hamper/basket/gift makers ~ some tips

i looked on the basket index but couldnt find any general tips for hamper maker/producers so here are some i used last year and intend to use this year... putting together my first hamper this week

* If your baskets deep try and bulk it out with a largesh gift of some kind (towel/bath sheet/tie dye tshirt/clothing)
* Dont go and buy shreaded paper ~ buy tissue paper (last year i spent £2 on 15 a3 sheets) and put it through your home/work shreder and put it in a bag, you may have to shake it a bit to release it but its better than pay £4 per small bag... btw ikea do white packing paper, i used some of that to bulk out the colours last year
* If your basket has small sides build it up with some cardboard wraped in xmas paper then lean things against it
* When placing small objects around your hamper for decoration (ie sweets/small toys) stick them down with some blue tack/selotape, you dont want them moving while being transported
* Buy celeophane when its cheap and you spot it, near xmas loads of people are buying it and you want it delivered before you start putting them together
* Dont mix smells and choc/sweets
* Look at the dates on sweets/choc, its easy to buy things now ready for xmas but check the life span, not everyone will tear open there 'movie' hamper within january
* Dont forget a label/explanation on the item, especially if its themed ie movie/pamper
* Always check and double check you have included everything before wrapping, you dont want to have forgot something and have to start again
* Present it well, there is no point taking months to sort out a hamper when it isnt presented well...
* Have somewhere to store the finished hampers, unless you are making them xmas eve, if you are doing more than one you will need a few large spaces, remember a hamper is bigger than the basket/box you are using
* Dont place your hamper in direct sunlight, your hamper may contain bottles/sweets etc that contain this information if you are making them now (summer) dont store them in direct sunlight
* Try and move/place your hampers downstairs/in the car close to where they will need to be xmas day espec if there is only one of you, carrying a full hamper thats very tall down a flight of stairs isnt a mean feet
* If you have anything in your hampers that requires charging/batterys if its a child add/charge these if its an adult throw the battrys into the hamper too
and last but not least ~
* Its nice to give but dont always expect to recive