Christmas Hampers 2013

madeforcheapshopping

susan42 wrote: »

Theres some cracking hampers on here and thank you for all the ideas

Madefor cheap shopping, I struggle like you for fitting things in

I`ve made a mans pamper hamper, its a stocking filler and I can get it to come in under a pound by buying a few of each item

Here it is

Last year, the tea hamper I did almost drove me mad, just trying to figure out how to get everything in artistically. That's why I'm glad I have MSE and the people on this forum to help me this year.

The Man pamper hampers are just Fab!!! Hope you don't mind if I borrow the idea,

I have a couple of questions I hope someone on here can help me with.....what exactly goes into a hangover cure kit? Isn't it offensive to give as a gift or does it depend on the relationship?

TM6

bunty109 wrote: »

MIL is very kindly taking us on a Caribbean cruise next year so I thought about getting her a Caribbean hamper:

Death in Paradise DVD
Caribbean guidebook
Reggae Reggae Sauce


Any other suggestions?!

Anything with Rum or with coconut

TM6

carlamarie wrote: »

Caribbean cookbook
Malibu and pineapple juice
Look for DVDs based in the Caribbean or on a cruise
Sun creams for while ur away, sales should start on them soon, swimming costumes too
You could put together a wash bag for while ur away
reggae CDs?

I can't think of anymore atm


You could package it all up in a rasta hat maybe? Or a blanket knitted in the national colours

Also steel drum music

kingfisherblue

madeforcheapshopping wrote: »

Hello,
My niece's b'day is in December, like a few days before Christmas. Last year, she decreed that she wanted two different/individual presents because most of the time, her b'day present was also her Christmas gift. I, 100%, agree with her....LOL!!!
This year, I'm doing a hamper for her, separate from the hamper her family would get. I thought since she was turning 10, I would do a fashionista hamper for her.
I thought I should put it together, just to see how I was doing. This is the result so far....I would love your opinions. Is it too much, is there a better way I can arrange the contents, you know, that sort of thing.
P.S. There is still the giant tube of Smarties to add and I don't know where to put it now:eek:......maybe across the back?? Please help!!!!

Hiya MFCS, your hamper is great. To arrange quite a few items, I do the following:

Put larger items at the back, preferably on an angle. You have a flattish cream box and a similar blue box. I would balance them both on a corner and place one in front of the other, overlapping slightly. The upper corner would then rest along the side of the box, sticking out over the side.

You have a piece of clothing at the back, but it can't be seen very well. If you secure it in the lid, using glue dots, the other items placed on a slant won't obscure it from view.

Use newspaper to lift smaller items, especially at the front. Cover the newspaper with coloured tissue paper so that it looks nicer. I scrunch paper loosely to make differing heights, depending on the sizes of the items that I am putting in a hamper. Maybe the teddy could fit in front of the boxes, possibly without paper underneath, but other items such as the pink topped bottle might need lifting slightly.

The Smarties and bobbles tubes could be placed at the front of the hamper, fairly high on paper, or you could have the teddy holding one of the tubes across their lap. With tubes, you can always have one end low down in the box, and raise the other end, maybe sticking over the side, in front of the cream and blue boxes.

Smaller items either at the front, or if appropriate, used to fill in small gaps.

Once you are happy with the arrangement, use sticky glue dots to secure items next to each other if you think they will sink or fall. If the teddy is holding a tube, you can put sticky dots on the hands, to allow the teddy to 'hug' the tube.

If you are using cellophane, put the end of your roll near one end of an empty table ( or on the floor if your back can take the bending over - mine can't :rotfl:). Put the hamper in the middle. Roll out a piece at least twice the height of the hamper, that's twice the height on each side. It will look far too big, but believe me, you need this amount. Lift both ends of the cellophane (one end still fastened to the tube) to check if you have enough to gather together above the hamper and still add your bows.

Once you are satisfied that you have enough cellophane, cut it. Gather it high above your hamper and secure with a strip of Sellotape. Sometimes it is easier to pop an elastic band over it first. Make sure you leave some gathering at the top.

Add your ribbon. The cheapest way is to use curling ribbon. Cut long lengths and pull it quickly between a blunt knife and your thumb (holding the knife down against your thumb with your index finger). The ribbon should become very curly. Use several strips, different colours if you want to. I find one or two colours work best. Pick out colours from your box for a better effect. I would choose pale blue and yellow for your hamper.

Tie or stick the ribbon securely, covering the sellotaped bit below the gathering.

You might find that you need to Sellotape some of the cellophane at the sides as well. If you do, tape as far towards the back as you can.

It looks like a great hamper and I'm sure your niece will love it. I think hampers show a great deal of care and thought, and you have obviously put both of these into this one for your niece. I hope she has a lovely birthday x

Ruth_honey

Great instructions, kingfisherblue! Thanks for taking the time to post. I'm sure it'll be a huge help to us all.

I'm gathering bits for a BBQ hamper for my husbands birthday. Got some great stuff so far. Will post pics once I've bought everything. So far I've got:
Several cook books
Ice bucket for beers
Bamboo skewers
Oven glove
Meat thermometer
Dips
Marinades
BBQ flavour nuts
T shirt
Picnic cutlery
Plastic plates
Plastic bowls
Tortilla chips (still to buy)
Reggae reggae sauce
Salt grinder
BBQ tool holder
Beers (still to buy)

Any other suggestions welcome...:)

madeforcheapshopping

Kingfisherblue, Can I just say I bow to your expertise......



Can't wait to get home and give your suggestion a go....keep your fingers crossed for me, :wave:



Ruth_ Honey, I agree with you 100% on Kingfisherblue's advice.
Your hamper sounds great. How about a "Kiss the Cook" apron? I believe I saw one on Amazon.com, not too sure about the price but just an idea to consider.....

Ruth_honey

madeforcheapshopping wrote: »

Kingfisherblue, Can I just say I bow to your expertise......



Can't wait to get home and give your suggestion a go....keep your fingers crossed for me, :wave:



Ruth_ Honey, I agree with you 100% on Kingfisherblue's advice.
Your hamper sounds great. How about a "Kiss the Cook" apron? I believe I saw one on Amazon.com, not too sure about the price but just an idea to consider.....

Thanks for the suggestion, but he's got a nice Jamie Oliver one he never wears. I might dig it out, wash it and pop it in the hamper anyway...:rotfl:

madeforcheapshopping

Ruth_honey wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion, but he's got a nice Jamie Oliver one he never wears. I might dig it out, wash it and pop it in the hamper anyway...:rotfl:

I'm having such a laugh here.......I'll bet you a couple of pounds, he wouldn't recognize it too:rotfl: then you get twice the thank you kisses for no money spent. Pay attention, people, this is a top MSE tip.:idea:
:beer:

madeforcheapshopping

I just noticed I've been promoted from MSE Newbie to MSE Convert.....and I have a star. I am sooo proud of myself...Hehehehehe!!!

TM6

amysb86 wrote: »

loving this thread so much!

cupcake basket sounds fab! dont think i can add any more to all the lovely suggestions!

my brothers spanish/tapas hamper is coming along nicely, so far i have

tapas book
tapas dishes
paella rice
paella starter pace
spanish hot chocolate
stuffed peppers in a jar
sangria
lovely glasses
REC dvd (spanish horror film)

still to get chorizo, flat breads, posh cocktail sticks, sundried toms

any other ideas welcome? xx

A fan for a giggle :rotfl: