The tradition of giving a hamper at Christmas originates from Victorian times when masters used to give their servants hampers filled with useful gifts typically as a festive gesture on boxing day.
These days hampers are becoming more and more extravagant and inventive, with fillings on offer to suit everyone, whether a keen cook, a serious fashionista or even a pampered pet, there are thousands of varieties available and they make fabulous gifts.
The Luxe Life has rounded up the best and most magnificent offerings this festive season……
The Selfridges Iconic Selection hamper brings together the store’s best selling and quintessential Christmas products in one beautifully presented wicker basket.
Cafetiere coffee, breakfast tea, shortbread, preserves, champagne and salted almonds sit alongside more traditional Christmas fayre such as cranberry sauce, Christmas pudding and a giant chocolate coin.
This festive favourite is ideal for anyone difficult to buy for and those who appreciate the finer things in life or their stomachs!
All Selfridge’s hampers can be purchased in store or online.
This festive season, Annabel’s, London’s most prestigious and iconic English member’s club, has created the ultimate in gourmet indulgence.
Perfect for the connoisseur in your life, this hamper allows the recipient a taste of the club’s exclusivity in the form of gastronomic delicacies from the Mount St Deli.
Annabel’s chocolate truffles, Sicilian pistachio biscuits, Foie Gras de Canard, Torroni Baci nougat and Panetonne along with a gorgeous book revealing secrets from the club are among the treats filling this gourmet gift.
Annabel’s hamper is available to purchase exclusively through Mount Street Delifor a limited period.
Anyone in need of some luxury indulgence will love the ‘Pamper Hamper’ from Harrods, containing everything you need to spoil yourself for a night in.
Rose Champagne and two varieties of chocolate truffles cover the essential pampering sweet treats, whilst a champagne, cassis and peach room spray and candle provide a beautifully scented and ambient atmosphere for an extravagant relaxation session.
The Harrods ‘Pamper Hamper’ is the perfect gift for any ‘girly’ girls in your life with its delightful shades of pastel pinks, shining metallics and super chic monochromes all presented in the Harrods sea grass basket.
All Harrods hampers can be purchased in store and online.
Perfect for the gourmet chef in your life, the Harvey Nichols Cooks hamper contains the finest essential ingredients for an award winning kitchen store cupboard.
Europe’s finest produce in the form of White truffle sauce, aged balsamic vinegar, chargrilled artichokes, chanterelles and smoked sea salt amongst many others are chicly packaged in the Harvey Nichols signature vintage packaging, ready for conjuring up an epicurean delight post Christmas day. The recipient of this gorgeous gift can kiss goodbye to turkey sandwiches and turkey covering for the remaining festive period.
The Harvey Nichols cooks hamper can be purchased in store or online.
Sketch ‘Not So Ordinary’ Hampers
For something a little different, London restaurant sketch has created five wonderfully whimsical hampers inspired by Alice in Wonderland.
In true Sketch style, the offerings are fantastically eccentric and eclectic and include gastronomical treats such as spiced ginger cake, jasmine tea jelly and vintage champagne alongside unique inclusions such as a ‘Spank you very much’ ruler, Cire Trudon candles and some Valrhona chocolate mice.
For the ultimate break from tradition, all of the Alice In Wonderland inspired ‘hampers’ are presented in a beautiful white birdcage.
More information and instructions to buy can be found on the Sketch website.
I’ve made no secret of being a lover of a traditional afternoon tea, and have no shame in declaring this my perfect gift, as it enables me to create the old fashioned afternoon tea in the comfort of my own home, Fortnum & Mason style.
Within the hamper you will find a whole Christmas cake, preserves, petit fours and the gorgeous afternoon blend tea as served in Fortnum’s tea room. There are even the bone china mugs and adorable Christmas tree shaped sugar lumps for a truly authentic experience, just had some crust less cucumber sandwiches!
The Fortnum & Mason Tea hamper can be purchased online.
Hotel Chocolat Ultimate Christmas Hamper
One of my favourite chocolate brands, Hotel Chocolat have put together an immense collection of sweet treats that will fulfill any chocolate lovers Christmas dream.
This hamper of plenty will get you through the festive period with every possible scenario or impromptu gathering covered, as the assortment contains everything from celebratory prosecco and wine, and an after dinner chocolate cocktail selection, to ultra cute ‘Tiddly Santas’ for any small visitors who may drop by.
For the chocolate loving foodie there are also various cocoa-containing dressings, dips and glazes to transform traditional dishes into chocolate heaven.
The Hotel Chocolat Ultimate Christmas hamper can be purchased online or in any Hotel Chocolat store.
There is no excuse to leave your pets out of your Christmas indulgence with the introduction of the ‘Pampered Pooch’ hamper from Harrods. Containing everything that little (or large) fido could doggy-dream about receiving under the tree, including Petite Amande dog shampoo and fragrance, organic carrot dog biscuits, a linen treat bag and that all important robot chew toy, all from the premium pet outfitters Mungo & Maud.
The Pampered Pooch hamper is exclusive to Harrods and can be purchased online.
All of the above hampers have been added to our Luxe Buys shopping page for your shopping ease. View here
