The Pleasure of Giving Something Made by Hand

Recently, Produced Nearby shared a post on Instagram that made me smile. It offered a good rule for buying presents:

“Buy something that will last a lifetime. Or buy something that will be gone in an instant. And avoid all the stuff in between.”

Then came two small, independent British makers who fit the rule. One was a Norfolk willow weaver, whose baskets could still be in use fifty years from now. The other was Jamatelier, described as making the kind of small-batch jams and preserves you might open one morning and find yourself scraping the bottom of the jar the next.

I think that’s the best argument I know for giving good jam at Christmas.

Thank you, @producednearby, and if you’re looking for independent British farmers, growers and makers to gift this year, their guide at producednearby.com is a treasure.

Made by hand, in the French tradition

At Jamatelier, every jar is made in small batches, by hand, in the tradition of French confiture. The principles behind it are simple, and they haven’t changed in generations.

The fruit comes first. The fruit is left to macerate overnight with its sugar, which draws out its juices and deepens its flavour before it ever meets the heat.

Less sugar, more fruit. The balance comes from the fruit itself, not from excess sweetness, so a plum tastes like a plum and a clementine tastes like a clementine.

Cooked slowly in copper. Copper pans heat quickly and evenly, so the jam cooks gently and briefly, keeping its clarity, texture and bright, true colour.

I call this the Slow Jam Method, and it’s the reason a spoonful tastes the way it does: fresh and fragrant.

Why our jam goes in an instant

Most of what we give and receive at Christmas could have come from anywhere, and much of it ends up at the back of a cupboard. A small-batch jar is different. It’s made in limited seasonal batches, from carefully chosen fruit, by someone who cares how it tastes, and that’s exactly why it doesn’t sit around.

That’s the best kind of gift: authentic, delicious and enjoyed straight away.

Rituals for sharing good food - something for everyone

The best Christmas food moments are small and unhurried:

• A new jar on Christmas morning, spooned onto warm toast while the house is still in pyjamas.

• The cheeseboard done properly, with a spoonful of Pear & Cranberry or Plum & Star Anise beside a ripe cheese.

• Pancakes, scones or yoghurt at Boxing Day breakfast.

• A jar passed across the table, with everyone helping themselves, which is really what sharing food is.

A good jam makes each of these a little more special.

Handmade gifts from the Jamatelier kitchen

If you’d like to give something authentic, small-batch and delicious, here’s where I’d start:

• The Slow Jam Taster Trio (£16.50): three jars for breakfast or the cheeseboard, ideal as a thank-you or secret Santa gift.

• The Slow Jam Collection (£42): 220g jars for someone who loves a well-stocked pantry.

• The Slow Jam Maker’s Kit (£49): for the friend who’s always wanted to try making jam.

• Slow Jam: The Art of French Jam Making (£19.50): 31 seasonal recipes and the method behind every jar.

• Single jars (£6.50), such as Clementine & Cardamom or Plum & Star Anise, make lovely stocking fillers.

Everything is beautifully packed and ready to give. Browse the full Jam Gifts collection, and add a finishing touch with our kitchen linens. UK delivery starts from £2.50, with tracked delivery.

A last thought

Some gifts are made to last a lifetime. Others are made to be devoured, shared and remembered for exactly how good they tasted.

Mine are the second kind, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

From the Jamatelier Kitchen to yours, happy Christmas.