Eclectic haul: the Honey & Co hamper
(Picture: Press handout)Honey & Co deluxe Christmas hamper
Pictured at the top of the page, this is a non-traditional festive hamper and all the better for it. Top-quality pantry goodies from party snacks of smoked almonds to salt-roasted corn nuts, some Climpson & Sons coffee, sweetly-spiced bars of chocolate, and pots of summer chutney spiced with tongue-tingling Szechuan pepper and a strawberry and rose petal jam. The bottle of citrussy, lightly spiced Marrakech gin looks cool and tastes even better, and I love the chic and bright tea towel and notebook “for jotting down recipes”, too. Lovely idea. Come Christmas Day I’ll be serving the tins of Galician mussels in Spanish sauce, and the Octopus in garlic sauce, as a starter. There’s no way the sumac-spiced vanilla shortbread will last that long though — and I’ve already devoured the enormous gingerbread ‘tile’ biscuit. Sorry, guests.
£160, collect in-store from 52 Warren Street, W1T 5NJ, honeyandco.co.uk
Provisions foodie hamper
Octopus in olive oil from Portugal. Duck mousse from France’s Basque Country. Anchovies from Spain. Provisions’ festive offering might not come in a fancy wicker hamper, but it’s packed full of fine foodie offerings that make a welcome upgrade from the usual mince pies and chutneys. Think Madagascan honey, 24-month Juran compte and luxe local chilli oil from London’s Chinese condiment specialists Halfway Kitchen, all packed up in a smart cardboard box with a window at the front to get stomachs rumbling. Much easier for lugging home on the train. What’s that about all good things coming in small packages?
£95, collect in-store from 167 Holloway Road, N7 8LX, provisionslondon.co.uk
Selfridges’ Selection
Much is said about the risks of ordering too late — “go too late and you’ll miss everything” and the like. Not so at Selfridges who, in the last minute run-up to Christmas, have slashed the prices on their Christmas hampers in half. The more you spend, the better than deal becomes, but for a last minute buy that doesn’t come with a risk of bankruptcy, go for this seven-item option. £50 seems a steal; the smart black hamper boasts a hefty-sized Chirstmas pudding, biscuits, a bottled of mulled wine, tea, brandy butter and various sweets. Ideal for an indulgent festive afternoon.
£50, collect in-store from 400 Oxford Street, W1A 1AB, selfridges.com
Harvey Nichols’ Champagne and truffle selection
Granted, not food-heavy but few will be disappointed with a decent bottle of fizz. This is perhaps one for those who’ve left buying for their partner that little bit late. Now reduced from £59, it should make either a beautiful way to see in Christmas Eve, or better yet, the perfect Christmas breakfast. Think of it, perhaps, as an elegant way to distract from other lacklustre gifts. The Champagne itself is cracking, while the truffles are beautifully dark. A salted caramel version is available too.
