Christmas Eve hamper for adults

[Star2015]

Hi all,

Following all the fab ideas you shared with me on the 'Christmas without children' thread I've decided to put together a Christmas Eve hamper for me and DH.

So far, I have only picked up some Kilner style glass mugs.

I intend to get some posh hot chocolate and mini marshmallows, posh tea bags and some bubble bath and Christmas pjs, but what else shall I include.

The kind of Christmas movies we enjoy are home alone, the holiday, love actually and the family stone- but we have those on dvd already.

I'm not really a drinker, DH only drinks wine and beer, maybe a Christmas beer- do those exist?

What are you guys putting in your grown up Christmas Eve hampers?

There's usually Christmas themed individual bottles of bitter/ales in the supermarkets nearer the time.

There are Christmas and Winter beers - often European, some American. Look in specialist off-licences, especially ones which do a lot of craft beers. You can get reasonably low alcohol ones, up to 14%!! And everything from an ale to a bitter, and some special ciders too. (Most years I get 2-3 for DH but one year his actual gift was 26 different Christmas and winter beers and a range of different snacks to enjoy with them - like wasabi covered peas and some kind of dried broad beans as well as different posh crisps). Look in late November/early December for the best range - NOT on Christmas Eve!!

Ikea did Snowman marshmallows last year but they were very sweet!

I do the "lump of chocolate on a wooden spoon" hot choc for us all. DD gets a milk chocolate one with mini smarties, DH likes a dark one with chilli or orange in it, and I like a dark one with a little plastic measure stuck in holding a dash of amaretto. Or I might add a dash of chocolate liqueur instead to a plain dark choc one (I need a new bottle though).

I sometimes also put some nice chocoaltes in there - like a big bag or Leonidas Orangettes, or something from the good deli like chocolate Nutcracker Soldiers. For us as much as DD.

I like nice bubble baths normally, but for Christmas, I tend to get a bath bomb from Lush each for DD and I. She gets a kiddies Christmassy one - Santa's House or similar. But I get a lovely glittery one, and also a deeply relaxing one as my special treats. The staff are always VERY helpful in there.

There are new PJs for everyone, I put in DD's "Snowman" cover for her hot water bottle, and my "Nightmare before Christmas" slipper socks as well (I tend to only use those at Christmastime, so it's nice to make a seasonal reappearance).

And the Christmas Candle. A red candle lit by the youngest to signify that there is "room at the Inn" for anyone who wants it. An Irish tradition but we don't put it in the window, just on the mantelpiece - but its nice to see the flame dancing around.

New pj's
Usually something festive to drink maybe ammereto or baileys limited edition
National lampoons Christmas vacation
Some nice crisps

Thanks for the ideas and info on the Christmas beers

A couple of years ago Stella Artois had a special Christmas edition, (same beer, nice green glam bottle) in selected Sainsburys.
DH appreciated the fact I drove 6 miles to another Sainsburys after checking our usual one.

YY to a nice bathroom bathsoak.
Philosophy do some lovely scents (Christmas gift sets too)

Actually just a bit of an update, DH has to work extra shifts during the winter months, on a rota basis. He's been rotated on Christmas Eve so could be working all day / just the evening depending on the weather. So, we may have to enjoy your Christmas Eve box on 23rd or Boxing Day....

Does anyone else have a DH who works Christmas Eve? How do you spend it on your own? I'm thinking a nice bubbly bath, hot chocolate, feel good Christmas movie and big tin of quality street

Star that sounds like a perfect way to spend it by yourself . I would throw in a new fleece blanket as well .

I'm shamelessly stealing your idea for an adult hamper. Dcs are too young to properly appreciate my efforts but dh might

Oh yes good idea Iamsantaclaus!

We always add in a book on Christmas Eve - an early Christmas present, I suppose, alongside the usual pyjamas, DVD, hot chocolate/small bottle of Baileys or the like...

Die Hard is a good alternative Christmas movie. We had the most amazing Fudge before bought over the Internet. I think it was The Fudge House? How about a board game for 2 like Scrabble or Othello?

Try a nice spiced candle for your Christmas Eve, maybe an adult colouring book, or a nice book to read with the heating blaring.

I like the idea of a book - to enjoy over the Christmas season "downtime". For the adults (DD gets "Twas the Night before Christmas" as her bedtime story, and the family copy is put into the hamper annually).

I didn't think of a fleece, as DD has hers out since 1 Dec. But a lovely snowflakes or Scandi print one would be lovely and seasonal.

Assuming a day off at home for you on Christmas Eve and DH working. Go into town for a nice coffee and peoplewatching, and maybe 1 or 2 things in mind to get if you see and queues are not mad. Preferably using public transport.

Or (or as well), having a crisp walk in local woods, park or beach.

Home to do any prepping ahead of the dinner tomorrow - peel potatoes and veg, make stuffing, make stock for gravy, etc. With nice music on - maybe the Messiah?! And any last minute wrapping or cards getting done too.

A nice dinner - something YOU like, but that is not a lot of hassle to prepare.

A bubbly bath, with either a relaxing station ("spa music" types) or Christmas music, on the iPad, would be wonderful. I listen to Live365 internet radio for loads of choice and am planning on taking the 5 days free trial of VIP membership, to skip the ads, over Christmas (I think it's a low cost amount per month, but in US$ so tricky to organize). Add a good book and a nice glass of warming red wine for the bath. A candle in a safe place is nice too, especially once it's dark outside.

Then curl up in cosy new PJs (flannel or fleece), under a fleece or dressing gown, with flames (real fire or candles), a nice warm beverage (hot choc, a warming baileys, or even mulled wine!! - it is Christmas!) and either continuing the book with nice music or watching some good movies or box sets (or having a few things picked out on the tv guide). With some nice nibbles that you like - a mince pie (or 3), some posh crisps, salty breadsticks and dip, or choccies.

And have a Christmas beer in the fridge and some "man snacks" ready for DH when he gets home too.

Belgian beers have lots of special Xmas brews. They, like the Easter beers, are brewed stronger to help the festivities along. Belgian beer is normally pretty strong anyway so watch out with the Xmas ones!

www.belgianbeerfactory.com/christmas-winter-beer/

Sounds perfect biddypop, thank you!!

I always recommend Serendipity as a nice rom com type of Christmas movie (it is not really about Christmas but a few scenes happen at Christmas time so it has a Christmassy feel).

Thanks oobedobe, just read the description and sounds like the kind of film you don't have to think about too much, anyway, picked it up for a couple of quid on Amazon - thanks for the recommendation

Ours has
Baileys
Hot chocolate
Marshmallows
Christmas shaped chocolate
New PJs
Lush bath bomb
Blanket
DVD
Christmas socks

We usually have takeaway and a DVD

Serendipity is in my top 5 worst films of all time. Just in case you were looking forward to watching it I thought I'd warn you!

Oh dear glogirl!! Have ordered it luckily it was cheap as chips, if it's no good it can go to the charity shop!

Different strokes for different folks of course! Was just concerned you would save it for Christmas Eve

Biddypop i freaking love your comment...have you ever thought of going into the writing business??? utterly fab.

Since I first posted this I've bought a few Christmas books as well as Kings Chritmas cd.

In Homesense I also found a 4 pack of mini hot chocolate flavoured bottles to go into our hamper.

Looking for a nice box to put it all in, any ideas?

Home Bargains had some nice baskets you could use. They were £5.99 each.

Thanks Rhino, I will check it out!

Shameless plug but I make and sell hand painted personalised wooden crates including Christmas ones.
My page is www.facebook.com/thatsjustcrate