Mini hampers - which would you prefer?

[OUB1974]

I have a few couples that I buy just a token present for (£5). I had an idea of doing a mini hamper on a theme - buying some multi packs in some cases and splitting them. I've come up with the following and I'm wondering which people would prefer? Or if anyone has any other suggestions?

Breakfast in bed - with coffee bean sachets, pancake mix, maybe jus roll pastries, jam etc.

Hot chocolate - with hot chocolate sticks or bombs, marsh mallows, stirrers etc.

Afternoon tea - with individual teabags, jam, cake, scones etc.

I always struggle, and want to get something nice for various reasons, but on rather a tight budget...

Thanks :)

The breakfast and afternoon tea both have bits in that will go stale very quickly.
So I'd vote for the hot chocolate basket, as it gives me time to work out what to do with it.

I'd never thank someone for tea or coffee sachets. I'd really not be fussed by any of your suggestions except maybe posh hot chocolate stirrers.

Breakfast in bed is brought to you in bed so maybe just call it Breakfast? Its not a bad idea to have a chilled tin of croissants, pain au choc and jam plus a nice version of their favourite Breakfast drink.

I think mini hampers are a nightmare because so personal. In the past I have enjoyed hampers containing: a really nice half bottle of sherry, good biscuits (sweet or savoury), expensive fudge (small pack, dont need a lot), chocolate truffles, possibly a nice Stilton or similar.

I have sent hampers with a Spanish, Indian, Italian or Japanese theme but only to people who I know will use them.

I have thrown away plenty of posh ingredients that I got from well meaning hampers. At least you're planning ingredients people use so just go with things you think people like.

I wouldn't particularly enjoy any of those things, and I'm a big fan of hot drinks generally. I'd prefer a small house plant, or anything I didn't need to worry about using up at a time when the house is already full of edible goodies that I've picked for myself.

I'd like either the hot chocolate or afternoon tea one (but would have to be gf alternatives for me, so check your recipients dietary requirements!).

I do agree with pp though re. things going off quickly and the house already being full of goodies, so for Christmas maybe the hot chocolate one would be best, as it would last.

I'd like a movie night one, popcorn, pic n mix and Doritos! But I've got quite cheap tastes!

What do you need to work out? You make it and drink it

Hot chocolate but nothing home made

Mmm not sure as I’m fussy about tea bags, don’t drink hot choc and although love cake & scones they would probably go stale as I’m not likely to eat them straight away at Christmas.

I'd prefer 3 bottles of nice beer for a fiver

Honestly. I’m fussy about tea bags and unless there is clotted cream I’m not interested in scones. Hot chocolate is the best if the bunch but I would prefer a house plant or a book.

Or a bottle of wine

Hot chocolate, I really wouldn’t thank you for tea bag’s, coffee sachets or pancake mix or just roll pastries of all things.

I love the idea of a theme but on your budget it's a tall order to put together something really special. Would it be better to buy something that really is just a little token, like a tiny box of nice chocolates, or a little bottle of Prosecco? Or a plant, as someone else has said?

I've just looked on Ocado and I see that in their Christmas section they have ideas for Secret Santa that you can filter by how much you want/have to spend, and one whole section is items under £5. That might give you some ideas.

I’d prefer a decent box of biscuits than any of those , sorry .

I would much prefer a bottle of nice cider or Cava, or possibly a poinsettia. I hate hampers, they're never anything I would normally buy or use.

If you want to put more effort in, growing hyacinth bulbs so they flower for Christmas is a nice thing to do.

Oooh I like a mystery bulb plant. So it comes up and is a surprise in the spring.

Thank you for the replies, maybe not the best idea then! It is quite personal and I was going more from what I'd like! I hate getting biscuits/fudge...I guess everyone's different so it's not the best idea. (Both my siblings often get hampers and I love them!). It's hard to get something that would appeal to everyone...I do quite like the movie night one. X

Personally I would scrap the hamper idea as in my eyes a hamper should be luxuries you wouldn't pick up with the weekly shop.

I would go for a nice tin of biscuits or bottle of prosecco/spirit of choice.

Alternatively non edible maybe a small house plant or something for the garden. If you know their style a nice decoration for the tree. I got friends a 1st year married one, and have done my mum one with a photo of her and her DH. Both from etsy.

I'd rather have a tin of M&S biscuits

How many couples?

I’d love the breakfast or afternoon tea one. Or a friend gave me homemade chutney, cheese and nice biscuits once and that was a lovely treat.

Hot chocolate one would be lovely and I’d be happy with the afternoon tea one. The breakfast sounds like too much work to prepare for me though I guess I wouldn’t need to make it all at once.

I’d rather have an Italian themed one: fancy pasta, olives/sun dried tomatoes, nice olive oil, biscotti, Prosecco etc. But would cost more than a fiver.

What kind of thing do you get back in return? You could all awkwardly end up swapping hot chocolates.

If they cook Indian food you could buy spice paste, coconut milk, poppadums you fry (can just take out what you need and they keep) mango chutney etc - from the world foods aisle is better quality.

I would avoid tea, coffee etc because everyone has different tastes.

I wouldn't appreciate the hot chocolate myself as I find the commercial offerings pretty unchocolately! (I make cocoa)

I often think that when your budget is small, buying one nice thing is better than buying lots of little things. So a nice box of biscuits or chocolates rather than a couple of teabags with a couple of biscuits plus the hamper etc. A little bit of luxury rather than a larger amount of ordinary!