Christmas is almost here and many Britons may be counting the cost of a pre-festive shopping bill for gifts and groceries alike.

Those hoping to get more value for their money and cut down on the hassle of trawling around busy shops seeking the right items might find a hamper is the perfect choice, as it contains a selection of good quality food and drink.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed that since Christmas 2010, some goods have seen a 50 per cent increase in price.

People on the lookout for tasty after dinner nibbles may have to contend with more expensive cream crackers to go with their cheese as on average these now cost 83 pence, up from 55 pence.

This follows recent research from Barclaycard indicating that 34 per cent of the two million last minute Christmas shoppers expect to feel anxious about the experience.