There are some interesting variations on the traditional Christmas hamper to watch out for this year and lots of places will even let you build your own. Farm shops, delis, cafés, online retailers – you’ll find seasonal hampers in most of them – but we’ve found 5 that you may not have come across before, either selling hampers for the first time or offering something just a little bit different.
Tregothnan
The Cornish estate that conceived the UK’s only home-grown tea now produces an extensive range of teas and other products as well. All are beautifully packaged and make delightful gifts. The hamper selection includes traditional tea-time treats such as Cornish tea and biscuits alongside contemporary herbal hampers designed to give you anything from an energy boost to a detox. There’s even one with a china teapot, perfect for the growing number of people ditching the ubiquitous tea bag for the real thing. Prices range from £12.95 to £47.95.
www.tregothnan.co.uk
2. Newlyn Cheese and Charcuterie
Located close to Newlyn Bridge, this specialist cheese shop in a lovely little row of traditional shopfronts isn’t quite a deli but is a real delight. There is a range of hamper possibilities, either one of the ‘off the shelf’ cheese and charcuterie options or you can drop by and make your very own bespoke selection. The totally local option could include a Cornish cheese selection, paté and cured meats from near Bude and Cornish chutneys. Hand-made wooden cheese boards made in Penryn provide the finishing touch to the perfect gift for any cheese-lover. Prices start at £25.
Call in or phone 01736 368714.
3. Penpont Brewery
Run by brewer and beer sommelier Joe Thomson, this Cornish brewery located on the edge of Bodmin Moor near Launceston is one of Cornwall’s fast-moving young businesses. Its latest development is The Beer Cellar, a series of specialist bottled beer shops. The most recent addition in Truro’s Quay Street opened just a month ago and is a haven for anyone who enjoys a decent pint. One of their great Christmas gift ideas is a mixed selection of Cornish Christmas beers in a custom-made wooden crate with seasonal decoration. Any beer-drinker will love it.
www.beer-cellar.co.uk
4. Blue Plate Deli, Downderry, near Looe
One of South East Cornwall’s little gems, Blue Plate restaurant and bar has recently added a deli to its name. The deli is offering a range of seasonal hampers, which you can either build for yourself from the range of top quality produce on sale, or simply ask the deli to use their discretion and create one for you. Chef Nick Barclay, who runs Blue Plate with his wife Kelli, has always been a keen supporter of his ultra-local suppliers, such as Cornish Orchards who make their ward-winning cider and soft drinks just a few miles away, so expect to find some of these products to choose from.
www.blueplatecornwall.com
5. Picnic Cornwall, Falmouth
Picnic Cornwall’s Coffee Shop and Deli has been open since March and Christmas gives them the perfect excuse to have fun doing what they do best – hampers.
As with everything they do, their Christmas hampers are utterly Cornish. They also take pains to seek out some of the smaller Cornish suppliers whose products you won’t find readily elsewhere, like the gorgeous Hubble preserves, for example. You can visit the store to buy or to order for national delivery; alternatively you can also shop the range of hampers via their delightful new online shop – including free delivery within mainland UK.
www.picniccornwall.co.uk
As featured by Cornish Guardian, West Briton and Cornishman newspapers.
*We will be adding more Christmas hamper information very soon!