35 of the best Christmas food hampers for 2024

We’re not saying getting your hands on one of the year’s best Christmas hampers is the most wonderful thing about Christmas. Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year for so many reasons, whether it be the thrill of seeing the children in your family open up their presents from Santa, the epic Christmas dinner that features endless helpings of pigs in blankets, or the fantastic line up of Christmas Day television (Gavin & Stacey reruns, we’re looking at you). However, the joy that a well-stocked basket of goodies can bring is undeniably brilliant. 

The downside of the festive season though, is that getting everything right does take a fair bit of organising. Whether it’s matching the Christmas crackers to your well thought out tablescape or sorting out advent calendars for your loved ones, there’s a lot to think about. We like to think that getting a good hamper sort of cuts the corners on those pesky ‘nibbles’ you are going to need when the neighbours pop in, or offers up a wonderful way to turn leftovers into something special with a new jar of chutney or a few fancy crackers. They also, of course, make fantastic presents, and are a great way of showing someone just how much you appreciate them.

Traditionally given away as gifts (although you can keep them to yourself if you like, no judgement here, as mentioned above), Christmas hampers are typically presented in lidded wicker baskets and are usually filled to the brim with sweet and savoury foodstuffs, as well as bottles of wine, Prosecco and Champagne. Hampers are a great all-rounder gift, as there’s usually something in every one to suit each family member’s tastes. They’re not just for handing out to your friends and family though, as Christmas hampers can also make for great corporate gifts to show your employees that you appreciate all their hard work, or to give to clients to show that you wish them the best for the holiday season.

So, whether you’re on the hunt for a foodie Christmas hamper for a colleague, client, best friend or family member, or just want something special for yourself, our pick of the best of the bunch available this year should have something that piques your interest. We’ve categorised our favourite Christmas food hampers by price, so it’s up to you whether you want to save on the pennies or blow the budget entirely.  

The best cheap Christmas food and drink hampers: £50 and under

Christmas hampers are often seen as a luxury gift, but buying one for someone special in your life doesn’t have to leave you bankrupt. Check out these affordable options below which are sure to bring plenty of festive cheer to anyone who receives them. Starting from just £20, our selection of cheap Christmas hampers mean everyone can get a little taste of luxury for less this festive season. 

Love Cocoa's Christmas Cheer Chocolate Hamper, £36

Love Cocoa’s Christmas Cheer Hamper is sure to raise a smile from whoever receives it. Arriving packed to the brim with all of the brand’s seasonal favourites, including festive gingerbread truffles, mini salted caramel truffles and three tasty seasonal bars. For every order made, Love Cocoa will plant five trees, so you can also feel confident you are doing a little bit of good with your gifting.

A taste of what’s included: 

• Peppermint Bark 35% White Chocolate Bar
• Gingerbread Chocolate Truffles
• Mini Salted Caramel Truffles

Buy Love Cocoa's Christmas Cheer Hamper

Festive Treats Christmas Gift Hamper, £22.50

Presented in a small felt storage basket for recipients to reuse again and again, this Festive Treats hamper has plenty of classic Yuletide goodies for everyone to enjoy. The traditional Christmas pudding is the centrepiece, but there are plenty of other things to try too, including shortbread cookies, mulled wine truffles, roasted nuts and a cherry and almond loaf. Filled with Christmassy delicacies and a mini bottle of Shiraz, this hamper is great for big kids who have never stopped loving Christmas.

A taste of what’s included: 

• Crunch & Crumble Shortbread Stars 100g
• Maxwell & Franks Christmas Pudding 100g
• Maxwell & Franks Mini Cherry & Almond Loaf Cake

Buy the Festive Treats Christmas Gift Hamper

Pipers Farm The Little Cheese Box, £22

Perfectly sized for a couple of enjoyable evenings of cheese, this offering from Pipers Farm makes the ideal way to say you care without having to blow the budget. Ticking off a cheddar, a blue and a camembert, there’s something for all tastes in this dinky hamper. These cheeses will also keep well in the fridge over the festivities, if you’re looking for something to perk up leftovers with.

A taste of what’s included: 

• Tunworth Camembert 200g
• Stilton 200g
• Quicke’s Vintage Cheddar 200g

Buy the Pipers Farm The Little Cheese Box

Fine Food Specialist Artisan Salami Trio Gift Box, £33.95

At just over £30, this is one of the cheapest Christmas hampers on our list. However, don’t let the price point fool you, this is a gorgeous gift that says you care without having to blow the bank, and thanks to the included high-quality ingredients, feels special despite its small stature. Whoever the lucky recipient is, they’ll unwrap three differently flavoured salamis – a pure pork one, a smoked version and a wild boar to boot. If you want to up the ante slightly, you could always include a nice bottle of red to go alongside the charcuterie – an ideal match for an evening in.

A taste of what’s included:

• Smoked Salami 200g
• Pure Pork Salami 200g
• Wild Boar Salami 200g

Buy the Fine Food Specialist Artisan Salami Trio Gift Box

The Night Before Christmas Gift Hamper, £27.50

Designed around creating the perfect setting for Christmas Eve, this charming hamper boasts quite the festive bounty. Open the lid to reveal the likes of a four pack of mince pies, a bundle of white chocolate truffles, caramelised sesame peanuts and a bottle of mulled wine. There is also the option to add a personalised note to the hamper, as an extra special touch for the lucky recipient. We think Christmas food hamper is best suited to families with young children, so they can set the scene for Father Christmas the night before the big day.

A taste of what’s included: 

• Grandma Wild's Mature Cheddar Mini Bites 100g
• Maxwell & Franks Four Mince Pies
• Maxwell & Franks Chocolate Cake 200g

Buy The Night Before Christmas Gift Hamper

Lakeland Pressed Flower Hamper Tote, £29.99

Basically afternoon tea in a bag, this hamper of treats is perfect for the pal with a particularly sweet tooth. Everything is locally sourced in the UK, with products used including shortbread melts, butterscotch biscuits and vanilla fudge. With English breakfast tea thrown in too, all the recipient will need to add is hot water to whip up cosy afternoon in minuttes.

A taste of what’s included: 

• Raspberry & Vanilla Jam 130g
• A handmade Mixed Nut-Topped Fruit Cake 140g
• All-Butter Shortbread Melts 150g

Buy the Lakeland Pressed Flower Hamper Tote

Social Supermarket Chocolate Lovers Gift Box, £40

Stylishly wrapped in a striking monochromatic giftbox, this petite selection box is a lesson in building a please-all present for chocolate lovers everywhere. There’s hot choclate. Tick. Salted caramel truffles. Tick. a generous bar od 80% dak chocolate. Double tick. The contents make for one very indulgent evening or provide a selection of treats to enjoy over a few different nights for a sweet festive season. With no fewer than seven items included, we also think this one is particularly good value for money.

A taste of what’s included:

• Refuge, Hot Chocolate, 1 pack
• Divine Toffee & Sea Salt Bar 90g
• Love Cocoa Salted Truffle Tube 50g

Buy the Social Supermarket Chocolate Lovers Gift Box

The best mid-range Christmas food and drink hampers: £50-100

If you want to treat someone (or yourself) to a Christmas hamper, but don’t want to go too overboard on the budget, this selection of mid-range hampers should have everything you are looking for and then some. Between £50-100, we think these are great for friends and colleagues, or couple pals where you want to send them something they can enjoy together. 

Harvey Nichols Sparkling Christmas Treats Hat Box, £60

What if we told you that you can buy an impressively decadent hamper from Harvey Nichols for just £60? Part of the brand’s world-renowned hamper range, the Sparking Christmas Treats Hat Box is beautifully presented in a chic black hat box complete with black satin ribbon, Inside your will find champagne, panettone, a mini Christmas pudding, and a jar of champagne preserve - which will elevate any festive breakfast.

A taste of what’s included:

• Harvey Nichols Premier Cru Brut Champagne NV Half Bottle 375ml
• Harvey Nichols Strawberry and Champagne Preserve 325g
• Harvey Nichols Mini Panettone 100g

Buy Harvey Nichols Sparkling Christmas Treats Hat Box

Gail’s Festive Morning Hamper, £65

For a festive hamper that offers freshly baked goods, Gail’s Bakery has got you covered. Their Festive Morning hamper has everything for a relaxing seasonal breakfast - complete with freshly baked cherry and currant sourdough, smoked salmon, granola, seeded crackers, organic strawberry jam and more.

A taste of what’s included:

• Gail's Granola
• Four Penguin Biscuits
• Six Christmas buns

Buy Gail’s Bakery Festive Morning Hamper

Salvi's x Poretti Ultimate Italian Christmas Hamper, £65

Add some authentic Italian flavours to your cooking this festive season with the help of Salvis Ultimate Italian Christmas hamper. A leather-fastening wicker basket is filled with Italian treats, including a jar of Salvi’s tomatoes - grown at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, balsamic vinegar imported directly from Italy and a choice of Poretti lager.

A taste of what’s included:

• Salvi's Olive Oil
• Salvi's Balsamic Vinegar
• Salvi's Pasta

Buy Salvis x Poretti Ultimate Italian Christmas Hamper

WhiteBox Christmas Hamper, £65

For a beautiful festive hamper that is not only stunning to look at but also plastic-free, fully recyclable and compostable, look no further than the WhiteBox Christmas hamper. Pique and WhiteBox Cocktails have joined together to provide the perfect hamper for a night in - filled with crackers, sage, onion and apricot sausage rolls, freshly baked rosemary focaccia, along with your choice of WhiteBox cocktail cracker.

A taste of what’s included:

• WhiteBox Cocktal Cracker
• Salted Caramel Brownies
• Sage, onion, apricot and sausage rolls

Buy WhiteBox Christmas Hamper

Best of British Gourmet Hamper by Joe & Seph's, £65

We think it's safe to say that popcorn is having a bit of a moment, and if you count yourself amongst its fans then there's good news on the Christmas hamper front. Yep, this offering from Joe & Seph's is crammed with plenty of this pop-ular (sorry) product. We can almost guarantee you won’t have had popcorn like this before, with flavours including things like rhubarb and custard, banoffee pie and marmalade. A healthy serving of hot chocolate finishes things off nicely, so that you're able to wash down your treats down with another little something sweet - it is Christmas after all. This one's a no-brainer for anyone who loves popcorn - although we'd reccommend giving it to someone who's 'team sweet'. 

A taste of what’s included: 

• Salted Caramel Cheesecake Popcorn
• Strawberry Cheesecake Popcorn
• Whittard of Chelsea Luxury Hot Chocolate

Buy the Best of British Gourmet Hamper by Joe & Seph's

Flapjackery Christmas Gift Hamper, £55

For a festive hamper that is perfect for your gluten-free pals, Flapjackery has a decadent choice packed full of gluten-free goodies. The Medium Christmas Hamper is priced at just £55 and arrived filled with delicious sweet treats. The statement snacks are huge slabs of Christmas tiffin, millionaires shortbread, peanut butter fudge and a festive orange and cranberry flapjack. Nestled within the box you will find clusters of fruit and nuts, bags of fudge and a hot chocolate spoon. For those on a lower budget, a smaller variation priced at just £30 is also available.

A taste of what’s included: 

• Christmas Tiffin Flapjack
• Clotted Cream Bite Bag
• Chocolate Christmas Tree

Buy Flapjackery's Christmas Gifts Hamper

New Theory’s These Three Kings Wine Hamper, £60.50

The thing that makes New Theory’s wine extra special is that they are low-intervention and 100% vegan, so you won’t find any unnecessary additives. A company founded by two friends who bonded over their love of wine, these bottles feature a quirky design and would be the perfect unique hamper idea for the wine connoisseur in your life.

A taste of what’s included: 

• Pot Luck 750ml
• White Lies 750ml
• Growing Pains 750ml

Buy New Theory’s These Three Kings Wine Hamper

Silent Night Festive Christmas Hamper, £75

This hamper is about as traditional as they come. Presented in a wicker basket, it features both sweet and savoury delights. From the savoury side, expect Christmas preserves and sweet cured ham and pickle crisps, while the sweet side of things is taken care of via hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, Viennese whirls and hot toffee nuts. An impressive array of treats that works well as a corporate gift over the festive season. 

A taste of what’s included: 

• Brown Bag Crisps Rosemary & Sea Salt Crisps 150g
• Buttermilk Irish Cream Fudge 100g
• Cambrook Christmas Nuts 75g

Buy the Silent Night Festive Christmas Hamper

The British Hamper Company Luxury Vegan Hamper, £80

Think hampers are all about cheese and chocolate? Think again, as vegans can get in on the action too with this hamper made up entirely of plant-based goodies. Open the lid to find Chilean wine, alongside vegan treats such as hickory smoked almonds and cashew nuts, salty and sweet popcorn, and dark chocolate from Venezuela. Any vegans in your life are sure to appreciate you going the extra mile just for them. Snap up this hamper for any of your friends and family who follow a plant-based diet, so they’ll still have some variety on Christmas Day.

A taste of what’s included: 

• Caliterra Merlot Reserva 750ml
• Olives Et Al Rosemary & Garlic Olives 220g
• Beech's Fine Chocolates Dark Chocolate English Mint Creams 150g

Buy The British Hamper Company Luxury Vegan Hamper

The Essentials by Ottolenghi, £85

What’s in it: While this foodie collection from Ottolenghi isn't strictly for Christmas, you'll find a few festive treats inside including nougat, spiced nuts and salted caramel and chocolate brittle - all for a reasonable price point. The perfect gift for fans of the best-selling cookery book author and chef, discover interesting spice rubs, za'atar pita chips and a bottle of Italian Frappato alongside the sweet stuff. We all have someone in our lives who is a big celeb chef fan – this specially selected round-up of unusual treats is the perfect way to show them that you care.

A taste of what’s included: 

• Rosemary Spiced Nuts
• Seeds For Salad
• Ras El Hanout Spice Rub

Buy The Essentials by Ottolenghi

Pong Cheese Continental Cheese Hamper, £94

What’s in it: Pong Cheese offers a huge number of different cheeses on its fromage-focused website, all of which make wonderful, if strongly smelling, presents. However, if you don't know where to start when it comes to cheese, this fantastic continental cheese hamper features a mixture of artisan cheeses from france and Italy. Included in the lovely wicker hamper are 5 wodges of cheese including a creamy Chaource and a fantastic Taleggio, as well as a selection of biscuits and a tangy ploughman's pickle. There's no two ways about it, this is a gift for cheese lovers, and cheese lovers only!

A taste of what’s included: 

• Langres 180g
• Pecorino Toscano DOP 200g
• Chaource AOC 250g

Buy the Pong Cheese Continental Cheese Hamper

Durslade Farm Shop Somerset Cheese and Charcuterie Box, £95

For a readymade cheeseboard in a box, you can’t beat this option from Durslade Farm Shop. Packed with gorgeous cheeses – like a rich creamy Bath blue and a whopping 500g of Westcombe cheddar – there’s enough to go round the full family. Lovely extra touches include foraged wild garlic pickles and both air dried and potted 100% grass-fed beef.

A taste of what’s included:

• Heritage Charcoal Squares
• 200g Brunton Brie
• 200g Bath Brie

Buy the Durslade Farm Shop Somerset Cheese and Charcuterie Box

 

The best family Christmas food and drink hampers: £100-500

If you’re on the hunt for a high-quality Christmas hamper that is filled with enough goodies to feed a large family, you’ll need to spend a little bit more. Our pick of luxury hampers priced between £100-500 is bound to create some unforgettable Christmas memories. Most options include a range of treats for all ages - spanning sweets, biscuits, pickles, preserves, tea, coffee, wine and more, so that there's something for everyone.

Odysea Mediterranean Christmas Feast Hamper, £260

Prepare for the feast to end all feasts with Odysea's carefully curated Mediterranean hamper. Filled with the likes of hand-picked olives, Italian balsamic vinegar and raw Greek honey, right through to firey pomegrante harissa and stylish brass salt and pepper mills, this stunning hamper includes everything you need to put together the perfect feast for your friends and family.

A taste of what’s included:

• Brass Salt and Pepper Mills
• Apple Balsamic Vinegar
• Kew Limited Edition Orange Blossom Raw Honey

Buy the Odysea Mediterranean Christmas Feast Hamper

Panzer’s Christmas Connoisseur Hamper, £179

An institution of northwest London, Panzer’s has been one of the city’s leading Jewish delis since it opened over 75 years ago. Luckily for those of us who don’t own property in St John Wood, the team have a whole host of festive hampers available for countrywide delivery. One of our favourites for 2024 is the Christmas Connoisseur selection. Filled with a range of its best festive products, this hamper includes fresh and storecupboard treats including a Lancashire cheese bomb, Panzer's smoked salmon, a luxury Christmas cake, a milk Gianduja and hazelnut bar, and a bottle of Delaforce port. The whole thing comes beautifully presented in a stylish pink and blue box finished with a fat ribbon.

A taste of what’s included:

• Panzer’s Award-winning Smoked Salmon
• Milk Gianduja & Hazelnut Bar
• The Fine Cheese Co Toast for Cheese Selection Box

Buy the Panzer’s Christmas Connoisseur Hamper

Honey & Co Deluxe Christmas Hamper, £175

Chef-owners of Honey & Co Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer have hand-picked a selection of goodies to fill its gourmet hampers this year. We're in love with this Deluxe offering, filled with sweet and savoury treats spanning tinned fish, hazelnut and walnut biscotti, panettone and a bottle of gin. You can eat, drink and most definitely be merry with this one! 

A taste of what’s included:

• Marrakech Gin
• Honey & Co. x Bare Bones Sweet Spice Chocolate Bar
• Gingerbread Cookie Tin

Buy the Provisions Festive Hamper

Toklas Christmas Hamper, £150

The Toklas Christmas Hamper is packed with incredible goodies from the wonderful Toklas Bakery, where pastry supremo Janine Edwards whips up some of the best baked treats in London. The hamper comes stuffed with sweet treats, from mince pies and Christmas cake to amaretti biscuits, and there's something to sip on as well with a bottle of house-made mandarin Negroni. 

A taste of what’s included:

• Citrus Shortbread
• A bottle of Mandarin Negroni
• Spiced Ginger Cookies

Buy the Toklas Christmas Hamper

Provisions Festive Hamper, £105

Provisions is first and foremost one of London’s best restaurants for cheese plates and fine wines. Found in both Islington and Hackney, the shops are the physical outlets for a wider operation that sends wonderful cheese gifts across the UK (we love the ‘Cheese Canteen’ subscription). This specially crafted festive hamper sees the team expertly collaborate on some of the loveliest Christmassy treats that are as unusual as they are interesting. We’re talking a spicy olive oil from Lamantea, smoked sardines from Portugal and the most wonderful saucisse seche from France.

A taste of what’s included:

• Maison Argaud Duck Rilettes
• Sweet Artisanal Hazelnut Biscuits
• Block of Chocolate l’éclair de Genie

Buy the Provisions Festive Hamper

Wiston Estate Hamper for Two, £120

Gift hunting for the wine connoisseur in your life? This Wiston Estate hamper has a boatload of goodies that'll tempt anyone who loves a glass of fizz. Wiston Estate is a rising star in the English Sparkling wine world, having scooped numerous awards in the last decade or so. So, where better to take a tour? The hamper includes a couple of bottles of bubbly, plus a tour and tasting of the Wiston Estate vineyards in West Sussex for two, and a few other bits for good measure.

A taste of what’s included:

• Bottle of Wiston Estate Cuvée 2016
• Bottle of Wiston Estate Blanc de Blancs NV
• Tour & Tasting Voucher for Two

Buy the Wiston Estate Hamper for Two

Bettys The Ilkley Hamper, £135

What’s in it: Only found in Yorkshire, Bettys Tea Room has achieved legend status, eschewing the ultra-modern Instagrammable interiors that are favoured these days for its unashamedly twee offering. Betty’s Christmas hamper features a Yorkshire tea fruit cake, buttery shortbread and milk chocolate Langues de Chat. Wash it all down with a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and toast to the Christmas season. This one is perfect for a Yorkshire native who’s moved to a different part of the country and is missing home, or for fans of Bettys legendary afternoon tea.

A taste of what’s included: 

• Florentines
• Classic Seville Orange Marmalade
• Bottle of La Petite Perrière Sauvignon blanc

Buy the Bettys The Ilkley Hamper

Pink Marc De Champagne Celebration Hamper, £170

Fans of pink will fall head over heels for this rosy-hued round-up that sees some of the brand’s greatest hits all bundled into a chic selection box. As one of Britain’s oldest chocolatiers and with an official Royal Warrant, we’d save gifting this something special from Charbonnel et Walker’s for only your favourite people. There’s complimentary shipping too, so no nasty surprises at the checkout, and if you’re in London and have left things a little too late, you can have some items couriered on a same-day basis. 

A taste of what’s included:

• Pink Marc de Champagne Truffle Heart shaped Box 200g
• Pink Champagne Moet 200ml
• Strawberry Truffles 135g

Buy the Charbonnel et Walker Pink Marc De Champagne Celebration Hamper

Harrods The Get Together Hamper, £190

Specifically designed to encourage catch ups, this lovingly curated hamper is just what the doctor ordered after years of festive lockdowns. Whether you plump for tea and biscuits or an evening of crisps and snacks, this basket of delights will act as the perfect catalyst for cosy evenings in with the ones you love. We suggest giving this to someone who is guaranteed to give you an invite over, to share the spoils!

A taste of what’s included:

• Milk, Dark and White Chocolate Almonds 600g
• Truffle Potato Crisps 125g
• Premium Origin Ethiopian Coffee 100g

Buy the Harrods The Get Together Hamper

Different Kind Ukraine 'I Dream of Home' Hamper, £250

With Christmas being the season of goodwill, what better time to do an act of charity than over the festive period? This gorgeous hamper not only donates to charitable causes – in this case, to people displace by the war in Ukraine – but also provides you with a gorgeous gift to give to your nearest and dearest. Inside you’ll find a recipe book, pickles, linen napkins and chocolate birds eggs among other treats.

A taste of what’s included:

• Sunflower Rolling Pin
• Hazelnut, Cardamom & Orange Biscotti
• Mamushka Cookbook

Buy the Different Kind Ukraine 'I Dream of Home' Hamper

The Fortnum's Classic Christmas Hamper, £200

What’s in it: For those with a similarly generous budget to that of the above, you can't beat the classic offering from Fortnum & Mason. This Santa’s sack is filled with goodies that will delight even the biggest Scrooge in your family – think fruity biscuits, Champagne truffles and cognac butter. There’s also a bottle of Fortnum's own fizz and top-shelf wines included for additional merry-making. With pretty much all of the contents having a Christmas twist, this is a perfect hamper for true lovers of the festive season, and is great for big families too.

A taste of what’s included: 

• St James Christmas Pudding
• Christmas Orange & Dark Chocolate Biscuits
• Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Buy The Fortnum's Classic Christmas Hamper

The Fortnum's Christmas at Highgrove Hamper, £210

What’s in it: A wicker basket from Fortnum & Mason is often considered the holy grail of Christmas hampers, although they do come with a hefty price tag. There are a few versions to choose from, but this selection is a fail-safe option in our eyes. Inside, you’ll find two bottles of wine and a bottle of fizz, alongside the likes of chocolate orange shortbreads, organic brandy butter, a whole Christmas pudding and a box of decadent salted caramel fudge. This hamper is great for families, with adults able to enjoy the boozy treats, while kids will be kept entertained by the biscuits.

A taste of what’s included: 

• Organic Clotted Cream Fudge
• Prince of Wales Blend Leaf Tea
• Organic Mulled Wine Spice Bag

Buy the Fortnum's Christmas at Highgrove Hamper

Hotel Chocolat The Festive Feast Hamper, £300

Contrary to what your parents told you, there’s no such thing as too much sugar (at least in our book). Embrace the sweetness of the season with this hamper from Hotel Chocolat: it’s like all your childhood dreams coming true in one lovely, convenient little basket. Stuffed with enough to share, this hamper includes macarons, biscuits, chocolates and even a few bottles of alcohol. The cacao gin makes a rich G&T (try a slice of orange in it) while the salted caramel vodka liqueur is a decadent nightcap come the dark evenings.

A taste of what’s included:

• Chocolate Orange Macarons
• Chocolat Shortbreads
• Super Thin Mint Truffles

Buy the Hotel Chocolat The Festive Feast Hamper

Stein's Family Christmas Collection Hamper, £225

This basket – courtesy of celebrity chef Rick Stein – brings the wow factor. Piled high with treats, we can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t love to receive this in the run up to the big day. Inside there’s a treasure-trove of foodie delights that range from Rick Stein’s own Champagne, all the way through to Cornish pilchards and clotted cream shortbread. There are also a few non-edible items, which give the recipient something to hold on to long after they’ve made their way through all the food. The blue and white lobster tea towel is a lovely finishing touch. 

A taste of what’s included:

• Rick Stein Champagne
• Chocolate Sea Salt Truffles
• Lobster Tea Towel

Buy the Stein's Family Christmas Collection Hamper

The best luxury Christmas food and drink hampers: more than £500

If you’ve got a big budget to play with, you might as well go all out with a super-high end luxury Christmas hamper. These luxurious selections are ideal if you want to impress colleagues of clients, or owe a big thank you to someone special. There aren’t too many hampers out there that break the £500 mark, but the ones that do feature top quality goodies such as caviar and Champagne – cheers to that!

John Lewis Christmas Treasure Chest Hamper, £1000

Looking to seriously impress? We think this one might just do the trick… With £1000 (yep, that’s not a typo) worth of goodies included, this blow-out hamper is just about as luxurious as you can go. It's a true treasure trove for keen foodies, with all kinds of high end ingredients included, as well as two bottles of Bollinger and a 12-year old single malt whisky. The only problem we can forsee with this one – aside from the financial outlay – is how the lucky recipient will get through all of the included goodies. There’s even a six pack of crackers for the table come Christmas Day.

A taste of what’s included:

• Chilinero Late Harvest Reserva Dessert Wine 37.5cl
• Odysea Balsamic Vinegar Of Modena 250ml
• Stas Milk Chocolate Pudding with Stars & Sprinkles 700g

Buy the John Lewis Christmas Treasure Chest Hamper

Harrods The Ultimate Christmas Hamper, £TBC

There’s nothing more Christmassy than a large, Harrods hamper landing on your doorstep come December. This one is only available for a couple of short weeks – from the 10 of December – but that somehow makes it feel extra special. There’s practically every hamper inclusion you can think of in this mamouth basket, including tea, coffee, mince pies, preserves, chocolates, caviar and foie gras (naturally). There is also a total of no less than fifteen bottles of plonk included, ranging from Dom Pérignon 2012 through to Penderyn Single Bourbon Cask Whisky. Recipients certainly won’t be short of options to toast the season with.

A taste of what’s included:

• Dom Pérignon 2012
• Foie Gras de Canard 200g
• Beluga Caviar 30g

Buy the Harrods The Ultimate Christmas Hamper

Who invented Christmas hampers?

There are plenty of historical anecdotes you could follow to get to the route of who made hampers popular, but it’s widely accepted that they began life as a French invention. It’s thought that as far back as the 11th century the French were using woven baskets to make up food and drink parcels for long trips or hunting expeditions, and that they were introduced to the UK via this guise.

Fast forward a few hundred years and they see a real boom in the Victorian era. With improved transport links the movement of food and drink around the country was much more straightforward, and the baskets made the perfect gifts for loved ones who lived near and far. At a similar time, employers started parcelling up food and gifts for employees to gift them on Boxing Day, after they’d finished their festive chores and were finally allowed a well-deserved day off, a tradition which gave way to the popular name we know today.

Ultimately though, the style of hamper that we all accept as the standard these days was brought to life by Fortnum & Mason. The iconic British retailer started creating hampers as far back as the 1730s when customers began to ask the team to prepare them a picnic to take on the road between their London homes and their country pads. The brand added to their expertise – and improved their navigational skills – when they were asked by Queen Victoria to send Fortnum’s beef tea to Florence Nightingale to nourish her patients during the Crimea War. The British Red Cross also sent out Christmas puddings during WW1 too boost soldiers' morale, which we can only hope were sent out in those wonderful branded British baskets.

What is a Christmas hamper?

A Christmas hamper is most commonly a lidded basket which contains food and drinks to be enjoyed over the festive season. There are truly endless options out there these days, with everything from savoury cheese selections and beer boxes through to hampers stuffed with snuggle blankets and sweet treats.

Can you make your own hamper?

Yes, of course. Typically, lots of shops – like Waitrose – have an option to build your own hamper around Christmas time. This means you’re given a basket in store to fill with anything you choose from the shop’s shelves and then the team will gift wrap it for you to give to your loved one(s). If you prefer, you could always go to town on the DIY angle by sourcing your own basket and stuffing it full of delicious homemade treats. Try to include things that have a good shelf life, like pickles, preserves, chocolates and teas.

What makes the best Christmas hampers: how are they tested?

When we’re testing the best Christmas hampers, we’re looking for two things: What’s inside and what’s outside. We want to know that the food and drink included are of the very best quality – worthy of a really special present – and that the whole thing is presented beautifully, to alleviate the stress of wrapping.

Ultimately though, what makes a Christmas hamper the best is entirely dependent on the recipient. It might sound obvious but try to have a think about the interests and likes of the recipient so that you can tailor your choice to their likes.

Who should you buy hampers for?

Hampers make great gifts for all kinds of people, given the far-reaching selection available. We love them as special family gifts that ensure the full clan are treated to something lovely for the festive season, while eliminating the need to buy a whole host of different things. Hampers also make a great gift for colleagues and clients: nothing shows you care more than a big old box of treats to tuck into over the holidays. It really does spell ‘relax’.

Do hampers make good Christmas presents?

We think there’s something ultimately indulgent about a good Christmas hamper, which means they make the best Christmas presents. Whether you plump for a little selection of charcuterie for a couple or go all-out on a blow-out for a big family, there’s nothing quite like the magic of unpacking a selection of treats you’d be unlikely to pick up on your weekly shop yourself.

To get you in the mood for the Yuletide season, check out these beer advent calendars for 2024