Christmas Hampers 2014

BritishBibliophile

Definitely joining this thread as I had some success with hampers last year and want to repeat it this year.

Doing hampers for Brother, Eldest Little Sister, and Gentleman Caller. Brother gets a "tooth cavity in a bag" hamper, which is basically a Tescos carrier bag full of sweets :rotfl:mostly chocolate but he likes toffee and fudge too so they make an appearance.

Eldest Little Sister had a pamper hamper last year, along with getting bits from the Body Shop with a 40% off code I also got some posh chocolate from Hotel Chocolat and some warm fluffy socks from M&S. I'm going home this weekend so I need to make careful enquiries about how much of the last one was used, and whether another one would be welcome.

Gentleman Caller doesn't really do Christmas and last year was our first festive season as a couple, I got a box from Paperchase and got some small books (including a quiz book and a crossword book), some fluffy socks, chocolate and some other random bits and pieces. This year I'm thinking of making him an "Occupying Christmas Day" box with some mini jams and teabags for breakfast, something to keep him amused during the day, chocolate for the afternoon, and more fluffy socks to keep his feet warm. Not 100% sure on that though so I might have to rethink it closer to the time.

Youngest Little Sister will be more difficult, there's only 2 years between her and Eldest and they look very similar, but they have very different personalities, so what works for one won't work for the other if repeated. If necessary I'll just throw a bunch of DVDs in her direction and run away :rotfl:

Pookie_lou

I love making hampers, I find they are so well received and save so much money.

I didn't do any last year as we were staying with in laws and went for a easy Christmas of buying restaurant vouchers and small gifts for people as we just didn't have the room to store anything, so this year I'm really looking forward to doing them again.

I'm doing a joint cinema hamper for sister and her boyfriend, I would normally put DVDs in, but they treat themselves all the time, so I would never know what they already have.. So il get them a cinema voucher, with all the snacks and drinks that they can take with them and have at home.

A cheese hamper for sister in law and I'm making hm pickles to go in there, just need to get some posh crackers and red wine or port

And comfort hamper for nan, like previous poster, she's in her late 80s and doesn't want / need anything, so she will have treats that she wouldn't normally buy herself

And a Christmas Eve hamper for DS (3) and a craft hamper

FieryAngel

Peppapig wrote: »

Wow, FierryAngel, well done on your chocolate making - do you have a favourite tried and tested peppermint creams recipe you could share?

Thanks
I do, but I'll have to wait until tonight to post it as the recipe is at home, but it's very simple with few ingredients which makes it all the better!

Spendless

Can anyone think of a Peter Pan themed one for my dd, only problem is she's a tween (11) rather than a tot.

She started drama classes last year and has done so well, she went to her first audition and has got a part in panto.:T

I'd like something to do her something connected. I have seen in the poundshop a hair wrap (for after washing hair) that has a tinkerbell motif on. That sort of thing would be fine as she'd use it round the house. She already owns the Peter Pan book and the disney dvd, so can't add them.

FieryAngel

Spendless wrote: »

Can anyone think of a Peter Pan themed one for my dd, only problem is she's a tween (11) rather than a tot.

She started drama classes last year and has done so well, she went to her first audition and has got a part in panto.:T

I'd like something to do her something connected. I have seen in the poundshop a hair wrap (for after washing hair) that has a tinkerbell motif on. That sort of thing would be fine as she'd use it round the house. She already owns the Peter Pan book and the disney dvd, so can't add them.

Congrats on her getting a part in the panto!
What character is she playing? Could you get a figuring/ornament type thing of the character she is?
You could get her a set of marbles!

Spendless

FieryAngel wrote: »

Congrats on her getting a part in the panto!
What character is she playing? Could you get a figuring/ornament type thing of the character she is?
You could get her a set of marbles!

A lost boy, though she was also asked to audition for the role as Michael as the producer though she'd done a good audition but she was warned she was highly unlikely to get it due to being a girl. Producer is using a bit of poetic license with the 'lost boys'. Michael is being played by 2 boys who also attend her drama school, so there's still that connection.

FieryAngel

Peppapig wrote: »

Wow, FierryAngel, well done on your chocolate making - do you have a favourite tried and tested peppermint creams recipe you could share?

Hello again, I'm home now and with my recipe book
300g/10.5 oz icing sugar
1 egg white
peppermint extract, to taste
green food colouring (optional)

Obviously increase if you want to make loads. Also if you want to you can use different flavourings instead of peppermint, I also used strawberry, lemon and orange (and used the appropriate colourings. I then melted chocolate, once the creams were set, and dipped them in and placed on baking paper to set.

Enjoy!:p

Peppapig

Thanks FieryAngel. I'm useless in relation to all things culinary (except eating lol) but I really want to give some home made sweetie things a try this year. I've got a simple fudge recipe from another thread so I'll try that and also this one as I do love peppermint creams. You'll think I'm completely stupid (look back to opening remark) but what do I do with the ingredients before leaving them to set?

There have been some good ideas for hampers posted so thanks everyone for sharing. I did pamper hampers for several people last year and was really happy with them. This year I've done a pamper hamper for DDIL and a man hamper for DS. I'm also doing a 'girl's night in' hamper for honorary DD and a 'some like it hot' one for her foodie husband (with mustard, chutney, some chili stuff, jerk seasoning etc.). I did the first two in baskets and the second two will be in vintage style bucket tins from B&M. I'd also like to do some home made sweetie things to fill some nice jars that I bought last year and didn't use so I'm hoping the chocolate peppermint creams will be successful for me.

skintsocks

Hi all

I've only just discovered this thread, so will be having a read in a minute. Just to say that I was in Home Bargains yesterday and on the top shelf in the party/halloween aisle, there were really nice wicker hamper baskets (one handle each end) for £3.99 which I thought was pretty good. They looked good quality for the price.

FieryAngel

Peppapig wrote: »

Thanks FieryAngel. I'm useless in relation to all things culinary (except eating lol) but I really want to give some home made sweetie things a try this year. I've got a simple fudge recipe from another thread so I'll try that and also this one as I do love peppermint creams. You'll think I'm completely stupid (look back to opening remark) but what do I do with the ingredients before leaving them to set?

Sorry I couldn't reply last night, had to completely rest my laptop to factory settings as the wifi keeps disappearing for some reason! Wow, I can't believe I was stupid enough to miss out the method!:o Dizzy blonde moment there Again I'll have to wait until I get home but I'll get on it tonight and post again then:D