer Food Monthly

Benjamina Ebuehi’s luxurious Christmas bakes and cakes

Almond cinnamon cake, sage and onion twists, mulled wine tarte tatin – recipes inspired by the scents of the season

Ravinder Bhogal and Jay Rayner eat their way through the supermarkets’ mince pies, cheese, chocolates and more.

Celebrations will be diminished for everyone by Covid this year: we need to focus on the things we’d love. Like lobster for two

‘Christmas 2020 will be a year of missing people and missing ingredients’

What to do with festive specials in the supermarket aisles? Probably leave well alone

Tinned fish, ceramic tableware and cornettos – Santa’s sack is full of unusual treats for our chefs and food writers

From £5 cookie cutters to Fergus Henderson’s hangover-cure hamper, selected by Observer Food Monthly

David Williams on the drinks to keep that cosy winter feeling through Christmas to the new year

In the frantic pursuit of pleasure, it’s too easy to end up cross, drunk and dissatisfied

There is no other time of the year that is so completely enveloped in aromas. No wonder our memories are in overdrive

After years of practice, Jay Rayner has rules on Christmas lunch. Don’t faff over a starter; ditch most of the veg; always set fire to something

High street bargains, best value buys – and reds, whites and fizz to splash out on, chosen for Observer Food Monthly

As Christmas approaches, food firms are wheeling out ridiculous symbols of excess. It’s not a bit of fun – it’s conspicuous consumption gone mad

Observer Food Monthly’s choice of gift ideas, from stocking fillers and budget presents to no-expense-spared treats