Business
Christmas hampers 2026 in the Netherlands: trends, budget and a guide for HR
What do Dutch employers give as a Christmas hamper in 2026? Trends, average budget per employee, four types of hampers compared and an HR checklist.
By Ibéricos Anjoreta · Updated on
Every autumn, Dutch HR teams face the same choice: which Christmas hamper (kerstpakket) this year? Here are the trends, budgets and options, with a checklist to choose well.
Trends for 2026
- Less, but better. Three high-quality products rather than a big box of filler.
- Sustainable and local. A Profipack survey (2024) found 68% of employers choose sustainable or local hampers.
- A story. Products from a family business, a region or a craft make a hamper personal.
- Choice. More companies let employees choose between a few versions.
- Everyone included. An equivalent version without alcohol, without pork or vegetarian.
- Ordering later. Most hampers are ordered in late November and early December, a little later every year.
Budget per employee
Surveys differ:
| Source | Average budget per employee |
|---|---|
| KVK survey of entrepreneurs (2023) | approx. €100; almost half spend €50–100 |
| Profipack survey (2024) | approx. €45 |
For tax purposes a hamper usually fits within the WKR tax-free allowance (2026: 2% of the wage bill up to €400,000). See Christmas hampers and Dutch tax.
The four types of hampers compared
| Type | Pros | Cons | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Christmas box | Familiar, lots of choice, cheap per unit | Lots of filler, not distinctive | Large organisations with a fixed budget |
| Choice hamper or gift card | Everyone chooses, little waste | Feels less personal | Diverse teams, hybrid working |
| Theme or deli hamper (e.g. Spanish) | Actually eaten, has a story, stands out | Fewer items per hamper | Teams you want to surprise, clients |
| Experience (tasting, workshop) | Memorable, bonds the team | More organisation | Smaller teams |
HR checklist
- Set the budget per employee and check it fits the allowance.
- Collect dietary needs: alcohol, pork, vegetarian.
- Decide on format: hand out at the office or deliver to homes?
- Personalise with a card bearing your logo and a personal message.
- Request 2–3 quotes, by mid-November at the latest.
- Ask about shelf life and storage.
- Make sure you get one invoice in your company name with VAT itemised.
Why a Spanish hamper works
A hamper with Ibérico ham, lomo, aged sheep’s cheese and olive oil ticks almost every trend: few high-quality products, something that ends up on the table and gets shared, and a story. Ours come from our own family shop in Málaga, with an equivalent pork-free version.
See our Spanish Christmas hampers for staff (from €39 per hamper excl. VAT) or read 8 original Christmas hamper ideas.
Sources
- Hart van Nederland: Christmas hamper trends 2024 (Profipack survey, Dutch)
- Belastingdienst: work-related costs scheme (Dutch)
Frequently asked questions
What are the Christmas hamper trends for 2026?
Fewer items and more quality, sustainable and local products, hampers with a story, choice hampers and attention to dietary needs. Hampers that actually get eaten do better than boxes full of filler.
How much do Dutch employers spend on a Christmas hamper?
It depends on the survey. A KVK survey of entrepreneurs (2023) found around €100 per employee on average, with almost half spending €50 to €100. A Profipack survey (2024) reported €45 per employee on average.
What is a Spanish Christmas hamper?
A Christmas hamper with Spanish delicacies such as Ibérico ham, lomo, aged sheep's cheese, olive oil and olives. It fits the trend towards hampers that actually end up on the table and have a story.