Thank You Hampers

Fredula

My boyfriend and I are getting married in September and we're going away whilst MIL looks after our little boy, for the week!

As both our parents helped contribute towards the wedding we wanted to get them a present, and I'm not really keen on the idea of flowers. Hampers seem like a better idea.

Our budget is £50 per hamper. My parents don't really drink, and FIL doesn't drink. So a wine type hamper's no good. I like the idea of jams and things - I've had a look at some nice ones for around £54 online.

I'm wondering though, do you think we would be able replicate a nice hamper for £50, buying things ourself, or do you think it would just be better off getting one online, as that comes with delivery anyway. I like the idea of making one myself but I'm not sure I would be able to put it together as well as they do in the professional places, and I worry that I wouldn't be able to get enough lovely things for the £50. What do you think? Ideas would be nice, if you've ever made one.

ikkle87

Have a look on the special occasions board hun, lots of people on there make hampers so will be able to give you some great advice x

tealady

Personally I would prefer a cheaper one which was personalised, rather than an a relativly expensive bought one. A hamper which includes things I like would go down well. it would show that the giver has thought about me as a person. I prefer cheaper gifts which show thought rather than expensive items that aren't "me" IYSWIM

marisco_2

You could make a beautiful hamper yourself and fill it full of things that you know the recipients will love, for around £50. It could be any size you choose, lots of farm shops sell beautiful baskets, that would work well. It could be lined with tissue paper to match the colours you have at your wedding. A much more well thought out and personal gift than any you could order online. By doing it yourself you can also accomodate any allergies people may have.

Fosterdog

I think it's a lovely idea

I regularly send home made hampers as gifts and they work out a lot cheaper than bought hampers and I make them more personal to the recipient.

I had a bargain on some wicker hamper baskets in Matalan quite a while back so stocked up on ten of them (£2.50 each and a good size) but I've used them all now and not found any at the same size quite as cheap.

The best one was one I put together for a friend who loves to make their own curries, I bought all sorts of spices, a curry recipe book, and a bunch of other items. It went down very well and they have even started to use more of some of the spices they hadn't tried before I got it and has developed a new signature curry that we all enjoy.

Cornish_piskie

I did this at Xmas for my parents and they loved it. I bought some hamper kits on eBay - they came with a beautiful basket, cellophane, a large ribbon bow and a wide ribbon to finish it all off that was personalised ie 'with love from xxxx, xxxx and xxx' I then tootled about getting some posh handmade biscuits, scented candles, some dinky bottles of wine, nuts and fruits. It looked gorgeous and was very much appreciated, plus I could tailor the contents exactly to what I knew they'd like

Seanymph

I got one delivered from a very famous store (can I say John Lewis on here?) - it was obviously very expensive, and had been smashed on the courier.

The chocolate and jars where smashed, it was a christmas gift from work.

I phoned the company (JL) to explain and was told I 'couldn't lodge a complaint because it was a gift - it had to be the person buying it'.

I didn't want to complain to my boss, it seemed wrong, so I just put up with it.

A personally collected one, delivered in person, would have been much nicer!

I wouldn't order one and get it delivered any more for that simple reason.

jackyann

I would consider whether to use an actual hamper - I have been given 2 and love them and use them as attractive storage things - but if you think it won't be used, then a covered cardboard box, or nice shopping bag may do the trick.
I would just look out for stuff as you go around - especially at craft fairs, farmers' markets etc. and buy stuff as you spot it. A couple of weeks beforehand, get it all out, inventory and fill in the gaps.
I find that tissue paper & cellophane are great (use newspaper underneath to pad out). I often include a nice towel or tea towel, or oven glove to add a touch of colour. Some individually wrapped sweets or chocs look jewel-like if you scatter them over.

Nan63

I love making up and giving hampers as gifts, they are so versatile and you can make one up to suit almost anyone. Some of the themes I have used over the years include garden (gardening tools, gloves, seed packets, flower bulbs, kitchen towel with flowers or plants, hand lotion), films (DVDs, popcorn, cinema token, film magazine), baby (blanket, bibs, wipes, talc, lotions, teething ring), christmas - for my grandson each year I make a hamper which includes a christmas book, new pjs, gingerbread biscuits, hot chocolate mix and some 'christmas' smellies. I've also made up a spice hamper and used a pyrex dish as the container.

As for containers, try hat boxes, trays, tin buckets (perfect for a garden theme one), and as has already been suggested, try car boot sales etc for baskets, boxes etc and embellish accordingly.

Good luck with putting something together and don't worry that it may not look 'professional', it will be put together with love and attention to your MIL's likes and dislikes and I'd take that over a shop bought item any day!

Jinx

I've done a few gift hampers - I did one for my best friend which had minis of perfume in it along with a lovely pic of her and her little one in a gorgeous frame and her fave plonk; also done one of retro sweeties, sweets from local sweet shop, jars with the flip lids from Poundstretchers. These went down a storm. I get all my cellophane from ebay (so much cheaper than the florist) and use the clear dots to hold the cellophane in place from the pound shop. Add colour using crepe paper - also from pound shop!