I found this on Local Food Advisor website, a nice piece on shopping local this Christmas
http://www.localfoodadvisor.com/Seasonal-Xmas-Hampers.html


Christmas Hampers
In the minds of some consumers and holiday shoppers, gifts such as M&S Christmas Hampers may seem a little bit commercial and artificial. After all, the idea of picking out a pre-made basket of gifts online or in a department store does appear to be a bit less personal than going out and finding specific gifts for your friends and family. However, in reality there is such a large selection of Christmas hampers available for the holiday season that you actually have just as many choices to make picking out these pre-made baskets as any other gift.
Given the wide range of different types of Christmas hampers available, you should be able to find a gift that suits just about anyone whom you will want to give a present to this coming holiday season. For example, some Christmas hampers revolve largely around alcoholic beverages, and include a range of nice beers or wines, or even, in some cases, spirits. Other baskets may be more centred on different foods, such as crackers and cheeses, or sweet treats like cookies or toffees. Whatever your needs be, and whatever the preferences of the people for whom you are buying a gift, you are bound to find something appropriate and appealing.
Another appealing aspect of many Christmas hampers available these days is that there is an effort being made by many providers to utilize local recipes and ingredients. This not only benefits local economies in areas in which Christmas hampers are made and sold, but also produces a more specialized and, in many people’s opinions, a more appealing selection of foods or drinks. In fact, you can even check with the store and inquire about the ingredients in your Christmas hamper, so as to find out if they are local, fresh, organic, etc. Ultimately, all of your preferences can and should be met.
The fact is, while a lot of people look at these sorts of gifts as simple items offered in stores, there is often much more to them. Think of them instead as offerings of fine foods and drinks, much like you might find at your favourite local market, or at a highly rated restaurant. With the kind of quality you can find in many Christmas hampers these days, they actually make fantastic gifts for just about anybody. This is definitely something to keep in mind when you do your holiday shopping this coming season.