Special: Our Christmas hamper gift list is so fab, Santa might have some competition this year! 

Are you are running from pillar to post before you settle into that Christmas holiday? We’ve got you covered in the goodies department. So much so that we might be giving Santa some competition  this year. From plum cakes and mince pies to spa sessions and champagne — our holiday hamper extravaganza has them all. Did we mention we even found you a five-star Secret Santa door delivery service? 
 

Yule love this!
Imagine a Chocolate Santa filled with goodies like spiced macaroons, handrolled hazelnut yule log cookies, plum pudding and single origin liquor pralines. That’s just the tip of the iceberg with what is on offer as part of the hamper variants at Taj Coromandel. Look out for silk ties from Khazana, bottles of Moet Chandon champagne and gift vouchers for a soothing spa date at Jiva Spa. Hampers priced INR 2,000 to INR 49,000. Available till January 5.

Marzipan magic 
It’s not every day you get to pick up your X’mas goodies or hamper from a Gingerbread House. So you may want to head over to the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Chennai just to get a taste of that experience. Expect festive staples like  rich plum cake, marzipan stollen, Christmas pudding, mince pie and assorted chocolates. On till December 25. Starts from INR 1,877 plus taxes.

Let ’em eat cake!
Why stop at plum cake, when you can also get Dundee cake and Apricot cake — all in one hamper at Hilton Chennai? Also, expect delicious goodies like mango passion milk macaroons, almond crescent cookies and lemon honey mustard truffle oil chocolate. Price: INR 2,000 to INR 5,000. The latter includes a bottle of GH Mumm champagne. On till December 31. You can also opt for a special Takeaway Roast Turkey from Est. 10 am to 10 pm. On till December 25. INR 15,000 all-inclusive. 

Peas on earth
The Leela Palace Chennai will help you play Secret Santa and even door deliver your gifts! Choose from their assortment of goodies as individual gifts, as well as standard or customised hampers for friends and loved ones. Look out for green peas wasabi, dark, milk and white chocolate Santas and mince pies, on their list of treats. The standard hamper is INR 3,500 ++, hamper with imported red wine INR 5,500 ++. 

‘Stollen’ dreams
From the classic plum cake to ginger ale, orange marmalade and marzipan stollen, The Park Chennai’s hamper line-up gives us all the festive feels. It starts at an affordable price range of INR 1,699 for their Santa Box. Add a touch of luxury with premium red wine, chocolates and a Typhoo tea box for an elevated experience of goodies, (INR 1,299 to INR 3,499). We also recommend you try their Christmas to-go option if you want an elaborate feast on your dining table, minus the leg work and washing up. Try their Roast Turkey — served with corn bread, stuffing, roasted vegetables, giblet gravy and cranberry sauce (Indian turkey INR 1,250, Butterball INR 2,250) and Mustard and honey-glazed Spanish ham, served with a pineapple glaze and root vegetables  (INR 1,250 per kg).
 

Praline on me 
Handcrafted pralines, cubes of rich dark chocolate with Turkish nuts and even fondue dipping sets, pot and all — are just some of the elements as part of the Fabelle Christmas hamper. Personally, we can’t wait to get our hands on the Tiramisu luxury chocolate bar. Available at ITC Grand Chola. Prices INR 4,800 to INR 10,500.

Jolly good
The Raintree, St Mary’s Road has the option of two standard Christmas hampers on offer. The first, ‘Christmas Delight’ comes with all the must-haves of the festive season — plum cake, almonds and cashewnuts, dark and milk chocolate and scented candles, (INR 1,200). The second, ‘Holly Jolly’ has been curated especially for chocolate enthusiasts with an assortment of milk and dark chocolate. (INR 350 forward six pieces, INR 550 for 12).