Best mince pies and other Christmas hamper ideas

[Bobje]

So, mince pies - yum or yuk?

I don't eat them so I need some recommendations please.
We are visiting friends next week who live in Europe and we are planning to make up a hamper of the best of British as a gift.
What do I need and what are the best mince pies??

I'm not a fan of mince pies either. In fact, I can't stand them. But you're likely to get at least a dozen different answers on here as to which is the best. What I would do is buy one box each from a premium retailer and a value retailer and find a tester! Price obviously is not a guarantee of quality. Perhaps also try a local bakery.

Red Fox Red Leicester cheese is one of my favourites. Waitrose and Aldi both sell it.

Hope this is some help; I didn't want to read and run.

I would include:

Cheese
Shortbread
Fudge
Tea
Crackers
Maldon sea salt
Jam
Sparkling wine

Mince pies try Marks and Spencer

I don't like hampers , because it's usually given on Christmas day and you've already purchased the stuff you like anyway
But this would be my choice .

Cheese
Shortbread
Tea
Coffee
Crackers
Marmalade
Small Christmas Cake / Dundee Cake

Thanks for all your input so far!
I'm getting as many local food stuff as possible too, so not just generic British so that cheese recommendation is great (although we are going to the French-Swiss border so will be spoilt cheese wise 😅)

@Rainbow321 We fly out on 14th for 5 days after kids finish school so won't be Christmas day, but I know what you mean.

Some locally-brewed bottled beer? Not mass market crap like Doom Bar and Newcastle Brown.

It's a great idea to make up your own hamper to give as a gift at Christmas.
We do one for a family member every year.
Have found that special Christmas treats, like jars of fruit in liqueurs, bottle of wine or prosecco, chocolates and biscuits, stuff that keeps and doesn't have to be eaten within a week or so, like nuts and dates, makes for a really special hamper.

https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/morrisons-the-best-deep-filled-mince-pies/108421641

these actually are the best!