Family hamper
Include a bottle of sparkling wine for mum and dad, and something non-alcoholic and fizzy for the kids. Pack it all up in a colourful plastic trug that can be used for toy storage.
Rhubarb chutney
Preserved apples and pears in syrup
Tomato ketchup
Coconut ice
Mini Christmas cakes
Rachel Allen's spiced cranberry and orange relish

The entertainer
Place the goodies onto a large shallow bowl or into a wine cooler and wrap in cellophane.
Sophie Grigson's cheese biscuits
Rachel Allen's almond brittles
Marinated mixed olives
Parmesan and rosemary wafers
Jane Asher's last minute Christmas cake
Limoncelllo
Pink Champagne Truffles



Foody treats
Great for friends who love to spend time in the kitchen. Put the goodies into a large serving bowl or place on a chopping board and wrap in a tablecloth.
Chilli oil
James Martin's biscotti
Carrot jam
Ainsley Harriott's onion marmalade
Five spice salt
Fig jam

Travellers' treats
If your friend is planning a holiday, include a guide book or travel diary in the hamper. If you want to brag about your own travels over the past year, include foody photos for inspiration.
Preserved lemons
Latvian gingerbread cookies
Dukkha
Goong Goong's pickle
Sicilian dressed olives
Biscotti de mandorli
Chocolate panforte

Traditional British
Pack the hamper into a wicker basket for a traditional feel, or bring it up to date in a colourful enamel bread bowl.
English ale mustard
Delia Smith's orange marmalade
Piccalilli
Mincemeat
Nigel Slater's Christmas pudding
Spiced quinces

Drinks
If you're going to include a bottle or two of wine in your hamper, make sure you separately pack some mulling spices. You can buy these ready-made or make them up yourself by bundling up mixes of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, coriander and cardamom; the choice of spices is up to you. Include a hand-written recipe with the spices so the recipient knows how to use them.
Mulled wine