Christmas hampers for gourmets
Fortnum & Mason The Classic Christmas Hamper (£150) is a veritable box of delights, containing a Christmas pudding, cognac butter, cognac marmalade, mulling spices, assorted English creams and, er, a musical biscuit tin (it plays Jingle Bells, natch).
www.fortnumandmason.com
British Fine Foods Online shop BFF takes the effort out of shopping for the big day by supplying an entire gourmet Christmas lunch for up to 16 people (Christmas in a Box, from £110). Alternatively, its Silverstone Hamper (£100, pictured below) is an epicurean fantasy, with items like Inverawe gravadlax, smoked venison, and a round Lancashire bomb cheese.
www.britishfinefoods.com
Mount Street Deli From the same company as the Ivy and Le Caprice, MSD’s ultra-luxe hampers include one from legendary aristos’ nightclub Annabel’s (£200, think Torroni Baci nougat, Henriot Brut Champagne, panetonne, foie gras) and one from the Club at the Ivy (£125, Ivy truffles, Christmas pud, Sicilian Eucalyptus honey, cantuccini).
www.themountstreetdeli.co.uk
Pizza East Shoreditch’s grooviest pizza restaurant has launched a hamper from its Italian deli counter (£40). Each basket is designed for two and included miniature panettone, seasonal fruits, mulled wine sachet, cured meats, cheeses and more. Buy it directly from the shop.
www.pizzaeast.com
Sketch Eccentricity abounds with the Mayfair hotspot’s hampers, which are inspired by Alice in Wonderland and packaged in wooden birdcages. Pierre Gagnaire’s macaroons, chocolate truffles and bottles of bubbly are joined by items like candles, mini Nespresso machines and Sketch-themed playing cards. From £150.
www.sketch.uk.com