Fortnum and Mason indulgent treats and gifts

[AlternativelyWired]

If you shop there, what do you buy?

I've always found their customer service excellent although sometimes a little slow @TheHouseonHauntedHill .

They'll probably be in touch in the next couple of days & do something to make it right.

I've only had a couple of issues but they always go the extra mile to make up for them.

I don’t know. I had a period of buying stuff for Xmas or special occasions (hampers for thank you gifts, for example) from F&M. The branding and packaging tins are lovely so it’s ideal for an impact/status present, but then i tasted the biscuits and chocolate myself and - it’s okay but frankly not amazing - not better than M&S.

I much prefer Rococo for chocolate nowadays, and good old Yorkshire tea.

@TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams you can do bespoke hampers, but only in store. DH and I did this for his parents as a gift and filled it full of things they loved! FIL still talks about items in it now!

I find most hampers always have a few things most people don't like as well as best sellers - an easy way to get them off the shelves

@Brokendaughter

I hope so ,it sounds silly but the pie was actually my DH bday cake 🎂!
And he can eat anything.
I honestly had a bite and nearly throw up.

Agree about hampers, bespoke would be far better.
Also I think they are against palm oil as a company so I think I am correct in saying their chocolate etc wont have it in.
.the afternoon tea is also amazing. ..I love the store itself

They definitely offer bespoke but if you want bespoke for Christmas you have to buy by the middle of November I think.

My favourite thing is the royal blend loose leaf tea.

Can anyone recommend a coffee for a cafetière at all? I like Nescafé gold blend usually but quite strong.

@sittingonacornflake wow £80 for toy car storage.

What a colossal waste of money

A fool and their money are easily parted!

I believe the box was a gift was it not?

I've ordered a box of champagne truffles to see what they are like. The champagne box can wait for now.

@olapexidum presumptuous. The whole thing was a gift (is that really something you'd buy yourself?) so we drank the champagne, tried the chocolates and now we are making use of the box (what else do you do with an empty gift box??)

In the early 90s I worked in Berkeley St and F&M was my local food shop. 😀Spent a fortune there. Love me a good browse around their food hall.

It doesn't matter if it's gifted, someone has paid for it!

It doesn't matter if it's gifted, someone has paid for it!

And presumably were happy to spend that amount of money on a gift. What's your problem with that?

Sorry @sittingonacornflake it wasn't my intention to dig at your personally. I think my mind has recently shifted ( maybe cost of living etc) but £80 for chocolates and champagne ( whoever spent it) feels like an awful lot to spend for those particular items, especially not knowing if the other person will even like them ( as in your case)

I have been that person though,buying overpriced items for gifts of even myself and it's only know I realise how ridiculous it seems to spend that kind of money

Of course it's up to whoever it is to spend what they like and what they like and I do get that. It just feels wasteful to me now.

I've done a bespoke hamper for Christmas but did order early. I really want a Huntsman's basket hamper but just can't get organised this year because Life.

Not quite as ritzy/iconic and less choice, but I've found DukesHill very good. They make Fortnum's hams (and possibly other stuff) and their customer service is absolutely great, really on the ball and helpful (even when adding the 5th thing you'd forgotten )

In fairness to fortnums I want to share that they have offered me a refund for the pie, considering its price,I'm very happy with that.

@MrsDanversGlidesAgain

It's just the most beautiful shop isn't it 😍. Usually we just gaze and adore!

I know things there are expensive and yes, the chocolates and champagne box are a big gift for £80, but I find that as there's no one to buy me a gift and I don't do anything like hobbies or social things then I treat myself to things that normally I'd never consider in a month of Sundays. I sacrifice other every day things like chocolate or a danish to save for things, and will happily skip a meal here and there because things like that box bring so much joy. It would be used for years and years and would be treated as something special long after the the gift inside was gone. My mum said we could share it and as we are going on holiday in February then we might do that. She's disabled and I'm autistic and we don't get out much at all so it would be a huge treat. It's the equivalent price of 4 take aways and we'd rather have something special like this instead. Each to their own.

Now, tell me more about what lovely things I can mentally add to my shopping basket😁

Lavender honey from Provence. Comes in a box just big enough to fit my cat in.

Their own smoked salmon is gorgeous. You can only buy it in store though I think, not online. Also their focaccia is delicious

My luxury pleasure is their clotted cream and pistachio biscuits.

Their chocolates are delicious, if you want something fun and festive these are adorable (and taste lovely).

www.fortnumandmason.com/chocolate-gingerbread-man-matchbox-35g

2 Christmas tree ornaments and a jigsaw puzzle this year .

Florentines! Christmas isn't Christmas for my husband without their florentines.

The chocolate is nice but not great for children (even the kids' stuff) as their milk chocolate is very dark.

Thank you! I’m always looking for sprout themed edibles for DH. I’m going to get the Boxing Day chutney too that someone else mentioned.

Can anyone tell me if the F&M name is visible on the packaging? Thanks.