Christmas or Yuletide Season is one of the, if not the most giving of all festivities in the calendar. And what is Christmas without a Christmas hamper to give to friends, family, and colleagues? If you’re planning to give one this Christmas, here are some basics that you may want to put in your holiday hamper.

1. Christmas pudding. This is a staple you shouldn’t miss in making a Christmas hamper. Sometimes also known as a plum pudding, it is a rich steamed pastry dish that involves a lot of dried fruit, nuts, and alcohol mostly in the form of brandy. It is said that the longer the cooking time or marinating time the Christmas pudding gets, the better it tastes. In Britain especially, Christmas puddings are an essential to the holiday fare that their absence on the table may get some disapproving marks.
2. A bottle of wine or spirits. Nothing says holiday cheer better than a bottle of bubbly or red. Choose a bottle of good champagne, brandy, port, or red wine for your Christmas hamper to ensure that the Christmas feast will truly be a festive one.
3. Cheese. Cheese also makes up part of a basic Christmas hamper. A fine recommendation is a Blue Stilton cheese paired with some biscuits and a bottle of port.
4. Mince pies. Like Christmas pudding, mince pies also make their glorious appearance during the Yuletide season and should also be a mainstay in a Christmas hamper. Traditionally made from meats or suet, today’s mince pies are mostly made up of dried fruits and spices.

These are just some of the basics that can be put inside a Christmas hamper. But of course, you can always tailor it further to suit your budget, taste, and the person you are giving it to. In the event that you might find it time-consuming to make your own, you can always check your local store or even online shops for great Christmas hamper deals.