Christmas Hampers

purpleimp

I keep getting lost with all these huge threads for gifts and on christmas and I thought we should have a dedicated hamper thread, I'm sorry if there's been one done already, merge me if you like

I've got lots of ideas but lots of them need refining!

Here's what I'm thinking of so far.

home brew baileys (in a minature wine bottle so a few shots a piece)

Gluwein (again either in single glass wine bottles if I can get enough or large bottles for giving to family units)
The recipe I use calls for chateaux de migraine chapest of the cheap and orange juice so with the cheap boxes of red for christmas it should work out really cheap, they'll have a tag on with heating instructions. I'll post recipes for any thing I mention if folk want them,

All of my friends have been told to keep bottles and jars for me, but both the baileys and gluwein will need dark bottles to prevent them for going off, if I can't get enough dark bottles do you think that once they are bottled up and sealed, I'd be able to spray the bottles a dark colour to keep them the same way a dark bottle would work?

Orange pomanders, I've started making these already but they smell so good I have to complete making one for each room in my house before I can think of giving any away.

Cimamon and clove coasters, they are a great idea but I'm not going to have time to do them but they're worth a mention, make coasters,sew up three sides load with cinamon and clove and stick the last hem, when you put a hot mug down on them the smell of the spices fills the room.

Spiced irish beef, ( I know that once made it will last for 3 weeks)was going to dispatch it in zip n seal bags,not sure if I can risk using it in the hampers to be posted though, if it's not kept refrigerated, what do you think?

Tablet

Truffles (dead easy, dirt cheap and I have a will last for months recipe so they're ok too)

Peppermint cremes again last for ages

Oatcakes, home made (will packaging these in greaseproof paper be ok for the hampers that go in the post? I'm not sure how well they'll keep)

Shortbread( I have the same concern about the shelf life of these too)

Jars of lemon curd, which will keep fine and dandy

Then there's the spoons and stirrers.
peppermint spoons for chocolate or herbal tea,
chocolate spoons for using in coffee for mocha or chocolate
cinamon chocolate stirrers for chocolate of coffee again
clove spoons for the chocolate.

I think what I'm going to do for cheap pressies for people who need a little something because you're obliged to buy for them is to buy cups and saucers or mugs (wholesale if I can) if not I'll be raiding a junk shop and giving them a mug and a selection of spoons and a packet of coffee.

The other thing that looks really cute is cakes in a jar with dry mix and directions to make up as a wee novelty gift, but I wont be bothering with that

maybe some applesauce or salt dough decorations thrown in but I'm not sure yet.

The way our family is we've got people who are allergic to one thing or diabetic or intollerant to another,or pregnant or breastfeeding (raw eggs in the baileys etc) so each hamper will have to have a card giving contents and allergy info.

Comments criticisms, ideas, shelf life suggestions, packaging hints, ( I don't want to have to fill each hamper with tupperware or anything, it's supposed to be cheap!*;oDxxx)

hilstep2000

All your ideas sound lovely! Wish I had the time to make them! LOL!!!

MrsTinks

SOAP!! :rotfl:

No seriously tho it's easy and cheap and looks good etc - you could even make chrstmas ones with the spices etc

Other than that I fully intend to steal some of your ideas!!! Have to say that I too am struggling with getting small bottles... large wine bottles are not a problem *hick* but small ones are rare... any good ideas of where to buy them cheap?

purpleimp

They are impossible to buy, the only bottles on ebay are grolsch, beer bottles would be fine but it's resealing them that's the problem.

The pubs round here use single glass wine bottles a lot of the time to prevent spoilage, so I'm going to ask some of the bar staff to keep the bottles for me, the bottles wont be a problem it's getting the bar staff to put the lids back on the bottles once they're empty that will be the problem!
xxx

tiff

How do you do the peppermint spoons?

Sallys_Savings

Have you tryed asking on freecycle?
I asked for jam jars a little while ago and a few people offered them to me, so you might be lucky.

financial_filly

hiya not sure which bottles you need (i think its fantastic you are going to do all that as presents - wish i had the time although i am making up pamper hampers for friends) but i have been in asda, morrison and i think tesco's were they sell small wine bottles - usually one glass full - on offer where you get around 4 for £5..i know its not very money saving but you get to drink *hic* the wine first (although wouldnt recommend the weight watchers wine urgh)

sorry if thats not the size you were after

purpleimp

Here's the minty spoons, lifted straight from http://organizedchristmas.com/

Candied Tea Stirrers

Serves/Yields:
Prep. Time:
Cook Time:
Category: Kitchen Gifts
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients
Cooking Spray
34 Pieces Fruit Flavored Hard Candies or Peppermints - crushed
2 T. Light Corn Syrup
Heavyweight Plastic Spoons

Directions
Line a cookie sheet with sides with wax paper. Spray with cooking spray. In a small heavy saucepan combine crushed candies and corn syrup over low heat.

Stir frequently until candies melts. Spoon candy into the bowl of each spoon. Do not completely fill to the top. Be careful as candy mixture will be very hot. Place spoons on cookie sheet with the handles resting on the rim of the pan. Allow candy to harden. Store in an airtight container.

You can also buy clear plastic bags at a candy supply store and individually wrap. Tie with a bow.

Use in any hot drink, depending on the flavor of the candy you used.


Source: Razzle Dazzle

There's loads of variations of these, I'm going to do some chocolate covered ones drizzled with melted clove rock for a bit different.

Thaks for the suggestions bout the bottles, I only drink wine if it's gluweined but am relunctant to spend money on the packaging if I can get them free from a bar who are throwing them out!

surfsister

purpleimp wrote:

I keep getting lost with all these huge threads for gifts and on christmas and I thought we should have a dedicated hamper thread, I'm sorry if there's been one done already, merge me if you like

I've got lots of ideas but lots of them need refining!

Here's what I'm thinking of so far.

home brew baileys (in a minature wine bottle so a few shots a piece)

Gluwein (again either in single glass wine bottles if I can get enough or large bottles for giving to family units)
The recipe I use calls for chateaux de migraine chapest of the cheap and orange juice so with the cheap boxes of red for christmas it should work out really cheap, they'll have a tag on with heating instructions. I'll post recipes for any thing I mention if folk want them,


Excellent post how do you make the orange pomanders please? thanks

CoD_2

chutney, jam, I make a blackberry and lime cordial for alcohol free drinks, erm lemon schnapps... blackberry schnapps might make their way into hampers, or into the CoD household drinks cupboard...

TerminallyShortOfCash

OMG this all sounds fantastic!!! I've 'warned' alll my family and friends that it;s going to be a homemade and thoughtful Christmas this year and I was really surprised when they all said that it was a really good idea (although I haven't quite had the nerve to tell my Grandma yet - I think if she asks it's all going to have come from 'a lovely little craft fair I went to'!!) I would be sooo grateful if someone could pm me links to all these fabulous ideas and recipes (I don't want anyone to have to spend ages typing things )

many many thanks for all inspiring ideas

jen
xxxx