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Nov 11, 2024

Best chocolate gifts and hampers for Christmas 2024

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. Because nothing says ‘I love you' like an indulgent hamper… Chocolate is a failsafe gift, whatever the occasion,

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Because nothing says ‘I love you' like an indulgent hamper…

Chocolate is a failsafe gift, whatever the occasion, especially when you want to pamper that special someone. But with so many tempting treat boxes out there, how do you know which hamper is going to hit the sweet spot?

Well, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been hard at work, testing each and every element of this year’s chocolate gifts to find the very best, just in time for Christmas (and yes, it's a hard job!).

From all-vegan chocolate selections to budget-friendly gestures starting at £14.95, there’s something for every chocolate lover this year.

Our expert GHI panel sampled 40 chocolate gifts from the leading retailers, small independent retailers and artisan chocolatiers, in search of the best for 2024.

Each was scored on the quality of the contents (when it came to chocolate, we were looking for an intoxicating aroma, glossy shine, smooth texture and well-balanced sweetness), with additional consideration given for premium packaging, reliable nationwide delivery and overall giftability.

These are the ones they’ll be buying this year.

Score: 94/100

Melt scores consistently well in our taste tests, and this milk chocolate hamper proved no exception. Featuring fresh chocolate bars, truffles, bonbons and more, a big highlight was the box of assorted box of chocolates – from the peanut butter and raspberry jelly bite to the pistachio cup.

The recipient will enjoy eight items in total, beautifully presented in a gift box.

Prefer dark chocolate? Melt's vegan-friendly selection scored a very respectible 85/100 with our panel.

Score: 91/100

We don’t think you can go wrong with chocolate and champagne, and certainly not when it’s from luxury retailer Harvey Nichols. This premium gift set contains a selection of the brand’s flavoured champagne truffles, alongside a bottle of Premier Cru champagne — a match made in heaven!

Score: 89/100

We couldn't choose between the hampers from London bakery Cutter & Squidge, but we think this is an excellent pick if you have around £40 to spend. It’s filled with crowd-pleasing chocolatey treats, including fruity white chocolate bark and a box of quality truffles.

The hot chocolate and shortbread is presented in pretty, reusable tins, and we’ll be saving the chocolate orange popcorn for munching in front of our favourite rom com. Yum!

Score: 87/100

Spread some festive cheer with Love Cocoa’s thoughtfully curated chocolate collection. The hamper contains milk, dark and white chocolate slabs, inspired by festive flavours (Christmas pudding, candy cane, and gingerbread), alongside two tubs of decadent truffles.

Our testers thought the quality of the chocolate was exceptional, and the eye-catching packaging is the icing on the cake.

Score: 85/100

You can’t beat a great big box of chocolates at Christmas, and Lindt’s offering is a brilliant price, packed with crowd-pleasing classics.

In true Lindt style, each chocolate was exceptionally creamy, and our panel loved the variety on offer. If we had to choose a favourite the hazelnut praline would be a strong contender, closely followed by the dark chocolate cone, filled with a rich almond praline.

A festive selection box everyone will enjoy, this would make a great gift to have on standby, for last-minute visitors.

Score: 85/100

Whittard's luxury hot chocolate set feels perfect for the winter months. You’ll be spoilt for choice with both classic and white chocolate powders, which both dissolved well to create silky, smooth drinks.

Of course, hot chocolate isn't complete without melted marshmallows, so this box includes a generous tub of pink and white treats to sprinkle on top.

Score: 83/100

Chococo’s decadent hamper gave us all the festive feels, with a beautifully varied collection of high-quality chocolate.

There really is something for all the family, from the delightful milk chocolate “Jolly Gonk” to the oat milk chocolate Santa. There are also fruity flavoured slabs, a tin of dark chocolate mackerel and an assorted box of the brand’s signature handcrafted chocolates, among others. It’s all packaged up in a super smart box, ready for gifting.

Score: 83/100

Christmas hampers often contain alcohol, which isn’t always appropriate for every recipient. Selfridges has the solution in this luxury gift box, which contains an 18-piece chocolate box, along with a premium bottle of alcohol-free bubbly from French Bloom.

Our testers were impressed by the bold, well-crafted chocolates, particularly enjoying the crystalised ginger encased in dark chocolate, and the smooth and nutty pistachio truffle.

The fizz will ensure no one misses out, with an authentic berry profile that works well across all the sweet treats. Cheers!

Score: 80/100

Monty Bojangles’ sweet and creamy truffles never disappoint. Here, they’ve been packaged in a striking cat tin for the feline-lover in your life. There are four flavours to enjoy — chocolate, caramel, orange and popcorn — all of which had a rich cocoa content and melt in the mouth texture.

Score: 80/100

We love the concept behind Letter Box Hamper, which allows you to send beautifully wrapped gourmet gifts to loved ones. The brand handpicks items from artisan British producers, and this dark chocolate tasting set — which contains bars from the likes of Willie’s Cacao and Love Cocoa — may just be our favourite yet.

Our panel particularly enjoyed the decadent hot chocolate buttons and cacao-dusted cashews, which struck just the right bittersweet balance.

Score: 78/100

You don’t need us to tell you that chocolate and fizz are a winning gifting combination, and one that Hotel Chocolat has perfected in this hamper (complete with a mini bottle of prosecco).

Cocoa-lovers will love the gorgeous ribbon-tied “Everything Mini Selection”, salted caramel chocolate puddles and 70% dark fruit and nut nano slab. Even the truffles have been infused with champagne, while still retaining a rich cacao note to please the purists.

Score: 77/100

Tucked inside a gold-embossed eau de nil gift box, the lucky recipient will discover a crisp and refreshing bottle of Fortnum’s blanc de blanc champagne alongside a tray of 32 decadent truffles – these offer a heady hit of champagne and an ever so slightly effervescent texture as they melt on the tongue.

Unmistakably luxurious, this is a gift worthy of any extra-special celebration.

Score: 74/100

If they prefer a decadent red over a bottle of fizz, this is the hamper to go for. It contains a selection of dark chocolate bars and buttons, all of which are the perfect accompaniment to the big, bold Spanish red included.

Score: 72/100

There's something wonderfully nostalgic about Cadbury's chocolate. Whether it's a box of Milk Tray or a slab of Bournville, it never fails to remind us of our childhood. Recreate that magic with this hamper overflowing with the brand's best bits.

Score: 70/100

Although better known for its personalised biscuits, Biscuiteers has curated a giant tin containing 24 hand-iced chocolates, perfect for any occasion.

Spanning five flavours, highlights include the salted caramel ganache and the hazelnut praline, and you can add a message amid the flowers.

Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.

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