You have those last few things to buy for Christmas gifts and suddenly you realise you need to find something ‘gluten free’ and quickly.

Don’t panic as there are a number of gluten free stocking fillers that are readily available.

I posted a couple of weeks ago a list of gift ideas and published  the more comprehensive list as a page but I thought I would post it as well.

While I am writing specifically for what is available in Townsville and generally Australia, the range of gluten free Christmas stocking fillers can be quite versatile.

So give yourself a bit of extra time when at the shops or think outside the square or do a quick internet search and you WILL find  gluten free Christmas shopping  easier.

NB Specifically for children, Big W has a range of merchandised gluten free products for children eg One Direction, Smurfs, Angry Birds, Barbie…see below

1.  By Product

Leda Gluten Free Rum Balls

Leda Gluten Free Rum Balls are already on the shelves and can be  found in the bakery section in  Woolworths and in the gluten free section in Coles.

Nougat Limar  Available in Townsville at Sprout, Angelina’s Deli, Sunvale Meats, IGA Garbutt

Noosa Natural Chocolate Company  Available in Townsville at Angelina’s Deli

Toblerone

Another perfect stocking filler…. and from  their website…..

Does Toblerone contain Gluten?
No. All Toblerone flavours do not contain any gluten ingredients.

Spanish Turron

If you have access to a Spanish or Continental Deli, then look for  Turron.  A traditional Christmas food, you can try Jijona (soft and smooth) or Alicante (hard and crunchy).  I have been able to purchase them from El Mercado in Sydney  and Casa Iberica in Melbourne . They are happy to package them up and mail them to me.

Fudge n Stuff : Gluten Free Fudge, Flinders Street Townsville. Artisan Fudge is becoming popular so I am sure you can find a fudge shop near you.

The Gourmet Nut Co. : variety of flavoured nuts found in Snack Aisle of supermarkets

Outback Spirit Gourmet Packs: Fruit Toppers, Hot Sauces, BBQ Marinades, Chutneys.

Beerenberg Sauces, Chutneys, Jams, Dressings and Marinades :make up a gift basket with this products, available at supermarkets and all good delis.

Jelly Belly Jelly Beans

You can get these jelly beans in Christmas colours in a tube and Hello Kitty tins.  Myer has a huge range of Jelly Belly products.  Please find below their response regarding gluten free.

Question : Are all Jelly Belly products gluten free?

Answer: We do not use gluten in any of our current flavours of Jelly Belly jelly beans; however, we do use corn starch in all of our jelly beans.
Our Jelly Belly jelly beans and Jelly Belly Confections Pectin, Mellocreme and Gelatin candies are gluten-free and considered safe for the celiac-sprue patient to consume.
In addition, you requested information regarding two specific areas:   “The source of our ‘modified food starch’ and which ‘natural flavours and artificial flavourings’ are used in our products.”
In regard to the source of our “modified food starch,” we use corn.  Our “natural flavours” are identified on all packaging, and include fruit juice concentrates, fruit purees, coffee, peanut butter, chocolate, coconut and cocoa powder.  We also use oil of peppermint, lemon, lime and tangerine oils to flavour Jelly Belly beans featuring those particular flavours.
These products contain gluten and must be avoided:
All of our Jelly Belly Confections Chocolate Malt Balls, Licorice Pastels, Licorice Bridge Mix, Dimples, Christmas Dimples, Deluxe Christmas Mix, and Speckled Chocolate Malted Eggs.

2. By Store

Woolworths Supermarket

Toblerone

Macro Free From Gluten 2 Christmas Puddings

Homebrand Chocolate Coated Sultanas, Peanuts and Almonds

(While the packing is basic, why not repackage them in a Christmas themed box or bottle.)

Coles Supermarket

You can find these in the Christmas section of Coles:

Coles Candy Canes

Sweet William Santas

Festive Fudge

Darryl Lea Milk Chocolate Rocky Road Fruit and Nut

Taveners Wine Gums

Toblerone

Jon Jon Christmas Pudding

Simply Gluten Free Mince Pies

Simple Gluten Free Christmas Puddings

Crazy Clark’s (they are an overflow type store)

Kiwiland Peanut Clusters

Kiwiland Hokey Pokey Clusters

Kiwiland Cho Hokey Pokey

Kiwiland Choc Honeycomb

(The packaging isn’t festive so repackage into a Christmas themed tin or bottle.)

Target

Walkers Chocolate Turkish Delight, Chocolate Dinner Mint

Goldbar Milk Classic

Outback Spirit Gourmet Packs: Fruit Toppers, Hot Sauces, BBQ Marinades, Chutneys.

Big W

Jelly Belly Jelly Beans

Walkers Chocolate Turkish Delight, Chocolate Dinner Mint, Milk Chocolate Seashells

Ballantyne Chocolate coated Almonds, Fruit and Nut, Sultanas, Peanuts

Christmas Time Milk Santas, Milk Chocolate Coins

Lunch Box Tin Party Mix: Planes, Skylander

Christmas Stockings and Party Mix: One Direction, Barbie, Skylander, Smurfs, Angry Bird

Sweet William Chocolate : Sweet as Original, Sweet as White Strawberry

Kinnerton Luxury Dark Chocolate

KMart

You can find the following in the Christmas section of KMart:

Thorton’s Fudge Toffee

Hacizade Nougat

Hacizade Turkish Delight

KMart Chocolate Truffles in a tin

Belgian Truffles

Myer

Jelly Belly products in all manner of containers  and sizes including Hello Kitty.

Toffees

Caramels/Fudge

Reflection: This time last year, when we were overwhelmed with the gluten free lifestyle change, I did not have time to browse shops and products for gluten free Christmas gift ideas.  We were too busy getting acquainted with gluten free breakfasts, lunches and dinners. We had no time to shop or think about gifts and luxuries, only time to think about the everyday basics. My son was therefore lucky to get a Jelly Belly Santa Tube and a Toblerone in his Santa sack.

I am so pleased I have had time this year to revisit Christmas and gluten free. Instead of being overwhelmed, I am quite pleased and excited to see so many gluten free possibilities for young and old. And while my son will probably still only get a Jelly Bean Santa Tube and a Toblerone in his Santa sack, at least I know there is a choice.

In the capital cities, there are no doubt gourmet chocolate specialty shops, Italian delis and gourmand boutiques with many more gluten free Christmas stocking fillers.

 Bon Nadal    Joyeux Noël    Buon Natale    Merry Christmas