MoneyMagpie Editor and financial expert Vicky Parry shares her picks for foodie hampers and gifts to send to friends this Christmas
While we love spending time with friends and family as the festive season arrives, it’s not always possible.
Some live far away, across the other side of the country, and whether it’s due to work, health, or family commitments, schedules just can’t match up.
That’s why it’s a great idea to send foodie hampers and gifts to the ones you love but can’t spend time with this Christmas. They’ll think of you as they tuck in to tasty treats, and you’ll know that your gift won’t sit gathering dust in a corner, either.
What makes a good hamper?
Picking the best Christmas hamper depends on a wide range of factors. Your budget is where you should start: as with every festive gift, don’t put yourself into debt for it. The thought is more important than the product, especially when it comes to perishable items.
A hamper that includes items which can be eaten together works very well. Some hampers can feel like they’ve been randomly thrown together, because the different items don’t really work as a pair or group.
For example, if you include cheese, make sure crackers and chutneys are also included. It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many hampers contain lots of bits that are delicious but hard to use because they need extra ingredients we wouldn’t normally have to hand.
Best big hampers
If you have a blowout budget for somebody special, a big hamper will make a huge impression. It’s also a great gift to take with you if you’re spending time visiting friends, as it can help ease the burden on their grocery shop (and you get to share the delicious goodies, too!).
The top-of-the-range hampers from Fortnum and Mason, Bettys, Cartwright and Butler, and Harrods all sell incredibly well every year.
Best restaurant hampers
Hampers by restaurants are perfect for sending your friend a reminder of great memories you have together at that place, or to give them a chance to experience the taste of a great brand without leaving home.
CORD, the Cordon Bleu restaurant, has expanded into offering carefully curated festive hampers this year, starting from £55 plus delivery (free collection from CORD restaurant in London). The largest hamper, the Grand Panier, contains panettone, vinegar gran cuvee, gourmet spread, artisan pasta, spice blends, and sweet treats like biscotti and nougat, plus a Chateau Delmond Sauternes and a Cordon Bleu apron.
Carluccio’s also has a wide range of festive hampers on offer this year, suited to small treats to send (or keep for yourself) to the La Grande Collezione Natale Hamper which includes over 20 luxury items from rum-soaked figs to panettone.
Or you can opt for a smaller-but-still-fabulous gift set, such as Leon’s Espresso Set, which includes a pack of their Light Roast Ground Coffee and two espresso cups, presented in a gift box for just £10. For the sweeter-of-tooth, a Knoops hot chocolate gift set will hit the spot.
Best savoury hampers
For those who prefer the salty over the sweet, a savoury hamper is perfect. The Ye Olde Pie Shoppe hampers are a great example, with delicious handmade pork pies, cheeses, chutneys, and snacks. The Virgin Wines hamper offerings this year are far broader than just wine, with snacks like nut mixes, fudge, biscuits, and mince pies to go with a much-loved wine from their selection.
If you’re sending to foodies who like to be more hands-on with their gourmet gifts, consider a hamper that encourages them to cook either their favourite cuisine or to try something new.
The Lebani hampers come with recipe cards and premium Lebanese ingredients, such as spice mixes, pomegranate molasses, rose water, fig jam, and backlawa, while the Makan Malaysia Gift Sets offer a range of exciting Malaysian ingredients to get keen cooks salivating. Or consider the Pasta Evangelista pasta making kit, which comes with everything they’ll need to learn how to make their own pasta from scratch at home.
And while it can be sweet or savoury, for those who have a distinct love of all things tea, Bird & Blend’s Complete Christmas Collection gift box is perfect to send to that friend who always has a hot drink on the go.
Biscuit and brownie hampers
If your gift recipient has more of a sweet tooth, there are so many gift sets for those with a love of the bakery-led side of gourmet life.
Walkers shortbread makes a great addition to any gift, but their festive hamper is perfect for those who love high quality, delicious shortbread – plus some mince pies and Christmas cake too.
For a more chocolate-based hamper, the Choco Dino Company offers incredible flavours on freshly-baked award-winning brownies and cookies, with selection gift boxes just £24, and the Little Dessert Shop delivers gift boxes of its viral American brownies for only £16.99.
If you want to offer something a little bit different, you could always send some brownies in a gift box from The Clink Bakery, along with a voucher to visit the restaurant which is located inside HMP Brixton and offers high-quality training opportunities to people in prison, to reduce reoffending rates by providing qualifications to aid employment on release.
DIY your own hamper
One of the best things about sending a foodie hamper for Christmas is that you can pick and choose what goes into it, if you want to make your own. This means you can create themed hampers, adapt to specific dietary requirements, and find things within your budget (whatever that is). You can also take advantage of seasonal deals to save money on the ingredients and products you choose.
Make sure you send items with a long Use By date on them wherever possible. If you’re taking the hamper with you in person or you’re willing to arrange chilled courier delivery, there’s more flexibility to include frozen or refrigerated items like slices from the English Cheesecake Company and GÜ Desserts.
You could also do a charcuterie hamper with a selection of meats, cheeses and condiments when sending via a chilled courier. Fill up with different types of cheeses and crackers, and remember to include condiments like chutneys from Tracklements, a raw honey gift set from Honey Heaven, or a delicious chunk of Hilltop Honeycomb. Add something sweet, like Divine Chocolate, for the finishing touch.
Share a distance picnic
If you want to spend time with your friends and family but travelling isn’t possible for you due to financial limitations, other commitments, or health limitations, consider doubling up your hamper treats and arranging a video call to share together.
An online picnic together where you share your love of cheese and wine, or hot chocolate and gingerbread will give you valuable memories. You could even send a hamper of ingredients to teach your loved one how to cook their favourite meal of yours with your own private cooking show over Zoom!
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