Making hampers for Christmas - what would you put in?

[frazzledoldbag]

I have decided (at slightly short notice admittedly) to put together home made hampers for parents, in-laws and a few couply friends that we buy for. Just wondered if anyone has any fabulous inspiration gleaned from past hampers (given or recieved). So far I'm thinking along the lines of

Bottle of wine/champagne
Photo frame with pic of DC's in it
Chocolate
Home made fudge (in nice gift box)
Home made chilli jam / pickles
Cookery book
Tea towel from DD2's nursery (with DD2 handprints on)

My budget isn't massive as we're trying to be a bit more frugal than last year.
What do you think? Any advice gratefully received!

[frazzledoldbag]

Oh and I wouldn't put the photo of DC's or tea towel from nursery in the hampers for our friends - just for the parents/in-laws!

[llareggub]

Good coffee.
Cheese
Nuts

One year we had one with 70s silly sweets. You know the sort, cola bottles, flying saucers etc. They went down really well with DH.

How are you frazzled?

[UniS]

HAve just done one for SiL/ BiL with nice savoury biscuits, nuts, choc biscuits, marzipan ( she likes it a lot) posh cordial ( they don't drink), posh drink choc and similar.
one for Dh with posh pretty pasta and some local preserves. Need to add a little to that one, maybe sumat to go on the pasta?

[llareggub]

Oh and olive oil.

[MakemineaGandT]

You could theme it - eg an Italian one with pasta, sundried tomatoes in oil, Italian biscuits, coffee etc

Or a choc lovers one - hot choc with a couple of mugs, bars of choc, choccie biscuits

Or an English afternoon tea one - nice leaf tea, strawberry jam, honey, etc

Or the spices needed to make lovely Indian curries, perhaps with a recipe book

i.e. tailor it for the recipient - picking a theme would allow you to spend less but for it to have more of an "impact"

[frazzledoldbag]

Hey llare I'm ok, just knackered and vaguely demented and verging towards Christmas related hysteria and panic - but nothing out of the ordinary - how are you??
(and thanks for the suggestion by the way).

[Florin]

We have been doing one for my twin sister and brother in law to be. We got a nice spotty oven gauntlet and stripey apron. We have made chocolate pistachio fudge, bean chutney, plum jam, still got to make the lemon grass coridal and chocolate macaroons. Put the fudge and macaroons in really nice kilner jars so they look a bit more special. All of it going in a pretty wicker basket, I think it looks really great!

[frazzledoldbag]

florin - that sounds wonderful. Have just been looking at my cookery book collection and remembered the choc pistachio fudge from last year - will make that I think (although it is supposed to be kept in fridge?) - delicious. Have also found recipes for chilli vodka and spiced peaches in a nice jar........I foresee a trip to Lakeland tomorrow!

[frazzledoldbag]

and is this a terrible thing to do...... I was given two swanky candles in smart boxes (Banana Republic I think they are) and they have been in cupboard ever since.......is it terrible to put them in hampers? I probably won't use them as am not a very candle-ish person and one is quite a Christmassy-sounding flavour.....they were £20 each so pretty nice.....

[UniS]

It is not terrible thing to do ... so long as the recipient likes candles and won;t give them back to you next year. Or worse, gave them to you last year.

[Curiousmama]

What lovely ideas from you all. I think candles are a good idea as most people use them. You'll know if they do?

[UniS]

i think i can count on one hand the number times i've had candles lit at home in last 3 yrs. used to use them lots... then along came toddler/ small boy.