Christmas food is a divisive matter. Some can’t resist the appeal of succulent turkey coated in thick gravy, embellished with trimmings and topped off with a flaming figgy pudding. Others, however, find festive feasting unpalatable.
No matter your personal stance on classic seasonal grub, there’s one thing all families can all agree on - the irresistibility of Christmas chocolates.
A hearty box of chocolates is a Yuletide essential. Whether winding down post-meal or assembling to play a board game (which, if you have siblings, will inevitably end in mortal combat) a box of Christmas chocolates ties the household together with a sprinkling of sugar.
There are many options to choose from. So many, in fact, it’s almost hard to know where to start. Lindt is a go-to for super sweet offerings that will appease all from toddlers to grandparents, while artisan companies such as The Chocolate Gift Company curate decadent gift boxes that are almost too pretty to unravel.
The rise in veganism has led to a wider range of dairy-free alternatives being up for grabs, with Booja-Booja paving the way for other plant-based chocolate brands to follow suit.
It goes without saying that chocolate is a mood-booster and offers emotional comfort. This is vital during the Christmas period, which can be stressful and intense for a plethora of reasons. According to Astrid Nehlig in her 2013 paper 'The neuroprotective effects of cocoa flavanol and its influence on cognitive performance', “Chocolate may interact with some neurotransmitter systems such as dopamine (chocolate contains the dopamine precursor tyrosine), serotonin and endorphins (contained in cocoa and chocolate) that contribute to appetite, reward and mood regulation.”
So not only is chocolate an indulgence, but it may even be the key to a smooth-running Christmas devoid of parents fretting in the kitchen or sulky siblings who just lost Monopoly.
Step out of your Quality Street comfort zone this year and treat your loved ones to some delectable Christmas chocolates for sharing or scoffing solo.
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Lindt Christmas Collection Bundle 1.6kg
Go all out with an epic Lindt spread. Nibble away at the brand’s iconic gold teddies, festive reindeer and silky smooth Lindor balls, while using the smaller miniature milk festive figures to decorate your Christmas table.
Buy now £41.49, Lindt
Christmas Milk Chocolate Lobster
If they’re your lobster (Friends fans will get it), then treat them with just that. This adorable crustacean is a unique take on traditional chocolate. Delicately wrapped in red foil and complete with an illustrated box and pink tie ribbon, it would be hard not to shellect this friendly treat for a loved one.
Buy now £13.49, Selfridges
Fortnum & Mason Piccadilly Milk Chocolate Coin Tin
Name a more quintessentially festive chocolate than a chocolate coin. Designed for children, these coins still tickle the tastebuds of the most mature adults. The beautiful tin is inspired by Fortnum & Mason’s famed Piccadilly store, making it a perfect pick for Londoners. Inside you’ll find milk chocolate coins, each individually embossed with Fortum’s famous clock motif.
Buy now £14.95, Fortnum & Mason
Selfridges Selection Milk Chocolate-covered Pecans
Leave it to Selfridges to provide modern chocolates with flair. These milk chocolate-coated pecans not only max out on chic design, but provide a satisfying crunch for nut lovers to enjoy. Choose from one of eight pastel designs and enchant guests with your luxury chocolate taste.
Buy now £22.99, Selfridges
Hotel Chocolat The Chocolate Wreath Box
Unsure what to give them this year? Opt for Hotel Chocolat’s chocolate wreath which features a flavour or two for all. From Caramel Espresso Martini to Burnt Caramel Praline, Cinnamon Bun and more, there are over 18 choc-tastic options to feast upon when the sugar cravings come knocking.
Buy now £49.95, Hotel Chocolat
Booja Booja Gourmet Selection No.1 organic-chocolate truffle box
Vegans are well-acquainted with Booja-Booja, the brand that puts dairy-free chocolate firmly on the map. Indulge in this irresistible array of chocolate truffles and truffle loglets. The selection box contains 25 melt-in-your-mouth characters that encourage you to sit back and relax while armed with a generous chocolate fix.
Buy now £45.00, Selfridges
Tony's Chocolonely Rainbow Tasting Pack
The gift of Fairtrade chocolate is a universally loved one. Tony’s gets it right with irregular portions - so you can be as greedy or good as you like - and tasty flavours that promise to leave a smile on your chops.
This six-pack consists of the brand’s bestsellers, lined up in rainbow order. Stick a glittery bow on it, and you’re done.
Buy now £8.75, Amazon
F&M Piccadilly Chocolate Pearl Biscuits, 200g
Who is going to frown at a tin of biscuits, much less a tin from royal grocer Fortnum & Mason? These chocolate pearls are made from an all-butter recipe and finished with drops of Valrhona.
Buy now £11.95, F&M
Chococo Dark Chocolate Advent Shapes Tube
A uniquely cylindrical take on the classic chocolate advent, this dark chocolate-filled option from luxury chocolatier Chococo is still delightfully festive. Each chocolate is handcrafted from 72 per cent Ecuador-origin dark chocolate and packaged in a reusable, plastic-free tube.
Buy now £12.00, Chococo
Martin’s Chocolatier Signature Artisan Collection Luxury Handmade Chocolate Gift Box
As part of the ever-expanding homemade category on Amazon, British brand Martin’s Chocolatier is on hand to brighten any occasion. The gift-ready assortments are filled with bite-sized varieties that will leave you coming back for more. Test your willpower by sampling just one of the array of coconut fondant, salted caramel truffles, Scotch whiskey and roasted praline squares - and you will likely find the box speedily emptied. Each piece is a work of art in its own right with intricate mood-boosting decorations.
Buy now £27.95, Amazon
