Objects of desire: Charles Campion's favourite foodie stocking-fillers

Just when you thought your kitchen had everything...

1. Paxton & Whitfield cheese knives

Paxton & Whitfield is an old-established and very traditional cheesemonger. As well as a mouth-watering array of fine cheeses they also sell a range of paraphernalia to gladden the heart of any cheese-lover. These superb knives are crafted by Laguiole, the French master cutlers, and would grace any table. 190 for a set. Paxton & Whitfield, 93 Jermyn Street, London SW1 (020-7930 0259), also in Stratford upon Avon and Bath, www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk

2. Magic Balls

Long ago, Edwardian butlers would endanger the health of the aristocracy by swirling a handful of lead shot around in soapy water to clean their decanters. Today we have the much more effective Magic Balls. In most houses decanters tend to be brought out for high days and holidays so it's panic stations as Christmas approaches. Magic Balls work really well they have a rough surface which makes clearing decanters a doddle. 3.95 from Lakeland, www.lakeland.co.uk

3. Finger Fresh Bar

On the face of it, the suggestion that washing your hands with an elegant egg-shaped piece of stainless steel seems about as far-fetched as the old wives' tale that chewing a match would stop your eyes watering when peeling onions. But the Finger Fresh Bar does work perhaps there is some complex scientific explanation to do with ionisation, perhaps it's the soapy equivalent of a placebo. Finger Fresh Bar, 4.88 from Kitchenware (0870 8500 520) www.kitchenware.co.uk

4. Rosle garlic press

They say that if you invent a new mousetrap the world will beat a pathway to your door. Which may explain why there are so many, and such a variety of, devices for crushing garlic something that can be easily accomplished using a chopping board and the back of a heavy knife. But garlic presses are fun. The Rosle version is a cunning arrangement of joints that delivers extra leverage to the squeeze and everything unfurls for easy cleaning. 34. For stockists call 0172 572910

5. The Wedge

The Wedge is a simple device it's a wedge! But a rather chic one that has been tailored to help you stack wine bottles, or beer cans, or indeed anything cylindrical on the work surface. The Wedge does for bottles what bookends can do for books. As a way of storing wine for immediate use they work well and take up much less space than more traditional wine racks. Get cracking, get stacking. The Wedge is available from the newly launched www.bluw.co.uk. They cost 5.99 per pair

6. Cookie cutters

There is something very satisfying about having a tin full of pastry cutters in the kitchen drawer, it implies that you have the time and skills to create all manner of delicate patisserie. This 41-piece cutter set allows you to stamp out any of the 26 different letters and all the numbers. For anyone lacking confidence with the icing bag this will come as a boon, and long messages can be created in biscuit or marzipan. Alphabet cookie cutters, 41-piece set 19.95 from www.cookware.co.uk (0870 0707 172)