Spicers Of Hythe Valentines Hamper

When it comes to gift giving, I think hampers are a fantastic and well received gift for anyone, whether it's your partner, friends or family - they are quick and easy gifts that look luxurious and that are delicious too, what more could you ask for!

The lovely people at Spicers of Hythe have kindly sent me one of their valentines day hampers (there are lots to choose from) and I love it! I have the *Sparkling Romance Hamper (£48.63 inc. vat and delivery) which is amazing! The hamper contains ten items from snacks and preserves to chocolate and prosecco so there is something for everyone. The hamper includes the following:

- Nua Prosecco (750ml)

- Original Cake Co Mini Cherry and Almond Cake 

- Cafe de Lucca Chocolate Wafers (200g)

- Buiteman Baked With Love Gouda & Chilli Cheese Biscuits (75g)

- Hamlet Belgian Chocolates (125g)

- Cocoabean Love Heart Plaque (40g)

- Taste Chocolate Dipped Shortbread (150g)

- Cocoabean Toffee Bon Bons (100g)

- Dormen Dry Roasted Peanuts (100g)

- Mrs Bridges Blackcurrant & Blueberry Preserve (113g)

As you can see, you get a lot in this hamper, it is definitely a large and substantial gift that I'm sure all foodies with love! Also you get the white wicker basket which is quite large and you could definitely re-use it for kitchen products, candle storage or you could even adapt it into a planter. I think the price is really reasonable considering not only the amount of products in the hamper but the products are all branded rather than mostly unbranded products in the hampers I've previously reviewed from other companies. 

We have been snacking on the products in this hamper since I received it, we couldn't help ourselves - everyone has loved the products in this hamper so that just shows how universally liked this selection/gift is. I personally LOVE the chocolate wafers which I have had before but a different variation - they are so yummy and so moreish, so long new year diet *waves*. I also think it would make a great gift for couples, for anniversaries or birthdays and obviously valentines day as a luxury foodie hamper that I'm sure any recipient will love. Overall rating: ★★★★★, 5/5! 

Spices of Hythe have so many hampers to choose from in their valentines day range and from the other ranges available. Here are my picks for valentines day and mothers day *it's also just around the corner*:

What do you think of the hamper I chose? What do you think of the Spicers of Hythe hampers?

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Great British Bake Off Inspired Christmas Gifts

I have to admit that I am a massive fan of the Great British Bake Off, I love Mary Berry and I love baking (mainly gingerbread, lemon meringue pie, cinnamon muffins and bread) so I thought I would put together a GBBO inspired christmas gift guide, yes I know it's a bit early but I love christmas even more than bake off! 

I think hampers are a great gift (I'm giving away a £40 voucher to spend at Serenata Flowers if you are interested - they have gorgeous food and christmas hampers!) so I have made a baking and food themed hamper which I think will be a fantastic gift for any food lover or avid baker. I was very kindly sent a few items from Nucasa, Crabtree and Evelyn and Sass and Belle for this gift guide. 

First up, the 'hamper' section of this gift which is the gorgeous *Mason Cash 29" Mixing Bowl (£19.99 sale, RRP £22 Nucasa) which is something I've wanted for so long as Mason Cash is famous for fantastic quality baking tools. I love the pink colour and hearts around the outside but be careful as it is quite weighty. I can see myself using this bowl a lot especially as I always end up with so much mixture! The bowl would be a nice gift on it's own but I have included some other baking goodies. Definitely check out Nucasa for loads of baking goodies, I have quite a few on my list to santa!

Next up, I have the *Sass and Belle 'enjoy the little things' Wooden Spoon (£4) which is such a cute addition, in my opinion. I love the little details and it is so inexpensive - it could be added to a hamper or as a little stocking filler for bakers. Sass and Belle also have the most adorable and useful cookie cutter ever, the *Eat Me Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter (£2). I can't believe how cheap this cookie cutter is and it is so handy! I have used it once already (you may have seen my vegan gingerbread men if you follow me on Instagram - heathernixon4) and it made the cutest gingerbread men, if I do say so myself. 

Following on from the biscuit theme, I have the *Crabtree and Evelyn All Butter Christmas Pudding Biscuits (£5) which come in a gorgeously festive container so aesthetically alone it would make a lovely christmas gift. The biscuits are a modern twist on seasonal fruits and spices; I know my granddad would just love these! 

Now, I had to include a couple of products that were autumnal and also beauty related, I couldn't help myself. The *Great Escape Candle in Escape to Mississippi is just divine and perfect for the colder nights as the crackling wick is reminiscent of a cosy crackling fire. The Escape to Mississippi scent smells like rich, creamy vanilla and baked goodies which are the kind of scents I always gravitate towards. My beauty item from this hamper is *The Library of Fragrance Dark Chocolate Cologne (£15, 30ml), now who wouldn't want to smell like chocolate all of the time...ok, it would make a lovely room spray too! The scent is so authentic, like rich dark chocolate biscuits with slight hints of musky notes to me; actually layering it with the lavender cologne is amazing!

Last but not least, we all know that I'm a mug addict collector and this one is perfect for me and also many of my friends/family members as we all love the bake off - it's the *Bring On The Bake Off Mug (it was from Flamingo Gifts but the site doesn't seem to be working). Also a GBBO book would be great too, we have at least three of them!

Phew, that is my Great British Bake Off inspired christmas gift guide for those early bird gift buyers (I already have all mine sorted but not wrapped yet, don't worry I'm not that organised...or crazy!). I would definitely recommend all of these products as they are from brands I know and trust - it would make a lovely christmas present for food/baking lovers and GBBO fans! 

What do you think of my GBBO christmas gift guide? Do you have any of these products? Are you a fan of the Great British Bake Off?

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