No need to feel hampered

`Everybody likes to get a hamper at Christmas because every body likes their cupboards to be full of goodies at that time of the year," explains Louise O'Sullivan, managing director of Bewleys Hampers.

The smallest hamper on offer from Bewleys is a £22 basket containing wine, Bew leys cake, handmade mints and "Christmas" marmalade. Other offerings include a chocolate-only assortment and a port and cheese gift set. As the prices go up, the hampers get more and more heavily laden with food and drink, she says.

The item producing most interest for Bewleys this year is its £2,000 millennium hamper. Geared primarily towards the corporate market, it contains £1,000 worth of food plus £1,000 in holiday vouchers.

"There has been great interest in this from people looking for something special to mark the millennium," says Ms O'Sullivan. As well as containing the best of Irish-produced goodies, it includes some Waterford Crystal glasses designed by John Rocha and is, she says, a most impressive sight.

While most hampers are bought as corporate gifts, there is a growing demand for them to be delivered abroad as personal presents, she says.

"Getting a Bewleys hamper allows those who can't physically get home for Christmas to have a little bit of home wherever they are."

Seafood specialist Wrights of Howth is also gearing up for the Christmas rush. According to sales manager Darren Wright, what makes a Wrights hamper different is the emphasis on fresh food products. These include wild Irish smoked salmon, a range of Irish cheeses and biscuits, smoked duck, venison, brandy butter, porter cake, handmade preserves and fresh cream chocolates.

Wines, spirits, teas and coffees are also included, as are traditional festive stalwarts such as cranberry sauce.

Prices start at £45, rising to £250, with £80 making up the average spend. "Our hampers offer everything bar the main meal," explains Mr Wright. "Nothing that goes into our hampers ends up in the back of a cupboard in six months' time."

Also trading on quality ingredients is Gourmet Ireland. The company set up by television chefs Paul and Jeannie Rankin has a range of hampers filled with speciality products sourced solely in Ireland. Prices start at £23.50 plus VAT and rise depending on the kind of hamper you select.

Varieties available include "Best of Ireland", "Little Luxuries" and "Spice of Life". Doubtless this year all eyes will be on its £341 Millennium Hamper. This contains dozens of gourmet foods, from salmon to venison, brack, cake, preserves, chutneys, biscuits, chocolates and fudges.