Mid-50s parents - Christmas hamper ideas help!

[GingerAndTheBiscuits]

Between myself and siblings so budget is a couple of hundred, maybe a smidge more (they have good incomes and no kids ). We’d usually book them a weekend away or buy one “big ticket” item between us but they have everything and obviously getting away for a weekend or booking tickets for an event carries too much uncertainty at the moment. So instead I was thinking a hamper of assorted gifts. We’ve done it before but I feel a bit devoid of ideas this year. I have a handful already - books, nice socks, posh chocolates, some earrings for DM and thermals for DDad as he works a lot outdoors. Perhaps some booze?

If you were a recipient of such a gift, what would you love to find inside?! They are both very easy-going but don’t really have any hobbies or specific interests to speak of.

What about one of those Cannon Selphy photo printers and paper.

I’m in that age group. I’d love Sweaty Betty power leggings. Any Georg Jensen earrings. Neom candle. Fragrance diffuser oil and ionic diffuser.

@BathshebaWasOnTheRoof we bought that printer for them a couple of years ago, it’s brilliant.

@GingerAndTheBiscuits that’s good to know. I’m adding it to my Christmas list

Posh socks- cashmere
Book of some description, novel, cookery, coffee table book
Good bottle of champagne
M&S snow globe gin
The Fine Cheese Company cheese biscuits
Godminster heart shaped Cheddar in wax
Chilli jam
Chutneys
Posh jams and marmalade
Good coffee plus waitrose hazelnut instant coffee
Nice nuts!
Bubble bath, hand soap
lip gloss
Lovey french hand towel
Chocolates and biscuits
White company Christmas candle and room spray
Mug?

My SD has done us a hamper for years and we're in our 40's. Not in a basket but a pretty box
Cheeses, bottles of beer, wine, crackers, unusual chutneys and crisp type snacks.
I love it

Maybe a treasure trail for their local area (www.treasuretrails.co.uk)?

My DS usually buys us what I think are “hamper elements” - interesting crackers, chutneys, olives, antipasti, chocolate, medjool dates etc. and fancy hand cream, but he doesn’t put them in a basket. ILs generally buy me gin and bath or shower gel. BIL and SIL once gave us an assembled hamper with socks, books and beer as well as the edibles. I am invariably delighted.

I don’t want clutter - I like experiences, and eating and using hamperish things is a fine experience. However, I’m easy to please as long as it’s meat, hazelnut and walnut-free.

I am the same age as your mother and half a wheel of my favourite cheese would be brilliant - also people say sometimes a candle isn't thoughtful - but if it is the sort you wouldn't pay for yourself then lovely ( if you are the sort of person who likes candles )

My mother is 83 -but v fit and healthy - she will get ( because I know she would like it ) a DVD of Victoria Wood songs & a bee house to put near her newly planted wild flower meadow ( I say meadow - it is not a field - it is just a bit at the bottom of her garden - so quite small )

We once bought DFIL a hamper because honestly he didn't want any thing else but we made it up ourselves with things he liked ( so it wasn't ready made ) . He liked everything apart from one packet of cheese biscuits which were quite expensive , but he said they were rubbish. Everything else he liked. ( But I do agree , you need to know what people like to put into a hamper. - & if you do I do not think it is a dreadful present ) so more like little things . I could do one for my mum with gardening things , really nice shampoo , a crossword book & I bet she would like it )

I would love hotel vouchers (with a year on them just in case!)

Snow globe gin was out of stock on Ocado today........

God I'd love a hamper and I'm only 40..not a premade food one with random pickles but some nice personal gifts in one sounds great, but then I use basket things to store random stuff around the house in so maybe just see it as an extra present!

Have to agree- we are mid 50s and a hamper would be a hamper of hell

Trying to cut down and get rid of stuff- certainly don't want an experience of any kind at all

one thing that I am doing this year is a family calendar. I have got my siblings to send me pics, so the calendar is from all the grandchildren etc. They haven't seen anyone for most of 2020, so I thought some pictures from this year would be good.

@steppemum that’s an annual feature for all the grandparents - though I may need to pose a Christmas picture a bit early to make sure the finished article gets here in time this year!

I'm that age and would love a thoughtfully put together hamper if the person buying it really knows me and knows what I like! I've done a few this year as would normally do tickets or vouchers for shows, weekend breaks etc. Reused the baskets or used cardboard boxes wrapped up in Xmas paper.
I did a gin one for SIL with a variety of lovely gins and different tonics etc plus some of those Eden Mill gin cocktails that I know she loves. Some of the guns are unusual ones that I know she wants to try and one is sourced locally to where she grew up. Also added in some bubbly bits (again that I know she likes). Things she won't buy for herself.
A friend and I have got one for another friend who has had a hard time financially and we've put in lots of treats that she just can't afford for herself this year but which might help make Christmas more special for her as she can definitely just afford basics only this year. So I don't think she'll see it as naff or think we see her as old or anything!

Another one for a friend from 3 of us with lots of wee gifts relating to personal things as she is very sentimental and we know exactly what to get! Plus some booze and wee treats like things from l'occitane which she always wants but could never afford for herself. Before lockdown we always went Xmas shopping together so have a very good idea on things she loves and would love to get but wouldn't splurge on for herself.

I think to do a 'hamper' depends very much on how much you know the recipient and if the contents are tailored to them specifically. Some people like them, others don't but then some people would think spending £££ on things like a candle to be a huge waste of money, others see it as naff, others see it as a luxury! Good thing we're all different and like a variety of things! I'm sure they will love whatever you decide on.

@jocktamsonsbairn - Oh you have given me a laugh with " Some of the guns are unusual ones that I know she wants to try and one is sourced locally to where she grew up. Also added in some bubbly bits (again that I know she likes). " I know it is a typo but the thought of her in the bath swathed in bubbles like a glamorous Annie Oakley blowing over the barrel of her indigenous pearl handled revolver just afforded me a giggle - you see - it just depends what you put in a hamper

Why a hamper and not just a lovely present each .
I am in my fifties (but with two young teen children in school). I would like something I wouldn’t buy myself, so a more expensive version of things I like anyway. A stack of novels, a cashmere jumper, silk pyjamas, a bottle of perfume from a more special brand that kind of thing. I would prefer that to lots of smaller things that I might buy myself anyway.
Dh is in his forties still, but would probably like a piece of kit of some sort, something techy or outdoorsy.

[quote BasiliskStare]@jocktamsonsbairn - Oh you have given me a laugh with " Some of the guns are unusual ones that I know she wants to try and one is sourced locally to where she grew up. Also added in some bubbly bits (again that I know she likes). " I know it is a typo but the thought of her in the bath swathed in bubbles like a glamorous Annie Oakley blowing over the barrel of her indigenous pearl handled revolver just afforded me a giggle - you see - it just depends what you put in a hamper [/quote]
😂 I am notoriously bad for typos!! 😂 glad it gave you a laugh though - a wee bit of cheer on a wet Monday!