Christmas gifts from Greece are the ones that taste, smell and feel like home, and this year there is a simple way to shop for them from London. Made in Serres is a new Greek List member: an online shop that brings producers and makers from the Serres area of northern Greece into one basket, from honey and olive oil to candles, cosmetics and wine.
Serres sits in Central Macedonia, close to the Bulgarian border, and its farms and workshops do not usually get the attention of the islands. That is part of the charm. The shop describes itself as a digital exhibition space for local creations, and its tagline says it all: all the creative power of Serres, in your basket. Everything is produced, created or inspired in the area, and you order it through one checkout instead of chasing a dozen small websites.
For Greeks in the UK, that matters in November. Most of us want a few gifts that are properly Greek, for relatives here, for English friends who keep asking where we get the good olive oil, or for the family table on Christmas Eve. A shop with a clear Greek identity and a single order is easier than a suitcase of last minute purchases at the airport.
The catalogue is wide. The food section covers honey, olive oil, pasta, nuts, legumes, sauces, snacks, teas and juices, with organic, vegan, gluten free and sugar free options. There are cosmetics and personal care products such as creams, serums, soaps and lip balms, plus wine and spirits, scented candles, room and car fragrances, jewellery, handmade religious icons, souvenirs, books, toys and pet products.
The producers include Psareli and Sirreon Olive Farms for olive oil, Melidou winery for wine, Vasakis for sweets and loukoumia, and Nine Roads for cosmetics, among many others. Prices at the time of writing include a 4 litre tin of premium extra virgin olive oil at 32 euro, an eight herb tea set in a premium tin at 49 euro, and a rosé Syrah and Kritsini cheese combo at 15.90 euro. Prices are in euro and include Greek VAT, so check the checkout total before you order.
If you hate choosing, go straight to the gift baskets. The shop has a dedicated section of ready made baskets and ideas, including a business gift set with an award winning 750 ml wine and a Christmas tree candle at 30 euro, soap gift boxes from around 12 euro, and Vasakis loukoumia gift items at about 4.50 euro each. There is also a business gifts category, which is handy if you run a company in London and want to thank clients with something more memorable than a generic hamper.
New customers can get 10% off a first order by signing up to the newsletter, according to the shop website.
Shop details: Made in Serres on Greek List, Venizelou 162, Serres, Greece. Website: madeinserres.gr, with an English version. Phone: 693 146 5427.
The shop says products travel from Serres to all of Greece and the world, and its shipping page states that international orders go by DHL and that parcels are handed to the courier within 48 hours of receiving the order, excluding weekends. It does not list countries, prices or transit times, so contact the shop before you order for UK delivery and send a message early, because December is busy for every courier. Payment is by card or bank deposit, and cash on delivery applies only inside Greece.
Food needs one extra check. Under GOV.UK rules on bringing food into Great Britain, most meat and all dairy products from the EU are banned for personal use, while honey and eggs are allowed. That means a cheese and wine combo may be fine for a Greek address but is not one to send to London. Honey, herbs, tea, sweets and cosmetics are far safer choices. The GOV.UK page does not cover olive oil, wine or sweets, so ask the shop and check the current customs and alcohol rules before you buy wine.
Good to know: Greek List does not handle orders. Prices, stock and delivery terms are set by Made in Serres and can change.
Pair a jar of honey with a candle for a neighbour. Add a tea set to a card for an office Secret Santa. Choose books or handmade items for relatives who have everything. If you prefer to shop in person, our guide to Greek supermarkets and delis in London lists where to buy Greek food locally, and if you are flying home, read Christmas in Greece from London. Curious about the region itself? The official Serres tourism site has the area guide.
Looking for somewhere to wear the festive jumper? Greek List has the most complete list of Greek events in the UK, and you can list your own event for free. See also our Greek Christmas party guide.
Made in Serres is a Greek List member, like every business we feature. More than 100,000 Greeks and Cypriots in the UK read Greek List every month through the website, the newsletter and the Ellines sto Londino group, and listings rank first on Google.
Found a Greek gift you love? Share it with us in the Facebook group Ellines sto Londino.
