Christmas hampers can be a great way to share gourmet food that is prepared at home and can make the perfect Christmas gift for your family. Make sure the ingredients are fresh and that you follow some basic instructions.

Christmas cakes like to be stored in cool environments after they have been cooked. You should remember to wrap the cake in greaseproof paper and then tin foil to provide it with the maximum protection. Adding a dessert spoon of sherry or rum to your cake mixture adds a certain philip to your cake and will ensure that it stands out from the rest. It is a good idea to soak your fruit overnight to allow the juices to permeate the fruit. One interesting trick is to place a bowl of water in the bottom of the oven before you heat it up, as this will increase the humidity and will lead to the perfect cake for Christmas.