Having a gift delivered can be a bit of a faff. You don’t want to risk it being delayed or left outside, but asking if your recipient will be home to receive it inevitably ruins the surprise. Enter letterbox gifts: presents packaged so they’re slim enough to post through the door.

You’re probably already familiar with letterbox flowers – a favourite of those who need an express delivery for Mother’s Day – but there’s now a whole host of other letterbox-shaped gifts available, from hampers stuffed with premium pub snacks to boxes of gardening accessories. We’ve narrowed down the best to help you gift wisely.

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The best letterbox gifts

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Foodie gifts

Cheeseboard with crackers and chutney

£10 at Butlers

For those who always opt for cheese over dessert. This box is filled with blue, hard and soft cheeses, all handmade in Lancashire, with sourdough crispbread crackers and a fig relish for pairing.

Curries from around the world

£17.99 at Not on the High Street £19.99 at Etsy

From tikka masala to Thai green curry, this box offers a culinary trip across the globe with six spice blends and easy-to-follow recipes to make different world curries. A unique present for everyone, from seasoned foodies to kitchen beginners.

BBQ lovers hamper

£34.95 at Not on the High Street

For those who love outdoor cooking all year round, this hamper is filled with various smoked snacks and accompaniments. There’s a delicious rub to use on meats before grilling, a smoked cheddar to elevate your barbecue and smoked, roasted almonds for snacking.

Pub snacks box

£15.50 at Etsy

Bring a taste of the pub home with this assortment of premium bar snacks, designed to be paired with a pint of beer. The standard-size box fits through the letterbox and comes with a mixture of seven full-size snacks ranging from pickles to pork scratchings.

Luxury charcuterie hamper

£34.95 at Not on the High Street

Stuffed with smoked ham, Aberdeen Angus bresaola, salami, olives and nuts, the contents of this box will make a perfectly balanced charcuterie board. Ideal for people who like something to accompany their aperitivo.

Rave Coffee subscription

£26.85 at Rave Coffee

What’s better than a single surprise gift? A subscription of monthly gifts! Rave Coffee offers a monthly delivery of coffee, with either whole or ground beans. The smallest size should fit through a standard letterbox for zero-hassle deliveries.

For more, check out the best coffee subscription services to save you money on your morning brew

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Relaxing gifts

Pamper night

£18.75 at M&S

For those in need of R&R, this box of relaxing Marks & Spencer favourites has everything for a self-care evening. Calming body wash and bath salts make for a relaxing soak, chocolate-covered almonds are an indulgent treat, and an eye mask helps with a good night’s sleep.

Spa gift box

£21.55 at Etsy

Another one for the person in your life who could do with more ‘me time’. This box is filled with products to aid relaxation, from a warming eye mask and spa-treatment body cream to chocolate and teabags.

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Sweet treats

Mixed mini brownie box

£18.99 at Cutter & Squidge

This brownie selection box comes with a mix of six flavours, such as peanut butter and Nutella. For an extra £2 you can add a message on the box to mark an occasion, from “Good luck” to “You’re engaged!”

Afternoon tea gift box

£20 at M&S

For a quintessentially British treat, try this afternoon tea box filled with M&S cakes, biscuits and tea. It comes with at least two of each item, so there’s no fighting over a single millionaire shortbread. Or if coffee is more their thing, M&S also does a similar coffee and cake box.

Sweet spring fondant fancies

£17.95 at Patisserie Valerie

A whimsical gift for someone with a sweet tooth, these adorable French fancies are decorated with pastel icing and pretty floral patterns.

Gluten-free cake slices

£15.99 at Etsy

Many treats are off-limits for people who can’t eat gluten, so let them eat cake on their special day with two gluten-free slices. These can be chosen from a range of six flavours, including raspberry and white chocolate, lemon and red velvet.

Bettys Cheeky Little Rascals scones

£14.75 at Bettys

From famed Harrogate tea room Bettys, this box of “little rascal” scones features double chocolate, orange and sultana, and cherry and almond flavour with cheeky faces dotted on in dried fruit, chocolate and nuts. We love the stylish vintage packaging too.

Sweets gift box

£9.98 at Etsy

For big kids who love a bit of old-fashioned pick’n’mix, this box comes with a selection of fizzy and gummy sweets. You can also add a message to mark the occasion.

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Hobby gifts

Gardeners’ tools collection

£29.99 at Moonpig

If your giftee has a green thumb or wants to get into the garden more, this handy box of tools is a thoughtful but practical gift. It comes with a small fork, gardener’s twine and wooden markers.

Muscle relaxation gift set

£38 at Letterbox Gifts

For avid swimmers, cyclists or runners, this box will help soothe any muscle aches and pains after a hard workout – perfect for anyone who’s just completed a sporting event. It includes bath salts and a shower steamer to help them relax, and a resistance band to aid their post-workout cooldown.

For more, check out the best shoes, socks and vests to buy the running enthusiast in your life

Tea break book box

£12 at Sustainable Book Club

A sustainably minded gift for bookworms, this box comes with a preloved fiction or nonfiction book, either tea, coffee or hot chocolate, and a sweet or savoury snack. Everything they need to curl up and read, delivered in recycled and recyclable packaging.

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Occasion gifts

New mum gift set

£37 at Letterbox Gifts

Being a new mum is hard work, so help them find a moment of peace with this relaxing package filled with camomile tea, an aromatherapy roll-on, bath salts, tea lights and chocolate.

For more, check out the best gifts for new mums, picked by new mums

Home Sweet Home biscuits

£25 at Not on the High Street

Celebrate their new home with this cheery box of novelty vanilla biscuits. Biscuiteers has a range of letterbox-friendly treats to mark lots of different occasions – from a new job to Father’s Day.

Birthday gift set

£37 at Letterbox Gifts

A thoughtful treat for when you can’t spend their birthday with them. This box comes with mug cake mix and a candle for a birthday wish, as well as chocolate, tea, dried flowers and a relaxing essential-oil roller.

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Classic gifts

Florist’s pick

£32 at Bloom & Wild

Flowers are a classic letterbox gift for a reason, and this florist’s pick bunch from Bloom & Wild comes with 17 stems that are selected monthly, making each bunch limited edition.

Gin-tasting gift box

£37 at Letterbox Gifts

Take them on a gin-tasting tour with this set of four British gins. They come with botanical accompaniments for an elevated aperitivo.

Hotel Chocolat selection box

£29.95 at Hotel Chocolat £30 at John Lewis

This selection box is filled with Hotel Chocolat classics and chocolates inspired by desserts, such as Eton mess and billionaire’s shortbread.

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Build your own

Royal Mail large postal boxes

From £2.99 at Etsy

If none of the options on this list have tickled your fancy, you could buy an empty box and fill it with products that you know they’ll love, for something truly personalised.

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Lily Smith is the Filter’s researcher. When she’s not finding quirky and thoughtful presents for gift guides, she’s coordinating the rehoming of tested products with charities and good causes. She has a passion for products that incite joy or improve everyday life