Please recommend some tasty ideas for my DB alternative Christmas Lunch

[SisterXmas]

My DB lives alone and would usually join us for Christmas.
Due to Covid restrictions he won’t be able to this year and I’d really like him to still have some special food on the day.

He is going to call and do a doorstep visit on Christmas morning so that we can exchange gifts and (as he's visiting early, so I can't plate a lunch up when I dish ours up) I'd really like to give him a lovely hamper of delicious foods to enjoy on the day.

Any ideas would be most welcome, bearing in mind he is a single guy living alone so keeping things simple would be good.

Meats
Relishes
Bread
Cheeses
Pickles
Biscuits
Grapes
Bottle of something

Is he into smoked salmon, chocolates?

@Frownette thanks!
Where would you shop for those things?
Can you recommend anything that you think is particularly special?
I’d really like the food to have a luxurious ‘feel’ if I can.
He deserves the best!

I would include some very nice crackers or crispbread, we were recently given a packet of Italian lingue which were just delicious with dips, cheese or on their own. Also maybe a jar of good ragù and some top quality pasta? Olives and/or tapenade?

Our local Italian deli is stuffed with delicious foods, they also have some good wines. Throw in a few baci!

@Bloodybridget thanks! Baci will definitely be included!
Where does top quality pasta come from?! Lol
All our pasta comes from Sainsbury’s

Why can't he join you? It's your brother, it's awful leaving him on his own.

@BethlehemIsInTier1 I agree and I’ve tried to persuade him but he’s very Covid conscious so I have to respect that.

@SisterXmas Sainsbury's do have some good brands, but again if there is a deli you can get to, I'd look there first. Hope you and your DP have a good time even though you can't be together - I have a DB I love very much too.

Do you have any farmers markets near you? They’re usually good for picking up nice cheese and meats that feel a bit more special than from a supermarket.

A big pork pie!

charcuterie board
You can make one for him and one for you.

Or baked Brie

I think I’d seen some beautiful Christmas food in Aldi today. Charcuterie boards and different Christmas cheeses. It all looked very nice 🤤

I didn’t think COVID restrictions meant people were expected to spend Christmas Day alone. That’s why they were lifted for a few days. Sorry I’m missing the point.

@DryRoastPeanut, but many people are choosing not to see anyone.

Selection of hams / salami
Selection of cheeses
olives
Nice crust bread (maybe those part baked so it will be fresh)
nice tea / coffee
Crackers (edible not Xmas)
Chutneys
Pickles
pork pie(s) or hotdogs - Iceland sell Greggs frozen sausage rolls
crisps

If you can't get to a deli you can still get this stuff from Tesco et al.

@DryRoastPeanut It's the brother who doesn't want to go.

Some excellent suggestions, thanks so much all!

I’d be tempted to tell him in advance you’re doing the hamper. Or buy stuff with long dates, don’t want it to go off if he’s catered for himself.

If you're in the north Booths have some wonderful stuff.

Do you have any local farm shops you could go and have a look in, they normally have some nice locally made food.

M&S have a lush cranberry topped pork pie