'Tis the season for Christmas shopping

Your weekly shopping guide [View in browser]( [IndyBest]( [Lois Borny]( [Lois Borny](, Production Journalist December 9, 2022 With Christmas just around the corner, we’re facing some of life’s burning questions; namely, what will the starter be at [Christmas lunch](? Where should we put the [festive tree]( this year? And perhaps the most mystifying, what will our friends and family actually want when it comes to gifts? If you're not sure where to start, there are plenty of gifts that rarely miss the mark. A bottle of something boozy (or [alcohol-free]() like [Champagne]( is always a crowd-pleaser – add some sparkle with the Marks and Spencer [snow globe gin liqueurs]( ¢Â€Â“ while a box of [chocolates]( or [chocolate hamper]( will earn you major brownie points, too. Of course, it's always helpful when they're fanatical about something. You can count on your beauty-obsessed mate being thrilled with a [gift set]( – may we suggest the collection from [Trinny London]( – while the latest Apple Watch (if they've been very good this year), headphones and fitness [tech]( will be a hit with technophiles. Should you be gifting someone who just really loves cats – no gift selection is too niche for us – then our selection of [Christmas gifts for cat lovers]( would be paw-fect. And if it's [Secret Santa gift ideas]( re stuck for, we've sorted that too – the entire IndyBest team has shared their gift suggestions costing under £10.   A jolly good bargain [Mulled wine]( will be having its moment over the coming weeks – 'tis the season for it, after all – but there's plenty of space at the table for [red](, [white]( or [rosé](. To save you money when replenishing your plonk rack before seasonal soirées and family gatherings, we’ve picked some jolly good bargains on bottles and cases of six. [Wine deals for Christmas]( Now for something really exciting – we're giddy to finally announce the launch of [The Independent Wine Club](. With limited runs of wine cases from sustainable producers – all curated for different tastes – along with expert reviews and advice, this is the perfect opportunity to expand your vino horizons and shop savvy. [Read more](   Hamper hankering The most wonderful time of the year is also the perfect excuse for a dose of indulgence – and it doesn't get much more extravagant than a [Christmas hamper]( brimming with delicious [food and drink](, from smaller bundles for tucking in solo to humungous family-sized offerings to fuel the holiday festivities. [Christmas Hampers]( Our happy team of testers was tasked with munching and sipping their way through festive bundles from the likes of Fortnum and Mason and Hotel Chocolat – from vegan selections to British cheeses, decadent chocolates and vegetarian [wines](, it's safe to say that the best Christmas bundles in 2022 do not disappoint. [Read more](   Bon appétit Home cooked food is one of life’s simple or, depending on the recipe, very complex pleasures. If you're stuck for ideas though, a really good cookbook has enough originality to breathe new life into the kitchen – whether you’re a healthy food fan, [cheese]( fanatic, or are interested in trying new [vegan recipes]( – and leave you wanting more. [Best cook books 2022]( With the agonising task of picking just 10 of the best, our reviewer [Susan Low]( wanted to learn about more than just great recipes. From Caribbean and Sri Lankan cuisine to comfort food with influences from Ukraine, Cyprus and beyond, these are perfect for elevating your repertoire or delighting a foodie this Christmas. [Read more](   The bees knees Did you know our [pets]( are responsible for 20 per cent of the world’s consumption of fish and meat? Looking to create a more planet-friendly (and vet-approved) dog food, London-based company Grub Club is really big on bugs as a source of protein, but would our writer[Alex Lee's]( pooch approve? [Grub Club review]( These treats and dog kibble are protein-rich which is owing to the larvae from the black soldier fly – yum! Hypoallergenic for dogs whose skin can react to certain foods and gentle on sensitive tummies, Gatsby the dog was a fan of the stuff, sometimes even licking the bowl clean. [Read more](   Enjoying this newsletter? Unlock unlimited, ad-free reading on the website and in The Independent app when you subscribe – plus, benefit from our [welcome offer when you join today](.     Deals of the week The Independent’s journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our newsletter, we may earn commission. [Best dehumidifier deals ]( Keep damp and mould at bay with these dehumidifier deals – including a £27 discount on DeLonghi's dehumidifier. [Get deal](   [Hotel Chocolat velvetiser deal ]( Hotel Chocolat has a pretty sweet deal on the hot chocolate velvetiser which will save you £30. [Get deal](   Don't miss a thing Keep up to date with all the latest IndyBest news over on social... [Twitter]( [Instagram](   Thank you for reading. P.S. If you can spare two minutes we'd love to hear your [feedback]( on our newsletters.   [Alternate text] Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email. You are currently registered to receive The Independent's IndyBest email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's IndyBest email, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Indy_Best_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.