Hampers are a time-honoured Christmas tradition. After all, what can be more delightful than opening up a wicker basket packed full of delectable goodies and gastronomic treats? From Fortnum & Mason’s no-expense-spared offering, containing everything from caviar to the finest Champagnes, to vegan-friendly and non-alcoholic options, here’s our edit of the best luxury Christmas hampers to suit all tastes and budgets for 2021. Happy feasting…
£6,000
The Imperial Christmas hamper has the festive season well and truly covered, from a whole ham, Scottish smoked salmon and Oscietra caviar to delicious cheeses and condiments, while the sweet-toothed will appreciate the abundance of florentines, panettone, handmade chocolates and the like. Overflowing with Champagnes, wine and nightcap-ready Graham’s Vintage Port 1970 and Glenfarclas 30 Year Old Whisky – as well as party accessories, including crackers and Christmas baubles – this is pure decadence in a wicker basket.
£525
Harrods excels at luxury Christmas hampers and this Boxing Day offering doesn’t disappoint, packed full of treats designed to be enjoyed as an after-dinner spread. There are five different wines, including fizz, teas and coffee, a Christmas cake and classic mince pies (which have to be eaten with their brandy butter), chocolates and a box of crackers to make sure Boxing Day goes with a bang.
£125
Selfridges’ luxury Christmas hampers run the gamut of sweet and savoury, with something for every type of foodie. The Alcohol-Free hamper offers every manner of gourmet pleasure, from Turkish Delight and cinnamon and chocolate almonds to vegan non-alcoholic Christmas pudding – and to wash it all down? Selfridges decadent spiced orange hot chocolate, guaranteeing the cosiest of winter evenings.
£795
Trust Claridge’s to get their Christmas hampers so very right. While the iconic hotel has a number of choices – all presented in handmade willow baskets – we have fallen for The Mayfair. Alongside bottles of Laurent-Perrier, Christmas pudding steeped in cognac and dark rum and other gastronomic goodies, there’s a Fornasetti candle, a set of Claridge’s Art Deco mugs, and – perhaps the most essential – a copy of Cecil Beaton’s Cocktail Book.
£1,000
You can trust The Wolseley to get it right when it comes to celebrating special occasions, and their Signature Hamper is the ultimate way to herald in the festive season. It’s packed full of the restaurant’s trademark treats, from all butter shortbread and salted caramel florentines to orange chocolate and whisky truffles, all handmade in-house by their talented pastry chefs. Nestled alongside them in the black and gold lacquered hamper basket you’ll also find coffee and loose-leaf tea (complete with a silver tea strainer), a bottle of Champagne, two fine wines, a pair of crystal wine glasses and silver candle holders to adorn your festive table with. They really have thought of everything.
£465
For something a little different this year, why not try this limited-edition pairing between exclusive private members’ club Annabel’s and renowned Italian restaurant Da Vittorio? Presented in a keepsake dark green faux crocodile leather-bound box, this luxurious offering features delicacies like porcini mushrooms in oil, Maltese orange rum compote and Gianduja chocolate covered almonds. The star of the show is the classic panettone, which comes in a bespoke tin wrapped with Annabel’s signature print. Usually only available to members, you can snap one up yourself online between 26 November – 3 December.
£325
Organic farming enterprise Daylesford is renowned for its sustainably grown vegetables, fruit and herbs, and this vegan-friendly luxury Christmas hamper showcases the organic, wholesome produce in all its glory. Nestled within the linen-lined wicker hamper, you’ll find freshly-made plant-based sauces, gut-loving ferments and protein-rich pantry essentials, all made by hand on the Cotswolds farm and guaranteed to give seasonal nourishment.
£195
This uber-chic black wicker hamper from Harvey Nichols will ensure that any Christmas party goes with a swing. Not surprisingly alcohol features prominently, with two bottles of the store’s crisp and fruity own-label Prosecco, limited-edition Blood Orange & Clove Negroni, white wine and small batch gin all included, as well as deliciously zingy flavoured tonic waters (we can’t get enough of the Orange & Lavender and Raspberry & Mint). A curated array of nibbles to complement the drinks includes Emmental Cheese and Onion Straws, pimento olives and Sunflower and Pumpkin Seed Brittle. It’s definitely time to eat, drink and be merry…
£195
Any chocoholic worth their (sea)salt will know that beneath the gold embossed handmade boxes and satin ribbons, Charbonnel & Walker chocolates are gratifyingly rich and moreish, all of them handmade to the traditional recipes of Madame Charbonnel. This year, the luxury chocolatier has put together a Christmas hamper entirely devoted to its sea salt caramel chocolate delicacies, including their truffles, almonds and thins.
£80
Paxton & Whitfield, Britain’s oldest and most revered cheesemongers, has put together a hamper featuring some of their finest cheeses and accompaniments to get you in a truly festive mood. Start with their Hundred Dram Cheddar – made to a traditional recipe using milk from their neighbouring farm and a few other carefully chosen local herds – before moving on to their rich and herby stilton and creamy camembert. Pair them with a few of their delightfully crunchy soda bread crackers and artisan oatcakes before washing it all down with a bottle of Cote de Duras Cabernet Merlot.
£225
If wicker isn’t really your style, why not go for this stylish offering from Liberty London, which comes in a beautifully printed fabric-covered suitcase (using one of Liberty’s own heritage prints, naturally)? This new festive hamper from the perennially stylish department store is packed full of British artisan goods, from Old Tom Gin and oak-aged chocolate to coffee spiced rum and delicious Prestat truffles. And the best part? That chic suitcase will remain a travel staple long after the Christmas lights have come down.
£230
The ethereally beautiful Petersham Nurseries is known for its delicious seasonal produce and fine Italian suppliers, and this delightful hamper combines the best of both. Housed in a charming picnic basket, it features their own-label Earl Grey tea, Richmond Park honey, Rococo English creams and caramels and Sheridan’s Irish brown bread crackers, alongside Zisola olive oil from Sicily, Milanese panettone, traditional panforte and a bottle of Prosecco. Bellissima!
£135
Add some Italian sparkle to your Christmas table this year with this offering from Lina Stores, which is filled with the finest products imported straight from Italy and hand-picked from independent suppliers they’ve worked with for years. White truffle sauce and 12-year aged Balsamic vinegar will add a little something extra to any dish, while their Panettoncino and Cantuccini biscuits are the perfect sweet treat when you can’t quite face more Christmas pudding.
£250
In addition to their doorstep deliveries of organic and wild groceries, Abel & Cole do some brilliant Christmas hampers. The Christmas Show Stopper Organic Food Hamper is just that. Expect a smorgasbord of yuletide delights including an Orange and Elderflower Ham, two organic farmed Smoked Salmon cuts from the Severn & Wye Smokery, vintage Cheddar, all-butter mince pies, and much more.
£395
With two Royal Warrants, over 300 years of history and five Masters of Wine, Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain’s original wine and spirit merchants. This wicker hamper contains every oenophile’s dream – three bottles of wine, including a bottle of 2017 Nuits-St Georges, and a 2012 Champagne Philipponnat, as well as their own revitalising King’s Ginger, the spirit first crafted for King Edward VII in 1903. Alongside this there’s a truly spoiling range of nibbles and treats, including a jar of acacia honey with white truffle.
£150
With its beautiful packaging and powerful flavours, Ottolenghi never disappoints – and its Christmas offerings are no exception. This elegant Christmas hamper is full of festive favourites, from sweet woodland meringues, pecan snowballs and Brunsli stars to punchy chilli and coriander chutney, guaranteed to bring any leftovers to life. But it’s their buttery, snow-topped shortbread snowflakes that steal the show – destined to be a huge hit with every member of the family.
