Christmas Hampers 2014

aliaslotte

Two more hampers wrapped, so that's all my hamper style presents done. The other "normal" things can be wrapped up a bit later on. I need to be strict with myself. I have checked my spread sheets (sad perhaps, but very handy) and have spent more than I did last year already. Everyone has multiple things from me, so I need to avoid the temptations of buying extra things. It's just hard!

Pamper Hamper
Made up of a book, some DVDs, mug and coaster set, couple of Whittard hot chocolates, wine, and some Chocomania products from the Body Shop.

RRP £88.98, Total Spend £31.37


Cooking Hamper
Made up of a branded roasting dish, tea towels, various relishes, spice mixes and two little bottles of wine [to cook with or to drink whilst cooking lol].


RRP £66.50, Total Spend £18.62

mum2one

FieryAngel wrote: »

As much as I love Christmas and had planned to do loads of home made items to put into hampers such as food things and lotions and lip gel etc (been spending far too much time on Pinterest!), I unfortunately have come to the realisation that I might not be able to do what I wanted this year

I've been ill all year and when I think of how close Christmas is and how much I wanted to do (including lots of things that could only be done very close to Christmas) I don't think I'll have the energy to do them. I'm so gutted about this as I enjoy being crafty and creative (and MSE of course!) but I also can't face digging myself into a deeper hole. It's taken me a long time to realise I can't do what I once did, at least not yet, and I've still not really accepted it yet! haha :rotfl: but I will still eagerly read all of your posts and look forward to seeing pics of your finished articles and hearing about how much everyone loved them. And of course if I'm out and about shopping, I'll let you know of any deals I see.

Sorry to offload that on here - it's not the happy cheerful, Christmassy kind of message but I knew other Christmas/crafty nuts would understand the frustration of not being able to be in full Christmas mode!

as i say if you cant off load with friends (virtual or not), its a poor look out... It sounds daft but my virtual friends, have been a lifeline.

sorry to hear you have been poorly, hope you've turned the corner and on the road to recovery...

I know what you mean about full christmas mode, - i had so many ideas and plans, luckly get 75% of prezzies in xmas sales, we had the misfortune of m father being rushed into hospital in Aug, he went in with constipation, but when they operated it was bowel cancer, not helped by the fact we were on holiday (luckly just 75miles away), we (thou me driving), spent 4 weeks back and forth from hospital, he's on chemo and hopefully were on home straight, then last weekend a cery close friend lost her husband, he was only 60, been shocks all the way round.

We're get there, maybe not be on grand scale, I wanted, but even if I can achieve 25% be pleased xx

mum2one

Smookle wrote: »

Hi everyone! Love this thread! I really really want to try to do Christmas Hampers this year, but it turns out I'm not as imaginative as I thought and would love a little advice on how to bulk out the ideas I have! So far I have got...

DH - He loves real ale, but I don't really want to just buy lots of bottles of local ales, one or two maybe but I havent got a clue what else I could add to this!
My dad loves real ale, so I usually try to get names that he hasn't got, such as local brewery, or type of ale, (beer rather than pale ale), I find if you have a co-op they tend to do local brews, - added ideas, beer glass either one of the ales or "dad on it", some beer mats (I got some last yr from card factory (99p for pack of 4), beer towel, peanuts, pork scrtachings, cheese biscuits, crisps, (to nibble on(, notepad and pen (could list the beers, brewery, type, likes it or not)


Sister and BF - they've recently got into cycling so I have already got a little vintage bicycle sign for their door, and some energy bars and maybe a puncture repair kit or something. Ideally wanted a book on cycle routes but they live in Northern Ireland and cant find any that cover this area, but have found a downloadable pdf booklet that I might see if I can print off and bind if I'm allowed too.
May be a long shot, but The Book people - they may have a guide for Northern ireland, but if you can get a download be more personal to them both, bell for the bikes, water bottles, travel mugs, make a little handy kit - plasters, wet wipes, tissues, little notebook, pen, pencil

Mum and Dad - they keep nagging us for some photos (DH is an amateur photographer) and thought I might make a photo book of all the pics they wanted and maybe a few nice or handmade photo frames.

That sounds a lovely idea, the photo book sounds great, what about a small personal one (if you have kids), special events, places, or even an iou for a day out, that you could go to as a family outing and take advantage of DH photography skills

Friend and 3 kids - a hamper is ideal for these guys as if I buy individual presents it costs me a fortune! Really want to get them a Treasure Trails map for their local area but have no idea what else to put in the hamper apart from a compass maybe?


That sounds a brill idea, you say 3 kids, not sure on ages, - maybe add a selection box in for each of them, mug with hot choc, santa soup, (drinking choc, choc buttons, mini marshmellows and a little whisk), you could use a cello cone, or (mse ways), use a jam jar, coffee jar and reverse layer (marshmellows bottom, choc buttons, hot choc - use greaseproof paper to divide the layers.
travel mug for mum, water bottles for kids, pen, pencil, notebook, for days out, if the kids are younger - maybe print some sheets offs identify things,
(brainwave just occured), what about doing a diy treasure trail, walk the route and add clues as you go along, eg what happens here, name of shop,


Niece and Nephew and BIL - we don't see them very often as they live the other end of the country to us. Last year we got them an annual pass to a play farm but I don't think it got used very much (their dad only has them one day over the weekend) so wanted to get them something that would be more useful. Kind of want something that BIL can enjoy with the kids when he has them hence going for experiences rather than toys. I have already bought them a Treasure Trails map in the past so can't really use my one and only childrens idea : ( (Ps. I am terrible at shopping for children. They are my christmas kryptonite!)

you sound really great at getting kids stuff, sounds like a brilliant present the play farm,
again not sure how old kids are (so apologies if gone young/old),
make your own art kit - pencils, pens, paper, doylies, glue, paint, (hit £1shops craft aisles)
day out adventure, - they can choose when to go
board game (family times when raining)
christmas kit (dvd, selection box, cups/beakers, ... )




Any and all suggestions are most welcome!!

I've popped a few thoughts in, sounds like you have some great ideas there, xx

mum2one

luckofthe_irish wrote: »

Hi everyone, I am absolutely loving reading through all your amazing ideas! I am struggling with my creative ideas so thought I would ask for some of your wisdom...

I am contemplating making my OH a milkshake hamper for part of his Christmas present (it is our first Christmas together) as he absolutely loves strawberry milkshakes (kid at heart and loves chocolates and sweets) and I have found a good value retro milkshake maker online. Does anyone have any other ideas for what I might put in it?

Or should I just go for the standard toiletries and clothes gift for him? Is the milkshake hamper too 'out there' for a 29 year old guy?

Any advice would be extremely helpful! Thanks

the milkshake idea sounds fab,
If he loves milkshakes, and sweets - go with that way, - (£1 shops), they do the straws with the built in milkshake (pop in straw and drink, there fab), crusha syrup, or nesquick powder, sweets, (1980s child), so most sweets are still around, whippy cream for toppin

you could turn into a christmas hamper, - new pjs (or tshirt), shakes and choc, xmas selection box, new socks, some smellies.

xx

Jobo88

Fiery angel, so sorry to hear that! I second what pigpen says, pick a couple of small things to do so that you don't miss out on the fun!

Luckofthe_irish, the milkshake hamper sounds awesome! Maybe you could get some nice ice cream sauces and sprinkles to drizzle on the inside of the glass and sprinkle on the top with some whipped cream? I know someone mentioned some popcorn as well (think it was you but can't remember), and I saw some red and white popcorn tubs like the ones you get in the cinema in home bargains the other day(think they were 99p), that might be something you can use as well! My OH loves milkshake as well so I think I'm going to put some of the sachets in his treats hamper this year! What a great idea!

Jo xx

cymrumam

Hoping you lovely lot can inspire me.


My 23yr old daughter moved in with her boyfriend earlier in the year, unfortunately the property they were renting was a disaster (useless landlord and mould) they have just moved back in with his parents and space is limited. Bought there main present but looking for inspiration for a smaller gift to go with it. Evenings out are limited because of DD job - she works mainly in the evening. They are saving up to move out and buy somewhere of their own. They have all their household items.


My second problem is my 13 yr old DS who is a self confessed tea addict so any quirky ideas for a tea hamper would be gratefully recieved

cymrumam

Having been inspired by this thread my brain is now in hamper overdrive - my FIL normally has a bottle of rum looking for related items to turn it into a hamper. TIA

f0xh0les

cymrumam have you seen the tea advent calenders?
cant post links but on amazon they are from the

English-Tea-Shop-Calendar

strangely they are a pack of two calenders, would assume they are the same teas, just different pictures £11.20 for the pair.

cymrumam

Thankyou - the advent calenders look fab

Peppapig

Hezzawithkids wrote: »

Happy to report that 3 of my 4 planned hampers are complete:D Just need to shrink wrap & decorate and they're ready to go!

Hezza, how does the shrink wrapping work? Have often thought of doing it but the shrink-wrap bags looked quite expensive - do you have any advice?