Anonymous basket to a friend of a friend in need, what to include for xmas?

[StaceymAloneForver]

Right so friend of a friend is down on her luck and I want to make xmas a little special, she has grown up children who still live at home (2 dds 20, 18, and a 17yo ds) I want to make a little hamper with nice things for her and her children.

So far I have included:
Nice warm 'bedsocks' for girls and herself
Bath bomb things
Handcream giftset

I'm also thinking of adding normal xmas hamper type things chutney, biscuits chocs etc.

but what else can go in this hamper??? Stuff for the 17 ds??

And as an aside this will be completely anonymous and I really hope it brightens her xmas rather than makes her feel bad!

razor? nice shaving gel? deoderant/body spray? cheap DVD+popcorn for movie night? nail varnish?

Thats a lovely idea stacey

oo good ideas

also thought of a cinema voucher but don't know how somebody would feel recieving a voucher like this

I could be your friend... I was made redundant 6 months ago and my lovely sister has been doing something similar for me over the past few weeks. Best things have been bath foam, a bottle of wine and believe it or not a stew pack and custard tarts!

If you are going to do this, can I suggest that you get it to her the weekend before Christmas so that she does not duplicate on nice things. You might also like to think about Amazon vouchers... so the girls could get downloads etc

Can I say thank you... my mum used to say an ounce of practicality is better than a pound of pity.

I don't know a 17 year old who doesn't love Haribos (I think they are revolting but there you are) and Pringles are good too...

Lattelady so sorry you got made redundant that sucks :( yes i was planning to get it there they week before xmas, not sure wether to knock and run leaving it on the doorstep or wether to send in the post, still thinking on that.

Glad others think it's a good idea and not that i'm sticking my nose in or anything!

thanks lucky haribos and pringles on the list :)

Just a thought, if you have food in it, send it by taxi when you know that they are in... taxi drivers can be very discreet!

I may be way off the appropriate mark here but a Lycky Dip on the lottery?

Hard to know what a 17 year old would want. Perhaps shave/deodorant products. If you buy things online, then I can suggest King of Shaves Antibacterial products and use code KOSMOVEMBER2011 to get 50% off King of Shaves, Azor and Queen Of Shaves products (valid until 10 Dec 2011).

Consider items that do not go off very quickly - don't get Value Range stuff but get the more expensive things that are more of a treat. If you know they drink a certain brand of coffee, get some of that (is it just me or is coffee horribly expensive).

thanks nannynick i was thinking mostly traditional hamper stuff so posh tea/coffee, posh biscuit, chocholates and jarred cutney stuff.

thanks for the link, will have a looky :)

oh chaos nearly missed your post in there, lucky dip, good idea, will write that one down to get just before i send :)

Magazines...FHM and something like Red or Elle that both mother and daughters would like?

Couple of bottles of wine, or if you're being extravagant maybe Baileys?

If you know they eat meat, could you do credit or a voucher for a local butcher? That way they could get a ham or whatever they liked best.

Crackers (the pulling kind) to make it a bit of a festive hamper?

Maybe some cheeses and crackers, biscuits, breadsticks, chutney...

You're lovely!

ooo yes rough christmas crackers that thought didn't even enter my mind, and magazines.

I know the mum doesn't drink alcohol so it will be a dtrictly sober affair so as not to offend but great ideas people

and at the lovely comment, i'm really not i promise

If you are hand delivering, then bottles of Coca Cola or some other branded fizzy drink. Sparkling water, flavoured water drink. Smoothies (will need to be kept cool).

What about crackers with a voucher from a supermarket for cheeses?
Deffinaltly biscuits and chocolates.
Agree with haribo for the 17yo and nice boys smellies set.
Christmas radiotimes? Boring?
Hot chocolate sachets, marshmallows and cheap mugs?

This may seem crazy but if they have a garden, what about a cheap single bird feeder and some nuts. I love watching birds from the kitchen window. It's something to do and takes away the focus from all that's going on inside (the house and in my head!!). What about magazines? Food: I'm now 44 and I've only just got into chutney! Maybe a couple of individual Xmas puds, as again only got into that in my 30's - I think it's very grown up and a whole one could be wasted. What about a pack of playing cards or juggling balls, something everyone can have a go at and hopefully have a laugh. Balloon kit (you know where you make animals?)

oo lovey ideas keep them coming :)

Do any of them drive? How about DeIcer spray for the car?

A couple of books of stamps?
Baby bubble bath, detangler, no tears shampoo, bottom cream?
Favourite tea bags, good coffee, sugar, drinking chocolate, marshmallows?

Nuts, savoury snacks, nutella, nice jam/marmalade

I think you sound like a lovely person!

thanks guys!

so do we think it's better to get lots of different things in small sizes or less things in bigger sizes?

i'm erring on the side of lots of small bits especially food wise, in case they don't like something?

notecards, book of stamps?

Do you have a TK maxx nearby? I'm making a hamper for DCs paternal grandparents this year (as they have been lovely!) got some lovely note cards, posh soap, posh jam and shortbread...

lots of things in small sizes, definitely - please add gold chocolate coins and nuts/nutcracker, satsumas if it's Ok to do perishables - and a medium sized pannetone or a fruit cake/xmas pud! (christmas stuff!)

ALthough posh things are lovely, I remember being given some posh hamper items when we were really skint and I was heartbroken at how much 'normal' stuff I could have bought instead! I know that sounds ungrateful though.
So I say better decent coffee (whatever they drink) and tea bags rather than a little bit of a posh one that won't last as long and they'll be thinking 'I could have bought three Gold Blends for that'

I'd go for small sizes and not necessarily too 'posh' ( not smart price but for example just Nescafé coffee) as then you can get more things if they've been struggling a while this will be a treat anyway. How about after eight mints? It's not Xmas without them! Also if you're sending Xmas pudding also send custard. Bacon for Xmas morning bacon sandwiches ( if not posting). Hot chocolate would be nice too. I've always found boys prefer sweets to chocolate for some reason so second the haribo. Wouldn't buy fhm as could be embarrassing but magazines are a good idea. Ooh and a Yule log yum!

I think it's a lovely thing you're doing

Ooh x post googie!