What to Put in a Christmas Hamper

There's a particular alchemy to presenting someone with a Christmas hamper -- it's rather like giving them Christmas morning in a basket. When you choose to give a hamper, you're offering the recipient a journey through flavours, textures, and moments of indulgence that they might not ordinarily treat themselves to.

We believe the best Christmas hampers tell a story. Each carefully selected item contributes to a narrative of celebration, from that first satisfying pop of a champagne cork to the last crumb of a buttery shortbread biscuit enjoyed by the fire. Whether you're looking to buy an off-the-shelf luxury Christmas hamper, or create your own, we've put together a list of classic Christmas treats, festive foods and celebratory drinks that we think are sure to delight any recipient.

Christmas Hamper Contents List Cheat sheet

• Christmas Classics -- Classic festive essentials like pudding, mince pies, and biscuits.
• Chocolates, Biscuits & Confectionery -- Indulgent sweets and artisanal treats for a touch of elegance.
• Cheeses, Charcuterie & Gourmet Snacks -- Premium cheeses, cured meats, and savoury accompaniments.
• Crackers & Breadsticks -- Perfect pairings for cheese and charcuterie, including gluten-free options.
• Nuts & Dried Fruits -- Traditional, nutritious, and beautifully festive additions.
• Wines, Champagnes, Spirits & Non-Alcoholic Options -- Drinks to celebrate the season for every preference.
• Preserves, Chutneys & Condiments -- Small-batch accompaniments that elevate festive meals.
• Teas, Coffees & Hot Chocolates -- Warming winter beverages for comfort and connection.
• Seasonal Fresh Fruits -- Refreshing additions to balance indulgent treats.

Traditional Christmas Favourites to Include

No Christmas hamper worthy of its silk bow would be complete without those quintessentially festive treats we all secretly crave. Start with the cornerstone of British Christmas tradition: the Christmas pudding. Our Christmas Luxury Hamper with Sparkling Prosecco and Mulled Wine features a Cotswold Gourmet Christmas Pudding alongside The Original Cake Company's Luxury Jewel Topped Fruit Cake -- both essential elements that capture the essence of a proper British Christmas.

Mince pies deserve their rightful place too. Whether you opt for traditional versions or those enhanced with a splash of whisky, these buttery parcels of spiced fruit are non-negotiable. Consider adding seasonal biscuits -- perhaps some cranberry and orange varieties or festive shortbread stars that bring both visual appeal and delicious flavour to your selection.

Christmas Luxury Hamper with Sparkling Prosecco and Mulled Wine

Luxury Chocolates, Biscuits & Confectionery

At Christmas, chocolate transcends mere confectionery to become currency of affection. Lindt truffles have become something of a Christmas hamper staple, and for good reason -- their melt-in-the-mouth texture and luxurious flavours elevate any festive gathering. Our Gourmet Indulgence Hamper with Sparkling Prosecco includes both Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate Truffles and their Swiss Luxury Chocolate Selection, ensuring chocolate lovers are thoroughly spoiled.

When selecting biscuits, think beyond the everyday digestive. Artisanal options like double chocolate biscuits, ginger snaps enrobed in dark chocolate, or delicate amaretti add sophistication to your hamper. These treats pair beautifully with afternoon tea or serve as the perfect accompaniment to after-dinner coffee.

Gourmet Indulgence Hamper with Sparkling Prosecco

Fine Cheeses, Charcuterie & Gourmet Snacks

The cheese course: where Stilton reigns supreme and crackers are merely vehicles for dairy decadence. A proper Christmas spread demands exceptional cheese, and your hamper should reflect this tradition. British artisan cheeses showcase our incredible dairy heritage -- our hampers include wedges of Cropwell Bishop Blue Stilton, a mature Cheddar truckle, or a creamy Cotswold Brie to represent the best of the Cotswolds. These selections offer variety in both texture and flavour, ensuring there's something to please every palate.

Premium smoked salmon adds a touch of elegance, while paper-thin slices of prosciutto that melt on the tongue provide substance and sophistication. Don't forget the accompaniments: artisanal crisps, perhaps with interesting flavours like black pepper and sea salt, and marinated olives that bring a Mediterranean touch to your British Christmas feast.

Artisanal Crackers & Breadsticks

The unsung heroes of any cheese board deserve their moment in the spotlight. Premium crackers for cheese pairings transform simple snacking into an art form. Consider including charcoal wafers for soft cheeses, seeded oatcakes that provide the perfect canvas for Stilton, or rosemary-infused breadsticks that add both crunch and aromatic appeal.

For those with dietary requirements, gluten-free alternatives have evolved far beyond basic rice cakes. Today's specialty crackers made from seeds, nuts, and alternative grains offer texture and flavour that rivals traditional options. These thoughtful inclusions ensure everyone can participate in the cheese course festivities.

Seasonal Nuts & Dried Fruits

Nothing speaks to Christmas tradition quite like the ritual of cracking nuts by the fire. Premium mixed nuts -- Brazil nuts in their shells, buttery pecans, and candied walnuts -- add both nostalgia and nutrition to your hamper. These provide sustaining energy during long festive days and pair beautifully with port or sherry.

Luxury dried fruits elevate any hamper from pleasant to extraordinary. Glazed apricots glisten like edible jewels, crystallised ginger offers a sophisticated sweet heat, while Turkish figs bring honeyed complexity. Traditional Christmas dates, particularly Medjool varieties, maintain their significance as symbols of abundance and sweetness during the festive season.

Wines, Champagnes, Spirits & Non-Alcoholic Options

The drinks selection can make or break a Christmas hamper. Champagne remains the ultimate celebration drink -- our Cotswold Splendour Hamper with Moet Champagne features the iconic Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut alongside fine New Zealand wines from Mud House. Port adds traditional gravitas -- because sometimes sherry is simply too pedestrian for one's post-prandial pursuits.

We mustn't forget those who prefer non-alcoholic options. Sophisticated alcohol-free sparkling drinks, like damascene rose or elderflower pressés, ensure everyone can raise a glass to the season. These thoughtful inclusions demonstrate that luxury isn't exclusively about alcohol content.

Cotswold Splendour Hamper with Moet Champagne

Handmade Preserves, Chutneys & Condiments

Quality preserves and chutneys are the unsung heroes of any Christmas hamper. A jar of caramelised onion chutney transforms a simple cheeseboard into something special. Meanwhile, strawberry preserve spread on fresh bread creates moments of simple pleasure during the busy festive period.

Look for small-batch, handmade options that showcase seasonal flavours. Red onion marmalade, plum chutney, or fine-cut marmalade add both practical value and gourmet appeal to your selection. These items often become pantry staples long after Christmas has passed, extending the joy of your gift well into the new year.

Premium Teas, Coffees & Hot Chocolates

Winter mornings call for exceptional hot drinks, making quality tea and coffee essential hamper components. Our Christmas Tea Time Treats Hamper includes Cartwright & Butler Afternoon Tea Bags, perfect for those peaceful moments between the festive chaos.

Single-origin coffee beans that promise morning salvation offer comfort and sophistication. Meanwhile, luxury hot chocolate provides evening indulgence that wraps around you like a cashmere blanket. These warming drinks create opportunities for connection -- whether it's a quiet cuppa with grandma or a coffee-fuelled catch-up with old friends home for the holidays.

Christmas Tea Time Treats Hamper

Seasonal Fresh Fruits

Fresh fruits add vibrancy and natural sweetness to complement richer hamper contents. Clementines with leaves still attached evoke traditional Christmas stockings while providing refreshing citrus notes between indulgent treats; premium pears offer elegant simplicity that cleanses the palate.

For a special touch, consider including exotic fruits -- perhaps a perfectly ripe mango, passion fruits, or a small pineapple. These unexpected additions bring tropical sunshine to winter celebrations and demonstrate thoughtful curation beyond standard selections.

Wrapping, Baskets & Finishing Details

Presentation matters immensely. A hand-woven willow basket isn't just packaging -- it's a gift in itself, destined for a second life storing blankets or housing potted plants. We favour traditional wicker baskets with rustic rope handles or organic seagrass trays that add natural elegance.

The finishing touches -- a carefully tied ribbon, perhaps in festive gold or classic red, tissue paper that rustles promisingly as items are unwrapped, and a handwritten gift message -- these details elevate your hamper from generous gift to treasured memory. Consider adding sprigs of holly, cinnamon sticks, or dried orange slices for seasonal fragrance and visual appeal.

Remember, the best hampers create experiences. They facilitate gatherings, inspire impromptu celebrations, and provide comfort during quiet moments. Whether you choose to personalise your selection or select from our curated collections, you're giving more than products -- you're offering joy, connection, and the luxury of choice during the most wonderful time of the year.