Advertisement

Best Christmas food and drink hampers for 2021

 (Selfridges)
(Selfridges)

We don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing we need - to paraphrase Christmas crooner Mariah - all we want for Christmas is... one of these hampers.

Christmas means different things to different people, but one thing we can all agree on is that it’s the time to stuff ourselves with the best, tastiest morsels around, guilt-free (that’s what January is for).

The truth is, you can’t go wrong with a Christmas hamper, whether you’re struggling to think of the perfect gift for someone you love, want a showy treat to spoil your mates, or just want a lavish treat the whole family can dive into together on December 25.

Every year the selection grows as retailers strive to make their Christmas hampers better and bigger than ever.

We’ve seen everything, from hat boxes stuffed with gin, to gigantic parcels of chocolate and F&M-stamped wicker baskets absolutely heaving with festive fare.

With more of us considering veganism and plant-based options, there are plenty of hamper options in this category too - and they’re as indulgent as any other.

They’re not all wildly expensive either. With so many options, there’s bound to be one at a price point that won’t make you wince.

We’ve listed our favourite Christmas hampers for 2021 below, kicking off with the priciest first and in descending order.

With this lot, you’ll wish it could be Christmas every day.

Read More

Best chocolate advent calendars for Christmas 2021

Best alternative advent calendars: weird and wonderful countdowns to Christmas 2021

Best luxury Christmas gifts 2021 for him and for her

Best Christmas candles for gifting and creating a cosy ambiance

Best Christmas wreaths of 2021 for a festive front door

Best alcohol advent calendars of 2021: countdown with gin, wine, beer and more this Christmas

Best Christmas trees: artificial and pre-lit trees that will bring the festive spirit home

The best beauty advent calendars for Christmas 2021, from Cult Beauty, M&S and more

Fortnum & Mason Christmas Hampers

As the grocer with a royal warrant, there’s little that Fortnum & Mason doesn’t know about putting together the Christmas hamper of dreams. This year, The Imperial sits at the top end, with a price tag that could probably finance Christmas for a small village.

The colossal 67-piece offering comes in five honey-coloured wicker baskets, and includes every conceivable thing one could possibly hope to devour over Christmastime.

There are too many delightful things to list in their entirety but our highlights include the whole Christmas ham, tin of caviar, a set of luxury crackers and a vintage bottle of Port (along with the other exceptional wine selection). Gather your family close, you’ll need a small army to get through this hamper.

To keep the contents as fresh as possible, delivery will be made from Dec 21.

F&M hampers begin at £16.95, shop the full collection here

Buy now £6000.00, Fortnum & Mason Christmas Hampers

Da Vittorio x Annabel’s Food and Drink Hamper

From one of London’s most exclusive members clubs comes a chance to take a piece home, thanks to this indulgent hamper. Costing just shy of £500, there’s plenty of chic bang for your buck, from Cocoa Gianduja Chocolate Covered Almonds, Alastian Strawberry & Raspberry Compote, Porcini Mushrooms in Oil and Maltese Orange Rhum Compote.

As for a wicker basket, it’s been replaced with a beautiful dark green faux crocodile leather bound food and drink hamper box created in collaboration with Da Vittorio this Christmas.

Buy now £495.00, Annabel's

Harvey Nichols After Party Hamper

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the afters is usually better than the big bash itself. Whether you plan to wheel this bad boy out after your annual Christmas Eve party (no doubt to rapturous applause) or want to sprinkle some magic on the wastelands of Twixtmas (that bit between Christmas and New Year’s Eve), Harvey Nicks has you covered.

This feast comes stuffed in a lined black wicker basket with port, gin, wine, nibbles, Christmas Pudding, reviving tea bags and more. A splurge-worthy end-of-year treat.

Find more Christmas Hamper options at Harvey Nicks here, including the All Wrapped Up Hamper (£240) for a more trad take, and Season’s Eatings (£110) an alcohol-free selection that comes with the cutest mini panettone.

Buy now £275.00, Harvey Nichols

Selfridges Selection Christmas Pantry Hamper

Selfridges has a hamper for every price point, from a dizzying £5k one (which includes mince pie crackers, Beluga caviar, artisan cheeses and 17 - yes, 17! - bottles of wine with Soho House crystal drinkware thrown in for good measure) to the Christmas Treats Gift Box, and the Mini Vegan Cheese Board gift box, that both come in at £55 each.

Somewhere in the happy middle ground is the Selfridges Selection Christmas Pantry Hamper, a deep-filled wicker vault packed with all the edible and imbibable things that will make Christmas 2021 your best yet. We’re talking festively spiced tea and coffee, a tin of orange hot chocolate, fruity jams and preserves, a Christmas pudding and bottles of vino, from celebratory Champers to Selfridges Selection mulled wine.

Consider your Christmas pantry locked and loaded.

Buy now £200.00, Selfridges

F&M The Yuletide Hamper, Vegan-Friendly

Fortnum’s has worked hard to make its hamper range more inclusive, and this year you can find this vegan-friendly option on its digital shelves, alongside a free-from option designed for those with gluten intolerances. Both cost £150 and are designed to deliver a taste of a proper Fortnum’s Christmas.

The Vegan hamper contains nine items including a deluxe tub of vegan hot chocolate and a delicious mushroom pate spiked with paprika. The Joy of Christmas Hamper, Made Without Wheat has more crumbly biscuits and cakes than you can shake a teaspoon at, plus plenty of coffee and Champagne to wash it all down with, amongst other contents.

Buy now £150.00, F&M

The Newt in Somerset Sparkling Breakfast Hamper

Christmas Day excitement begins from the second you open your eyes, whatever your age. But while the kids are distracted by the contents of their stockings, take a moment to enjoy a decadent grown-up breakfast delivered by The Newt in Somerset.

As well as luxe versions of the usual breakfast fare, you’ll find a bottle of Babylonstoren’s most-loved sparkling wine, Sprankel (well, ‘tis the season). Perfection.

Buy now £135.00, The Newt in Somerset

Eataly The Ultimate Italian Christmas

A Buon Natale is all but guaranteed over at Eataly, where the Godfather of all hampers is waiting to make all your gourmet Christmas dreams come true.

Impeccably presented, a handsome red ribbon-tied box hold delicious Italian fare to top up your Christmas pantry, from extra virgin olive oil in a display-worthy multicoloured bottle, a sack of dried pasta, red wine, a doorstop wedge of parmigiano and, of course, Panettone. Whether this is intended as a gift or you want to spoil friends and family with something a bit different, Eataly has it nailed in this Ultimate hamper.

Pre-order now for delivery from Dec 1.

Buy now £129.90, Eataly

John Lewis & Partners Festive Fireside Christmas Hamper

After last year’s damp squib of a Christmas, we’ve got some serious making up to do. This hamper is the perfect offering to take to one of the festive soirees in your calendar, with enough booze to do the eat, drink and merry rule of Christmas proud.

The basket contains full-sized bottles of shiraz, sauv blanc and prosecco, with plenty of sweet and savoury nibbles in the mix to soak it all up. There’s even a set of six crackers, arranged into a wreath for extra yuletide points.

Buy now £125.00, John Lewis

Brindisa Festive Hampers

Bring the flavours of the Iberian peninsula to your wreath-festooned door this Christmas, courtesy of Brindisa. Their festive hampers range is made for sharing with six to choose from, including the Christmas Hamper (£175, pictured) and the Foodie Box (£95) which we’ve earmarked for our Friendmas celebration this year.

Both include packs of hand-carved ham; sliced wafer thin they pack an addictive salty punch that we couldn’t stop picking at. Though contents vary, you can expect the finest Spanish fare for your merriest Feliz Navidad yet.

Shop Brindisa’s Christmas selection.

Buy now £175.00, Brindisa

The Wolseley Christmas hamper for two

After last year's turkey of a Christmas, there's more reason than ever to spoil your favourite people this festive season. There are a selection of Wolseley hampers to choose from this year - our two favourites include a Martini-themed one and the Christmas Hamper for two (pictured). Both will have you raising a glass in the chicest way.

Buy now £175.00, The Wolseley

GAIL's Christmas Hamper

Want buns, hun? Everyone's favourite 'local' bakery chain GAIL's is on call with a delightful Christmas hamper to feed the whole family a well as extra guests. This year the feast includes the company's famous Chocolate Babka Wreath (if you get nothing else, get this) as well as a chocolate and hazelnut loaf cake, a box of chocolate truffles, some sinfully delicious chocolate spread and some mince pies. You'll also find a round of festive buns and a 2kg sourdough loaf that will come into its own when it's time to make leftover turkey sarnies.

Buy now £165.00, GAIL’s

Panzer's The Christmas Connoisseur

Offering delicious deli and grocery items since 1944, Panzer's knows a thing or two about creating a Christmas hamper that will really get them salivating. The Christmas Connoisseur is packed with all sorts of delightful treats, from a half pound of fine smoked salmon to a hefty wedge of Stilton and a selection of festive chocolate dipped fruit peels. For true Christmas opulence there's also a small tin of caviar to savour too. A must for gourmet food fans.

Buy now £135.00, Panzer’s

Aber Falls Distillery The Spirit of Wales Christmas Hamper

Bring the best of Wales home this Christmas thanks to this deluxe hamper from Aber Falls Distillery, the first whisky distillery in North Wales for over 100 years.

The basket is heaving with the best food and drink from indie companies across the border. From preserves, lemonade and moreish shortbread to boozy delights in the form of gin, sweet liqueurs and a single malt Welsh whisky, there's plenty packed in there to delight your whole brood.

Buy now £125.00, Aber Falls

Pipers Farm Boxing Day Feast Box

If you don’t already have Pipers Farm on your radar for quality, ethically and sustainably-sourced meat, dairy and pantry goods, then let us introduce you.

The Pipers Farm Boxing Day box is a slap-up meal for six, featuring a huge 1.5kg grass-fed rolled beef sirloin, with accompanying beef stock for a rich velvety gravy; a selection of three flavoursome artisanal cheeses, sourdough crispbreads and sweet onion marmalade; washed down with a bottle of S38 Cabernet Sauvignon, an expertly-balanced Chilean red wine, with notes of blackberry, pepper and spiced plum.

Next or select day delivery is available on all hampers, and meat arrives frozen, though you’ll be given a speedy hack for defrosting within 40 minutes should you so wish. Products come in fully recyclable packaging, including a rustic wooden Pipers Farm box, which we’ve adopted as our new bread bin.

Buy now £110.00, Pipers Farm

Harrods The Christmas Carol Hamper

There’s nothing like a night spent heartily carolling Silent Night to work up an appetite. Treat your loved ones to this gourmet Harrods hamper, filled with classic Christmas snacks like mince pies, florentines, and salted caramel shortbread as well as a luxury Christmas pudding, complete with silken brandy butter. Spiced tea and coffee are also included, perfect for bringing those frozen cockles back up to temperature.

Discover all of Harrods’ Christmas Hampers here.

Buy now £100.00, Harrods

M&S Christmas Afternoon Tea hamper

M&S has a jaw dropping line-up of hampers this year, from fully comprehensive seasonal offerings that come with all the bells and whistles (and crackers) , to the Ultimate Christmas Breakfast (£100) which promises an incredible start to Dec 25. There’s even a Percy Pig-themed hamper, chock full of treats featuring the nation’s favourite cartoon pig (£75) . In fact, foodie Christmas gifts begin from a miniscule £20, allowing you to spread Christmas cheer to more friends and family than ever this year.

We like the look of the Christmas Afternoon Tea hamper filled with enough festive bakes like stollen, a Yule log and mince pies to keep you going well into the New Year. Also includes tea, coffee and winter spiced apple fizz. Cheers!

Buy now £100.00, M&S

John Lewis & Partners Christmas Eve Basket

Going to someone’s house for the festive period? Show your appreciation with this bountiful basket of goodies, which has something for all ages. Soak the oldies in flutes full of John Lewis Prosecco and let the kids loose on the classic red and white candy canes and gingerbread men. It’s not all sweet stuff: this hamper includes savoury spice in the form of tortilla chips and hot, garlicky relish. Brownie points banked.

Buy now £90.00, John Lewis & Partners

Paxton & Whitfield 12 Days of Christmas Hamper

Cheesemonger extraordinaire Paxton & Whitfield has been dealing in sublime cheese for the best part of two centuries. Now, the London-based company is channeling its years of knowledge into their 2021 Christmas hamper selection.

While all of them look more appealing than the last, this 12 Days hits the sweet spot between price and produce.

Costing £80, a large gift box is packed with enough exceptional curds designed to set your cheeseboard alight: think a Stilton, Camembert and Hundred Dram Cheddar. It’s not a hamper without the extras though, so you’ll also find plenty of preserves, chutneys, quince and crackers in there too. Finally, a 375ml bottle of merlot and some crumbly fudge rounds things off. No danger of feeling peckish with this bundle around.

Buy now £80.00, Paxton & Whitfield

Le Deli Robuchon hamper

For effortlessly chic Christmas hamper gifting, look to Le Deli Robuchon. The Mayfair deli sells all sorts of delightful and delicious morsels in present-ready packaging, and this Yuletide, you can put together a bespoke wicket basket for someone truly deserving.

The selection spans sweet and savoury with stops for tea & coffee, as well as Champagne (it is Christmas, after all).

Make yours from £80.

Buy now £80.00, Le Deli Robuchon

Aldi The Christmas Feast Hamper

The supermarket chain is known for its famously low prices on high quality produce (it frequently tops taste tests). This Christmas, it’s got hampers galore filled with tasty treats designed to leave you more stuffed than the average robin.

Take this hamper, which packs sweets and preserves in beside crackers, cakes and chutneys. Oh, and two bottles of wine, one Prosecco - natch.

Buy now £79.99, Aldi

Top Cuvée The Christmas Hamper

An ideal gift for the wine lover in your life, Shop Cuvée's specially curated Christmas hamper has festive merriment in the bag, or rather - the sack. The limited edition red tote holds a selection of treats designed to make your recipient go "ooohh!"

We're talking a bottle of Top Cuvée Mulled Wine + Limited Edition Mulled Win Mug, a Top Cuvée House Red, a bottle of sparkling wine to keep ready for the big day, plus snacks in the form of a large Tony's Chocolonely bar and a can of Perello olives. Oh, and there's a dinky 10cl can of pocket negroni to stash in your bag for Christmas party-related emergencies.

Buy now £75.00, Shop Cuvée

Pique St Nick's Picnic

If you're not much of a cook, Christmas can feel more like hell than heaven. Do yourself a favour and get one of Pique's tasty ready-to-devour festive hampers, packed full with indulgent bites of both the sweet and savoury variety.

St Nick's Picnic is ideal for a portable brunch filled with sage, onion and apricot sausage rolls, burrata, herb roasted turkey breast, a couple of salads and a mini mulled pear pavlova, plus loads more. So delish it would make Santa green with envy. Veggie alternatives also available.

Buy now £60.00, Pique Food

Iberica Spanish Icons hamper

Dreaming of Christmas in sunnier climes? Feel transported to Spain with Iberica's selection of hampers, stuffed to the wicker lid with fine produce from the Mediterranean country. The Spanish Icons bundle is a safe (but sensational) bet, with chorizo, manchego cheese, olives and a bottle of Rioja waiting to delight someone you love - or even yourself.

Buy now £60.00, Iberica

The Lotus Biscoff Baking Gift Hamper

A Christmas indulgence we would struggle to part with, this Biscoff-themed hamper won't fail to delight the fan of the tasty spread. A smart cream and gold gift box holds a edible treasure designed to elevate their next tea or coffee break: we're talking packs of flavoured biccies, two jars of the spread (one of which is crunchy) and single-serving packs of the biscuits, perfect for enjoying with your next brew. It comes with a branded apron and mixing spoons too, ready and waiting to help on your next cooking adventure.

Buy now £45.00, Hampers.com

Charles Artisan Bread Christmas hamper

Get bready for a Christmas hamper to remember. If you're looking for an excuse to carb-load this festive season, artisan baker Charles has come up with the goods. The Clapton-based business has a cute basket heaving with sourdough loaves, cakes and biscuits as well as locally sourced honey and preserves. Your daily bread never looked so good.

Buy now £40.00, Charles

LELE’S Christmas hamper

Want to shop local this Christmas? Neighbourhood bakery LELE'S has a cult following in Clapton, east London, where residents can routinely be found queueing around the corner for a chance to take home its baked goods.

Skip the lines and have them deliver this bountiful Christmas basket straight to your preferred address: it's got it all from dangerously moreish cherry and chocolate brownies to a bag or amaretti and even vegan cake mix so you can do some wholesome holiday baking. At this price, it's a steal.

Buy now £29.00, LELE'S