Christmas is creeping closer, and with it comes that yearly puzzle of what on earth to get everyone. Black Friday is the perfect excuse to tick a few names off the list early. So we've rounded up our favourite Black Friday gifts for every kind of person in your life, from the little ones who'll be up before sunrise to the friends who never forget your birthday.
Little ones
Small hands, big sweet tooth. Whether they're counting down the sleeps or already on their third draft of a letter to Santa, these festive treats are made to add a little extra sparkle to the season for the youngest members of the family. We won't tell if the grown ups sneak a few too.
Part cake, part cookie and completely impossible to share, our Biskies are the treat little ones can never quite describe. They only know they want another one.
This festive box is filled with a mix of our favourite Christmas flavours, which could include Classic S'more, Strawberries & Cream, Blueberry Cheesecake and Billionaire Dreambar, each sandwiched with our light buttercream. It comes wrapped in our Christmas sleeve, in a box of six or twelve depending on how many little helpers you're feeding.
Every family has one cheeky little elf who's been wobbling on the edge of the naughty list all year. These look exactly like the real thing, right down to the rough, sooty edges.
One bite, though, and it's rich dark chocolate and chocolate crumb all the way through. They make the funniest stocking filler going, and (thankfully) taste much better than the real thing!
Bite-sized and made for sharing (in theory), these mini brownies are perfect for little ones who like to try a bit of everything. Expect a mix of Salted Caramel, Classic Chocolate, White Chocolate, Millionaire Shortbread, Peanut Butter Fudge and Chocolate Nutella, each one as much of a treat as the last.
Save the box for a Christmas film marathon and keep a close eye on any grown ups hovering nearby. If someone in the family has a nut allergy, our No Nut Flavours Christmas Brownie Box is a lovely alternative.
A partner or loved one
They put up with your Christmas playlist on repeat and your questionable wrapping skills. This year, give them something that really says thank you for being you. These are gifts for slow mornings, long evenings in and plenty of the good stuff.
For the person who deserves the full works, this is one of our most generous Christmas hampers. There's an Afternoon Tea at Home box, our Salted Caramel Brownies, vanilla and chocolate shortbread, three flavours of cookie bites, two kinds of popcorn and a full bottle of prosecco to finish.
It's a whole day of treats in one box, from a lazy breakfast cuppa to a festive toast once the lights go down.
If dessert is your love language, this is the one. Twelve layers of chocolate sponge are stacked with vanilla and raspberry buttercreams and cherries, then drenched in thick chocolate truffle ganache and finished with golden chocolate shavings and cranberry slices.
It's a proper showstopper for Christmas Eve or a cosy night in with the fairy lights on, and you can add a personalised message disc to make it extra special.
Nothing beats an afternoon of doing nothing at all together, especially when scones are involved.
Our Christmas Winter Afternoon Tea brings sticky toffee truffle cakes, hand-decorated orange and cranberry loaves, scones with Rodda's clotted cream and strawberry jam, and our sage and onion stuffing rolls - which the whole team is slightly obsessed with. Add prosecco if you're feeling fancy and let the weather do whatever it likes outside.
Grandparents
The people who taught us to share our sweets deserve a little spoiling of their own. These gifts are all about the things they love most: a proper cup of tea, a slice of something handmade and a good excuse to get the whole family round the table.
Is it really Christmas until someone's warmed up a mince pie?
Ours are handmade with crisp, buttery pastry and generously filled with citrus and spice mincemeat, given a gentle twist with Earl Grey tea. A shimmer of golden cinnamon sugar on top gives the most satisfying crackle with every bite. Send a box of six their way and they'll have just the thing for everyone who pops round in December.
For those of us who love a classic with a little something extra, this one's a real winner. Warmly spiced carrot sponge is layered with smooth cream cheese frosting and our handmade carrot jam, then finished with gold-dusted white chocolate truffle shells and white chocolate shards.
Set it down in the middle of the table on Boxing Day and watch everyone suddenly find room for another slice.
For the grandparent who'd always pick the cheeseboard over the pudding, this hamper is the one. A bottle of red sits alongside Mouse House Vintage Cheddar, seeded buttermilk crackers, spiced tomato chutney, truffle crisps and our cacio e pepe cookie bites to complete the savoury lineup.
It's everything they need for an evening by the fire, with a board to graze on and nowhere they need to be.
For a friend
The friends who make you laugh, remember the important dates and always pick up the phone deserve some Christmas love too. Maybe it's a thank you for a year of being brilliant, or an excuse to see them before December gets hectic. Either way, these gifts say it better than a card ever could.
Forget the front door, this wreath belongs on the table. Dark and milk chocolate is packed with vanilla shortbread pieces, marshmallow and brownie, then decorated with white chocolate, cranberries, crispearls and a shimmer of edible gold.
Bring it along for the friend who's hosting this year and slice it up after dinner. It serves 10 to 14 - although don't be surprised if it vanishes faster than the main course!
Ten handmade gingerbread, chocolate, vanilla and red velvet biscuits, each iced by hand into angels, houses, pinwheels and trees.
Every one comes with its own ribbon loop, so they can hang on the tree as edible decorations, or you can skip that step entirely and go straight in with a cuppa. It's a lovely gift for the friend who goes all out on decorating - although still great for the friend who doesn't.
For the friend who's always first to check in, this is a little thank you in a box. Inside, they'll find our Ultimate Fudge Brownies swirled with handmade salted caramel, crunchy Mince Pie Cookie Bites, Chocolate Orange Popcorn and a mini bottle of prosecco.
It's everything you need for a spontaneous catch-up, so pop the cork, open the brownies and raise a glass to another year of friendship.
By Annabel Lui
Annabel is the co-founder of Cutter & Squidge and takes inspiration from around the world to create delicious bakes for our blog and collections.
