So far for my Christmas Hampers I have made...

princess_leia_3

Brassic wrote:

I'm really inspired by all of this - but so far all the recipes I seem to see say they keep for 2 months - how have you all done yours? Things like the chocolate coated spoons for example - doesn't the chocolate go white after a while? Same with the truffles?

The recipes and sites I looked at said to freeze the truffles until needed and then keep in the fridge until eaten! Saying that my first batch were for trial purposes so i could taste them and make any adjustments etc - also I have a few birthdays in next few weeks so the first lot are going to them! just need to make/buy some boxes to put them in now

Edinburghlass_2

I remember Queenie doing a really good mix of presents for her son becoming a teenager at 13 which would be good for a teen hamper. I'll pm her to post the selection of things she prepared.

My daughter is going to try the soaps and bath bombs for her friends :j

Edinburghlass_2

If any of you crafty people have relatives going to hot climes this summer you might like to try making neck coolers.

http://www.p2designs.com/ShipCooler.htm

http://www.watercrystals.com/handycrafts.htm

They work kind of like the heat pads except they cool you down in really hot weather, ideal for Florida going round the parks. They are filled with crystals and you soak the neck cooler in the morning and it stays cool all day.

You can in fact also heat them in the microwave but they are very much slimmer than you would make a heat pad type.

Only problem is finding the crystals required to put in the neck coolers

mirakl

My hampers are now also going to include Quince jelly because I've just found a source of quinces and I've gotten better at a pottery class than I expected so there'll be a little ornament, bowl or cup in each hamper now too!

Queenie

Edinburghlass wrote:

I remember Queenie doing a really good mix of presents for her son becoming a teenager at 13 which would be good for a teen hamper. I'll pm her to post the selection of things she prepared.

My daughter is going to try the soaps and bath bombs for her friends :j

Teen Survial Kits were given to my eldest three when they reached 13... but A.S.K's for my younger two because they get them at 12:-

Below is the post which contains the girl ideas and below that a copy of the post I made at the time about my son's A.S.K. (Adolecent Survival Kit )

Queenie wrote:

When my eldest 3 (now adults) reached the magic 'teen' I made them all a teen survival kit, (only last week my 2nd to last youngest reached 12 and due to kids growing up a bit quicker these days, I altered the title to Adolesence Survival Kit). With my eldest 3 it meant I had to do one per year so even though the basics remained the same, they were adapted for the boys individual personalities and of course, my dd had an appropriate variation.

My dd's included "Everygirls Lifeguide" by Miriam Stoppard (don't know if it's still available but something similar should be around); a 5-year diary which was to record her "Journey to Adulthood"; an address book; pamphlets on drugs, drinking, contraception; make-up samples, perfume samples, condoms (they didn't have female one's then), Evening Primrose Oil capsules, various bath/body products etc., Clearasil products; Chubba-chubba lollies (her fav at the time) all the different things I could think of that crossed the barrier of changing from child to adult and would deal with the embarassing yet important parts too but with a healthy mix of humour/seriousness. Presented in a lockable box (privacy being paramount to a teen!) and giftwrapped. I was on benefits at the time, so I did have to plan ahead a bit and gather things together over a period of time, but it wasn't what could be deemed 'expensive' to put together.

I was only saying the other day, they can't remember what presents they received for which birthdays/Christmas growing up, but they all remembered their Teen Survival Kit!

Queenie wrote:

The best part of the week was ds's 12th birthday on Monday. He was delighted to get the gifts on his wish list (naturally!) but was blown away by the "Adolescence Survivial Kit" which I'd been putting together, bit by bit, for some time. When he realised the tempo of the gift, there was a moment where he blushed (so cute!) and said: "You haven't got me a condom, have you, Mum?" - "Of course not!" .... when he opened the gift labelled: "Better to be safe than sorry" ... he didn't found one .... but 6 :whistle: 2 x 3 packs, different varieties .....
He had a real belly chuckle when he opened "Sex, Puberty and All That Stuff" then "The Teenage Guy's Survival Guide: The Real Deal on Girls, Growing Up and Other Guy Stuff" and finally, "Living with a Willy". All three books each had something different to offer in terms of writing style and information but at least now I know he'll have all the information to hand as and when he needs it - one book describes shaving, yet another has pictures. So, good job his kit also included a razor and shaving foam then :rotfl: Wondering how long it will be before he begins filling up his "little black book" (address book) :think: He's quite looking forward to going back to school and telling his mates about his A.S.K ....

vickitoria100

In Poundland yesterday they are selling fab wine glasses that fit a whole bottle of wine in them and look really good. River Island etc sell these in their gift sections for around £9.99! Possible idea for a 'Wine Lover's' hamper???

MrsTinks

one problem with these glasses is if you knock them over... you don't loose 1/5th of your bottle... you loose the lot!!! :rotfl: Other than that they are a hot but bloody difficult to drink from (I recommend white wine... if you treasure your clothes/carpets)

Teresa60

Just came across this site http://www.hamper.com/default.asp?cartid=000001.USN1486512UBR5642ERD1436212PJK5654
It sells hampers but you could use the ideas for different hampers.

maow425

Whoa! Certainly puts the price issue into perspective!:eek:

Rachie_B

queenie im loving the ASK idea !! fab