Hampergifts review

IMG_5220‘Eat, Drink and be Merry!’ If ever there is a time when this phrase can be said to be true it’s at Christmas. Traditionally we fill our tummies fit to burst and drink wine and punches as we play host to family gatherings. Of course selecting and purchasing many and varying treats can be time consuming, and buying a hamper either for yourself or a friend is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the season. I was lucky enough to be sent a Christmas hamper from the good folks at Hampergifts to review.

IMG_5191While I adore wicker baskets and use them for storage, I’ve never actually bought or received a real food hamper before. So when the Christmas Celebration hamper crossed my threshold I was over the moon! On opening I was greeted by this wondrous beauty filled to the brim with delicious treats and wines.

IMG_5202The hamper itself was beautifully constructed from willow with leather straps and a lined fabric interior. There is something quintessentially British about hampers and to me they conjure up images of the Wind in the Willows with Ratty boating along with his companion Mole. However at the end of the day the contents is just as important as the presentation.IMG_5203

The hamper contained:

  • Bottle of Sandeman Fine Ruby Port 75cl
  • Bottle of Coteaux d Aix-en-Provence, Château de Beaulieu, France, 75cl AWARD WINNER
  • Bottle of Beaujolais La Cle Saint Pierre, France, 75cl
  • Bottle of White Burgundy Bouchard Aîné Fils, France 75cl
  • Baronie Assorted Belgium Pralines 200g
  • Cairnsmhor Crushed Black Pepper Crackers 150g AWARD WINNER
  • Chocolaterie Diane Praline 75g
  • Cottage Delight Cheese Maker’s Pickle 115g AWARD WINNER
  • Edinburgh Preserves Port Wine Jelly For Cheese & Pate 227g
  • Alice McPhersons Petticoat Tails Luxury Shortbread 150g
  • 4 x Deep Filled Iced Mince Pies 300g
  • Dark Chocolate Coated Crystallised Ginger 150g
  • Cherry & Coconut Flapjack 120g
  • The Wooden Spoon Cranberry & Orange Sauce 113g
  • New English Teas English Afternoon Tea x 10 Envelopes
  • Traditional Brandy Christmas Pudding 100g
  • Hand Made Olive & Sesame Biscuits 100g
  • The Wooden Spoon Wholegrain Mustard & Spitfire Ale 42g
  • Triple Chocolate Gourmet Cookies 100g
  • Edinburgh Tea & Coffee Co. Medium Roast Coffee 56g
  • Lewis & Cooper Savoury Mustard & Coriander Biscuits Tin 200g
  • Lindt Excellence Mint Intense 100g
  • Olives Et Al Chilli & Garlic Olives 150g AWARD WINNER

 

IMG_6314Everything arrived exactly as described on the website, I felt like Christmas morning had already come! I am simply in awe of just how beautiful this hamper is inside and out! The tea is wonderful, the Triple Gourmet Chocolate cookies are amazingly moreish and the shortbread is like Christmas on a plate. I haven’t made it through all of the wine, but the White Burgundy Bouchard Aîné Fils is extremely smooth!IMG_6318

Would I recommend this product?

I fail to see how any recipient could even begin to be disappointed on receiving this hamper and I would whole heartedly recommend it.

Delivery

Delivery was extremely quick and the hamper was handled with care by a very polite courier.

Value for money

At £135 this hamper may seem a considered purchase, but Hampergifts stocks other festive hampers ranging from £21.50 – £249.95 so cost needn’t be an issue. Saying that I do believe this particular hamper represents good value for money. The hamper basket alone would cost a significant amount elsewhere, when you add in the individual bottles of alcohol the hamper starts to seem like a really brilliant gift.

I’ve also been keeping my eyes open when I’ve spotted hampers elsewhere (such as highstreet stores) and this basket contained significantly more products every time.

Could it be improved in anyway?

I’d love to see a personalised hamper option where I could swap out certain items and replace with others of a similar value. As an example I don’t personally eat mince pies, so it would be wonderful if I could swap them for a Pandoro or Stollen instead.

Thorntons Christmas Hero

The good folks at Thorntons recently asked me if I’d like to play Secret Santa and gift a worthy recipient a yummy box of Thornton’s Chocolates. There was no hesitation, no moment of doubt in my mind, my Thorntons Christmas Hero had to be my Dad!IMG_5026

My Dad is a one of a kind chap. As a child he was there to clean my grazes or hold my hair back when I had the flu. He indulged my active imagination, having no qualms about running around Sherwood Forest pretending to be Robin Hood as I gleefully squealed and laughed. He was the perfect Dad in every way.

Fast forward twenty or so years and despite being retired, occasionally suffering from bad health or tiredness he’s now turned into the perfect Grandpa and Dad!IMG_5039

When I suffered ill health post the birth of my twins he took me to the Dr and held my hand as I struggled to string a sentence together thanks to extreme sleep deprivation.

When I was hospitalised with a chest infection on Christmas Eve, once again he stayed with me holding my hair as the medication did disastrous things to my stomach.

Before I learnt to drive it was a struggle to get anywhere, two babies in car seats took up the entire back row of his car. My Dad still drove me around whenever I needed him too, at family gatherings he would even make two trips to bring my husband as well!IMG_5055

As he reached retirement far from taking life easier he now takes all three of my children to dancing classes, birthday parties or to see their friends whenever I need help.

Knowing that you have such a rock of support which is only a phone call away is the most precious gift in the world and I can never truly show my Dad just how very grateful I am.

IMG_0043I hope this wonderful Family Night In bundle from Thorntons will go a little way to showing him just how much we all love and appreciate him!