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Get the good times going and gift your loved ones a hamper this year, whatever the occasion. From the most luxurious food hampers to chocolate, drinks and grooming gift boxes we've got a selection that's bound to have what you're looking for
If we're being honest, the best hamper you could muster for a birthday, anniversary or Christmas surprise is the one you put together yourself. Realistically though, who has the time to compile and cook all of their giftee's favourite things, let alone source a wicker basket to pack it all in? The roaring hamper trade makes sense when you think about it like that, doesn't it?
Squeezing the last drops out of the summer weather and want to enjoy a picnic hamper stuffed with sandwiches, scones and bubbly? Already having your head turned by the rich contents of the many Christmas hampers already on offer? Our gift guide to the best hampers has everything you're looking for.
Every hamper featured on this guide has been selected by our writers and editors, and — though we don't tend blow our own horn often — we have pretty great taste. What does that mean? Well, that every hamper featured here is well worth the spend. Buying for him? You'll find beer and nibbles, post-workout grooming omnibuses and cheese collections galore. Souring a gift for her (a present for your mum, perhaps)? Discover fizz ‘n' chocolate, candles ‘n’ fragrances, and lovingly compiled odes to gin ‘n’ tonic. The best thing about the hamper as a gift? Apart from the fact that it's basically a big old pile of presents in one (wonderful for them, easy for you), they'll get a wicker basket to keep at the end — an ideal place to store their beloved GQ collection.
If you want to drill down on a specific brand we think you'll want to go to again and again, we recommend Fortnum & Mason for build your own spectaculars, Cutter & Squidge for fresh baked goods and The Cheesegeek for fine dairy paired with crackers and wine.
Fortnum & Mason Piccadilly Hamper
As we've already noted, Fortnum & Mason is somewhat of an ultimate in the category of the hamper. There are endless examples of this on the F&M site, though we particularly like the Piccadilly Hamper for its inclusion of some of the absolute best from the London flagship. Tea, marmalades, preserves, biscuits, chocolates and condiments: what else could they possibly want?
Named so because it is “simply the best”, Cheesegeek's Tina hamper contains a whopping kilogram of cheese selected by the brand's dairy experts — and it comes paired with a chutney and packet of crackers, too. That's a lot of award-winning cheese, but if you want even more, we recommend checking out the rest of the Cheesegeek site… It's a dream made reality.
Even the extremely energised can stand to be further turbo boosted by their grooming products, and that's what Espa promises with its zingy collection of shower gel, bath oil, candle and pulse point oil.
SKIP TO: Is a hamper a good present? | Why do people make hampers? | Why is a hamper called a hamper?
A hamper is one of the best gifts you can give because it delivers maximum luxury while requiring relatively low effort on the part of the gifter. Of course, you could always put a hamper together yourself by collecting their favourite things in one neat little basket, or by selecting what you'd like from hamper brands that allow a more bespoke approach (such as in the Fortnum & Mason Create Your Own Hamper, or in Guzzl's indie brand equivalent). Even without going to these lengths, a hamper will always be a much-appreciated present, and there are so many types and themes to choose from that it's always going to look as though you put a lot of thought in — even if you didn't.
Simply put: a hamper is one of the best examples of gifting on the market. Brands love them because they can offer their most popular products in one place, while those seeking a thoughtful present can keep their gifting compact but decadent. People often make hampers at home, too. Some may want to show their love by spending time hand-baking a giftee's preferred goodies, while others will dutifully collect their loved one's favourite things and assemble them in one place ready for a special occasion. What we love about a luxury hamper is that they pack all of that same thoughtfulness alongside the guarantee that the products your giftee receives are lavish and delicious…plus, they cut down on the time it takes to hand-assemble your own.
As with most English etymology, the origins of the word ‘hamper’ go back centuries, probably to the Middle Ages, when the Latin word hanaparium referred to a case containing a large goblet. We can only speculate as to the reason for the importance of said cup, but the term for the compartment that carried it soon went into use in Anglo-French as hanaper. There is speculation that the word ‘hamper’, in the sense that we know it now (a place to house fancy cheeses and wines), could also have descended from the verb to hampren, which refers to the act of surrounding, imprisoning, confining…or packing into a container. Every day is a school day here at GQ.
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Fortnum & Mason's hampers need no introduction. The iconic wicker basket full of treats is a gifting mainstay and one of our favourites to receive no matter what the occasion. Curated to reflect the crème de la crème of products from the department store's iconic Piccadilly location, contents range from tea and condiments to biscuits, milk chocolate and even jams. Afternoon tea is definitely in order with this on your doorstep.
Buying for a cheese connoisseur? Even someone only mildly interested in dairy will be thrilled to receive something from The Cheesegeek its very self. There are a smorgasbord of cheesy gifts to select over on its site, including those that pair wine with dairy. The Tina, which we’ve selected here, is a perfect option for six to twelve people (so four, then) and is an elite cheese hamper in that it comes complete with seasonal cheeses, condiments and crackers.
A quick taster menu of a hamper, this Harvey Nichols compilation lets your giftee sample from a wide range of the department store’s most popular snacking and boozing bits. Among the fray: a half bottle of rosé, chocolate biscuits, chilli crackers and ground coffee.
The gloves are off: Selfridge’s gorgeous Christmas hampers are open for ordering, including the nifty 100 quid “Classic” starring festive tea and biscuits, wine, Christmas pudding and salted caramel truffles (in a bauble, no less). Wicker basket with Selfridges yellow straps also included.
An afternoon tea hamper to toast the last vestiges of summer — or bring the picnic inside come colder days — Cutter & Squidge’s bakery classic is quickly becoming a classic of the genre as a whole. Select a delivery day close to the occasion in question for guaranteed freshness and get ready to experience such delights as scones with cream and jam, brownies, lemon drizzle cakes, prosecco and the delightful-sounding cheesey courgette loaf.
By expanding its perfectly presented biscuit tin offerings, Biscuiteers has come to our gifting rescue. Now adding extras into the mix, the bakery is producing beautiful hampers, such as this decadent extrapolation of an Advent calendar, feat. 12 Days of Christmas biccies and sparkling wine.
With its extensive range of choices, Hampers.com is the place to go if you’re after something a bit more niche, whether it be a craft beer hamper, pink gin hamper or Pimm’s hamper. If you have a more specific idea of what they enjoy, you're in the right place – and for those who don’t drink, there are also plenty of alcohol-free hampers to choose from too.
The oracle of hampers, Fortnum & Mason has turned its hand to breakfast boxes, with everything you need for pancake, smoked salmon or cooked English ceremonies. The ultimate version of said collection? The Champagne Breakfast Box feat. everything you need for Eggs Benedict or Eggs Royale alongside a cup of coffee, tea, and/or — the pièce de résistance — a bottle of Brut champagne.
For grooming or skincare lovers, a hamper of new products will always go down a treat. Designed to help encourage relaxation and to restore skin to a better state, Espa's Energising Collection will help them unwind and try some new things while they're at it. With a soothing fragrance, the collection includes a candle, bath oil, shower gel, and pulse point oil – all the ingredients for a relaxing spa night in.
We bet you’ve never seen a hamper quite like this. A festive gathering of shellfish for the distinguished Christmas table, Wright Bros’ festive fruits de mer box comes with oysters, crab claws, crevettes, live mussels and a whole cooked lobster.
Like cooking, cocktail mixing is only fun if it’s something you already enjoy. If it’s a bit of a faff for your giftee, then a Nio hamper is a great way of letting them into the deliciousness without any of the effort. Coming premixed in slim, environmentally friendly packages, this brand lets the object of your purchasing enjoy myriad drinks without having to muddle a single ingredient. In this box: four Italian tipples.
There’s no replacement for lying on a white sandy beach and feeling the sun beat down, but for when visiting the other side of the world is a little out of budget, The White Company’s Seychelles hamper is certainly second best. Transport them to island life with this hamper, which uses amber, bergamot, vanilla and other soothing notes in its assorted candles, creams and fragrances.
Dishoom’s growing selection of homeware and food bits are so covetous that one of its Best Of hampers makes far more sense. This one is for enthusiastic disciples of the Indian-English fusion, packing the popular (and quite beautiful) “From Bombay with Love” cookbook as well as a tin of house blend chai, Masala dabba, plus chintz print tea towel, incense, holder and matches.
If you’re seeking a hamper in the quest of nailing that gift for her, Lisa Angel is an elite destination to try. With a build-your-own function à la F&M, you can assemble a truly charming pile of favours via dried flower poseys, personalised jewellery, candles and more.
When you boil it down, a hamper is really just a big ol’ bunch of stuff. In this edition: a big ol’ bunch of iced coffees, from caramel lattes to mochas. Blended by Grind baristas in Shoreditch, it’s a ready-to-drink selection from the pale pink purveyors of coffee.
If you open a bottle of fizz but no one hears the pop, did it make a sound? In this case: yes. This Hotel Chocolat hat-tip to opulence features a miniature bottle of prosecco and a selection of chocolates and truffles. Our serving suggestion? For one.
Every party-starting piece of produce in The Newt of Somerset’s hampers come from the southern estate the brand is named for. This festive edition, for example, has (to list just a few things) cheese straws, piccalilli, Christmas cake, two kinds of apple juice and an apple gin inside.
There are so many Fortnum & Mason hampers to choose from, needing to create your own might seem unnecessary, but then you consider how picky your giftee actually is and…well, you know. Thankfully, there is the option of compiling your own F&M omnibus, with options ranging from almost everything in the food hall to a Jo Malone candle if you’re feeling extra generous too.
While nothing from Jo Malone could ever be described as wallet-friendly, this bundle of wood sage and sea salt favourites does at least save on three big purchases your giftee will love whether they’re 21 or 108. Included here: cologne, candle and body cream, all in the brand’s opulent seaside-inspired scent.
Cheese and cold cuts go together like Sonny and Cher, a truth Cheesegeek has discovered and appropriately taken advantage of. This whopping hamper packs 600g of cheese and pairs each of them — Morn Dew, Winslade and Old Winchester — with a corresponding cold cut — Spiced Coppa, Levantine Loin and Air Dried Ham. If your giftee is a lover of picky bits…this is your luxury gifting solution.
A fresh food and drink provider that cares for the local business ecosystem, the environment, and the people who make its products, Nourished Communities is a great spot for fresh, locally-made produce. There are many bee-stamped wickers to choose from, but this edition comes teeming with British ciders from North Herefordshire and Perth, Scotland.
For the person in your life who is resisting vegetarianism like their life depends on it, consider a premium meat hamper from Piper's Farm, whose livestock is grass-fed and prepared by artisan butchers. There are a variety of options to choose from, such as family favourites, venison and slow-cooking boxes, but if they're going to be eating meat, we reckon it may as well be steak. Chuck, rump, ribeye and fillet: all of these beef cuts are award-winning and delivered direct to your giftee's door.
An eleven-piece love letter to the wonderful world of wine, this Selfridges compendium owes its desirability to a wide range of grapes, from prosecco to malbec to rosé champagne.
The West London deli that gourmands rave about has fabulous hampers on lock, with this edition specially created with truffle-lovers in mind. Find the ingredient in dark chocolate truffles, crisps and Pecorino cheese among other nibbles, as well as a big bottle of blonde beer.
Set the bar high for your get-together by welcoming people in with the highest of quality nibbles and tipples. Harvey Nicks has a multitude of hampers available, but for its inclusion of two kinds of olive and a mix of fizz, rosé and gin, we love its Set The Bar edition. That it all comes encased in black wicker is a total bonus: picnics will look chic far beyond the emptying of this hamper’s contents.
Price: £95 Available at: harveynichols.com
What this Chuckling Cheese hamper hasn’t got, we don’t want: cheddars, crisps, pork scratchings, beer, ale and playful age jokes. What more could a man want on his birthday?
You needn’t hear the word “hamper” and immediately think of sweets and biscuits. For those in intense training, there are still options: a gift for yourself or a fitness addict, this Muscle Food hamper-cum-subscription-service offers boxes of delicious, protein-rich meat, from sirloin steak to premium chicken breast.
Cookie Boxes Bulk A hamper for those who linger in the Harrods chocolate hall a little too long, this box of sweetness comprises some of the Knightsbridge destination’s most mouth-watering snacks, milk chocolate raspberries and an almond nougat Belgian ‘Gold Bar’ included.