One of my favourite memories of Christmas as a child were the hampers my dad used to receive from his boss. Wicker baskets full of expensive wines and French cheeses, paired with tart chutneys and dusted truffles, I used to marvel at how wonderful these surprise boxes were and vowed to get one myself when I grew up, only to be smacked with a jaw-dropping price tags. Working on a budget I decided to give The British Hamper Company a try for my classic Christmas hamper this year.
I found their produce selection to be impressive, boasting an extensive list of savoury and sweet bites, cured meats, cheeses, biscuits and English sparkling wine, British-produced ‘Chapel Down’ from Kent. With their cheapest Christmas hamper retailing at £35 you can get a bundle of sweet and savoury nibbles including fudge, shortbread, chocolate and their infamous salt and pepper crunch corn. Alternatively, a £65 hamper contains a bottle of wine, two tins of biscuits, crisps, jalapeño and lime nuts, olives, sea salt corn and some chocolates, all wrapped beautifully in their signature blue, white and red box.
You can also create your own hamper and have it delivered the next day. You start by choosing a traditional wicker basket or a more wallet-friendly box, which is beautifully crafted and bodes well as a keep-sake. The sizes range from small, about 18x40cm which can hold around 8 items, to the ‘Grand occasion’ size which can hold over 40 items of your choosing.
Once you decide on your bo.
