Christmas is a unique time of the year where family and friends unite in the festive spirit of gift giving. However, with everyone being extremely restricted by time and premium placed on efficiency, it is often no longer feasible for every family to physically go to shopping centres or malls to purchase gifts. Despite traditional bricks and mortar shops extending trading hours during this period in an attempt to accommodate customers, the internet has become the solution for many people. The biggest concern from online customers is they fear that the products they see on the website is not what they will receive when delivered. This makes the reputation of the products invaluable information for the customers when deciding on gifts, and becomes even more critical when customers are shopping for food and the age old question of whether to buy imported or locally produced foods re surfaces.

Australian Chocolate is enjoying a golden age with many fine manufactures emerging. Ernest Hillier has developed and maintained the distinction for producing Australia?s finest chocolate. It all began in 1914 when Mr Ernest Hillier decided that Australians deserved only the highest grade confectionary, with an emphasis on the food being produced and sold on the same day and with the opening of his outlet on Pitt Street in Sydney, Australia now had its very first chocolate manufacturing centre and shop. Prior to the opening of his store, Chocolate was only available to Australia through shipments from the United States and Europe, and because of the time required to transport, the chocolate always arrived in poor condition. The chocolate industry in Australia would change forever with high quality, fresh confectionary being available and a Hillier Chocolates would enjoy the reputation and responsibility of being the benchmark of Australian Chocolates.

Whilst Ernest Hiller has built a reputation for nearly a century, several younger chocolate companies are also following in the traditions of manufacturing quality Australian confectionary. 3 Hats imaginative foods boast an array of different brands but one thing is consistent with their range and that is their deep passion in creating the perfect impression. They believe versatility, without compromising on a high standard of taste, is the secret to their products success. With this in mind, they have utilised their versatility to incorporate Christmas Truffles and a beautifully presented 65g chocolate selection in an aluminium star tin into their range just in time for the festive season.

Baylies of Strathalbyn present a wide range of gourmet delights that are designed to engage the taste buds. They are lovingly hand made in a modern facility that accommodates all their needs in producing their entire range of unique items. In addition to that, they offer season specific items, such as Christmas puddings and Rum Balls, which make for excellent additions to Christmas gift hampers.

Eventful Foods is based in Sydney and has been producing gourmet food since 1998. They specialise in the confectionery market and are renowned for their delicious range of handmade rock candy and traditional boiled sweets. Their range of rock candy and traditional boiled sweets is extensive with over 50 flavours in their range. They also have implemented some items unique for Christmas, the 170g Christmas Rock and 300g Beatle and Christmas Rock. These products are perfect compliments to Christmas gift ideas.

Since 1987, Ogilvie & Co has been amongst the leaders in gourmet food in Australia. Boasting a range of hand made items and protected by their signature red seal and unmistakable presentation, Ogilvie's products stay true to their motto of "life's too short for anything but the best." This philosophy is executed through using traditional preserving methods and never compromising on quality. The result is a growing tradition in the gourmet food industry. Ogilvie has created Christmas Puddings and a seafood cocktail sauce, which are fantastic additions to Christmas gift ideas.

Australian chocolate manufacturing has come a long way since its humble beginnings. With each company offering such an incredible range, it is rare to find one outlet that offers all of them together. We, at A Little Luxury, have an excellent selection of chocolates from all of these quality companies in both our Chocolate Hampers and Christmas Hampers.