Below, we've picked out some of the most searched-for Christmas hamper retailers this year to give you an idea of what's on the market.
We've also taken closer looks into some mid-range hampers available to see whether it might be more cost-effective to get the hamper pieces individually or buy the hamper as a whole.
If you're going down the DIY route, we've also listed some inspiration for your next hamper.
Popular ready-made Christmas hampers and boxes
We've had a look at the most popular Christmas hamper retailers in a 12-month period.
In the tables below, you'll find details of the contents of a hamper from the retailers, each costing around £50.
We've compared the hamper price with the sum of each piece included, as advertised by the retailer, to see whether it's cheaper to buy the items separately or as part of the hamper.
Bettys Christmas hampers
Great for:
Based in Yorkshire, Bettys has been serving up cakes, teas, and other fanciful treats for more than 100 years. It stocks 25 Christmas gift boxes online with prices ranging from £18 to £525, and more than half of these are £100 or under.
You can expect plenty of baked goods, fruit cakes, biscuits, chocolates and shortbreads in Bettys Christmas hampers. Many also include hot chocolate mixes, various teas and coffees, while a couple contain Pilsner lagers or a bottle of wine.
Total price of hamper Total price of individual hamper contentsThis hamper came out more than £3 cheaper than buying the contents individually, and that's without considering the price of the packaging.
You get quite a few pieces in this gift box, with a generous six products included. These are geared towards the high tea or coffee-lover, and the box doesn't contain anything alcoholic.
The cheapest available standard delivery for this hamper is £4.95, bumping the total cost to £54.95. The same standard delivery cost would still apply if you bought the contents individually, although some products, such as the Yorkshire Fruit Cake (330g), aren't available to buy on their own.
You can also opt for premium named-day delivery which typically costs between £5.95 and £10.95 depending on the day, although we found a couple of slots for £2.95.
.Fortnum & Mason Christmas hampers
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Fortnum & Mason stocks a huge online selection of almost 60 Christmas boxes and hampers. Prices start around £35 - £40 for smaller boozy gifts and Christmas boxes, and go up to an eye-watering £6,000 for the priciest option. Around a third of Fortnum & Mason festive hampers are £100 or less.
Depending on how much you're willing to pay, you can find everything from jams, biscuits and savoury crackers to wines, spirits, cheeses, and even whole Christmas hams inside a Fortnum & Masons hamper.
Total price of hamper Total price of individual hamper contentsThis option came out slightly pricier than the sum of its parts. There are three items included, so not as much variety as some options.
When you also consider delivery prices, the cheapest standard delivery for both the gift box as a whole and for buying the items individually is £5.95. So you'll save £2.55 if you buy the individual contents of the box. This does mean they won't arrive in the fashionable pre-made cardboard gift box, but you will have the option to add a wicker hamper for an additional £40.
Other delivery options include named-day from £7.95 or next working day from £9.95. Alternatively, you can ship to a shop near you, such as your local corner shop, from £5.95. Or pick up from any Fortnum's store for free.
You can buy it now from , or browse more .Waitrose Christmas hampers
Great for:
Available to buy online (through John Lewis) and in Waitrose stores around the festive period, Waitrose offers a tidy selection of around 20 Christmas hampers and gift sets. The cheapest start at £20, going up to £500 for the most premium pick. An impressive 85% of the Christmas boxes sold online are £100 or under.
Inside most, you'll find an assortment of savoury snacks, charcuterie, cheeses and crackers. Some options also include sweet treats, jams and chutneys, and bottles of wine and spirits.
Total price of hamper Total price of individual hamper contentsIf you don't mind wrapping it up yourself, you're probably better off buying the contents of this Waitrose hamper with your weekly shop and saving £19.11.
The hamper comes amply stocked with six items, including a bottle of mulled wine and a panettone, but each of these can be bought individually on the Waitrose & Partners website.
Delivery is free for orders over £50, but for orders under £50 standard delivery starts at £4.50. Nominated or next-day delivery is £7.50, evening delivery is £9.95 and morning delivery is £10.95.
You can also collect your hamper for free from your nearest Waitrose & Partners shop, Collect+ or Post Office location.
You can buy it now from , or browse more .What to expect from M&S, Aldi and Lidl Christmas hampers
Below, we've identified some more popular retailers to give you the lowdown on what to expect from their Christmas hamper ranges this year.
M&S Christmas hampers
M&S stocks around 20 different hampers and gift boxes online, ranging between £35 and £1,000, and around half of these are £100 or under. You're likely to find a bottle or two of something festive in most boxes, as well as sweet and savoury snacks, chocolates and chutneys.
Aldi Christmas hampers
You can't yet order any of the products online, so you'll have to keep an eye on the middle aisle of your local Aldi.
Lidl Christmas hampers
However, according to Lidl's website, you can expect pre-made hampers to hit the shelves from 30 November 2023, so check in with your local store for when they land.
Is it cheaper to make your own Christmas hamper?
The short answer is - it depends on what you put in it.
Making your own Christmas hamper can be cheaper if you substitute expensive items with budget or homemade ones, although you will also have to account for the added cost of the hamper basket, the postage and packaging, and the extra time it will take compared to buying one pre-made.
A wicker basket will set you back anywhere between £10 and £30 depending on where you buy from, although this cost can be mitigated if you recycle an old hamper from past Christmases.
If you're aiming to do Christmas on a budget this year, don't miss our round-up ofDIY Christmas hamper ideas
Wondering what to put in a Christmas hamper? The great thing about making your own hamper is how you can tailor it to the other person. You could also have the added sentimental touch of including homemade gifts, such as handmade greeting cards and home-cooked food.
Below, we've listed some DIY hamper ideas to try out this Christmas:
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/luxury-vs-diy-christmas-hampers-aL2vV9e7eLPL