If someone asks me one more time if I’ve done my Christmas shopping, I might do it just to be able to say, “Yes, have you?”
But they’re right, there’s no lockdown to blame it on. We’ve had Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which seem to last forever, so I’m out of excuses. Gift-giving is hard even when things are going well, but I like to give.
Then there’s tipsy gifting, which is on a whole other level. No, I don’t mean drinking a few glasses of wine and then clicking twice on Amazon. I’m talking about boozy gifts, of course.
If you don’t know someone very well, you won’t know what they like to drink. Do they like whisky, champagne, fine reds, or Babycham?
On a side note, if they liked the last one, that friendship might be in trouble. But if it’s a secret Santa, at least you can stay hidden.
Your closest friends and family can be even harder on you because they expect more from you than people you don’t know as well. There’s also the pressure of knowing exactly what they like, what they wouldn’t drink, and what your gift says about them.
If you do it wrong, you’ll have to cringe as you open the package, which no one wants. Talk about “booze gifting anxiety,” which isn’t a real syndrome but should be.
Champagne, red wine, and high-end spirits are always great gifts. This year, give three more expensive gifts that will keep on giving:
Adnams First Rate Triple Malt Dry Gin, England
This is catnip to a gin-enthusiast. Produced by iconic East Anglian brewer, Adnams, thank Southwold’s beach huts they didn’t ‘stay in their lane’.
Made from their award-winning triple-grain vodka, Longshore, which is redistilled and infused with a medley of 13 botanicals.
The citrus peel cardamon, fennel and thyme make an appearance on the palate. Yes, you can sip this neat.
Champagne Jacquart Mosaique Brut, France
I’m all about pouring high-end cava, Crémant, English sparkling and other world fizz for everyday drinking. A good champagne is a safe bet for gifting especially if it’s a well-respected producer like this one.
Allegedly, this is the most popular champagne brand served in restaurants in the Champagne region.
It’s chardonnay-dominated, which means yellow plum and fresh pear flavours over shortbread base notes.
Cedro do Noval, Portugal
Firstly, this is a red wine produced by one of the finest port houses in Portugal, secondly, you can say you bought it from Selfridges.
This is basically port, without the fortification from brandy, using many of the same grapes and led by the perfumed, bergamot flavoured Touriga Nacional. If the recipient is a fan of cabernet-based Bordeaux, this one has black fruit and light sandalwood similarities from 18 months wood ageing.
Credit: Source