Hampers for Christmas? What would be good to receive?

queenlizard45uk

What a lovely idea!

If I was in need of one of those boxes, I think I would be sooo greatful to recieve some shampoo, body wash, some pampering items. Because alot of the time people can only just about afford food, so they go without items for themselves.

serious_saver

What a great idea! My dad received a hamper from our neighbours church a couple of years ago - not because of being in need but as a thank you for helping our neighbour when her young daughter was ill. It really made his Christmas and we knew that a lot of thought and kindness went into it! It's amazing how good it makes you feel to know that someone out there has thought about you even though they don't you.

I think you are right to leave out the nappies etc as a lot of needy families have children but not neccessarily babies. If you are able to find out the ages of any children it could be nice to pop in a couple of small 'stocking filler' type toys. You know, the Macdonalds happy meal sized things or crayons and some printed colouring in pages etc. Colouring pages for most popular childrens cartoons exist on the internet and are essentially free for most people but families in real need may not have access to a computer or printer.

You could also write to the head office of your usual supermarket and explain what you are doing. My mother did this when she was organising a WI garden party a few years ago to raise money for charity. They gave her vouchers to cover the cost of fresh scones, cream and fruit for 50 people. It's worth taking the time to write rather than email. Even if you just get a fiver it's worth the effort and the cost of a stamp.

Since you are doing this with the church it's worth checking is if they have a cash and carry account. My parents used to run a monthly meal for elderly people in the community with their chapel and had an account to purchase food. It could save a lot of money on certain items.

Good luck and well done for doing this

***EDIT

Another hamper we received once from one of my OH's family included a nicely printed 'menu', the recipe and all of the ingredients needed to make that specific meal. It was a lovely thoughtful idea!

Vaila

i always think something homemade is a lovely idea, ie i grow lavender so something like a basket filled with homemade lavender biscuits, a lavender filled cushion etc

Winged_one

Thank you all for the feedback - I am getting clearer in my mind what is needed and would be appreciated. I will keep picking up things as they are on offer over the next few weeks, but now I have a better idea of specifics to watch for. It's not that I want to save money on it, but I want what I get to be what would be appreciated and stretch as far as possible (and also, partly, I am hoping that by having things with the big flash of the special offer on them, will make it feel like less for the recipient, rather than overwhelming IYKWIM?)

I will keep an eye here though, in case there are any other odeas floating around.

Thanks again.

RedcarBlonde

going to make her own xmas hampers this year so far the things i have got to go in are xmas cake,mince pies,shortbread,truffles (two varieties), red onion marmalade,sweet chilli jam, christmas chutney (which are all going to be homemade), cheese and crackers and wine has anybody got any other ideas what i can make to go inside???

RedcarBlonde

When is the best time to start making chutneys for xmas presents???

I am going to make my xmas cakes tomorrow :j

chasingsunshine_2

This is such a lovely idea. Well done you for doing it! I wonder if any of my local churches are doing anything like this