Edible gifts and decorations

If you've given the same person more or less the same present every year, why not do something different? A personalised gift can be more touching and memorable, and it's a great way to get children involved. After all, who doesn't like licking the bowl after making a batch of chocolate truffles? The ones in the video above are flavoured with egg nog to give an extra bit of festive sparkle. The recipe is at the bottom of this page too.

More edible gifts and treats
Simple Christmas roasted almonds
Homemade chocolate tree 'bark'
Cranberry, chocolate and pecan biscotti
Snowman bowl and chocolate spoons
Double chocolate truffles
Mint white chocolate hearts
Boozy ginger chocs
Vanilla and cocoa biscuits
An old favourite - tiffin
Pine nut caramel slices
Maple syrup and pecan popcorn
Apricot, orange and ginger marmalade

Decorations
Chocolate truffle Christmas tree baubles
Cinnamon chocolate tree ornaments
Spiced and iced tree decorations
Gingerbread nightlights
Gingerbread cottage
3D winter wonderland

Egg nog truffles (recipe from the video above)
Makes about 30

Ingredients:
360g good quality white chocolate
80mls double cream
1 tbsp brandy or rum
½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
A pinch of ground cinnamon
360g white chocolate for coating
Grated nutmeg to decorate

Method:
Melt the chocolate, cream, brandy, nutmeg and cinnamon in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water, being careful not to let the bowl touch the water. Stir until completely smooth then chill for about two hours until hard.

Take a teaspoon and remove heaped spoons of the truffle mixture. Roll between your hands to form spheres. Place on a plate covered in non-stick paper and chill again for another hour.

Melt the chocolate using the same method as before. Dip each truffle into the chocolate using a spoon and fork. Drain as much chocolate from the truffle as possible and transfer to a tray lined with greaseproof paper. Grate a little nutmeg over each truffle. Leave to set either at room temperature or in the fridge, though be aware a bloom is more likely to develop on the chocolate if you use the faster fridge method.


More festive food ideas:
Christmas menus: Festive food for everyone
Good Housekeeping's tried and tested Guide to Christmas 2016 food shopping
Festive cocktails, hot drinks and party food
How to have a Scandinavian-style Christmas
Christmas baking and dessert recipes

Make Christmas easier on yourself:
The ultimate Christmas countdown
How to decode a whisky label
Quick and easy last-minute Christmas
Take the stress out of Christmas