I freely admit I am at that time of life when what I would really appreciate for Christmas would be a Hamper stuffed with edible goodies. Not because I am a glutton – precisely the opposite, having exercised and averted my eyes from chocolate for months to hit the size 10 LBD, I know that before the New Year exercise grind starts again, I would just like to savour some of the things forbidden.
Gillhams Delicatessen – purveyor of all fine things at Christmas, have a cracking range of foodie gift sets starting at around £9.50 and glorious hampers starting at £25.00.
In my hamper present to me I would have some special Christmas Coffee from Taylors of Harrogate, an e some refreshing fruit Teapigs. For Christmas Eve tea , Patchwork Pate spread on delicate Peter’s Yard Swedish Crisps, and Gillhams Chocolate covered Ginger thins with a bedtime cocoa. Christmas Day is easy – A vanilla scented Panettone, beautiful as a partner to coffee for breakfast, or warm with a home made praline Ice Cream as a light pudding.
Boxing Day – in my mind a crisp winter’s day, a long walk with a dog and a picnic of Coopers Gourmet Sausage Rolls, warm from the oven and wrapped in foil, or one of Auntie Mo’s famous Scotch Eggs to sate the hunger.
In fact, the Gourmet Sausage Rolls, and vegetarian pies and pasties would do me just fine for a leisurely browsing buffet, with a fine cheese plate – Shropshire Blue, a good firm Cheddar and crisp apples and juicy grapes.
And if there were room left in my magic hamper – a spicy stollen as another tea-time treat with a cup of Earl Gray in front of the fire. Perfect.
Merry Christmas!
