So I may not be the biggest fan of Christmas, but I DO like a Christmas hamper, with all their luxury ribboned promise, glitzy packaging and indulgent contents.

I got a taste for them when Mr GF worked in the city and was often gifted them (yep, that was him on a tiny foldable cycle making his way home with a full sized wicker hamper Gaffa taped to his back). And the year we got a £300 cheese hamper practically made me believe in Santa (and high cholesterol) again. Now he works in the public sector, we'd be lucky to get a box of Roses *sigh*.

Slightly more affordable would be this one, a traditional selection of festive biscuits, conserves, tea, coffee and a Christmas pudding, suitably called The Christmas Carol. Unwrapping the huge hat box was half the fun but once inside, the smart packaging of the products was also impressive. 

But a hamper isn't just the packaging. It's about balance. A perfect selection of goods to dive into across the season. First out was the Christmas pudding, matured for 9 months, which was rich and decedent containing whole nuts, cider, brandy, sherry and rum. Obviously, to supplement the alcoholic kick, we added a hefty dollop of the brandy butter. Festive spirit ok? (I would like to say that I haven't been eating the brandy butter neat out of the jar since, but Father Christmas puts a black mark against liars.)

Equally good were the light, crisp Honey & Clementine Biscuits that had a very subtle golden sparkle to them. I may have wanted to see a little more glitz but I suppose reserved and elegant was the baker's brief.

The Spiced Pear and Madagascan Vanilla Jam was my favourite of the conserves, slathered over thick toasted brioche it was practically a dessert for breakfast. The subtly spiced tea was a Christmas chai really and something you would want to drink past the festive period. The spiced coffee was also really enjoyable.

I though this was a well put together selection and the cherry on the top was the shiny, red glass bauble for the tree. 

I do personally prefer wicker baskets for the packaging, mainly because I find them useful to store all my junk the kids toys in) and I suppose they are more environmentally friendly because of this. But the Harrods hamper did look smart with lots of paper textures and a beautiful foil blocked gold design. I can't think of anyone that wouldn't be impressed to receive one.

For the full range visit http://www.harrods.com/content/misc/luxury-christmas-hampers

I received this hamper for review. Words and thoughts, as always, my own.