1 Mitchells Dairy, in Inverurie, offers “ready to go” as well as bespoke luxury hampers, each packed with a wide variety of local produce available in its store.
The Taste of Scotland hamper, £125, contains only Scottish goods, including Walkers Oatcakes; Mitchells Sweet Orange & Cider Marmalade and Spiced Apple Chutney; Baxters Cullen Skink soup; Arran Waxed Cheese; Walkers Strathspey Cake, and The Macallan whisky.
Hampers can be collected on an agreed date, or there is free delivery in and around Inverurie; £5 into Aberdeen and the surrounding area, or £15 to send hampers anywhere in the UK.
To order, phone 01467 621389, or visit Mitchells Dairy at 20 Market Place, Inverurie – see www.mitchells-scotland.com
2 Brodie Countryfare, situated just a few miles from Brodie Castle, is perfect for a relaxing day out with family and friends. It offers a wide range of quality products, including luxury hampers.
The Wee Taste Of Christmas, £48, is packed with delectable temptations for all to enjoy, including Taylor’s Christmas Coffee, Walkers Mincemeat Tarts, Dart Valley Christmas Chutney and Cole’s Christmas Pudding. It is presented in a willow Derwent tray with wrap, bow and gift tag.
Visit Brodie Countryfare, Brodie, near Forres, Moray – phone 01309 641555.
3 For more than 300 years, the Fortnum’s hamper has been an iconic part of the British Christmas. Filled to bursting with a peerless selection of food and drink, each hamper provides a different kind of feast.
There’s a Fortnum’s hamper for everyone, including the Windsor Hamper at a whopping £1,000 and the Christmas Feast Hamper, which is half that price, but for those wishing to spend a little less, here’s an idea which will send young recipients into an upward spiral of happiness this Christmas.
Filled with Fortnum’s chocolates, sweets and biscuits and a child-size tea set, the Children’s Hamper, £40, is just the thing for boys and girls who have been very, very good all year.
To order, visit www.fortnumandmason.com, or call 0845 300 1707.
4 Treat someone to a taste of the Highlands with a bespoke Rothiemurchus Christmas hamper.
From succulent Rothiemurchus Highland beef and melt-in-the-mouth forest venison to smoked salmon and delicious heather honey, each hamper is packed full of home-grown treats.
The team at the farm shop, nestled at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, will make up your personalised hamper to order and it will be delivered to your door in plenty time for the festive season.
Christmas hampers cost from £25 upwards. Visit www.rothiemurchus.net, or phone 01479 812345.
5 Bhs sparkles this Christmas with a glittering array of gifts for everyone on your list. Delectable culinary delights, sumptuous table settings and exquisite tree adornments set the festive mood, while this beautiful Hamper Chest, £60, is set to impress anyone on your list.
Visit the Christmas Shop at www.bhs.co.uk, or phone 0845 196 0000.
6 On the drinks front, there is always a mouthwatering menu of award-winning Christmas drams offering a range of gifts to suit every budget and guaranteed to delight both whisky connoisseurs or newcomers to “the water of life” this festive season.
The latest addition to The Famous Grouse family – The Black Grouse – is a special blend of The Famous Grouse mixed with Islay malts to create a rich smoky, peaty taste.
To date, this special whisky has raised £30,000 to help save its namesake, the black grouse, from extinction through its partnership with the RSPB which sees 50p from the sale of each bottle go to the charity.
The perfect gift for bird lovers and whisky fans alike, its recommended price is £15.66 and it is available at Sainsbury’s stores or online at www.black-grouse.com
7 Choose from a great range of gifts from Marie Curie Cancer Care. Money raised helps nurses provide free care to patients with terminal cancer and other illnesses in their own homes.
These gorgeous small tin designs were donated by Rolf Harris and could be added to your own hamper of goodies. Sold as a set of three, the cakes inside contain real Belgian chocolate and cherries, each with a generous dash of liqueur: one Amaretto, one Grand Marnier and one coffee liqueur. Cakes have a six-month shelf life and are dispatched direct from the bakery.
They cost £15 (excluding P&P) from www.mariecurie.org.uk/shop, or phone 0844 415 7845.