How Christmas hampers have evolved: Vegan, children's, gluten-free...
Sunday, December 22, 2019 @ 11:48 AM
CHRISTMAS hamper firms say they are now back up to full speed after the long financial crisis years – a time when companies were struggling to stay open, let alone give out free festive food baskets to staff, and the general public was not buying them as it needed to keep to a strict budget year-round.
And with its recovery – a clear sign of Spain's own economic recovery, for all the above reasons – the Christmas hamper industry has swiftly adapted with changing times to keep up with the ever-evolving whims, dietary needs, and long-overlooked preferences of its potential customers.
If you're stuck for present ideas this festive season, a hamper is a great choice – even for long-distance recipients, since many can now be ordered online and delivered to the giftee's door.
What's in a Spanish Christmas hamper?
Traditionally, you'll find the typical festive confectionery – turrón, marzipan, chocolate and polvorones, those biscuit-like sweets wrapped in paper and made with crushed almonds and which are powdery, but should be squashed in the hand before opening to give them a more pastry-ish consistency – plus spicy sausages such as chorizo, cheese, sweet filled pastries, and wine or cava, sometimes both; the more expensive ones might even include a leg of Serrano ham, although if yours is a work perk, don't expect your firm to splash out this far (you'd probably prefer its value in cash added to your Christmas pay packet instead, given that they range between €400 and €600 at this time of year). More pricey versions sometimes include bottles of rum, whisky or liqueur.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com