Christmas Hamper Inspiration Thread

[christmasunicorn]

After reading posts of wonderful Christmas hampers people produce over the years I've decided to have a go myself this year. Unfortunately though I'm not a great cook. Or baker. Or anything that requires time in the kitchen so I'm asking for help.
I thought I'd set up this thread where we can all share ideas and inspiration on what to put in our hampers and you we can share the recipes too. Sharing is caring after all.

Annwithnoe It could be like a secret Santa thing, the MN secret hamper!

Bramble liqueur infusing as we speak! Yay! Going to gather more and make it with gin for DSiL

Im waiting for my new kitchen to be put in so I can start my cherry liqueur

What kind of containers do you use for your hampers? I tend to think in terms of wicker hinged and lidded hampers but I was passing a gift shop the other day that used hat boxes, stuffed with tissue paper and with the lid sitting upright in the box behind the contents. Everything was wrapped in cellophane and tied with a bow. It looked really well. I'm not sure I've been using height very effectively.
I've received and sent hampers by post where everything had to be packed in and closed up.
How do you present/package yours?

I was looking at these crates in ikea the other day. I always try and use something that the recipient will want to use.

www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/small-storage-organisers/storage-boxes-baskets/knagglig-box-pine-art-10292357/

Inspired by this thread, I am currently marinating red currants to make cassis. I was to late for blackberries. My Sister in law wasn't & made a lovely bramble cassis, that we enjoyed a bit too much of at the weekend. She bought some swivel top bottles from Wilko. Guess where I'm going tomorrow

what I use as a base for my hampers depends what's going in the hamper. So the "practical household stuff" one was a washing up bowl, last year they were both cookies, cakes etc and were actual baskets.

I don't know what I'm doing this year yet, so I don't know what I'll use.

Oh hamper goddesses I need your help! I'm doing a mulled wine and home made goodies hamper for six friends and will be including

Homemade mulled wine spice bag thing (I'm not technical but I've got vision 😂)
A clove stuffed orange for mulling
A bottle of red wine
Home made fudge
Home made truffles in four flavours

My questions to you all are;

1. what extra easy to make item should I add into the hampers

2. where's the cheapest place for things like cellophane bags etc. I'm envisioning brown craft paper coloured boxes with a lift off lid tied up with beautiful ribbon, and straw/paper inside with coordinating ribbon and calligraphy tags. This is probably highly expensive so alternatives are welcomed!

Last year Home Bargains had a make your own hamper set, so it was a wicker basket (came in 2 sizes), shredded paper, cellophane, a tie & a tag. Also saw something similar in the card factory last month. Can't remember how much they were but don't think they were over £10.

Do you have a Tiger near you?
Last year I got rolls of cellophane, brown paper packing labels and rolls of red gingham ribbon
They definitely had the same ribbon 2 years ago so even though they change stock it might be worth checking.

If you have a shredder you could shred your own brown paper straw.

You'll easily find open wicker basket sets - off the top of my head I've seen them in Heatons and one of the pound shops.

I'm not sure what else to suggest putting in: maybe some biscuits or crackers?

Oooooh thank you so much!!