We’re sure you can agree that there’s enough “stuff” in the world. This Christmas, why not break away from the consumerism mould and get creative with upcycled, DIY or homemade gifts? A few weeks out from Christmas, host a “craftanoon” with your friends and give these fun and easy gift ideas a go.

Mix up this Christmas with the NutriBullet Touch Blender Combo, available here bulletbrands.com.au

HAMED ALLAHYARI

Hamed Allahyari is the kind of person who, once you’ve met, you know you’ll never forget. He’s warm, softly spoken and has a huge heart. He’s also incredibly brave. Hamed is a refugee who migrated to Australia in 2012. He fled his country of Iran because his life had become threatened. Hamed is a gentle, kind-hearted man whose smile lights up the room. As the founder of Hamed’s Persian Kitchen in Sunshine, Melbourne, he shares his Persian culture and culinary heritage with the community. We are very lucky to have Hamed featuring in this issue, but even luckier to have him here in Australia. Be sure to check out his new cookbook, Salamati. You can find more details below.

Persian Bliss Bites 

“My dream is for everyone in Australia to try Persian food once,” Hamed Allahyari shares with a warmth and kindness that can be felt across the room.

Serves: 10 bites

• 1 cup (100g) walnuts
• 300g Persian soft dates (or other dates)
• Heaped 1/3 cup (100g) tahini
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cardamom

Coating ideas

• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup slivered pistachio kernels
• 1 cup sesame seeds
• 1 cup edible dried rose petals
• 1 cup dried barberries 

1. Crush walnuts in the small cup of the Nutribullet Smart Touch Blender Combo.
2. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Place dates in the large jug of the Nutribullet Smart Touch Blender Combo and pulse until just chopped. Transfer to a bowl with the walnuts, half the tahini, vanilla extract cardamom and mix well. Add the remaining tahini if necessary to bring the mixture together and, using your hands, mix to form a soft dough.
4. Roll the mixture into 10 even-sized bites (with damp hands to stop the mixture sticking to your fingers, if necessary), then roll in your chosen coating to finish.
5. The bites will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Salamati: Hamed’s Persian Kitchen: Recipes and Stories from Iran to the Other Side of the World, written by Hamed Allahyari, photography by Dani Valent. A heart-warming story of resilience, homesickness and good Persian cooking in 70 glorious recipes.
Published by Murdoch Books and available at all good bookstores. RRP $45.00

LINDOR Chocolate Tree

This year, it’s time to say no to plastic Christmas trees and dress up the real deal! String or peg a few LINDOR balls to each branch and you have yourself a delicious and air-purifying festive decoration.

Makes: 1 small tree

Supplies:

• Handful LINDOR balls
• Christmas tree
• Floral wire, wooden pegs or string

Method:

1. Using floral wire, wooden pegs or string, add LINDOR balls to your tree, weaving them in the foliage.
2. Place tree in your living room or near your front door. Mindfully consume the yummy LINDOR balls as you count down the days until Christmas.

Don’t arrive empty-handed…

Give the gift of deliciousness this Christmas with Baker’s Delight Fruit Mince Tarts. Made with tasty apples, sultanas, currants and mixed spices, the tarts are baked in a crumbly shortcrust pastry and make the perfect Christmas table gift.

Chris’ Dips Terracotta Potted Plants

The first (and most important) step is to eat the dip! Chris’ Heritage Range Dips are served in sealed terracotta pots which are perfect for creating a potted plant to gift to your loved ones this Christmas.

Makes: 1

Ingredients:

• Chris’ Dips terracotta pot, empty & cleaned
• Tape
• Drill with an 8mm glass & tile fitting
• Flower or herb cutting
• Soil
• Water
• Chopping board
• Old tea towel
• Gardening tools
• Pebbles & paint (optional)

Method:

1. Place a chopping board and old tea towel underneath your work area.
2. Place some tape on the bottom of the pot over the area you want to drill.
3. Pour some water onto the pot (it’s important to keep the pot still when drilling).
4. Using a drill with an 8mm glass and tile fitting, drill your hole over the taped area.
5. Continue adding water to keep the area wet.
6. Once you have your drainage hole, fill the pot up with some soil and a little succulent or plant cutting.
7. Using some gardening tools, clean up the plant and pot.
8. Add some pebbles around the succulent for added decoration and paint your pot. Water and leave to dry before gifting to your loved one for Christmas.

All I want for Christmas…
NutriBullet Smart Touch Blender Combo

The NutriBullet Smart Touch Blender Combo is a 2-in-1 machine equipped with a 1.9L vented pitcher that’s perfect for large-batch blending, as well as two single-serve cups with to-go lids. This sleek blender operates via touchscreen display, with four precision programs, three speeds, vessel recognition technology and a pulse function that takes the guesswork out of blending. Its powerful 1500W motor has the ability to break through even the toughest of ingredients for a smooth blend every time. For more visit bulletbrands.com.au