With the queues in the post office getting longer and slower than ever, it certainly makes sense to do some forward planning with online gifts for folk you aren’t going to be seeing over Christmas.
Obviously, we want to support independent local shops where possible, and choose wisely when it comes to online gift purchases.
I’ve done some research for you and here is a list of my suggestions for gifts for far flung foodies.
Fortnum & Mason
Obviously ‘the’ name for hampers is Fortnum & Mason. 
I’ve been a past recipient of one or two of the iconic hampers and can’t recommend them highly enough. And don’t assume that everything from F&M is very pricey – I’ve been surprised at the value of some of their Christmas food and gifts this year, and suggest you look at the range online here.
There are a number of gift hampers from under £100. But with an ample budget you can go wild.
Hampers.com
Of course there are other great hamper companies. Hampers.com has an amazingly extensive range of options.
Christmas hampers full of traditional treats, or you choose one based on their all-year-round favourites: gin, Champagne, chocolate or cheese!
Many products in a Christmas hamper don’t have to be enjoyed immediately, and retain their optimum taste and flavours for a long time after the gift is delivered.
Hampers.com is carbon neutral and the company has been sourcing and sending hampers for nearly 50 years, so they know what’s what.
There’s such a wide range: vegan, alcohol free and even one for the dog!
UK delivery is included in the price but if it’s a last minute order they can also arrange next day delivery.
The British Hamper Co
Another excellent hamper company is The British Hamper Co – another that chooses the contents very carefully and is mindful that they should all be British, including lots of award winning British food products..
The contents are specially branded by the company for uniformity There is also a facility on this site to make up your own hamper and sending corporate gifts.
Another nice touch is that you can send a gift of a voucher for a specific hamper to the recipient by text, along with a personal message, so that they can select their delivery date.
Lebnani – A Taste of the Lebanon
How about a specific cuisine? The Lebnani Beirut food hamper was created with authentic products and ingredients from chef Jad Youssef.
This Christmas hamper has an unusual selection of gourmet ingredients and treats. It includes Lebanese delicacies sourced by Jad to cook with, and serve in his restaurant Lebnani.
The Deluxe Beirut Hamper (£49) includes: a bottle of Château Héritage Nine; sumac and zaatar; pomegranate molasses; Lebanese Zet Zeytoun Extra Virgin Olive Oil; rose water; orange blossom water; Fig jam with roasted sesame seeds; pickled wild cucumbers; pistachio baklava and Lebnani recipe cards. More info here: ttps://lebnani.co.uk/hampers
Sous Chef – So Many Options
Maybe just send a foodie a gift card to let them choose their own gift? 
Sous Chef is a veritable ‘Aladdin’s cave’ for any culinary connoisseur and you can always send them a voucher from amounts of just £10 upwards.
Or another lovely idea perhaps: choose one nice festive item like a panettone from the company’s really extensive range and include a gift voucher with it?
Tracklements
If savoury is more appropriate, then I suggest you head to the Tracklements website where you’ll find a whole range of gift options from mustards, to chutneys and ketchups, dressings and much more.
You can even make up your own gift box online. How about a gourmet bundle of six different mustards?
I can think of lots of friends who’d love that for their Boxing Day lunch!
Mirror Margarita
Maybe your recipient likes a margarita? Go for Mirror Margarita. 
Having tasted this ready to drink, award winning, crystal clear tequila based cocktail by the company’s founder, expert mixologist Deano Moncrieffe, I recommend it.
Made using 100% Premium Agave Blanco Cazcabel Tequila, mixed with blended citrus oils and organic malic acid (naturally produced by the agave plant itself) to create a perfectly balanced margarita encapsulating the flavours of agave. Just add ice.
It’s in a stylish bottle, and with the optional gift box makes a great gift (you can order online and include a gift message) But if keen to enjoy it yourself, it’s available at Sainsbury’s and Amazon. mirrormargarita.com for around £25 a bottle.
Cocktails from Edmunds
Talking of cocktails, Edmunds Cocktails skilfully selects and blends so you just shake, stir, and serve.
Everything you need is supplied to produce a world-class cocktail – all you need is a glass, ice and maybe a splash of soda… even the perfect garnish is included.
Create your own box of 6. 12 or 24 single-serve cocktails (from £34.95 per box, £4.99 per bottle) selected from Edmunds’ core range of twelve drinks.
These Great Taste Award winning bottled cocktails use a double measure of premium spirits with the finest liqueurs, juices, syrups and aromatics, so no need to buy lots of specialist liqueurs.
Edmunds also has two new festive options, the White Christmas Cocktail and Gingerbread Espresso Martini as well as recently launched Mango Daiquiri and Raspberry Gimlet.(www.edmundscocktails.co.uk)
Wine with a Conscience from Sea Change
For wine lovers with a strong ethical conscience, and love of the sea, try Sea Change Wines.
It offers award-winning, ethically sourced, eco-friendly wines supporting global ocean conservation. Plastic-free, vegan, plus alcohol-free (0% Free Sparkling) and organic options.
With prices under £20 and a diverse range, Sea Change offers single bottles or gift packs.
Each bottle features hand-drawn illustrations of marine creatures. The company has raised 500,000 Euros towards marine conservation too!
The range of gift packs, starting at under £40 is online here
Cafe Solo
For a fan of Espresso Martinis, liven up their Christmas with a bottle of Café Solo Original – a tantalising coffee liqueur that’s smooth and indulgent.
It boasts a robust ABV of 25%, delivers a bold, rich flavour profile with hints of dark fruit acidity, chocolate and vanilla, culminating in a subtle sweet finish.
Café Solo Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur Original is the first in what will become a range of full-bodied cold brew coffee liqueurs made with the experts at SOLO Coffee.
From £30 for a 70cl bottle. Available from: Master of Malt, Drink Finder and Amazon,
Highland Fine Cheeses
For a homesick Scot, a delivery of some superb Scottish cheeses from Highland Fine Cheeses, based in Tain, Scotland will really ‘hit the mark’. The company has some special Christmas gift boxes, available for home delivery nationwide.
Showcasing its range of traditional, mould ripened, blue and washed rind styles of cheese, made in the heart of Scottish cattle country, these gift boxes will delight any southern based Scot or a fromage aficionado. The two smaller boxes allow customers to select three or six cheeses, so they can tailor the Christmas gift to suit the recipient, while the largest gift box contains 9 styles from Highland Fine Cheeses’ range.
Options include; Crowdie, a traditional fresh Scottish cheese; Minger, an orange annatto soft washed rind cheese; Morange Brie, a tranquil number with an edible white rind and rich creamy paste; and Fat Cow, a semi-hard washed rind cheese.Completing each Scottish cheese feast is a carefully selected line-up of pairings and accompaniments, chosen to complement the cheeses, delivering a truly special experience for cheese lovers, packaged up a in a smart box.
Prices from under £20 upwards for gift boxes, but hurry to order, as orders will close on Monday 16 December.
Scottish Bee Co Gifts
Another fabulous gift from Scotland that also supports a great initiative is a gift pack of really delicious honeys from The Scottish Bee Company. Its dedication lies in crafting pure honey and purposeful Scottish produce that not only tastes good, but is also minimally processed, deeply rooted in sustainability and authenticity.
Founded by Suzie and Iain Millar, their journey began with a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and passion for making a positive impact on our planet. Driven by a desire to address the alarming decline in bee populations, they embarked on a mission to make a difference. Starting with providing bees to beekeepers across Scotland, they quickly realised the importance of supporting all pollinators.
This realisation led to the establishment of a sister charity, repollinate, aimed at promoting pollination through education and wildflower projects.
Gift packs from The Scottish Bee Co from under £25 here
American Malt from Westland
And away from Scotland completely, a bottle of an excellent American whisky will appeal to anyone who visited the US recently or plans to soon.
Westland American Single Malt Whisky embodies the rich flavours of the Pacific Northwest, offering notes of chocolate, caramel and dried fruit. Whether used in a cocktail recipe or sipped neat over ice, it’s a great way to explore American whisky and sip in front of the fire over Christmas.
Westland is available for £50.50 from The Whisky Exchange here
