Christmas is a time to slow down and enjoy getting together with our favourite people. Many of us dream of having time to regularly catch up with friends and family throughout the year but, in reality, Christmas often proves to be the only time to sit with friends for a meal, a drink, a coffee and a slice of cake and literally take stock of what’s around us.

Among the coveted items that money simply cannot buy are handmade edible gifts. Purely because of the time, effort and thought involved, the giving of food gifts speaks volumes about the worth and regard in which both giver and recipient are held by each other. However, giving food gifts at Christmas should come with a warning. Once given, always expected.

Last year I ran out of time before Christmas, and substituted my usual basket of homemade goodies with a thoughtful book. It filtered back to me in January that discreet enquiries had been made as to the reason why the recipient was out of favour.

See eunicepower.com
Photography: Shane O Neill, aspectphotography.net
Food styling: Leona Humphreys, onefineplate.com