15 of the Best: Christmas Food and Drink HampersBy Alicia Grimshaw
You say Christmas, we say hampers. From full festive blow-outs to cheese-filled gift boxes and boozy affairs, we’ve discovered 15 sensational Christmas hampers for the festive period ahead. Tis the season for snacking, eating well, and drinking.
1. For Cheese and Wine: Paxton & Whitfield
The Rundown: Paxton & Whitfield’s Clarence hamper features an all-British selection of artisan cheese with perfectly paired accompaniments and cheese homewares. Featuring over 3kg of cheese, dig into large-sized British cheeses; from the classic Paxton & Whitfield Stilton, to the contemporary raw milk, Brie-style Baron Bigod.
Ideal For: Christmas Eve decadence.
Price: £200
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2. For a Bit of Everything: Forman & Field
The Rundown: For 2020, Forman & Field have launched their brand new Ultimate Care Package – a specially curated selection of some of their bestselling goodies. Packed full of Forman & Field’s much-loved comfort foods, such as H.Forman & Son London Cure Smoked Salmon, Smoked Salmon Pate, Hepuburn’s Olde English Sausages, Hand Chopped Prime Beef Burgers, Banana Bread, and even a complimentary Forman & Field Tea Towel – there’s something for everyone in this treasure chest of treats.
Ideal For: Impressing guests over the festive period.
Price: £79.95
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3. For Desserts: The Proof
The Rundown: London’s newest delivery-only bakery, The Proof, has created a stylish Christmas hamper for those with a sweet tooth. With a mixture of their delicious, festive puddings and artisanal products from independent suppliers, all presented in a wire shopping basket, this quirky hamper provides all you might need for an after-dinner soirée. Expect crumble mince pies, chocolate and orange biscotti, chocolate truffles and so much more.
Ideal For: Those who don’t like Christmas pudding.
Price: £115
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Photo Credit: Charlie McKay
4. For a Taste of Wales: Aber Falls Distillery
The Rundown: Celebrate all things Wales with Aber Falls Distillery Luxury Welsh Food and Drink box, featuring the finest selection of products sourced from independent Welsh companies. The hamper is crammed full of: Gower Cottage Brownie Butter, Cwm Farm Venison Snack Salami, Christmas cake, a selection of Aber Falls Distillery liquers, and other sweet and savoury bites.
Ideal For: A festive spread like no other.
Price: £45
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5. For Sweet and Savoury Snacks: Cartwright & Butler
The Rundown: Cartwright & Butler have put together a variety of hampers for Christmas, but we love the Party Treat Box – brimming with both sweet and savoury delights. The stylish grey gift box contains a selection of sweet treats including PURE Prosecco, Orange Juice, The Belgian Chocolate Selection and Chocolate Wafer Crispies. And on the savoury side, the gift set includes Caramelised Onion Chutney, Gouda Cheese Melts, Wafers for Cheese With Salt and Black Pepper, and Cheddar Cheese Crumbles.
Ideal For: Snacking during the Xmas period.
Price: £30
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6. For a Plant-Based Hamper: Cutter and Squidge
The Rundown: Cutter & Squidge’s Vegan Hamper contains their favourite festive plant-based treats; from spicy gingerbread folk to a decadent Chocolate Yule Cake, as well a sweet Cutter & Squidge Tea Towel. Don’t miss the chocolate brownies which come in two festive flavours.
Ideal For: Plant-based family members.
Price: £55
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7. For Cold Cuts: Le Pain Quotidien
The Rundown: Le Pain Quotidien has put together a beautiful hamper just in time for the festive season. The hamper comes loaded with serious wine and food stunners (Cobble Lane Cured Meat, Severn & Wye Smoked Salmon, Black Bomber Extra Mature Cheddar, Wheat Sourdough Loaf plus a number of spreads), and is available for same-day delivery as well as same-day collection. Please note: deliveries are five miles from the Marylebone store (as far West as Shepherd’s Bush and as far East as Hackney).
Ideal For: A Boxing Day buffet.
Price: £75
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8. For Condiments: The Cherry Tree
The Rundown: The Cherry Tree’s All Day Selection Box contains everything you need to for a Christmas cheese and cracker soiree. Enjoy a variety of products, such as: Cheeseboard Chutney, Orange with Whisky Marmalade, Passion Fruit Curd, Caramelised Onion Cracker Bites, Spicy Tomato and Caramelised Onion Chutney, and Venison Pâté with Cognac
Ideal For: A flavour showdown.
Price: £35
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9. For an Artisan Hamper: Tom Savano
The Rundown: Collaborating with other small, owner-run artisan food producers, Tom Savano has created the ultimate craft food and drink hamper for people to give to their loved ones this year, with all profits raised going to charity, feeding impoverished families in aid of Trussell Trust. The Classic Family Christmas Explorer hamper is bursting with assorted gems for every member of the family, and stuffed with no less than seven “Great Taste” award stars – the ideal present for lovers of great artisan food and drink.
Ideal For: Supporting independent businesses.
Price: £130
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10. For a Taste of Italy: Primo Aperitivo
The Rundown: Primo Aperitivo has teamed up with luxury online Italian delicatessen NifeisLife to create the ultimate, decadent Italian feasting hamper. Jam-packed with the very best Italian specialities including: Primo Aperitivo Negroni, Organic Balsamic Vinegar from Modena, Conti, an Italian artisanal Pannetone, and pasta from Gragnano. The Made in Italy hamper is the perfect gift or special treat for yourself to enjoy on a cold December evening.
Ideal For: A dolce vita dinner.
Price: £125
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11. For a Christmas Banquet: Full Monty Events
The Rundown: Forget laborious potato peeling, this hamper from Monty Cleveley’s Full Monty Events contains everything you need for a hassle-free Christmas. The hamper includes pre-prepared luxurious meals for Christmas Day brunch and lunch, plus canapés – all you need to do is pop them in the oven. Think a smoked salmon and avocado Christmas Day breakfast, then a beef or turkey roast with all the trimmings. Not to mention the Neal’s Yard cheeseboard. You can also buy additional add-ons, such as paired drinks, decorations, crackers and hand-written menus.
Ideal For: A number of show-stopping Christmas Day meals.
Price: £95
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12. For a Yuletide Gift: Delicario
The Rundown: All of Delicario‘s hampers highlight artisanal delicacies sourced from hand-picked regional producers all over Europe. The Christmas Gift Hamper has it all: Belgian truffles, Torta Margherita dotted with hazelnuts and chocolate chips, Italian cherry jam and a smooth Rioja.
Ideal For: Gifting to a loved one.
Price: £50
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13. For a Breakfast Hamper: Hicce
The Rundown: Elevate your Christmas morning with the very best anchovies and sardines, paired with cornichons, caperberries, crackers and a bottle of champagne. All products are sourced from UK and European suppliers.
Ideal For: A spectacular Christmas breakfast.
Price: £40
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14. For a Taste of the Coast: Old Pulteney x Fish To Your Door
The Rundown: Partnering up with the award-winning Old Pulteney, Fish To Your Door brings you your favourite luxury fish and seafood along with a 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whiskey to flavour and pair with. The Ready To Eat hamper contains: oysters, oyster shucking knife, smoked salmon, dressed crab, and cooked or dressed lobster. To complete the experience of bringing the coast to your home, the hamper also includes a soothing coastal soundtrack.
Ideal For: Moving away from Christmas tradition.
Price: £115
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15. For a Christmas Bonanza: Bentley’s
The Rundown: Known for using the very best British and Irish produce, Chef Richard Corrigan has created his most extravagant Christmas hamper to date. Filled with the likes of his famous treacle soda bread and seaweed butter, native oysters, Exmoor caviar with homemade blinis, dressed crab, Bentley’s smoked salmon, mince pies, Corrigan’s extra boozy Christmas pudding and of course, champagne, it’s everything you’ll need to make Christmas that bit more special. Plus, a signed copy of Corrigan’s latest cookbook, The Clatter of Forks & Spoons.
Ideal For: Dazzling the in-laws.
Price: £250
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