Who's doing hampers this year and what are you putting in them?

[ArmadilloDaMan]

Thinking there must be at least a couple of people out there. I did them last year (big success) and am prob going to do them again this year.

So what are you putting in them?

Where are you getting your supplies?

LAst year I made gingerbread, filo mince parcels, truffles (rum and standard), cookies (2 types I think) and fudge.

I used shredded coloured paper or tissue paper in bottom (nicked from ds's stash), baskets from 'The Range' (cheapy shop), cellophane from local sewing shop, normal present curling ribbon and those foil takeaway style containers you can get from Asda cheap - they were fab, just stuck bows on top and ribbon round them.

SO what you doing - shop bought/homemade/mix of both?

I can be a little bit pedantic when it comes to arranging and wrapping, but I love it, and in soooooooo soooooooooo many other aspects of my life I'm rather chaotic..so it balances out.

I can't take full credit for my cleaning bouquet idea as I saw it on a website, selling it for over £30!!!! With BOGOF offers and wilki's etc..mine is going to be a bargain of around £8 and it looks huge! I've also added some bits the boys have made (fridge magnets etc)..I've got a little bit carried away..

i'd love to see that, can you link me to the website or take a picture of what you've done? would really appreciate it as it's a good idea and lots of people who keep moving!

Thanks

Here is a link, there are lots of company's that do this...

www.bouquetbouquet.co.uk/product.asp?numPageStartPosition=1&P_ID=13&PT_ID=3&Col=13

will try and take a picture of mine, am not sure how to add it on.

that looks really good.

To show us a photo of yours easiest way is to create a profile page, make it available to all to view and upload your photos onto that (there is an upload photos section on it).

thanks, that looks really good!

When ds was born we got one of those nappy cake things, i know some people hate them because they have disposables in, but I really loved it. It had nappies, muslins, brush/comb, a toy, bibs and a few other bits. thought it was a great idea

I am doing a few gift baskets this year too,

pamper kits:- containing hand made soaps and bath bombs (found a lovely shop on ebay thats cheap and fab) eye gel masks and candles, am adding more to it as i go along but you get the idea lol

craft kits for my DD's :- containing
pens/pencils/crayons, mixed coloured/textured paper, glitter pens, and other crafty items (all from pound shops lol)

also doing them a small pamper kit each :-
soaps, shampoo, bubble bath, scrunchie, towel,robe and slippers (they very girly lol) and hair accessories etc

am getting more and more ideas for friends and family as I go along, but trying to stick to budget is not easy lol

BUMP

yeah budgeting can be difficult.

YOu always find a couple of things that are cheap really, but when you put them all together it adds up.

Pamper kits sound good - where's this shop on ebay?

Are you arranging the dressing gowns to fit in the hampers? How are you doing it?

(Am very nosy)

Asda's doing a good cheap range of arty stuff now as well.

Got a lovely collection of diff types of paper for ds birthday last month.

Just got back from doing a bit of shopping and just got to tell you of my bargains

I went into my local wilkinsons and found the followind (so bought)
Pack of 2 plastic storage boxes (which are fairly big....) £1.25!!!!!

6 felt tip pens 15p
6 coloured pencils 15p
6 crayons 12p
colouring book 25p

and considering it's only for a small 'stocking/basket' filler you cannot argue with those prices imo

As for the robes i was planning on rolling them up like you do towels (unless they in the flat packets which will stand up nicely instead lol)

i meant to have said following* lol
see what happens when i get high with excitement!! lol

or could blame hormones lmao (6 months preggers)

bump

Doing one for BIL1 & SIL, just good champagne and really good smoked salmon.

they will like that

maybe you could put 2 champagne flutes and small box of chocies too can buy cheap in many stores

this is nothing to do with hampers but I get the impression you'll like it. My husband brings home loads of tiny, clear, zip bags, really small ones. So last year we cut out card holly leaf, stars, Christmas tree shapes etc. Hole punched a hole in the top and sent them to ds's friends with ribbon, a bag of glitter, sparky bits and a bag of shimmery pompoms!

Last year I made a hamper for a really good friend of ours. Having been to visit we'd noticed loads of little bits and pieces that he really needed but on a tight budget I wondered what to give him.

I found an old picnic basket in our garage and gave it a good clean, then filled with shredded tissue paper and topped with 4 Asda basic glasses & 4 mugs, Ikea cutlery set, Xmas blend tea (buy one get one free at Ikea), a jar of coffee, a pkt of biscuits and a bar of chocolate. Looked like I had spent far more than £8.

I have in the past also made sweetie boxes. I got some boxes with small compartments in (Poundstretcher) and filled the little compartments with sweeties. For the oldies I looked for sweeties that they remembered from their youth (I'm lucky my local shop is quite well stocked but otherwise can order online). They were a real success but cost me next to nothing esp compared to how much some online companies charge for sweetie hampers. Ideal gift for the people who have everything.

a good bottle of wine
a nice pot of cheese
chocolates
Luxury oatcakes
cheeseboard

I'm doing them too, Homemade
Chutney, fruit cake, truffles, oatbiscuits then bottle of wine and some nice cheese added.
Not doing cellophane as just more stuff to throw out.
If you can't get jars on freecycle, Lakeland plastics sell them.
Oat biscuit recipe is in this months Good Food

the sweety boxes sound like good idea too

what recipe are you using for the homemade chutney?

Good Food spicy mango. Not done this one before normally do a christmas one with cranberries but thoght I would try something new

Is that in the new one or last months chutney special?

Loads of different ideas here

Last months (luckily I can remember as also too lazy to get off arse)

Thanks

I've just made some biscotti - they were AMAZINGLY easy and I reckon would easily keep for a couple of weeks in a tin. In fact, they would probably keep FOREVER in a tin. They would be nice in an italian-style basket... I'm thinking cappucino cups...coffee...