Good Morning Lovelies, 

Many of you will know that my family loves fruit! My dad’s family used to run big vineyards in Sicily, where he was from, living off the beautifully ripe produce that fell off the vines. So, when it comes to festive gift giving, I always know that a food based present is going to go down well. 

One brand that I always turn to is Opies. From fruit based products to savoury wonders that are a hit on any buffet table, the brand makes jars full of wonderful produce that anyone would be lucky to receive. And this year they have gone above and beyond! 

Turning back the clocks to present a nostalgic dose of gift giving this Christmas, the team have made the Opies’ Fruits collection even bigger, as the jars have stretched to hold more of the delicious fruit within them. All of which are priced at £8, making them a real bargain. 

Infused with the best spirits, including Kirsch, Amaretto and 12-year-old Luxardo, the brand has made the flavours of the Black Cherries, Baby Pears and Peaches that they are focusing on this year even better by giving them a whole new sleek look. One that will stand out in any hamper or stocking. 

Those who receive the will be able to enjoy them from the moment they hold them, as you can simply pop open a jar and tuck in. However, they are also perfect to use in a rich crumble or alongside some festive ice cream too. You can even add the cherries into cocktails to give that real sophisticated look.

And the best bit of all is that they can be enjoyed by many, as they are gluten and diary free, as well as being suitable for those following a plant-based diet. Plus, with the fruits easily able to pour out of the jars, I can vouch that they are also safe to pop into a bowl, as long as you don’t touch them, if you have any allergies. Something I learnt when I used the peaches to make my mum a peach crumble with them recently. 

I used a trusty family recipe to make this but a really nice touch to the jars is that they all come with recipes on the label. An element I really like, as they help to give you ideas on how to enjoy them. If given at Christmas time, these recipes can be really useful in helping to know how to use up those festive leftovers that we always get stuck with. My mum found that she could use the syrup and spirits from the jars to make her festive gammon come to life, as it made a really great sticky glaze when roasted in the slow cooker. 

Opies have so many products that are perfect all year round. Yet, these feel so special that they are made for Christmas and the festive season. Seeing these on our shelves always makes me think that a big fancy event is coming, which gets me very excited. I have also given some to close friends, including our hairdresser, who always tells me about how much she loves them. 

If you are looking for a foodie gift to give this upcoming Christmas, make sure to have a look out for them online and in your local supermarket now lovelies! Those who receive them will not be disappointed! In fact, it will go down so well, you should buy a jar for yourself too! 

Joey X