I can say with absolute certainty that Christmas is my favourite time of year. When do I start watching festive films? September. Is that too early? Probably. Do I care? No. With the decorations, music, traditions, and, of course, the food, it truly is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. So when Buckingham Palace offered us the opportunity to sample their Christmas hamper; there was only one answer: YES! Buckle in because you’re in for a treat.
It’s only natural to begin our taste test with a cup of tea, and what a cup of tea it was. After just one sip, I was hit by a feverish urge to put up my Christmas tree, dance uncontrollably to All I Want For Christmas Is You and deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
This delicious elixir is described as being “infused with the sweetness of apple, rosehip, and citrus peel” and is perfect “for those cosy winter moments”. Truer words have never been spoken.
“Now bring us some figgy pudding, now bring us some figgy pudding and bring it out here.” Good, now that I’ve got that out of my system, let’s talk about the icon of any good festive meal: the Christmas pudding. Oliver Cromwell and his gang of Puritans described the treat as “sinfully rich” and something that was “unfit for God-fearing people.”
Fair enough, they were not great harbingers of joy and merriment, but I’d dare them to say the same after sampling this pud. Rich, aromatic and wickedly indulgent, you’d be mad not to save space for this after your turkey with all the trimmings – regardless of whether you take yours with custard, cream or brandy butter.
An icon of any good hamper, there can be huge pressure when selecting the perfect – and dunkable – biscuit, and Buckingham Palace hasn’t failed here. These mince pie-inspired treats are packed full of warming spices, yet still chocolatey enough to impress even the most picky of eaters.
It’s at this point in our taste test that I need another cup of tea and a short break before I slip further into this dream-like festive multiverse – Love Actually, anyone? No? Okay, back to our unfinished business now, and it’s a big one – the humble mince pie.
Crumbly, buttery and undeniably homemade, these were the perfect treat to find in our hamper – simply sublime. Traditional Middle Ages custom dictates that you should eat one mince pie for each of the 12 days of Christmas, so we’re bending the rules here slightly by beginning our taste test early, but believe me, they’re worth it. Love them or loathe them, I couldn’t fault these if you begged me to.
Next, we have, perhaps not a Christmas classic, but a staple at any party: Christmas Cheese Bites. With a strong hit of cheese and pillow-soft texture, these would be the perfect snack to impress – or to quickly whip out if any friends or family drop by for an unexpected holiday visit.
Our taste test is nearly at an end now. Those among you who possess more Grinch-like sensibilities may breathe a sigh of relief, but if Buddy the Elf is a character who speaks to you, then you’ll already know that “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” So here I go because these last two festive offerings could have inspired me to write a Christmas Number One.
After the main meal itself, what is the next best thing? The pudding, you’re right. But after that? The cheese board, naturally. And with Buckingham Palace’s caramelised onion chutney on offer, I really can’t think of a better way to round off your celebrations. Slathered on a good, rich cheddar or doused on top of a sumptuously oozing camembert? Heaven. I’m drooling already.
Next is chutney’s partner in crime: a three-fruit marmalade that screams to be used in Christmas and Boxing Day breakfasts. I’ll keep it short and sweet: this zingy creation would make Paddington Bear proud, and who can say fairer than that?
I feel like Scrooge after the departure of his three ghosts – jolly, jubilant, and positively jumping with Christmas spirit, so forgive me for quoting good old St Nick here, but “Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!”
The full wicker hamper is priced at £125 and contains eight wonderful Christmas treats, including a beautifully crafted crown tree decoration.