Hamper for people who don't like food

[wildpoppy]

Having just dismissed idea of a hamper for ILs in another thread I started I've just started wondering whether it might work. Thing is, they don't like what I think of as nice food. Neither really cook and they have a lot of Iceland ready meals (because they like them, not for financial reasons).

They don't drink and wouldn't know what to do with things like posh ham or smoked salmon. Their veg is all from tins. They probably will ignore beat before dates so best to be non perishable.

We could probably spend £50.

Here are my ideas for what could go in it - but would really appreciate your ideas. Maybe we could make this work:

Candied orange and lemon slices
A nice jam (don't think they'd like miniatures - arthritic fingers)
Peanuts
Prawn crackers (they like Chinese style ready meals)
After eights and similar types of chocolate
Some tinned fruit - christmassy stuff
A small Christmas cake - FIL really likes Christmas cake

this opener or similar is great for bottles of fizzy drinks & stuff.

If you can find a round one like this my Nan swears by it for fiddly jars & tubs of hand cream etc.
Although she hates to be thought of as old (she's 82), so it's hard buying things like this without knowing if she'll be offended or not!

I have this tin opener, as a left handed fool it's the best gadget I own!

You've inspired me to do a similar hamper for my Nan! She's impossible to buy for!

I made a winters evening hamper for my gran: warm, woolly socks, microwaveable heat pad, hot choc sachets, nice mug, marshmallows, cookies, slanket, spiced scented bubble bath, slippers etc. she loved it! Go for a theme they may like (doesn't have to be food related) and let your imagination go wild!

My elderly FIL used to enjoy the Aunties microwaveable sponge puddings, two single portions in a pack, jam, chocolate or ginger flavours, long shelf life. He used to like the four packs of individual microwaveable custards and rice puddings too.

There is also something called a 'fridge jar' found with the tinned fruit, you put it in the fridge when you first open it and just help yourself as and when. There are peaches, pears, and fruit cocktail. Some tins of evaporated milk would go well with these.

Don't forget to include tea and coffee, and sugar. There are some good jars of instant hot choc, Horlicks and Ovaltine as well. What about jam and marmalade?

I think gadgets to help open tins, jars and bottles are a good idea, you can also get one to help open ring pull tins. A good pair of kitchen scissors would be good too.

Do Iceland do vouchers or gift cards? Might be handy to make up any shortfall and they can treat themselves to a frozen pud or two.

Thanks girlywhirly - great ideas