Best Christmas hampers for 2026, from M&S and Waitrose to Fortnums

I sought out hampers and boxes to fit into four different budgets, from the pocket-friendly to the luxurious treats Kate NgThe thrill of digging into a Christmas hamper is unmatched. There’s nothing quite like plunging your hands into the bed of confetti and pulling out hidden festive delights. The best Christmas hampers contain all sorts of wonderful things, from your favourite Fortnum & Mason nibbles to Panzer’s deli goods, Ottolenghi condiments, Citizens of Oil olive oil, or Waitrose bottles of fizz. Just about the pinnacle of festive fun, if you ask me.Even more joyous is that Christmas hampers are the gift that keeps on giving. Long after turkey is devoured and the Christmas lights come down, you can tuck into biscuits and cheese, the tubs and jars of conserves and spreads, and the teas and candies well into the new year. If you are lucky enough to receive a gorgeous wicker basket, you can use that for many years to come, too. If not treating yourself, a Fortnum & Mason, Claridge's or Panzer’s is sure to go down a storm with loved ones, while others are excellent investments for hosting (look to Tesco, John Lewis or M&S). Best Christmas hampers at a glanceTo determine the best Christmas hampers for 2026, I sought out hampers and boxes to fit into four different budgets, from the pocket-friendly to the luxurious treats. I sized them up according to how much bang you get for your buck and chose gifts for a wide range of tastes and preferences. So, whether you’re after a hamper that has something for everyone, one for the foodiest of foodies, or an offering that the kids will love dipping into, then look no further.How I testedKate NgI tested each Christmas hamper on price, presentation and value for money. As most Christmas hampers are purchased to be gifted, presentation is important, especially for those that arrive in a box rather than a wicker hamper. I categorised hampers according to four budgets to help shoppers maximise their money this Christmas. I also rated each hamper according to how Christmassy their contents were - although it is worth mentioning that while not every hamper is purely Christmas-related, they would still make lovely, thoughtful gifts.Best Christmas hampers 2026 Best Christmas hampers for £50 and underBest Christmas hampers for £100 and underBest Christmas hampers for £150 and underBest Christmas hampers for £300 and underBest Christmas hampers for £50 and underFortnum & Mason The Nice List Gift BoxKate Ng★★★★★Best: For families with young childrenWhat we love: Child-friendly, with vegan treats in the mixTake note: No drinks includedThis brightly coloured box in the signature Fortnum & Mason teal is such a delight, and I can see this being a hit among small families with younger children. They’ll enjoy digging into the paper filler and pulling out the colourful treats, from a charming hot chocolate gingerbread man (vegan) to delicious biscuits to nibble on. It also comes with a cinnamon and plum-infused tea that is bound to fill a home with the aroma of Christmas, and there are vegan reindeer “treats” (carrot-shaped gummies) and chocolate coins that will do nicely as stocking stuffers.Number of items: 5Wicker basket included: NoTesco Finest Christmas Hamper with ProseccoKate Ng★★★★☆Best: For snackingWhat we love: Lots to share or keep to stock the cupboard; discount for Tesco Clubcard holdersTake note: Wicker basket feels flimsyThis Tesco hamper contains all the good stuff for festive snacking – Parmesan cheese and garlic twists for the savoury fans, chocolate florentines and shortbread fingers for sweet fans, and a bit of fizz in the form of Tesco’s award-winning prosecco to be had with luxurious salted caramel truffles and a mini classic panettone. It all comes very neatly packed into a small wicker basket, which feels a bit flimsy but looks nice and can still be used long after the treats have vanished.Number of items: 6Wicker basket included: YesJohn Lewis Christmas Treats Gift SackKate Ng★★★★☆Best: For sharing with a partnerWhat we love: Lovely drawstring bag and delicious treatsTake note: Includes mince pies that are alcohol-freeIf you received this from a partner or spouse, you’d be lucky indeed, as it’s a really lovely gift. The pretty mistletoe-print drawstring sack is filled with a bottle of Prosecco from Waitrose, alongside mince pies, clotted cream shortbread, a collection of chocolate and caramel truffles, and assorted nuts covered in sweet chilli and sesame. My only criticism is that the mince pies and shortbread are generic, rather than coming from Waitrose, which always does brilliantly at these products. Apart from that, I think it sounds like the perfect cosy night on the sofa, sipping bubbles and snacking endlessly while watching lots of Christmas telly. Can you tell I’m ready for the holidays already?Number of items: 5Wicker basket included: NoOttolenghi Christmas Essentials HamperKate Ng★★★★★Best: Non-traditional Christmas flavoursWhat we love: Freshly baked goodsTake note: Most items only have a 10- to 15-day shelf lifeTo receive a gift hamper from Ottolenghi is to be loved, and this is such a brilliant hamper for those extra special friends. It contains some of the best bits from Ottolenghi’s kitchen, including cheddar and pistachio biscuits (especially delicious with some fruit), chocolate orange sables (bound to disappear in one sitting), preserved lemon and chilli olives (it wouldn’t be Ottolenghi without preserved lemon somewhere), rosemary-spiced nuts (moreish) and chocolate brittle (a crowd pleaser). It all comes beautifully packaged, no gift wrap needed, and while most of the products only last for a couple of weeks at most, I foresee these being snaffled pretty much immediately.Number of items: 5Wicker basket included: NoBold Bean Co The Bean Lover Gift SetKate Ng★★★★☆Best: For home cooksWhat we love: The best jarred beans on the market in a beautiful gift setTake note: Comes with just one plateBold Bean Co has been producing phenomenal jarred beans since 2021, and I’m very pleased that the company has launched Christmas gifts. It’s a very unconventional Christmas hamper, but hear me out – these are the best jarred beans on the market, and getting three of them as a present would thrill any foodie friend who enjoys cooking at home. This hamper also comes with an adorable ceramic plate, making it a lovely and thoughtful gift for friends or family who are single or live by themselves. It comes in cheerful, bright packaging and a ribbon, so it feels festive and gift-worthy.Number of items: 4, as well as a recipe brochureWicker basket included: NoBest Christmas hampers for £100 and underM&S Collection Deluxe Christmas HamperKate Ng★★★★★Best: For impressing on a budgetWhat we love: A wide, varied selection of food and alcoholTake note: No fizz includedThis hamper by M&S is a real joy to get your hands on. The wicker basket itself is robust and high quality, with handles that make it easy to carry – this means you can walk into someone’s home with it and watch their faces light up with joy when they realise where it is from. Digging into it, you’ll find an array of sweet and savoury treats, from yummy goat’s cheese and rosemary biscuits and British ale and caramelised onion chutney to decadent Marc De Champagne truffles, date, plum and hazelnut biscuits, and an entire tin of classic Scottish shortbread biscuits. Did we mention there’s also tea and coffee? And red and white wine?? The only thing not included is fizz, but at £100, it’s brilliant value for money as it is.Number of items: 9Wicker basket included: YesNourished Communities: Best of British Artisan Food Hamper Kate Ng★★★★☆Best: For independent brand loversWhat we love: Supports British brandsTake note: Some items must be refrigerated immediatelyIndependent grocer Nourished Communities is a brilliant stockist of all things British, and I love celebrating that with this hamper. The products are a showcase of craftsmanship, and everything has low air miles to boot, having come from within the country. Pop open the bottle of Chapel Down Classic Brut NV (from Kent) while you slice into the entire wheel of Baron Bigod cheese (from Fen Farm Dairy in Suffolk) and scoff cured fennel and garlic salami from Cobble Lane Cured (from London). Then delight in delicious shortbread from Fife and Chococo milk chocolate mackerels (handmade in Dorset), and enjoy Seville Orange marmalade from Rosebud preserves (made in Yorkshire) over the next few months. However, the box does not come with a note to refrigerate immediately, which you must do for the cheese and salami, so remember to let the recipient know yourself.Number of items: 6Wicker basket included: NoEataly Taste of Christmas Kate Ng★★★★☆Best: Italian Christmas hamper What we love: A generous number of products from ItalyTake note: Few sweet treatsThis is a really impressive hamper from Eataly, the marketplace for all things Italian. With no fewer than 11 products, including a full-sized panettone, a bottle of prosecco, pasta and sauces that will last well into the new year, it is really excellent value for money at just £85. It has plenty to indulge in, although perhaps short of sweet treats apart from the panettone. However, I really like how far you can stretch this box, and it will make for some really lovely meals once we’re all sick of turkey. I foresee this being a hugely popular hamper, so I would advise ordering sooner rather than later.Number of items: 11Wicker basket included: NoSous Chef Thinking of You HamperKate Ng★★★★★Best: Foodie Christmas hamper What we love: Treats from all over EuropeTake note: No alcohol includedWhen I opened this hamper, I was immediately filled with delight because it contains my absolute favourite crisps of the year, the French brand Bret’s salted butter flavour crisps. Don’t dismiss me just yet – I implore you to try these, as they are genuinely so delicious and a luxurious step up from Ready Salted (I’m not knocking the latter, but I must emphasise how good these are). The other products in the hamper also take you on a journey, from Scotland for ethically sourced chocolate to artisan pasta and sauces in Italy. It’s small but mighty, a fine gift for those who love food.Number of items: 8Wicker basket included: NoOttolenghi Festive Champagne HamperKate Ng★★★★☆Best: Sophisticated snacking Christmas hamperWhat we love: Freshly baked biscuits and a panettone alternativeTake note: Most items must be eaten within 10 to 15 daysOttolenghi really hit it out of the park with their festive hampers, including this box that includes a bottle of luxurious Huguenot Tassin Signature Brut Champagne, which retails at £40 alone. Paired with a range of freshly baked nibbles, including the aforementioned cheddar and pistachio biscuits and rosemary-spiced nuts, as well as crispy grissini, which are Italian breadsticks but much more delicious than the ones you get in paper tubes in Italy. But perhaps the most wonderful item in this hamper is the panettone fudge – that’s right, it’s fudge that tastes like panettone, imparting a subtle but clear orange aroma with raisins and citrus peel in buttery cubes of deliciousness.Number of items: 5Wicker basket included: NoBest Christmas hampers for £150 and underWaitrose and John Lewis No.1 Golden Christmas HamperKate Ng★★★★★Best: For sharing with the whole familyWhat we love: Impressive selection of goods in an open basketTake note: Basket has no lidI couldn’t believe just how deep this basket of luxurious treats goes when I started digging into it. Every so often I would fish out yet another stellar Waitrose No 1 goody and be filled with glee, and I imagine anyone who receives this will do the same. It’s such a Christmas treat, with a whopping 13 products to enjoy and share with the wider family. There’s something for everybody – even the Christmas cake and pudding lovers (I am admittedly less of a fan, but these will not go to waste and will be highly appreciated among other members of the family). It also contains three – three! – bottles of brilliant wine, including a Côtes-du-Rhône Villages red wine, an Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc, and an elegant Waitrose No1 Castillo Perelada Cava Brut. There’s also a tin of Belgian waffle biscuits! Blonde chocolate florentines! Quince and pear fruit chutney! Aged gouda crispies! And more!Number of items: 13Wicker basket included: YesFortnum & Mason The Christmas Cheer HamperKate Ng★★★★★Best: For wowing the in-lawsWhat we love: Beautiful, classic Fortnum & Mason packagingTake note: Slightly awkward handles on wicker basketEven the hardest-to-impress in-laws will be nodding in approval of this gorgeous hamper. The wicker basket bears the coveted signature F&M stamp, and it is laden with all the bits and bobs that you need to keep the Christmas celebrations going. Of course, the big Christmas feast is the main attraction of the day, but for all those in-between moments when you’re feeling peckish but can’t face more turkey, this hamper has exactly what you need to fill those gaps. It has a great mix of sweet and savoury treats, as well as a half-bottle of port for enjoying with some cheese or just on its own, and tea and coffee for that 4 pm slump when everyone is falling asleep in front of the telly.Number of items: 10Wicker basket included: YesDaylesford Christmas Cheer Gift BoxKate Ng★★★★☆Best: For non-alcoholic giftsWhat we love: Indulgent alcohol-free treats, including a fizz alternativeTake note: No savoury optionsChristmas doesn’t have to be all about booze, and this hamper from organic gurus Daylesford is filled with festive, indulgent treats that also happen to be alcohol-free. The farm, located in the posh celebrity hotspot that is the Cotswolds, has perfected a rose kombucha that makes for a delicious, booze-free alternative to a sparkling wine and is ideal for celebrations. The hamper also arrives with two dark chocolate treats and organic plum, ginger and bay jam, as well as ground coffee and spiced Christmas tea. It is only lacking a savoury treat – I would have loved some organic crackers or oatcakes to go with Christmas cheese.Number of items: 6Wicker basket included: NoPanzer’s World JourneyKate Ng★★★★☆Best: For those looking for something a little differentWhat we love: Unique food gifts for stocking the pantryTake note: Box is larger than it needs to bePanzer’s, the long-standing Jewish delicatessen based in St John’s Woods, London, is a fine purveyor of artisanal foods from around the world – and this hamper is a great introduction to some of their range. It makes for a lovely gift to your foodie friends who like to try new things or take particular delight in craftsmanship. This hamper includes a really wonderful bottle of olive oil by Patio De Viana, which was made on the grounds of the Viana Marquis Palace in Andalusia, Spain; as well as a unique drink known as Sono, made from fermented cooked grapes in Savignano, Italy – the latter is a brilliant dessert wine, to be enjoyed in small glasses and goes particularly well with Kenyan milk chocolate honeycomb.Number of items: 9Wicker basket included: NoCitizens of Soil The Christmas CaseCitizens of Oil★★★★★Best: For olive oil enthusiastsWhat we love: On-trend, high-quality olive oils from female producersTake note: Fragile and heavy boxExtra virgin olive oil is undoubtedly all the rage this year, and Citizens of Soil is bringing some of the best olive oils from around Europe to the UK. If you were to gift this case to any host who’s even slightly interested in delicious, polyphenol-rich olive oils, they would be absolutely thrilled. Each olive oil is sourced by Citizens of Soil founder Sarah Vachon, who is also an olive oil sommelier – yes, they do exist! – and she has carefully chosen high-quality oils from all over the continent, prioritising regenerative farming practices and female producers. Although untraditional for Christmas, this is a total winner of a hamper.Number of items: 6Wicker basket included: NoBest Christmas hampers for £300 and underClaridge’s Mews HamperKate Ng★★★★★Best: For the bougie loved oneWhat we love: Stunning wicker basket with rope handles and iconic Claridge’s packagingTake note: No savoury optionsFortnum & Mason may have the monopoly on iconic wicker baskets, but if I’m totally honest with myself, this one is my favourite in both form and function. The basket itself is robust and beautifully made, with rope details and handles that give it a unique look and make it very easy to carry around. The leather closures and tag, in which you can slip a small name card or use as a luggage tag, are very chic indeed. But what about the contents? This is a hamper of sweet treats, with milk chocolate truffles and lemon and white chocolate cookies to a 500g panettone, all to be enjoyed with a cup of Claridge’s blend tea and a flute of Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve NV. Cheers to that.Number of items: 7Wicker basket included: YesM&S The Grand Collection Christmas HamperKate Ng★★★★★Best: For spoiling parents or grandparentsWhat we love: Endless M&S delights, complete with three bottles of wineTake note: Very large basket that may be bulkyDigging through this hamper will produce many squeals of happiness and keep everyone feeling very, very jolly indeed. I think it would be an especially wonderful gift to spoil parents or grandparents, who will marvel at the huge, well-made wicker basket, with its neat faux-leather clips and functional handles. Inside this vast hamper are almost too many treats to count (17 to be precise, though) – and no diddly packets of small biscuits here. You’ll find a full-sized Christmas cake and Christmas pudding, a box of salted caramel chocolate pinecones (impossible to eat just one), chocolate fingers, goat’s cheese and rosemary biscuits, an entire carton of biscuits for cheese, nuts for snacking, many chocolate biscuits, sauces and preserves, and even a lovely graphic print tea towel. Choose from a crisp Gavi white wine, a full-bodied Ebenezer and Seppeltsfield Shiraz, or the luxurious M&S Collection De Saint-Gall Champagne Brut. Number of items: 17Wicker basket included: YesKhoury’s A Passport in ChocolateKate Ng★★★★★Best: Chocolate Christmas hamper What we love: Artisanal, hand-made, plant-based chocolatesTake note: Most products included contain nutsChocolate addicts, pay attention – this is the most indulgent Christmas chocolate hamper to add to your wishlist immediately. Khoury’s, founded by pastry chef and fellow chocolate obsessive Philip Khoury, formerly of Harrods, has launched its first Christmas gifting collection. The Passport in Chocolate hamper is properly luxurious, filled with chocolate-covered nuts, filled bars, hot chocolate and chocolate fruits – for the latter, think of a Terry’s Chocolate Orange but about 100x more indulgent and using high-quality ingredients that produce vivid flavours of clementine, fig and bergamot. It is undoubtedly quite pricey, but Khoury’s uses organic, regeneratively grown cacao in many of its products as well as natural ingredients across its range – did we mention they are also all plant-based?Number of items: 14Wicker basket included: NoMade in Oldstead The Ultimate Oldstead Christmas HamperMade in Oldstead★★★★★Best: For the entire Christmas periodWhat we love: Fills both the fridge and pantryTake note: Many items need refrigerating immediatelyIf you’re after a Christmas hamper that can take you straight through from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day and beyond, this is it. Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks’s food box brand Made in Oldstead has put together a truly generous hamper, which just about slides into this category by the skin of a £1 coin – but it’s quite spectacular. Unsurprisingly, given Banks’s Yorkshire roots, this hamper is a true celebration of Yorkshire and just about everything is sourced from God’s Own Country. From a whole cured ham joint to smoked salmon from Staal Smokehouse; Old Roan farmhouse cheese to Yorkshire rarebit; then there’s spiced plum and hedgerow jam, roast apple and cider compote, brown butter and treacle spread; a Christmas cake and other cookies; plus several festive cocktails to enjoy. Knowing how delicious Made in Oldstead’s food boxes are, this is a really special festive indulgence that will carry you through the entire season.Number of items: 26Wicker basket included: YesLakeland The Christmas Tradition HamperKate Ng★★★★☆Best: For families, children includedWhat we love: Crowd favourites and familiar brands, includes Christmas crackersTake note: Wicker basket feels a bit flimsy, can cause snagsThere are times when Christmas hampers can feel distinctly grown-up, what with all the fancy preserves and bottles of wine that kids aren’t necessarily impressed by. But Lakeland’s Christmas Tradition Hamper has thought of everyone, so the whole family can get their hands in there and pull out something they’re bound to enjoy. It also collates a variety of products from familiar brands, such as sweet chilli rice crackers by Filbert’s, salted caramel and milk chocolate almonds from Forest Feast, bubbly and serrano chilli crisps from Savoursmiths, cinnamon pretzel popcorn from Joe & Seph’s, and chocolate truffles from Butler’s. Alongside all this is a Christmas pudding, crackers for cheese, marinated olives, a mini panettone, buttermilk fudge, a Christmas tree chocolate, red and white wine, as well as Prosecco, and even Christmas crackers.Number of items: 19Wicker basket included: YesWhat is the best Christmas hamper?The best Christmas hamper is one that is thoughtful, brings a smile to the recipient and keeps on giving even when the festivities have come to an end. Our research finds that you don’t have to spend extortionate amounts of money to gift a truly lovely hamper, with our £50 and under category including hampers as low as £35, such as the John Lewis Christmas Treats Gift Sack and Tesco Finest Christmas Hamper with Prosecco.If the jump from £100 to £300 is just too far of a stretch, we’ve got your back with our £150 and under list, of which the No.1 Golden Christmas Hamper by Waitrose and John Lewis comes right out on top with luxurious products. Why you can trust our reviews Kate Ng has been reviewing kitchen appliances, cookware and food products over the last five years for major publications, including The Independent and Yahoo UK. She tests everything in her own kitchen and home, making sure they are suitable for everyday life.