All I Want For Christmas is… Ellermann & Jean Paul Hévin

Even though wearing a scarf and gloves is actually laughable right now, the festive season is almost upon us. As a result, I’ve been mulling over some ideas for my Christmas list – handsome men, diamonds… handsome men holding diamonds. The usual contenders. Last week, however, I was invited to the launch of the Ellermann Flower Boutique & Jean Paul Hévin Chocolatier Christmas hamper range. My opinion of the hampers? Let’s just say that both pretty men and precious stones have been pipped to the post on my Christmas list this year.

Ellermann Flower Boutique

The Ellermann store in Sheung Wan is a divine place to spend one’s time. The decoration is chic, the air is fragrant and their arrangements are the very embodiment of elegance (rather unlike myself, I realised, after shoving my nose into several vases of flowers upon arrival). Each of the hampers contain a signature Ellermann hand-tied bouquet with a Christmas twist – we’re talking exotic red and white flowers, classic green foliage and festive berries-a-plenty. These arrangements are, like all of the Ellermann team’s creations, simply gorgeous.

Jean Paul Hévin Chocolatier

After cooing over the Ellermann bouquets, I had the really tough job of tasting Jean Paul Hévin’s Christmas collection. First in the spotlight was a chocolate bonbon whose cocoa beans hail from Brazilian soil. The coffee notes are subtle, yet oh so special when you learn that this flavour is infused by the soil alone. Orange makes a welcome appearance in the hamper collection (it is Christmas, after all) and is perfectly balanced with the delectable, dark chocolate ganache for which Jean Paul Hévin is so well renowned. If I didn’t qualify as a chocaholic before, this tasting session definitely sealed the deal.

This exciting collaboration of beautiful flowers and heavenly chocolates is not one to be missed ladies. There are 3 luxurious hampers to choose from – The Exquisite, The Deluxe & The Decadent – each of which include a signature hand-tied Ellermann bouquet and a selection of Jean Paul Hévin chocolates. They are the perfect gift for friends, family members, colleagues… basically they’re a sure fire success. Prices range between $1,500 and $2,800, with extra treats including Perrier-Joüet champagne being added into the mix at the higher end, and orders are being taken right away.

Nb. I’ve been really, really good this year Santa (he’s a Sassy reader, right?)

Ellermann Landmark Boutique, Shop 236, Level 2, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queens Road Central; Ellermann Sheung Wan Boutique, 36 Tung Street, Sheung Wan, Tel: 26180910 or 22910388, www.ellermanndesign.com

Jean Paul Hévin, Shop 212, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, TST, Hong Kong, Tel: 27353268, www.jeanpaulhevin.com.hk