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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to want to make homemade hampers for christmas presents

44 replies

PeppaTwig · 07/11/2011 14:41

Christmas is going to be tight this year and we always end up spending more than we can afford. I had an idea to get baking and making and do hampers of yummy homemade treats for people (cookies, mini christmas cakes, chocolate truffles, peppermint creams etc.) They wouldn't be made on the cheap but would certainly save money overall compared to what we would normally spend out on pressies at Christmas.

DH says that his family will not apreciate them. His family are much more about spending masses of money on extravagant gifts (which is a whole different thread) and although they understand that we dont have as much money to spend on them as they do on us, DH thinks they wouldn't 'get it' at all and would wonder where their real presents were.

I guess what I'm really asking is, do you think that ths would be a nice gift or would you wonder where your clothes vouchers/DVD's/Kindles/Ipads were?

OP posts:
PattySimcox · 07/11/2011 14:46

I think it is a lovely idea - very in keeping with the whole sentiment of the season,but like you, my inlaws would be most unimpressed with it

TheTenantOfWildfellHall · 07/11/2011 14:58

We did this a few years ago. We started making stuff in the summer so everyone had jars of homemade strawberry jam, tomato chutney, red onion marmalade, rum butter, piccalilli and pickled onions. More of a savoury than sweet selection!

We made soap and tree decorations (salt dough gingerbread men and red felt hearts) and we put a bottle of wine in too.

Everyone really liked it. We have some family members who are very materialistic and were a bit Hmm and Confused but most of them loved it.

Do it.

PopcornMouse · 07/11/2011 15:02

Gosh I would much rather recieve a homemade hamper rather than some shop bought tat! (not that you would buy tat, but you know what I mean! Blush

Go for it!

NinkyNonker · 07/11/2011 15:16

Nope, we often do this.

jumpyjan · 07/11/2011 15:18

I have seen a few threads where people are doing this and I can understand why but I wouldnt really want one (though of course I would pretend to be delighted with it).

There is always a ton of food around at christmas and after boxing day I have had enough of it and realistically if someone gave me a hamper it probably wouldnt get eaten. Also if I want homemade christmas food I will make it myself.

I think its much better to buy people things they actually want not just what you would enjoy giving. We are on a budget too but start early and get stuff in the sales so money goes further.

So sorry but I think YABU particularly as you know your in laws would not like it.

MenopausalHaze · 07/11/2011 15:18

I often do this and have never yet been met with anything but real pleasure! I think it shows you've put some thought into the present - and who doesn't love a gift of stuff they like but would never buy for themselves! Do it!

TeWihara · 07/11/2011 15:31

We're doing it this year.

We've tried to put a mix of things in (ie not just food) and tailor them to the person/couple who is getting them, as well as a few handmade bits from DD. (We're doing 5, all for family who will hopefully appreciate that kind of thing)

TeWihara · 07/11/2011 15:34

Sorry, hit post too soon.

I think if your ILs wouldn't see food as a real gift is there a way you could do a some kind of mix of small gifts basket around a theme to do with something they DO like, but which wouldn't cost as much as your usual budget?

handbagCrab · 07/11/2011 15:38

I love the idea of it and if someone did one for me I'd think it was lovely and thoughtful.

I think the people you're describing won't appreciate it though and I think that might make you feel sad when you've put so much effort in if they're really dismissive on Xmas day.

You could still make hampers for those that would appreciate them :)

catgirl1976 · 07/11/2011 15:38

I would love one - you can send one my way if your ILs don't appreciate it :)

Chundle · 07/11/2011 15:39

I did a hamper for my nan last year and she loved it, I made her a small gingerbread house as well which was very cheap to make and looked amazing. If people don't appreciate your effort then they aren't worthy of such a lovely gift

worraliberty · 07/11/2011 15:40

Sounds great to me OP

But your DH knows his own family. If they won't appreciate it, what's the point?

deemented · 07/11/2011 15:44

I'm doing one for Manshapes nan tihs year, and other people will be getting more homemade/handmade stuff as well.

And you know what - if they don't like it, they can feck off because they won't be given anything again.

lesley33 · 07/11/2011 15:44

I would love a homemade hamper.

But tbh buying presents should be about what the other personw ould like, not what you would like. Your DH has told you his family wouldn't like these. So yes YABU.

It doesn't mean you have to spend lots of money. But just you need to try and buy them something cheap that you both think they would actually want.

AMumInScotland · 07/11/2011 15:49

I think you have to be guided by what your DH says his family's reaction will be - I'm sure you'd expect him to listen if you told him what your side of the family like and dislike?

But if money is tight then you and he need to agree a budget per person and stick to it - whether that covers the ingredients for a hamper, or a pair of socks each from Poundland.

quietlyafraid · 07/11/2011 15:51

If the people you give it to don't appreciate it and the work that has gone into it, then thats their problem and speaks volumes about their attitudes being wrong and far too maternalistic. Even if they dump it in the bin, they have no right to complain or pull faces as the whole point in giving presents is "its the thought that counts". Do they do this if they get a bought gift not to their taste?

I say tough, and perhaps they might benefit from getting a gift like this.

Kendodd · 07/11/2011 15:56

I would love one and would much prefer it to just about any shop bought stuff. For one it's hand made with a lot of effort and for two you eat it and it's gone, it's not cluttering up you house with loads of stuff you don't need or want.

Blatherskite · 07/11/2011 16:06

Every year I ask my Mum if she'd like me to make her a Christmas cake and every year she says "yes please, you can make it my present if you like" So this year I'm taking her up on it. She's getting a Christmas cake and a Christmas pudding and I'm thinking maybe some hot chocolate mix and some shortbread. I might bulk it out with a couple of bought things just because I've left it a bit late to be making chutney and I can't be bothered making marshmallows.

BIL is getting something similar although his will be bought. He's a Chilli fiend but lives in a tiny town where it's hard to get hold of the stuff he likes - so for the 4th year running I'll be scouring the shops for the hottest stuff I can find to make him a hamper.

They'll love it. I'd never do one for my in laws though as they just wouldn't appreciate it. They're all well off and fairly accomplished cooks and will have made or bought anything they want well before Christmas.

So I guess YmayBU. If they're just not that sort of people then however thoughtful and well intentioned, it sadly might not go down so well

You could always send it to me instead Grin

kingprawntikka · 07/11/2011 16:19

I would love to receive your hamper.

mumofthreekids · 07/11/2011 16:24

Does DH have any better ideas that would be appreciated by his family without costing too much? If so I think you should take his suggestions on board.

But if not, go for it! I think they sound lovely.

londonone · 07/11/2011 16:32

I think it's a lovely idea and have done the same myself. However I would say it doesn't tend to work out cheaper once you have bought all the bits you need for packaging and presentation as well as ingrediants etc. How much woujld you normally spend on the people you are thinking of doing hampers for?

LaFilleSurLePont · 07/11/2011 16:33

I'd love one.I'm Envy at the thought.

addictediam · 07/11/2011 16:33

I think its a great idea and there is a thread over in Christmas where we are all swapping ideas and recipies etc. But dhs family are the same. Sil would actually have a melt down and mil and fil would be very apprieciative but deep down wonder what it was all about when they had handed over lists of what to buy them.

Its not my way of doing things but I just have to accept they are 1 family i can't cut costs from in any way :(

My family however would love the home made hampers and be very very grateful

zukiecat · 07/11/2011 16:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

controlpantsandgladrags · 07/11/2011 16:35

I would love to receive one. It shows so much more thought and effort than the marks and spencer vouchers I seem to get from my relatives (per una, anyone? Hmm)

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