Wretched Excess Dept: Sting's Christmas Hamper

It's the rock and roll establishment's gift of choice: a wicker Christmas hamper filled with products from Sting's personal organic farm in Wiltshire. There are only one hundred of them, with products lovingly chosen by his wife, Trudie Styler, and they are flying off the shelves. For £140 ($300US) each hamper contains organic christmas cake, blackcurrant jam, raspberry jam, gooseberry mint and sage jelly, beetroot chutney and a chocolate coin. There is also a bottle of champagne, cassis, and some candles. Styler has been running an organic farm for 15 years, and is delighted with the success of the venture. She says, "I've always been a big advocate of local shopping and what could be more local than your own backyard?" (read country estate with staff to match).

Who wants them? Everyone--Sharon Osbourne took away "a number", and record executives have snapped them up to give as presents to Katie Melua, amongst others.

Of course, this is small potatoes compared to the ultimate christmas hamper for $53,576 at Fortnum & Mason. It will be delivered by horse and cart and contains goodies including a tin of Beluga caviar, enough foie gras for 25 people, 3 precious bottles of wine and two pairs of cashmere socks in pink and grey. :: Evening Standard