The best luxury Christmas hampers for 2020
Chocolates, coffee, cheese, champagne? There’s no doubt that each will bring joy to the receiver, but which to choose? With Christmas drawing near, the question of where to find the perfect gift looms on the horizon.
One could spend days on end pondering… Or, one could refuse to lose sleep and invest in a luxury hamper. A wicker basket (or several) brimming with everything you thought you had to choose from. From Fortnum & Mason to Petersham Nurseries, these are the crème de la crème of extravagant hampers.
Regency Hampers Supreme Indulgence Hamper with Champagne
A Christmas picnic in disguise, this hamper is filled with wines, white, red and sparkling, champagne, Cotswold Distillery whisky, and a few bottles of spirits. Food-wise, it includes almost a kilo of Wessex cooked ham and three full-size cheeses. The majority of the contents are of British origin, with classics such as Glenfiddich mince tarts and Cole’s Yorkshire pudding.
Available from November 17th, £1,193.60, Regency Hampers
Read more: How make a Christmas hamper
Fine Food Specialists Ultimate Christmas / Boxing Day Hamper
The contents of this 18-inch wicker basket were chosen by Drogo Montagu, the founder of Fine Food Specialists. The selection is a gourmand’s fantasy, with ingredients such as a Dukeshill ham, which has been brined for two weeks and weighs over two kilos, and a 100g-hunk of AAA-grade foie gras.
£350, Fine Food Specialists
Read more: Best Christmas Christmas hampers for 2020
Harrods Supreme Christmas Hamper
This hamper consists of 50 products packed into two baskets. Among them are 20 pantry items, eight bottles of wine and champagne, two spirits, three hot drinks, three sweet treats and two Christmas crackers. Most products are Harrods' own label and hail from both home (British Cotswold honey) and abroad (Salchichón de Vic).
Available from December 10th, £1,250, Harrods
John Lewis & Partners Christmas Treasure Chest Hamper
The set of Renaissance Trees crackers and two bottles of Bollinger champagne will ensure the feast contained within this hamper starts and ends with a bang. The perfect gift for a chocoholic, it features five different chocolate products, including a pack of drinking chocolate from Ecuador and a two-kilo milk-chocolate Christmas tree.
£1,000, John Lewis & Partners
John Lewis & Partners All That Glitters Christmas Hamper
Beyond the selection of bonbons, champagnes, olives and other delicacies, this hamper contains a bottle of bubble bath and body lotion for the recipient to use once the other products have been gobbled up. Inside, brands range from Charbonnel et Walker to John Lewis’s own brand.
£500, John Lewis & Partners
Read more: Ultimate Christmas gift guide for 2020
Harvey Nichols Festive Feast Hamper
Harvey Nichols has brought together 158 different items, a little short of its entire food market, to fill its Festive Feast Hamper. The contents can fully stock a cocktail bar (with everything from pomegranate tonic water to mulled wine) and a pantry (with sweets, four kinds of olives, jams, and much more).
£1,800, Harvey Nichols
La Fromagerie Luxury Box
This set of six cow cheeses, four French and one English, is accompanied by a selection of crackers, nuts and sweets. A few inedible options are also included; among them a handmade-oak cheese board and La Fromagerie canvas bag. The hamper also includes three wines and a bottle of champagne to sip alongside the cheeses.
£515, La Fromagerie
Fortnum & Mason The Sovereign Hamper
Fortnum & Mason couldn’t fit all of the contents of The Sovereign Hamper into one wicker box, so it settled for three. This hamper comes fully stocked for a festive lockdown, with teas, biscuits, preserves, cheeses, wines, and decorations. It even includes baubles, a table bomb, crackers, and a Camellia Teaware set, with a teapot, cups, tray, tea towel and Art Deco tea strainer.
£2,500, Fortnum & Mason
Harvey Nichols The Bartender Hamper
The perfect gift for the bartending aficionado, this hamper contains the necessary ingredients to mix up aperitifs, gin and tonics, and much more. A selection of miniature bottles are included, either to sample Harvey Nichols’ range or to use as stocking fillers, as well as a winter-edition Russian vodka and a couple of celebratory magnums.
£1,300, Harvey Nichols
Daylesford Estate Hamper
A feast presented in two linen-lined wicker baskets, this hamper is packed with delicacies. Alongside the traditional ham (weighing over a kilo and organic, in this case), Daylesford has partnered with Brindisa to present an additional entire leg of Serrano ham. This gift is perfect for those who - besides chocolate truffles, shortbread, candied fruit, peppermints and jams - want mince pies, Christmas cake, brandy butter and Christmas pudding, too.
£1,500, Daylesford
Paxton & Whitfield The Clarence Hamper
Lovers of British cheese, in particular, will appreciate this hamper, compiled by Paxton and Whitfield, the oldest artisan cheesemonger in the land (est. 1797). Three cheeses are included: stilton, cheddar and Baron Bigod (a raw-milk cheese similar to a brie). Over three kilos of cheese in total comes packed in a wooden hamper box, and accompanied by two bottles of wine and a cheese board to serve it all on.
£200, Paxton and Whitfield
Petersham Nurseries Luxury Hamper
Pots of apricot, summer berry and gooseberry jam are nestled alongside spiced chutneys and tapenades in this hamper. While all the potted delights, English Breakfast tea, orange chocolate truffles, poppy-seed crackers and shortbread are Petersham Nurseries’ own, a few of the other products (cheese and and panettone among them) are from other providers, and the olive oil and Prosecco are from its sister company, Petersham Cellar.
£195, Petersham Nurseries
Sous Chef Best of France Hamper
Thirteen condiments, cooking ingredients and preserves from regions across France (from Provence to the Basque country and Brittany) are nestled into this wicker hamper. Highlights include Pommery red wine vinegar and a collection of fruit jellies by Francois Doucet.
£135, Sous Chef
The Best of Sous Chef Hamper
With a mixture of familiar (San Marzano tomatoes) and unusual (timur berry) ingredients, this gift is one for the daring gourmand. The Best of Sous Chef hamper is designed for those who like to roll their sleeves up and cook, as most of the ingredients need to be prepared before they’re enjoyed by the recipient.
£150, Sous Chef
Best of Selfridges Hamper
Citrus fruit spread with glitter, truffle honey, smoked vodka: these are a few of the myriad products packed into the Best of Selfridges hamper. Beyond the more traditional offerings (over 20 bottles of wine and champagne, jams and jellies galore, etc.), the department store has included a whole leg of Iberico ham and beluga caviar.
£5,000, Selfridges
M&S Collection Berkeley Luxury Christmas Hamper
This hamper set comes in three dark wicker baskets bearing a personalised message from the giver. With a couple of unusual offerings such as peaches in Courvoisier and toffee vodka, as well as some more traditional items such as Christmas pudding and a bottle of Le Vieux Grès Châteauneuf-du-Pape, there is something for every taste.
Available from November 3rd, £999.99, M&S
A Little Box of Heckfield
Every item in this hamper, from the plum and cardamom jam to the gingerbread syrup, is produced by the Hampshire hotel Heckfield Place. The more classical offerings inside include Christmas pudding, Heckfield Classic Cuvee 2014 champagne, a strawflower bauble, and gin with a wild-berry base foraged from the Heckfield estate. A copy of Path, a book by Louisa Thomsen Brits, and hand-made felt robin are sure to set this hamper apart from the rest.
£350, Heckfield
Charbonnel et Walker Confectioner’s Delight Hamper
Chocoholics, look no further. This hamper is brimming with a range of truffles from Charbonnel et Walker, the London chocolatiers. The package contains six boxes of truffles, ranging from fine milk chocolate and truffle assortments to smaller boxes of champagne hearts. Other contents include dark chocolate mint thins and milk sea salt caramel truffles.
£120, Charbonnel et Walker
Brindisa Christmas Hamper
Lovers of Spanish food will find a feast in this hamper. Seventeen products of Iberian origin are individually packaged and presented in a wicker basket. A selection of Senorio iberico bellota cold cuts accompany a 240g wedge of semi-cured manchego, as well as a truffle ewe’s milk cheese. Sweeter options include the soft almond turron and chocolate cigarillo biscuits. Wash it all down with a Cava Mas Macia Brut.
£150, Brindisa
Gail’s Christmas Hamper
Gail’s Christmas hamper bears a feast of baked goods. Contents range from a two-kilo loaf of sourdough bread, to a candle. Most of the treats are edible, with brownies, granola, two kinds of sables, coffee, loaf cake, butter, jam, marmalade, speculoos, Christmas buns, shortbread, madeleines and chocolates from Melt, the Notting Hill chocolatier, among the bounty.
£150, Gail’s
Bocca di Lupo Christmas Hamper
Bocca di Lupo, the Soho eatery, has masterminded a Christmas hamper, chock-full of Italian delicacies. Its contents hail from different regions of Italy, such as the Amalfi coast (in the case of the raisin-studded pannetonne) and the Piedmont region (the Giandujotti chocolates). The hamper also comes with two servings of Bocca di Lupo’s negroni, cold-pressed chocolate bars from Sicily, and an outlier: Colombian coffee.
£63, Bocca di Lupo
Claridge's Mayfair Hamper
Claridge's has brought together a selection of home-made items in its Mayfair Hamper, exclusive to the iconic hotel. Its contents range from a Christmas cake to an assortment of jams and curds, and there's a Fornasetti candle for good measure. Those who enjoy experimenting in the kitchen can take inspiration from The Cookbook, as well as Cecil Beaton's Cocktail book, which come nestled within.
£750, Claridge's
The River Cafe Hamper
Ruth Rogers, towner and head chef at The River Cafe, has curated this hamper of Italian delicacies. Presented in a sturdy brightly coloured box, with a tote bag to match, contents range from Tuscan pralines from La Molina to Pugliese jarred tomatoes, Cipriani Ragliolini and Volcano Espresso Coffee. Try your hand at recreating the restaurant's farinata with the copper-based pan, up your tablescape game with the Summerill & Bishop napkins, and enjoy it all by the light of the Fluorescent True Grace Candles nestled within.
From £600, The River Cafe
Soho Home x Lina Stores Hamper
Soho Home has paired up with its neighbouring Italian delicatessen, Lina Stores, to compose a hamper for the food-loving hipster in your life. Contents include Antico Frantoio olive oil, a terracotta pot, a Bialetti One Cup Coffee Maker, and caputo pasta flour, among others. The recipient will cook up an Italian feast wearing the Lina Stores apron that accompanies the hamper's treats.
£250, Soho Home
Kylie Minogue's Christmas Hamper
Curated by Ms Minogue herself, this hamper comes complete with two bottles of wine from the singer's own label. She also chose a selection of unusual ingredients (including Mandarin Orange Crisps), crackers, cheese and chocolate. Also featuring two kitsch microphone-shaped Christmas baubles, the contents of this "lover's edition" are intended to be enjoyed by a couple of lovebirds.
Available from November 11th, £125, Wine Delivered
Ottolenghi Holiday Hamper
Ottolenghi's Holiday Hamper presents the opportunity to stock your pantry while treating yourself at the same time. A few traditional festive treats, namely Christmas cake, panettone and champagne, are tucked in among an abundance of ingredients. Highlights include Palestinian olive oil, sweet and smoky spice rub and pistachio paste.
£280, Ottolenghi
Colette Fondue Hamper for Four
Complete with instructions on how to prepare your own Master Cheesemaker's Fondue, this hamper will serve as the perfect dinner party in a box. Gruyere, Vacherin Fribourgeois and Raclette du Valais compose the mixture of cheeses, and accompaniments include French radishes, roasted ratte potatoes and cornichons. Once you've scooped the last of the fondue with a cube of seasoned sourdough, the cast iron traditional fondue set is yours to keep.
From £145, Colette
Luca Dusi's Ultimate Artisan Wine Hamper
While Luca Dusi has chosen a number of high-end wines for this hamper, it is up to you to chose which you'd like to include. A handmade knife and bowl from Sytch Farm Studio in Shropshire, as well we two pieces of gorgonzola and aged parmesan, a wooden chopping board, tomato sauce from Pianogrillo, olive oil from Puglia, salami, a jar of pickles and onion jam and a corkscrew will all accompany the final selection of wines.
From £225, Passione Vino
Le Deli Robuchon’s Festive Hamper
Joël Robuchon’s Mayfair deli is providing a build-your-own hamper service. Clients can choose from the shop’s selection of French, British, Spanish and Italian delicacies. Those who enjoy curation have a range of wines, sweets, pickles, teas to pick from, many of which were Robuchon’s favourites. Hamper contents can range from cheese straws and chestnut honey to shortbread rounds and Laurent Perrier Champagne Brut La Cuvee.
From £20, Le Deli Robuchon
Sharpham Park’s Christmas Hamper
Health-conscious foodies rejoice. Filled with apple juice, organic walnuts, spelt biscuits and rosemary water crackers, this hamper from Sharpham Park, founded by Roger Saul, the creator of Mulberry, provides a few nutritious options. It also, of course, contains more indulgent classics (a solid-cheese star among them).
Available from November 18th, £150, Sharpham Park
The Wine Workshop's French Fancies Hamper
With the expertise of Joe Wadsack, The Wine Workshop presents a bespoke hamper. Six French wines with personalised labels, a cheese trio from La Fromagerie, Letter Box Charcuterie from The Real Cure and Hemstitch napkins make the ideal gift for a oenophile friend. The hamper also comes with a selection of artisan sweets from Wicked and Wonderful.
£140, The Wine Workshop
The Wolseley Hamper
Filled with 20 of the Wollesley’s pantry essentials, as well as two crystal wine glasses, a silver-plated olive pot, silver candle holder and a tea towel and apron (both cotton with watercolour designs) this hamper promises to delight any aficionado of the London hotel. Treats within range from a bottle of Bollinger to a box of the Wolseley’s all-butter shortbread.
£995, The Wolseley
Perrier-Jouët Festive Feast
Maison Perrier-Jouët’s partnership with Pique, purveyors of luxury picnics, continues into the Yuletide with a collection of goodies designed to partner with a bottle of the champagne house’s Grand Brut. Contents range from sage, onion and apricot sausage roll bites to a freshly-prepared beetroot, blood orange and burrata salad with toasted walnuts. A pair of flute glasses and personalised message are included in the hamper for the recipient to enjoy as soon as it arrives.
£115, Pique
Turnips Luxury Hamper
Turnips runs a stall in Borough market, a hub for London foodies. For Christmas, it has brought together a bounty of fresh ingredients. From king Medjool dates to Tout Miel clementines, this selection showcases freshness. Sweet treats include French delicacies such as marron glacé and chocolate and you can also chose to add on a number of deli items, black garlic mayonnaise and white truffles from Tesori del Matese among them.
£50, Turnips
London Shell Co's Christmas Meal Kit Hamper
Out of the two hampers London Shell Co is offering this festive season, the luxury Christmas hamper takes the cake. A pepper cured char, potted brown shrimp, and cold smoked salmon accompany a whole smoked trout. The fish is complemented by a loaf of soda break, and a number of other treats. These include a bottle of the Grand Duchess, double chocolate truffles and mince pies with clotted cream, among others. You can also add 12 fresh oysters for an additional price.
£90, London Shell Co
In Bed with Annabel's Hamper
This Christmas, the London member's club is selling its products to a wider audience than those it allows through its doors. This hamper, designed to provide all the essentials for the perfect night in, brings together a selection of goods, including a Skin Rose Gold illuminating eye mask, luxe brooched slippers, kimono pyjamas and an Annabel's bauble, presented in a medium-sized velvet hat box. The Carpo dark chocolate dipped florentines, Christmas Panettone and champagne will give you a taste of this exclusive establishment to your home.
£500, Annabel's
Peace, Joy and The Lowry Hamper
The five-star Manchester hotel hasn't stopped short at edible treats; its Christmas hamper includes a two-night stay at the Charles Forte Presidential Suite. This stay at the The Lowry's largest penthouse comes with a full-time personal butler, two hour-long spa treatments, a bespoke room-service dining experience and a dinner for two with champagne, both by the chef at the award-winning River Restaurant. The tea, truffles, macarons, honey and spa gifts nestled into the physical hamper are the cherry on top.
£12,500, The Lowry Hotel
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