The Joyful Tradition of Christmas Hampers

From William the Conqueror to Queen Victoria; through Charles Dickens and the landed gentry to contemporary gourmet gift giving today, explore the history and traditions of Christmas Hampers.

Where did hampers come from?

Originally hampers are thought to have arrived in Britain with William the Conqueror in the 11th century (hanapier being French for a case of cups or goblets).

By the 1800s Christmas Hampers and Boxes full of food and wines had become a widespread tradition for the landed gentry and employers to gift their workers, tradespeople and the poor – the reason the day after Christmas is named Boxing Day – when the rich would distribute their gifts: food boxes.

The Victorians embrace the hamper

During the Victorian era it was popularised when Victoria and Albert gave each other hampers as gifts supplied by Fortnum and Mason and cited in several popular books by Charles Dickens including Great Expectations, showing it as part of picnicking, travelling, celebrating and gift giving.

“In the hamper, there was a cold roast fowl, a packet of ham, and a crusty loaf.”

Charles Dickens, Great Expectations (1861)

This further popularised the idea of luxury hampers to be given as gifts at Christmas – and with the spread of the new Victorian railways, these could now be sent far and wide across Great Britain.

 Opening the lid: what used to be in a hamper?

In the days before refrigeration a hamper would typically include long lasting ingredients such as dried fruits, spices, tea and sugar and also include preserved meats and cheeses along with Christmas pudding and cake. They have evolved into a symbol of generosity and festive celebrations.

They are a great way to savour regional specialties and, in a nod back to the luxury hampers of the Victorian era,  the finest of British artisan foods. 

In more recent years hampers tend to be filled with lower value goods like biscuits and teas presented in branded tins. In our experience they’re enjoyed less by the recipient, frequently gifted onwards, so going back to the traditions at British Fine Foods Christmas Hampers celebrate the finest producers and foods from around the country. Depending on which hamper you selection you may find:

• Mouthwatering Smoked Salmon from Severn & Wye Smokery
• Succulent traditional Alderton Hams, perfect for Boxing Day and eating with cold meats and 
• Duck Liver Pâté with Poached Plum fromFindlater’s Fine Foods 
• Luxury new wave of British Charcuterie including venison, duck and beer sticks
• Speciality British cheeses, soft artisan cheeses like Stinking Bishop or , blues like Colston Bassett stilton and Isle of Wight blue , bries and Somerset Cheddars like Pitchfork and Montgomery
• Luxury pickles and chutneys
• Large choice of sweet treats including mince pies and a Stollen Loaf cake from Clam’s Cakes in Wales
• And of course beers, ciders, wines, port and champagne to add some festive merriment!

SHOP OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOP>

Supporting local British businesses

As well as the gift of delicious gourmet treats, you can also feel proud to support British Farming and the growing treasure trove of great British artisan food producers whose passion and focus on quality and taste.   As an added bonus, it is a sustainable approach to gift giving which is kinder to the environment.

 The best Christmas Hampers

The joy of giving a hamper as a gift is that the hard work of finding the right blend of amazing foods is done for you with our Twelve Days of Christmas hampers to suit budgets from £40 to £500 and other classic Christmas boxes like Port and Stilton or Lancashire Bomb Trio box. A carefully put together hamper should be savoured so part of the fun is the anticipation and then the discovery of the taste sensations that create a sense of happiness and indulgence.

• a thoughtful gift for friends and family
• a lovely way to thank the people you really appreciate like your cleaner, gardener or favourite teacher
• a great way to elevate meals at Christmas time
• a ready-made way to entertain and enjoy social occasions
• Create shared gourmet experiences
• a low maintenance but supremely tasty way to enjoy Boxing Day and beyond

SHOP OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOP>

For a truly personal gift you can also create Bespoke Hampers in three easy steps:

1. Choose your favourite hamper or luxury gift box from a wide range of materials and sizes
2. Choose the content from our extensive deli food hall and bottle shop
3. Personalise with a note and book your delivery date when you check out.

CREATE YOUR BESPOKE HAMPER>

The significance of the Christmas hamper in British culture lies in its ability to bring people together, celebrate local food traditions, and foster a sense of community. By sharing these artisanal treats, we not only indulge in the flavours of the season but also honour the skilled producers who have dedicated their lives to preserving the unique tastes and stories of the British Isles.