Christmas hampers: Ham, pudding, shortbread and...gluten-free

One of Farro Fresh Food's most popular Christmas hampers - the Ultimate Farro Hamper, for $200. Photo / Supplied

Navigating the politics of Christmas lunch can be a fraught affair - now people are taking the hassle out of the feast by buying it ready-made.

Food retailers and hamper companies are starting to offer this year's range of Christmas goodies.

The more traditional hampers include a leg of ham, plum pudding, fancy chocolates and a wine bottle for the dinner table. Others now offer specialised foods or are made with gluten-free products, for example.

Christmas Hampers NZ has been delivering gift baskets around the country for more than 20 years after founder Christine West was inspired by Christmas treats she had seen at a Marks and Spencers store in the UK.

More than 1000 hampers are purchased each year, spokesman Jeff Cartridge said.

They have a large range of baskets, including specialty "for him'' and "for her'' hampers at $107 each.

Their most popular hampers cost $167 and $79 respectively. For the latter, treats include a range of chocolates, Christmas mince pies and cake, Russian fudge, fruit pudding, salted toffee pretzels, olives and savoury biscuits.

Those looking for something a little more gourmet are also spoilt for choice.

Champers Hampers have some top-class goodies.

Its Christmas Classic Hamper includes a 1.5kg honey baked ham, six large Christmas mince pies from Pandoro Panetteria and a chocolate brown handmade Christmas truffle selection for $140.

The company also has a popular create your own option.

Farro Fresh Food is offering a range of hampers made up of favourite Kiwi artisan products from around the country.

Prices start at $60. Its most expensive yet most popular basket - dubbed The Ultimate Farro Hamper - costs $200.

The hamper includes dried feijoa slices, Telegraph Hill olives, Morepork Smoky BBQ Sauce, Nam Jim Thai dressing, a raspberry jam from Flavour House and Kokako's fair trade organic drinking chocolate.

It also offers specialist hampers such as antipasto baskets and one made up solely of gluten-free foods and spreads.

The My Food Bag franchise has a My Christmas Food Bag option providing solid support for anyone dreading the task of cooking Christmas dinner.

Co-founder and chef Nadia Lim said the recipes were a twist on Kiwi classic favourites and had been tested dozens of times to make sure they were perfect.

"Every year my family gets it and we share the recipes and ingredients around so everyone can chip in - it makes Christmas Day incredibly easy and yummy.''

The large bag, which serves 8-10 people, costs $319. The smaller bag serves a family of 4-6 for $199.

The menus include salmon pastrami and lemon balm creme, one of the canapes. One of the mains is rolled turkey roast stuffed with cranberries and apple; while brown sugar pavlova with barberries, salted caramel and coconut make up the dessert.

At My Goodness Express and Impress, making sure the overall look of the hamper - as well as the goodies inside - was vital.

Spokeswoman Selena Mihaljevich said what was hot at the moment were NZ artisan food products, flax/Pasifika-styled baskets and containers they could keep later.

"People want real Christmassy food products and gift presentation. Companies and senders are looking for the wow factor.''