Luxury Christmas hampers that deliver festive wow factor
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From beautifully packaged biscuits and chocolates to cheese and wine, I take a look inside three luxury Christmas hampers from Cartwright & Butler and Prestige Hampers.
There's something irresistible about a Christmas hamper. Perhaps it's the childlike excitement of rummaging through shredded paper, hunting for hidden treasures and wondering what delicious treat you'll uncover next. Whatever the psychology, a beautifully packed hamper delivers a little Christmas magic before you've even tasted a thing.
With Christmas approaching, I've been putting different offerings to the test, two from luxury food specialist Cartwright & Butler and the other from Prestige Hampers.
Both companies offer an impressive selection of gifts, with options ranging from affordable little indulgences to extravagant hampers with serious wow factor.
Cartwright & Butler: Traditional treats with a luxurious twist
Cartwright & Butler haseen creating sweet treats for more than 115 years, with its roots in a Yorkshire family kitchen.
The brand is particularly well known for its beautifully decorated tins of biscuits, fudge and confectionery, alongside an extensive range of luxury food hampers.
I was sent the Night Before Christmas Gift Box, £50, which is presented in a gorgeous golden box decorated with stars. Inside you'll find festive treats, including ginger biscuits and gingerbread fudge in special-edition tins, salted caramel biscuits, dark chocolate and orange florentines (a personal favourite), chocolate-coated raisins and crispy wafer rolls.
There's also a mini cherry loaf cake, English Breakfast tea and a milk chocolate hot chocolate stirrer.
It's a generous selection of goodies, and I'm saving ours for Christmas Eve, although whether we can resist opening it before then remains to be seen.
I've also been trying the Cartwright & Butler Sparkling Tea & Biscuits Hamper, £40, which offers something a little different for anyone who enjoys the finer things in life, particularly when there's a good biscuit involved.
Combining a bottle of sparkling tea with a selection of the brand's signature biscuits, it's a lovely alternative to a traditional wine or Champagne hamper, and one that feels equally suited to gifting or sharing over the festive season. The beautiful box the tea and biscuits arrive in is definitely a keeper!
For those looking to spend more, Cartwright & Butler also offers the Festive Sparkle Hamper at £100, which includes Christmas pudding, cake, chocolates, biscuits and prosecco.
If you really want to impress someone, the Festive Sparkle Collection costs £250 and arrives in a luxury wicker hamper filled with sweet and savoury treats, wine and sparkling wine.
Prestige Hampers: A feast of festive gifting ideas
Prestige Hampers offers a wide selection of food and drink gifts, with everything from chocolates and sweet treats to luxury hampers packed with festive favourites.
Its collection caters for different tastes and budgets, whether you're shopping for someone with a sweet tooth, a wine enthusiast or a foodie who loves trying something new.
The Cheese and Wine Basket, £39.99 (reduced from £49.99), is a delicious alternative to the usual Christmas chocolates and biscuits, and a winner for anyone who believes Christmas isn't complete without a cheeseboard.
The goodies are housed in a reusable wooden trug, and you'll find three 100g Mouse House cheeses: Mature Cheddar, Black Pepper Cheddar and the more unusual Italian Pizza Cheddar.
There's also a half-bottle of Ventopuro Merlot, Popti cracked black pepper crackers and a jar of spicy tomato and sticky onion chutney.
The hamper also earned a coveted Good Housekeeping Institute Taste Approved accolade in 2023.
But cheese is just one part of the Prestige Hampers collection. The company also offers chocolate hampers, afternoon tea selections, wine and Champagne gifts, and traditional Christmas hampers packed with sweet and savoury favourites.
For anyone who likes their Christmas gifts big and bold, there's the Christmas Luxury Hamper, priced at £179.99, featuring three bottles of wine, cakes, chocolates, biscuits and savoury snacks in a traditional wicker basket.
Both companies offer plenty of temptation, whether you're shopping for someone with a sweet tooth, a cheese enthusiast or a loved one who appreciates a little luxury. Cartwright & Butler wins points for its beautiful presentation and nostalgic charm, while Prestige Hampers impresses with its extensive choice of food and drink gifts.