As the holidays approach, we often look for simple, useful gifts that truly bring joy.
Good news: food gifts are the champions of the genre. No gadgets collecting dust—just flavor, sharing, and a little touch of homemade or artisanal love, sometimes DIY, sometimes from small local producers in Brussels.
Here are 10 delicious ideas, some to make yourself, others to find from local artisans... and all suitable for small budgets.
1. A jar of homemade granola flavored with cinnamon
A simple, pretty gift that already smells like Christmas even before being opened.
Simple recipe:
- 300 g oatmeal flakes
- 80 g chopped nuts/hazelnuts
- 40 g seeds (sunflower, sesame…)
- 60 g honey or maple syrup
- 40 ml neutral oil
- ½ c. coffee cinnamon
Mix → spread → 25 min in the oven at 160°C → cool before putting in a jar.
2. A miso & shoyu duo for lovers of Japanese cuisine
An original, simple, and perfect idea for people who love to cook but don't know where to start. Choosing a good shoyu and miso: two versatile basics for soups, marinades, roasted vegetables, dressings...
I recently discovered the workshop of Nuu Miso and was blown away by the quality of their artisanal miso, produced in Laeken. Don't hesitate to check it out; plus, the women behind the project will be delighted to tell you more about this flagship Japanese product! (non-affiliated link, just a banger)
3. A homemade flavored oil (garlic, chili, herbs…)
A highly appreciated classic: pretty, quick to make, and delicious.
Mini-recipe:
- 250 ml of olive oil (that doesn't have a strong flavor)
- 2 crushed garlic cloves
- 1 dried chili pepper cut into pieces
- Dried herbs or a sprig of rosemary
→ Heat gently for 10 minutes → cool down → bottle. Let infuse for at least 2 weeks. If you want oils that last a long time, you should avoid any moist ingredients in the preparation (for example, use garlic powder instead of a fresh garlic clove. This will prevent the development of bacteria).
Ideas for oils that I have infused at home: lemon & tarragon, garlic & chili, thyme & sesame, paprika & curry, oregano, rosemary.
4. A jar of spices for infusing flavored spirits
Giving an infusion kit for alcohol is like giving a cocktail that makes itself. You fill a nice jar, add an instruction manual, and the person just has to pour in their alcohol... then wait for the magic to happen.
Here are 3 thematic versions, one for each alcohol:
Pineapple Jalapeño Tequila
For fans of fresh and spicy cocktails like margaritas.
In the jar:
- 8–10 pieces of dried pineapple
- ½ dried or fresh jalapeño
- 1 slice of dried lime
- 3 pink peppercorns
- Option: a tiny pinch of smoked salt
Instructions for infusion: Add 50–70 cl of white tequila. Let steep for 3 to 7 days depending on the desired intensity. Strain. Serve as a margarita, tonic, or sour.
Spiced Orange Rum
Classic spiced rum ambiance but with a winter twist.
In the jar:
- 3–4 slices of dried orange
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 3 cloves
-
A small piece of dried ginger
Instructions: Add 50–70 cl of dark or amber rum. Infuse for 1 to 3 weeks. Strain. Serve neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.
Cranberry Citrus Vodka
Fruity, tangy, very “Christmas vibe.” Perfect for vodka tonics, winter spritzes, or sparkling cocktails.
In the jar:
- 2 tablespoons of dried cranberries
- 2 slices of dried lemon (or fresh zest)
- 1 slice of dried orange
- 1 small piece of vanilla bean
- 3 lightly crushed cardamom pods
Instructions: Add 50–70 cl of vodka. Infuse for 4 to 10 days. Strain. Serve with tonic or prosecco.
5. Homemade Christmas Cookies
Cookies remain a must-have — simple, economical, and pretty in kraft bags. Speculoos, shortbread, matcha, the options are endless!
Quick speculoos recipe: https://www.ricardocuisine.com/recettes/9639-biscuits-speculoos
6. A spice or flavored salt gift set
Perfect for cooking enthusiasts — and super useful for elevating a dish in 2 seconds. Either make them at home or order them through our holiday order form.
- Smoked crazy salt
- Salt lemon & rosemary
- Herb salt
- Gomasio
Artisanal, affordable, great idea for a set of 3–4 flavors.
7. A ready-to-serve cocktail kit
For winter evenings, it's the gift that hits the mark: no preparation, just pour into a chilled glass.
Pre-batched cocktails are actually my secret when I host friends at my place. A little work ahead of time for maximum enjoyment with my guests during the evening.
The concept? Prepare the mixes in advance so that when it's time to serve, all that's left to do is shake, mix, or simply pour over ice. Zero stress, 100% friendliness.
For Christmas, I created a small collection of special cocktails (espresso martini, negroni, winter spritz, and Christmas punch), available for order through the holiday form.
A simple, elegant idea, perfect for anyone who loves good homemade cocktails.
8. A Christmas menu ready to heat up
Sometimes, the best gift you can give someone — or yourself — is a complete meal without cooking.
Between the kids, the guests, the travel, and the gifts, the holiday season can quickly become intense. So a pre-prepared menu, thoughtfully designed, balanced, and easy to reheat... it's a true luxury of everyday life.
This year, I have prepared a Christmas menu with 3 or 4 courses, available in fish, poultry, or vegetarian versions, so that everyone can find their happiness.
The pickup is on December 24, 25, and 26, according to what best suits your holiday arrangements.
And to top it all off, it's possible to add pre-batched cocktails and artisanal flavored salts — to create a gourmet experience from start to finish.
A practical, warm, and so comforting gift: the joy of a festive meal, without the pressure that comes with it.
9. A gift voucher for a cooking workshop
Experiences are among the most memorable gifts. They don't wear out, don't gather dust, and leave behind real memories — shared moments, laughter, discoveries.
Giving a gift certificate for a cooking workshop is to offer all of that at once.
At Banzaï, the gyoza, sushi, or bento workshops are designed as delightful breaks: accessible, friendly, and always full of good vibes.
It is the ideal gift for:
- couples looking for a fun activity to do together
- foodies who love to learn new techniques
- parents who want to cook with their teens
- Japanese cuisine enthusiasts, beginners or passionate
A simple, useful gift idea that always brings joy — especially in Brussels where Japanese cooking workshops are still rare.
A great deal for those looking for a good cooking class gift in Brussels or a gift related to Japanese cuisine.
10. A homemade "winter comfort box"
For a gift that warms both the heart and the stomach, the winter comfort box is a wonderful alternative.
It’s a small box filled with winter treats, perfect for providing a moment of calm, warmth, and comfort in the heart of winter. A simple, personalized gift that is always appreciated.
Inside, you can slide:
- a homemade soup in a jar (pumpkin–miso, carrot–ginger, sweet potato–coconut…)
- homemade crackers or a small savory cookie
- a mini jar of applesauce or a winter spread
- a pretty herbal tea bag, spicy or floral
- a mini jar of toppings (fried onions, gomasio, furikake…) to twist up the dishes
You can also add a candle, a little handwritten card, a ribbon or a decorated jar… The idea is to turn it into a cosy gift, something soft and warm that makes you want to wrap yourself up in a blanket.
Easy to personalize, economical, aesthetic, and deeply thoughtful: a perfect gift when you want to please without falling into useless items.
Why foodie gifts are always a good idea?
- They are simple, useful, and zero unnecessary waste
- They support small local producers and artisans
- They are greedy... and who doesn't like to eat?
- They can be prepared at the last minute
- They fit all budgets
🎁 Fancy a gift that’s ready in 2 minutes?
If you prefer simple, practical options, Banzaï offers a selection of gourmet gifts that are ready to give — perfect for food lovers, fans of sharing, and everyone who enjoys great flavours.
In just a few clicks, you can choose from:
- gift vouchers gift vouchers (valid for cooking workshops or meal boxes)
- pre-batched cocktails, ready to serve
- artisanal flavoured salts
- or even a Christmas takeaway menu, for a stress-free festive meal
Everything is gathered on a single page to make your life easier.
All you have to do is fill in the order form and send it back to us by 18 December!
And sometimes, the greatest gift… is simply our time.
In this season when we talk so much about shopping, boxes and ribbons, we shouldn’t forget that the most precious gifts are often immaterial.
Giving some of your time, your energy, your presence can have a huge impact.
It can be as simple as:
- cooking a meal for a neighbour who lives alone,
- offering an afternoon of babysitting to new parents,
- giving a helping hand to someone going through a difficult time,
- or even simply sharing a moment over a coffee.
And if you’d like to go one step further, there are many local organisations — such as the Red Cross, food banks, outreach programmes, or neighbourhood social projects — that are always in need of support, especially at the end of the year.
Volunteering, making a donation, taking part in a collection… every gesture counts.
A gentle reminder that Christmas is also about this: taking care of one another.
FAQ
What kind of food gift is best to give at Christmas?
Homemade granola, infused oil, flavoured salts, pre-batched cocktails, biscuits, or a gift voucher for a cooking workshop.
What is the easiest gourmet gift to make yourself?
Granola, infused oil, biscuits, or a jar of spices for infused rum.
Where can I find a cooking gift voucher in Brussels?
From several local artisans, and at Banzaï, which offers gyoza, sushi, bento and other seasonal cooking workshops.