There's arguably no situation that can't be improved by a cup of tea and a sweet treat, and while it's not always possible to be there to share them with a loved one, there are ways to send them everything they need straight to their door. Marks and Spencer has a range of letterbox gifts, and they're the perfect way to show someone you care.

The retailer offers a range of letterbox gifts, from brownie boxes to those with more variety, such as sweets or even skincare. However, one of their best sellers i the Afternoon Tea letterbox gift. The box costs £20 and is filled with delicious sweet treats from M&S' own range, along with some tea to enjoy them with.

Inside are 16 bags of Luxury Gold tea, and three different types of biscuit to dip into it: there are some mini shortbread fingers, chocolate-dipped Viennese fingers, and two decadent millionaire's shortbread bars. If you prefer cake, the box also includes two mini carrot cakes and two mini Victoria sponges. There are at least two of each item, so there's no fighting over a single biscuit if you're sharing the parcel.

The gift can also be personalised for free with a custom message, making it extra special.

Letterbox gifts are a great way to treat someone who is far away, whether you're hoping to spread a little bit of Yuletide joy or send a present to someone with a December birthday. Of course, they're also suitable for many occasions, from happy to sad.

If your loved one is more of a coffee fan, there's also a Coffee and Cake box, and for a more Christmassy gift, M&S has just launched a festive edition of the Afternoon Tea box, with the treats inside replaced by iced fruit cake, dark chocolate cranberry jaffa cakes, tree-shaped shortbread, cinnamon bun bites and two chocolate Santas.

The Afternoon Tea box has over 5,000 positive reviews on the M&S website, with an impressive rating of 4.8 out of 5. Shoppers have praised the variety and quality of the treats inside, with many saying the recipients were "delighted" with their gift.

One shopper said they "would recommend to anyone fancying a treat and treating someone else." Another wrote: "Great selection and well packaged. Makes for a lovely gift!"

A third five-star review reads: "This gift is amazing, I have literally sent it to everyone I love during tough times, to celebrate happy times and birthdays. It's honestly the perfect gift, and everyone I have sent it to loved it. Eventually, everyone I know will have received this at least once, and I'm going to have to find another gift to show I care. M&S, please invent another letterbox hamper!"

However, one customer said they thought the box was "smaller than expected, but probably my misunderstanding". Shoppers should keep in mind that the gift needs to be small enough to fit into a letterbox.

Another shopper complained: "I bought it the week before Christmas as a Christmas gift for my brothers, but when they opened it, the carrot cake was out of date."

As the cakes inside the gift box are fresh, they will keep for a minimum of two days once received. However, M&S recommends that recipients check the dates on each pack to ensure freshness. If you are planning on gifting this box, it would probably be a good idea to place the order close to when you want it to be sent, to make sure the treats inside are as fresh possible.

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