Are Fortnum and Mason hampers worth it?

[KateLumley]

Just that, thinking about ordering one for friends.

[Perching]

I’m sending Ottolenghi hampers this year

[SnoopsCaliforniaRoll]

They are lovely but I would perhaps check that the recipient has room for a fairly large wicker basket!

I prefer the 'custom' baskets as you can really pick the bits and bobs you like (and pay for the correct size of hamper accordingly), available outside of Christmas.

Also, F&M have a hamper trade-in / repair service to fix them if needed (you do need to ferry the hamper over to Piccadilly), which is lovely!

[mnp321]

I love wandering around F&M, particularly at Christmas. I've bought some of their products - while the tins were beautiful, we thought the biscuits tasted fairly average.

For me, you're paying a lot of money for the basket as the food content is pretty meagre for the money. In a double standard, I'd buy a hamper as a corporate gift but wouldn't for a personal present as I think it's poor value for money.

[AtillatheHun]

The point of a hamper as a gift is the luxury; my father law took great pleasure in telling us that the Aldi hamper he sent us was the best value item for item of any hamper, but you know - also. Nothing in it that you couldn’t buy each week (& mostly dentist-scaring sugary stuff). The fortnum ones are Uber luxury and quality- most people don’t regularly do their shopping there and it’s a treat. A pack of Percy pig biscuits- not a treat, someone choosing a shop for you from the aisles you don’t normally go down.

[Buildingthefuture]

I send them every year and they are always well received But then, I love them so much I bought the tiny hamper Xmas tree decorations this year!!

[MissMarpleRocks]

I have to agree though that receiving a Fortnums hamper is a thing of delight. Our Christmas decorations are stored in them & we have another with odds & ends in the living room.

[rookiemere]

I got a F&M wicker hamper as a leaving gift from my old team. I absolutely love it, down to the impractical hamper that I'll probably never use. I'd never buy myself something from there, so it was a wonderful treat.

[MissMarpleRocks]

If they like tea this www.fortnumandmason.com/fortnums-famous-classic-world-wooden-restaurant-box-90-silky-teabags

We received similar as a house warming present a few years back. Great fun trying all the teas & I have restocked with a variety of our favourite black, green & fruit teas.

[LizzieSiddal]

We’ve been lucky enough to have received quite a few of these over the years. They really are a treat.

[bellocchild]

@TellMeItsNotTrue That would be a perfect solution! We don't much like the contents of the F&M hamper either, prefer Daylesford...

[Juneberries]

Yes although I’d make up your own basket.

Yes they are expensive but the quality, luxury and service compared to any other hamper provider makes it worth it.

I spent £75 on a hamper from M&S and the size, contents and service were disappointing.

[TellMeItsNotTrue]

@bellocchild 😂 wish you were my friend, I'd be round tonight to collect them 🤣

I'd be over the moon with an empty hamper, don't know how I'd react to a filled one 😂

[Nothinbut]

For a gift, fortnum and mason. I really really really like their food though, can definitely tell the difference although of course pay for the packing and name too.

[bellocchild]

They are indeed lovely, F&M. But I have 2 baskets in the loft awaiting a new home, and quite often end up putting stuff we don't like much in the food bank bin...

[Bushkin]

Either of the £130 ones (secretly hoping you’re my friend)

[Snugglepumpkin]

The caramels in the Grosvenor have some really nice flavours in them plus they are really prettily decorated.
We got some last year & the box is also really lovely.

[HewasH2O]

Victoria Hayward is very good and there are options swapping wicker etc for a decent box.

www.virginiahayward.com/?ppc_keyword=victoria%20hayward%20hampers&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzZSy_7bS9AIVlK3tCh0odww9EAAYASAAEgJn1vD_BwE

[BonnesVacances]

I've had a Selfridges one given to me. I don't know how the prices compare with F&M but maybe worth a look.

[Holothane]

I’d have the f and m one but then I don’t drink. I brought marzipan fruits last years and chocolates for the in-laws from f and m they loved them.

[cherish123]

Yes. They are lovely. The hamper itself is a lovely thing to use afterwards. You can make up your own hamper but it's cheaper to buy one already made up.

[LadyRoughDiamond]

Yes, the wicker basket alone is fab.

[Nanasueathome]

F&M are really lovelY
My second favourite is Daylesford

[IAmHereForTheFood]

@KateLumley

I am now choosing between this or this

The Grosvenor has 9 items & more sweet stuff, the Fortmason has 10 & a mix of sweet & savoury so I’d go for that one. The Fortmason.

[Redcherries]

Gutted, the Aldi ones I would have gone for are sold out, I wanted to put one under the tree for a family gift. The only ones left in stock are afternoon tea and a wine one.

[MythicalBiologicalFennel]

I have both been given and given a couple of F&M hamper.

They are terrible value for money in terms of what you pay for say a packet of biscuits versus biscuits of equivalent quality bought elsewhere.

You are paying for the brand, the brand's luxury and quality reputation and the happy fuss and excitement of the delivery (massive hamper etc).

For example I know my MIL values the whole "I got a F&M hamper" thing more than the actual contents so hampers make a good present for her. With my DH I know he'd much rather have individually chosen foods that he enjoys and is not fussed about brands, wrapping or reputation.