Anyone else resorted to getting the parents a hamper of food for Xmas present?

[lynnepot]

Today I got my mum a M&S hamper for her xmas present. I was really stuck what to get her. Her only real interest is her pets. She is a bit of a hoarder but admittably she has made good inroads to decluttering her house in recent months so I was reluctant to add anything that would just be clutter. I somehow feel though an Xmas hamper is the next step up from gift vouchers as the Xmas gift cop out.

I haven’t this year but have often bought food and drink gifts for my parents. They love them! I am also a massive fan of vouchers though, either to give or receive. My parents are working really hard to declutter and would much rather have clutter free presents.

I think a hamper can be a great gift. I did one for a few years running for my FIL. I bought the hamper and spent months filling it with his favourite stuff and posh treats. He genuinely loved it. I would be pretty pleased at getting one too. Don't stress OP. X

I got my mum one last year along with a paperback (usually both parents get a couple books, she gets soap, dad gets cheese), and was surprised that she really liked it - was from a local grocer. So got her the same this year, though the tea looked rubbish so I've found some tea in a fancy box to put in. My folks don't want clutter any more than I want to give it to them!

We used to do this for my grandparents, but we'd make the hampers up ourselves. My paternal grandmother had expensive tastes so hers would have things like marron glace and bath olivers. My other grandparents would have nice tea, biscuits and chocolate

My mum wouldn’t appreciate a hamper. She gets cold quite easily, so have got her a few thermal bits to keep warm. Boozy chocs, her shortbread and photos of dds.

We actually used to do this for my in laws, only rather than buying into the rip off of hampers, we had a wicker hamper that we'd fill with a mix of Christmas treats, cake, chocolates, chutneys and some tinned meats, curries etc from markses that FIL, with his "plain food" tastes enjoyed.

H has done that qua te a lot to his parents.

They’ve stated clearly that they dint want anything for the house (they are decluttering). Somthe best thing is foods they will enjoy (we tend to do the hamper ourselves too to match what they really like)

I've done one as well. Made up of all the favourite treats as well as soup etc for quick lunches. Plus extra goodies to uncover such as new diary, bowls of bulbs, latest book by favourite author. I don't see it as a cop out as every item has been included with them in mind and I feel glad that they have a good stock in in case they can't get out for a day or so.

I've done hampers most years for my parents and FIL. I usually buy a basket, and make my own up, either both bits from M&S or local type stuff. (My parents have a shit tonne of baskets now so I've branched out into picnic hampers and giant flower pots)

Nothing wrong with a good hamper. Especially if it's full of grub you know the recipient loves. Today DH received a hamper full of stinky cheese from MIL. His face lit up like a kid in a sweet shop. (My face, on the other hand, turned a bit green. I may have to make him keep it in the garage until it's all eaten.)

I've only bought eatables and alcohol for my folks this year because they both specified "Please No Stuff".

I can't edit the post. I haven't brought the hamper yet though. I'm thinking some nice biscuits, chocolate, cheeses, etc, and a bottle of red and gin.

I’d love that as a gift; I dislike clutter so I like presents to have a use

I've got my dad just a jar of lemon curd !

I've had a hamper from work the last three years - I'm thrilled with it every time (and I find uses for the baskets afterwards).

MIL is getting on in years and she's also requested no 'stuff' so we're doing her a nice hamper this time. Also a voucher for her favourite garden centre.

I've got hampers from two people, apparently a third is on its way. We live abroad and all the hampers are typical British foods - one is meats, one is desserts, and one is chocolates/biscuits/tea etc.

I'm absolutely delighted - especially as it means no 'stuff'.

I just sent my parents their 'Blue Cross parcel' as my dad calls it. I'm going to their on the train and have extra presents to put in my case but don't want to carry too much. Brilliant preset, according to them.

We've made a home-made hamper for my parents and DH's parents this year, with truffles, flavoured spirits, and chutney. It was well-received and I know it'll actually get used rather than ending up as clutter or in the bin.

DH and I are giving PIL a hamper this year. We’ve never done it before but I think they’ll really like it.

It contains:
A bottle of Baileys
A bottle of red
A bottle of cava
5 craft beers
4 mini gins
4 mini tonics
Brie
A mini cheeseboard
A gingerbread flavour Wensleydale
Crackers
Crisps
Spicy peanuts
A mini panettone
Candy canes
Chocolate coins
Fentimans curiosity cola
Fentimans rose lemonade
Biscuits
Green and blacks x2
A fancy tea bag selection
Matchmakers
Roses
A nice candle
Incense (they love it!)
A tiny jar of rhubarb and custard sweets
A bauble

I’m going to wrap it in star patterned see-through cellophane from Lidl. I think your mum will love it, and it’s not a cop out!

Oh and three posh chutneys!

I live in the USA. A few years ago I used to send my mum and dad a food shop from either Tesco or Asda. I would send all the picky nibbles and "luxury" things they couldnt afford normally. It was the days they used to have my brothers and their families over on Christmas day. Their Christmas present would be delivered in plastic bags.
My MIL loves a good hamper so is always easy to find something for
Its tough when your so far away

Mine love a hamper, I use the same basket every year and fill it up.
It’s not a cop out for me, I put a lot of thought into the contents.

Not a cop out. I have prepared one for my neighbour, with two bottles of ale, cheese oatcakes, marmalade and shortbread.

My DB gave us a hamper from Carluccios once, years ago, we were delighted! And last Christmas we got one from one of my nieces, also very welcome. I think it's a brilliant present for any adults, as long as you know more or less what they like and don't like.