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SCMP Reporter

Gourmet Hamper ($1,888)

Hotel Inter-Continental Hong Kong

Panettone (500g)

Rose Tea (70g)

Lavender Honey (340g)

Christmas Cookies (1lb)

Chocolate Kitten (1pc)

Short Bread (200g)

Balsamic Vinegar (0.2ltr)

Terrine de Champagne (180g)

Inter-Continental Homemade Chocolates (300g)

Fruit Jellies (200g)

Peppermint Truffles (100g)

Cabernet Sauvignon, Les Jamelles 1999

Moet & Chandon, Brut Imperial

Bulgari Bath Amenities (5pc)

Never known for her modesty, Hong Kong took another record in the over-the-top category last month with the world's most expensive Christmas gift hampers: a cool $128,000 Imperial Hamper from Great food hall in Pacific Place included tea once reserved for the personal consumption of Mao Zedong, gold and platinum mugs, and a $30,000 bottle of Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon.

Those of us less inclined to mortgage our homes to pay off post-Christmas credit card debt can find plenty of gift-giving fun in a more affordable range.

A tasteful collection of gourmet food gift packages are available from leading specialist food retailers and major hotels this season. Well-stocked hampers range in price from $688 to $4,000, enough to keep any serious gourmet satiated. Here are just three in the mid-range level.

Poinsettia Hamper

($2,888)

Peninsula Hotel

The Peninsula Brut Champagne (750m)

Goose liver (70g)

The Peninsula tea cake (500g)

The Peninsula butter cookies (150g)

The Peninsula chocolate gift box (320g)

Deluxe mixed nuts (450g)

Cookies in Christmas jute bag (180g)

Rich chocolate sauce (250ml)

Gift set of The Peninsula teas (70g)

Glass Christmas tree dish with truffles (80g)

Stollen (500g)

Petrus Hamper

($3,688)

Island Shangri-La Hotel

Home-prepared Walnuts in Honey and Sesame Seeds

Mini Chocolate Chip Shortbread Biscuits

Maille Dijon and Whole Grain Mustards

Italian Tomato Sauce with Sweet Basil

Home-made English Fruit Cake

Shangri-La Assorted Chocolates

Christmas Spiced Biscuits

Scottish Smoked Salmon

Bellman Hat Chocolates

Swiss Pasta Tricolore

Cafe Latte Chocolates

Christmas Pudding

Sliced Bone Ham

Shangri-La Tea

Earl Grey Jam

Stilton Cheese

Honey Candle

Dried Fruits

Panettone Cake

Bottle of White Wine

Bottle of Red Wine

Moet and Chandon 1995



In the bag