The best Christmas hampers feel like a treat and are full of festive food and drink. Food hampers make failsafe Christmas presents and they’re the most exciting way to gift or stock up on mulled wine, pickle, cheese and biscuits.
“I love a hamper. Nothing beats the thrill of digging into a big box to discover a lavish lucky dip of delicious goodies, not one present but several,” says Xanthe Clay, chef and Telegraph food writer. “The best hampers combine luxury with surprise and exclusivity. Luxury because gifts are best when they are just a bit extravagant, the sort of thing you’d like to buy for yourself but can’t quite justify.”
If you’re looking to treat yourself or someone else leading up to Christmas check out our list of the best advent calendars of 2024.
Read on for our picks of this year’s best hampers. If you’re in a hurry, here are our top five:
Which is the best Christmas hamper of 2024? At a glance
- Best Christmas hamper overall - Fortnum & Mason The Christmas Pantry Hamper
- Best value Christmas hamper - Marks & Spencer Collection Christmas Hamper
- Best Christmas Eve hamper - Daylesford Christmas Eve Hamper
- Best classic Christmas hamper - Selfridges The Classic Christmas Hamper
- Best luxury Christmas hamper - The Dorchester Festive Essentials Hamper
What makes a good Christmas hamper?
“Look for lovely packaging, especially the reusable kind. A jolly tin will become a familiar friend over the years – the eau-de-nil Fortnum’s ones are particularly covetable and add glamour to the kitchen cupboard,” Xanthe says. “What the hamper comes in matters too: a nest of glittery cellophane can’t even be recycled, but a wicker basket is endlessly useful for storage.”
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How we chose the best Christmas hampers
Taking Xanthe’s advice, I chose the best hampers based on whether they had reusable packaging and how good the range of contents was. I wanted value for money in terms of number, size and quality of contents. I gave extra points for exclusivity (if products can’t be bought elsewhere on the company’s website) as well as how impressive the broader range of hampers that company sold was.
Best Christmas hampers 2024
1. Fortnum & Mason The Christmas Pantry Hamper
£165, Fortnum & Mason
Best Christmas hamper overall
We like: the iconic stamped F&M wicker basket
- 10 products including Argentinian Malbec, Smoked Salmon, Christmas Ham, Boxing Day Pickle
- Available to buy now
- Quickest delivery is next day for £8
It wouldn’t be Christmas without a wicker box stamped with that distinctive F&M. Fortnum & Mason’s food hampers are synonymous with Christmas gifting, and this year’s offering doesn’t disappoint. This hamper, designed for boxing day, starts with a full bottle of Argentinian Malbec, designed to be drunk alongside Christmas Day leftovers, sandwiched by the contents of this hamper (smoked salmon, cheese and biscuits). Specifically, there’s a Traditional Stilton Jar, Waxed Cheddar Truckle, Pitted Green Olives in Brine and Rosemary & Thyme Sablés.
You can spend less, or far more on a Fortnum & Mason hamper, depending on budget. They start from £40 for The Nice List Gift Box and rise until you reach the last word in luxury gifting, the Imperial hamper, which costs an eye-watering £6,000. (You can also just buy the £24.95 Mini Hamper Christmas Decoration to hang on your tree.)
2. Marks & Spencer Collection Christmas Hamper
£55, Marks & Spencer
Best value Christmas hamper
We like: the low price tag
- Six products including Bordeaux Merlot, Dark Chocolate and Ginger Florentines, Cranberry and Orange Panettone and Cornish Biscuits
- Available to pre-order now
- Delivery from November 5
For a value option from the supermarket kings of Christmas, try this Marks and Spencer Christmas hamper. Don’t think it’s not suitably luxurious, though. It contains everything you need for a savoury Christmas, including Merlot wine, panettone, fruit cake and lots of biscuits. As with all the best food hampers it also comes with a luxurious wicker basket that can be recycled time and time again.
3. Daylesford Christmas Eve Hamper
£390, Daylesford
Best Christmas Eve hamper
We like: the range of products
- 16 products including English Sparkling Wine, Chicken Ham and White Wine Hot Pie, Smoked Salmon, Brie, Chutney and Mince Pies
- Available to pre-order now
- Delivery from December 19
You don’t want food left over after Christmas Eve, given Christmas Day’s feast, so why not indulge in a pre-made pie? This hamper from Daylesford includes an organic chicken, ham and white wine pie served in a dish that only needs popping in the oven. While it cooks, you can enjoy the included smoked salmon and blinis accompanied by English Sparkling Wine. For dessert, there’s cheese, biscuits, chutney and mince pies.
As expected from organic brand Daylesford, there’s also a bottle of kombucha. Everything is presented inside a white wicker box, which includes a branded cool box and a tea towel for clearing up.
4. Selfridges The Classic Christmas Hamper
£100, Selfridges
Best classic Christmas hamper
We like: it’s unpretentious and on the cheaper side for Selfridges
- Seven products inside including a bottle of Côtes du Rhône, tea bags, Christmas pudding, Gingerbread biscuit, truffles
- Available to buy now
- Quickest delivery is next day for £8.95
This Selfridges Classic Hamper is a no frills, quintessentially British hamper full of everything you’d find on a tabletop around Christmas. There are biscuits presented inside an iconic Selfridges biscuit tin, bottles of Côtes du Rhône and Gavi DOCG and Christmas pudding. All that can be finished off with a Festive Blend Tea and salted caramel truffles. It’s simple, boozy and full of seasonal necessities.
5. The Dorchester Festive Essentials Hamper
£250, The Dorchester
Best luxury Christmas hamper
We like: the hotel at home feel
- 13 products inside including Côtes du Rhône, Rosemary and Sea Salt Shortbread, Vanilla Shortbread, Strawberry Jam, Christmas Pudding, Christmas Cake and Breakfast Tea
- Available to pre-order
- Delivery from November 1
The Dorchester Christmas Hamper is as premium as you might expect, with Parcafé The One Coffee or Assam Breakfast Jing Tea for the morning and Sauvignon Blanc or Côtes du Rhône for later on. As for food, you’ll find Deluxe Strawberry Jam, Organic Citrus Marmalade, Rosemary and Sea Salt Shortbread Biscuits, Christmas Pudding, Christmas Cake and nuts. Think of it as room service in your kitchen.
6. Cartwright & Butler Christmas Sparkle Hamper
£100, Cartwright & Butler
Best Christmas hamper to stock the pantry
We like: the keepsake tin packaging
- 10 products inside including Pure Prosecco, Gingerbread Fudge, Mince Pies with Brandy, Fruit Loaf Cake
- Available to buy now
- Quickest delivery is next day for £7.95
Known for doing classic British treats well, Cartwright & Butler’s festive hamper is full of all the types of pantry items you save for ‘a special occasion’. Think Gingerbread Fudge, Coffee Beans in Dark Chocolate, Boxing Day Chutney and Winter Spiced Orange and Cranberry Shortbread Rounds. Everything you need for a festive afternoon tea.
7. Snowdonia Cheese Co. Cheese and Charcuterie Hamper
£50, Snowdonia Cheese Co.
Best Christmas cheese hamper
We like: the chutneys have been specifically chosen to match the cheeses
- Seven products inside including Black Bomber Cheddar, Red Storm Red Leicester and Wholemeal Crackers
- Available to buy now
- Quickest delivery is up to three days for free
It’s not Christmas without cheese and this hamper from Snowdonia Cheese Co. does the hard work for you. Packed inside a small black wicker basket are three dramatically labelled wax-sealed cheeses: Black Bomber, which is an extra mature cheddar; Red Storm, which is a vintage red Leicester and Truffle Trove, an extra mature cheddar with truffle. These are paired with two types of chutneys, wholemeal and extra virgin olive oil crackers and Iberico ham.
8. The British Hamper Company’s The Night Before Christmas Hamper
£119.97, The British Hamper Company
Best cosy Christmas hamper
We like: big number of products for the price
- 14 products inside including Chocolate Dipped Almonds, All Butter Cheddar Biscuits, Iced Christmas Cake and Christmas Chutney
- Available to pre-order now
- Delivery from November 19
A company with a name like The British Hamper Company unsurprisingly produces an impressive gift box, and this one is all about the treats you want when curled up in front of the fire. Think wine (red and white), festive spiced cookies, sea salt caramel chocolate, lemon butter shortbread and highland cheese straws. Everything is presented in a ribbon tied package.
9. Panzer’s The Christmas Connoisseur
£169, Panzer’s
Best Christmas hamper from a deli
We like: inclusion of the deli’s famous smoked salmon
- Seven products inside including Panzer’s Smoked Salmon, Panettone and Selection Tins of shortcake and crackers
- Available to pre-order now
- Delivery from December 2
Panzer’s, an 80-year-old deli in London, is known for its smoked salmon and you’ll find a 227g pack inside this hamper. Alongside it, there’s a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon plus a selection of sweet and savoury nibbles. There’s traditional panettone, a selection tin of crackers, a couple of cheeses and shortcake.
10. The Newt in Somerset A Little Newt Christmas Hamper
£65, The Newt in Somerset
Best budget Christmas hamper
We like: similar contents to more expensive options
- Six products inside including Cider Brandy Fudge, Orange Gin Marmalade and Dark Chocolate Candied Orange
- Available to buy now
- Quickest delivery is three days for free
The Newt is now so much more than a country house hotel in Somerset; alongside the cyder cellar and spa, there’s also an online shop selling everything from estate-made produce like steak, sourdough and cruffins to luxury hampers – including Christmas hampers. Our pick from the selection is the Little Newt Christmas Hamper, which is a well-priced box filled with chocolates, fudge, biscuits and marmalade.
11. Odysea Luxury Pantry Hamper
£55, Odysea
Best Greek Christmas hamper
We like: it comes with an apron
- Nine products inside including Kalamata Olive Oil, Semi-dried Datterini Tomatoes, Roasted Peppers and Big Gordal Olives
- Available to buy now
- Quickest delivery is within four days, free
For something a bit different, enter this Greek Odysea Pantry Hamper. Inside you’ll find a collection of jarred goods including olives, lemons, peppers and tomatoes. There’s also a special bottle of olive oil, balsamic vinegar and an Odysea apron included. It’s the perfect hamper for a Mediterranean inspired party.
12. Cutter & Squidge Mini Squidge Christmas Hamper
£52.99, Cutter & Squidge
Best biscuit hamper
We like: everything is handmade
- Eight products inside including Earl Grey Shortbread, Tomato Chutney, Mint Tea and Jam on Toast Cookie Bites
- Available to buy now
- Quickest delivery is next day, if you live within the M25, for £9.95
Sister-run natural bakery Cutter & Squidge, based in London, is most famous for pastries, baked goods and celebration cakes. Their hampers make the perfect thoughtful gift, and you’re supporting an independent business at the same time. Inside this Mini Squidge Hamper you can expect strawberry meringue flavoured chocolate, earl grey lemon flavoured shortbread and jam on toast cookie bites coupled with ground coffee and peppermint and spearmint tea.
13. Harvey Nichols The Night Before Christmas
£125, Harvey Nichols
Best indulgent Christmas hamper
We like: three bottles of wine gives good value for money
- Eight products inside including Harvey Nichols own bottles of Prosecco Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc, a Mini Top Iced Christmas Cake
- Available to buy now
- Quickest delivery is next day for £8
There’s a definite focus on alcohol in this Harvey Nichols christmas hamper, so if that’s what you think Christmas Eve should be about, this is the hamper for you. Inside you’ll find bottles of Prosecco Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc. The indulgence doesn’t stop there, there’s also chocolate and dulce de leche biscuits, marmalade which has been fine cut with thyme (how else?), panettone, Christmas cake and Afternoon Tea bags.
14. John Lewis Festive Fireside Wicker Hamper
£150, John Lewis
Best presented Christmas hamper
We like: the hamper includes Christmas crackers
- 12 products inside including 10 Christmas crackers, Mince Pies, Traditional Panettone, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chocolate Covered Marshmallows
- Available to pre-order
John Lewis’ Christmas hampers are always popular because there really is something for everyone. In this Festive Fireside Wicker Hamper, there’s Prosecco, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc for the drinkers, brownie biscuits and mince pies for the sweet-toothed and panettone for the traditionalists. Just to top it all off – this Christmas hamper even comes with a set of 10 Christmas crackers for the table, which is a nice touch I haven’t seen elsewhere.
15. The White Company Scent Stories Christmas Hamper
£80, The White Company
Best non-foodie Christmas hamper
We like: the basket is a great keepsake for organising your bathroom
- Five products inside including Winter Signature Candle, Winter Hand Wash, Myrrh Mini Diffuser and Reeds, Nordic Woods Votive Candle, Fir Tree Home Spray
- Available to buy now
- Quickest delivery is next day for £7.95
The White Company Scent Stories Christmas Hamper is back and full of winter scents. The smells inside include Winter, Fir Tree, Nordic Woods and Myrrh and the products include a signature candle, a home spray, a votive candle, a mini diffuser and a hand wash. If the food’s already sorted for Christmas but you still want something special, this hamper presented in a hand-woven basket could be a winner.
16. Rick Stein’s Christmas Hamper
£100, Rick Stein
Best Christmas hamper from a chef
We like: the wine has been chosen to match the contents
- Seven products inside including Spanish Red Wine and White Wine, Spicy Apple and Walnut Chutney and Raspberry and White Chocolate Shortbread
- Available to buy now
- Quickest delivery is within five working days, £4.95
For a taste of Cornwall, chef and restaurateur Rick Stein has a great selection of Christmas hampers this year, but my choice is the Christmas Hamper, which sits at an even price point and includes products made by the team in Padstow. There’s a jar of Figs in Cognac, a tin of Raspberry and White Chocolate Shortbread, two flavours of oat biscuits and, of course, wine.
17. Dishoom Culinary Hamper
£90, Dishoom
Best Indian Christmas hamper
We like: the sweet taste of Bombay street food
- Seven products inside including Dishoom Cookery Book, House Chai tin, Masala Dabba spices, cotton Dishoom Tea Towel and Incense
- Available to buy now
- Quickest delivery is 3-5 days
First opened in Covent Garden in 2010, Dishoom’s cool ‘mid-century Bombay’ aesthetic and street-inspired Indian menu became such a cult hit that people now queue round the block to get into its nine locations in London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham. For everyone else, this Christmas hamper is the best way to get a taste of their famous House Chai or get your hands on a Dishoom Tea Towel or Incense.
18. The Oldstead Ultimate Festive Feast Hamper
£300, Made in Oldstead
Best number of contents in a Christmas hamper
We like: there’s something for lunch, snacks and a drink
- 38 products inside including Beer and Brown Sugar Glazed Ham, Beetroot Cured Salmon, Pate de Champagne Pie and a Selection of Macarons
- Available to pre-order for delivery from December 5
- You can choose your delivery date for free
Yorkshire based brand Made in Oldstead is selling, in their own words, the ‘Ultimate Festive Feast Hamper’ and, based on the contents, we wouldn’t like to argue. Inside is a full menu of grazing food, snacks and festive tipples. You’ll find a sourdough loaf, a whole glazed ham and salmon, Christmas Cake, a mince pie traybake, cocktails and wine. There’s 38 products in total, so despite the £300 price tag, this is actually one of the best value options we’ve found.
Christmas hampers FAQ
What should be in a Christmas hamper?
Most recipients will be delighted with Christmas staples like Christmas pudding, spiced preserves, mince pies, chocolates and mulled wine. Cheese and crackers are usually included for savoury variety, plus a bottle of mulled wine or prosecco for the grown-ups.
Who has the best Christmas hampers?
Fortnum & Mason does the best Christmas hampers in our eyes. There’s a large range of price ranges available and the handwoven F&M wicker baskets have become a cult product themselves. Inside you can find Christmas pantry products, including biscuits, boxing day pickles, panettone, wine, tea and coffee. Even those on the lowest end of the price point feel luxurious.
Where can I find a Christmas hamper for under £50?
Fortnum & Mason’s cheapest hamper, The Nice List Gift Box costs just £40. At a little over £50, the M&S Collection Christmas Hamper is an excellent option, and still includes a full bottle of wine and panettone.
Which Christmas hamper is the best value for money?
The M&S Collection Christmas Hamper is our choice for the best value for money Christmas hamper as it sits nicely under £60 but has a mix of sweet and savoury, plus a bottle of wine.
Can I make a Christmas hamper?
You can absolutely make your own Christmas hamper, and it gives you a good chance to tweak the contents to suit yourself or a recipient, if you’re making it as a gift. Consider including a Christmas Pudding, a bottle of wine, mince pies, tea and coffee, a bottle of booze, cheese, crackers, chutneys, jams or even charcuterie. You can buy an empty hamper for as little as £7 from Dunelm.
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