Best hamper 2024: Wonderful gift hampers for someone who has everything
Treat your loved ones to a basket of their favourite treats with our pick of the best hampers
Looking for the perfect gift for someone who has it all? The best hampers are an ideal way to sample new food and drink in a delicate and thoughtful package, whether you’re buying for a friend, family member or even yourself. Finding the perfect option isn’t easy, though, as there are so many options to choose from – and not all of them are value for money.
If you’re tired of trawling the internet only to find overpriced, half-filled baskets or simply don’t know where to start looking, you’re not alone. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best hampers for every budget, age and occasion.
If you’re not sure what kind of hamper to choose, our buying guide has some helpful pointers to steer you in the right direction. Alternatively, you can scroll on to find our pick of the best hampers to buy now.
Best hamper: At a glance
| Best affordable hamper | Afternoon Tea Delights | £34 | Check price at Hampers.com |
| Best for kids | Retro Sweets Hamper | £45 | Check price at Very |
| Best classic hamper | Cartwright & Butler Pocklington Hamper | £100 | Check price at John Lewis |
| Best vegan hamper | La Vialla The Grand Teetotaller | £93 | Check price at La Vialla |
How to choose the best hamper for you
What kind of hamper should I buy?
First, think about who the hamper is for – do they have a sweet tooth or more of a savoury palate? If you’re unsure, you can find options with a good mixture of both. Some are filled with alcoholic or soft drinks, while others have everything you need for a themed night in – snacks, drinks, accessories and more.
Another thing you might want to consider is the occasion. Certain hampers are marketed specifically for seasonal events such as Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries, but in reality, most will work for any occasion: that’s what makes them such foolproof gifts.
How much should I spend?
The answer to this question really depends on how extravagant you’re feeling, but there are a few general rules of thumb to follow.
Any hamper that comes packaged in a wicker basket is going to cost significantly more than one in a cardboard box. Sadly, it’s the price you have to pay for that classic picnic aesthetic. But if you’re willing to forgo the traditional style, you’ll save some serious money and can spend more on what’s inside. Alternatively, there are also some great mid-price options that come in gift bags. These look upmarket without costing the earth, but generally come with fewer items.
As for a hamper’s contents, it might not surprise you that booze-filled ones generally cost more than foodie varieties. Whatever style you buy, it’s always a good idea to check how many individual items you get in each to ensure it’s value for money.
Anything else I should keep in mind?
Best before dates: remember, all food has a “best before” date. While hamper treats generally have a longer shelf life, it’s always wise not to order them too far in advance.
Storage instructions: make sure you take note of which items, if any, need to be kept in the fridge. Often a lot of cheese and fresh food hampers require refrigeration.
Allergies and dietary requirements: if you’re buying a hamper for someone with specific dietary requirements, it’s always best to double-check every item individually for allergens, so they’re not stuck with a gift they can’t enjoy. Some hampers state if all the products are vegan or gluten-free, for example, but it’s not always crystal clear.
READ NEXT: Find exciting recipes with the best vegan cookbook
The best hamper to buy in 2024
1. Afternoon Tea Delights Hamper: Best affordable hamper
Price when reviewed: £34 | Check price at Hampers.com
There’s nothing quite as quintessentially British as afternoon tea. This hamper comes packed full of sweet treats to see you through lunch. Start by brewing yourself the New English Afternoon Tea, open up the apple and custard biscuits for dunking, and if you’re really looking to indulge, serve up a slice of the Gold Crown Whiskey Dundee cake.
If you’re still feeling peckish after that, there are another five treats to tuck into, including macaroons, almond thins, clotted cream fudge and raspberry jam.
This hamper also comes with a free gift message that can be personalised for any occasion. The only downside is that the presentation box isn’t the most elegant thing in the world. But don’t let that put you off, as the quality of the contents is brilliant for the price.
Key details – Hamper style: Presentation box; Number of products: 8; Product type: Tea, food; Allergens: Wheat, soya, milk, whey, sulphur, egg, gluten, nuts
2. Double Dutch Party Box: Best hamper for the girlies
Price when reviewed: From £20 | Check price at Double Dutch
Premium mixer brand Double Dutch have everything you need to get a girls’ night-in to go off with a bang with this affordably priced party box. Why not start with Double Dutch’s coolly refreshing Cucumber & Watermelon mixer and zingy Pink Grapefruit Soda stirred into miniatures of El Rayo Tequila and Masons Gin (with cute branded stirrers) before adorning your drinks with party cocktail sticks?
Keep the atmosphere going with enough face glitter for up to eight people, and a fun confetti cannon. This presentation boxed-set makes a quirky hostess gift or stocking filler. If you’re planning a bigger party, check out the larger options available from Double Dutch including the Party Starter Pack with a whopping 48 mixers and branded disposable cups to save on the washing up.
Key details – Hamper style: Presentation box; Number of products: 11; Product type(s): Alcohol, accessories
3. Retro Sweet Hamper: Best hamper for kids (or adults)
Price when reviewed: £45 | Check price at Very
Rich teas, oaty biscuits, fruity coffee and bubbly prosecco are all well and good, but what about a hamper that gives us all what we really want – sweets, sweets and more sweets. A perfect gift for children or nostalgic adults, this retro hamper from Sweet Shop holds 27 different classic pick and mix treats including drumstick lollies, cola bottles, flying saucers, jelly fried eggs, parma violets, kola cubes, double dips and many more.
As well as a colourful range of sugary confectionery, this hamper also has the option to add a personalised message and comes in a handsome wicker basket which will make for a cute, rustic storage solution once the last of the sweets have been scarfed.
Key details – Hamper style: Presentation box; Number of products: 27; Product type(s): Confectionery
4. Macknade Gluten Free Gift Hamper: Best gluten free hamper
Price when reviewed: £40 | Check price at Macknade
If you’re not lucky enough to live close enough to the Macknade food village in Kent you may not know of its treasure trove of local delights, but luckily its hampers mean you can still indulge.
With a strong history as a working farm since 1847 (pears from their orchards were served at the wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip), this Kentish-Italian business harnesses goodies from the finest producers from the Garden of England to create unique foodie gifts.
They stock hampers for anything from afternoon tea to Italian charcuterie and cheeses, but we were suitably impressed by the gluten free offering. This generous hamper features delectable double choc chip cookies from Sweet FA, gluten free beers from Westerham Brewery, two packs of Booja Booja hazelnut truffles and wonderful Diforti salted-caramel cannoli to brighten up your coffee break: we’re obsessed.
Best of all, each item has been handpicked with care and is free from wheat, barley and rye so you can tuck into your treats worry-free.
Key details – Hamper style: Presentation box; Number of products: 10; Product type(s): Food, alcohol
5. Cartwright & Butler Pocklington Hamper: Best classic hamper
Price when reviewed: £100 | Check price at John Lewis
Coming in a delightfully cute, powder-blue basket, this hamper from Cartwright and Butler is one of the most eye-catching options we’ve come across in terms of presentation. While it may be one of the more expensive options on this list, we feel it lives up to its price tag, filling its darling presentation box with a quality selection of tea, coffee, sweet treats and savoury snacks.
Inside you’ll find a tin of the brand’s of breakfast tea, a carton of coffee, as well as the whole gamut of nibbles, with everything from chutney, hot chocolate, marmalade and shortbread to, flatbread, crackers and caramelised peanuts to be enjoyed. With its pretty packaging and crowd pleasing range of snacks, this hamper is a surefire winner for anyone looking to impress.
Key details – Hamper style: Presentation box; Number of products: 12; Product type(s): Coffee, tea, food
6. Craft Beer Hamper: Best hamper for beer lovers
Price when reviewed: £32 | Check price at Hampers.com
If you’re looking for the perfect surprise for the beer lover in your life, then look no further, as this craft lager hamper has it all. Offering plenty of variety, it includes three different types of beer – a refreshing lager, an easygoing session pale ale, and a smooth, flavourful IPA – all from Oxford brewery Tap Social, a company that creates employment opportunities for ex-offenders.
Each is branded “criminally good” which is an understatement (and also a nice pun on Tap Social’s enlightened hiring policy).
Of course, no beer-drinking session would be complete without some salty, crunchy accompaniments. Thankfully, this hamper is also well kitted-out in that department, pairing its range of interesting lagers with some vegan Tandoor chilli flavour chips, incredible snacking pickles from Serious Pig, Great Taste Award-winning nuts and very posh crisps.
Key details – Hamper style: Presentation box; Number of products: 7; Product type(s): Alcohol, food
7. La Vialla The Grand Teetotaller: Best vegan hamper
Price when reviewed: £93 | Check price at La Vialla
The search for good quality vegan products can often be quite frustrating, with many vegan options being either disappointing versions of the originals or spectacularly difficult to obtain.
We are happy to report that this hamper is one of the best we’ve ever found – vegan or otherwise. A huge, weighty thing containing a whopping 20 items, this is an amazing value way to fill your nearest and dearest’s cupboards with a host of tasty goodies.
Arriving directly from Arezzo, this hamper from Fattoria La Vialla, a family-run, organic farm and wine estate in Tuscany is a celebration of all things plant-based while still feeling extremely luxe, indulgent and utterly delicious.
As it’s alcohol free, you get a lot of bang for your buck a two-layered ribbon-tied presentation box. Think stunning extra virgin olive oil, sparkling unfiltered grape juices, chocolate coated almonds, Parmesan-free pesto that tastes all the better for it and an authentically “agrodolce” caponata just waiting to be stirred into one of the three gorgeous pastas provided.
We’ve rarely come across a hamper that feels so generous and high quality for this price, and the fact it’s vegan is almost an accidental bonus. Pass the red wine biscuits.
Key details – Hamper style: Presentation box; Number of products: 20; Product type(s): Food
8. Lindt LINDOR Collection Hamper: Best chocolate hamper
Price when reviewed: £52 | Check price at Lindt
Chocoholics rejoice: this stunning hamper from Lindt is the answer to all your gifting woes. A presentation box prettily tied with ribbon containing 1.6kg of Lindt chocolate favourites, including a whopping 650g of Pick & Mix, is truly a joy to receive.
Packed with bestselling bars and boxes, the LINDOR Collection Hamper is the ultimate in indulgence and a special edition version features 2023’s new limited edition LINDOR Irish Cream truffles which will help you get in the spirit of any celebration. The “regular” hamper version contains the equally delicious Lindt LINDOR Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate Truffles instead, so no worries if you miss out.
All the goodies have been curated by Lindt’s Master Chocolatiers (aside from the Pick & Mix which you choose yourself from 30 varieties) and feel luxurious while giving good value. What a treat!
Key details – Hamper style: Presentation box; Number of products: 10; Product type(s): Food