Food parcels

[cheshirecatssmile]

I'm doing food parcels for 3 family members this year.
Basic necessities and treats.
Thought of tins of stuff, packet rice /couscous , biscuits etc.
But what else
Family 1 a couple, she is pregnant
Person living by themselves
Family 2 single mum with 3 kids.

Bubble baths? Soaps? Any ideas welcome.

I would only go for basic food stuff if you know they're struggling and even so go for stuff you know they like. They don't want to be lumbered with loads of packs of couscous if no one in the house likes it.

Why are you doing food parcels? Would they not prefer a voucher for a supermarket local to them (no point giving them an Aldi voucher if they can't get to one).

I think for Christmas I’d focus on treat food as well as the basics - good chocolate biscuits, shortbread, stollen and maybe a bottle of something. Do a bit of digging so you know what they actually eat.

Bubble bath - if they are skint they aren’t likely to be having many baths right now. IME soap mostly goes to oxfam - most people use cheap shower bell and soap doesn’t feel at all like a treat. (I know it’s more environmental.)

This is a good point actually

Coffee.
Light olive oil.
Ready made custard.

Appletiser or similar fancy fizzy drink for the single person.
Choco pops, milkshake powder etc for the kids.
Tummy butter for the pregnant lady.

Do they need the support in terms of a food parcel? Do you think they would otherwise struggle for food without it? If so, then I think this could be a nice idea only if done sensitively and in a decorated 'food hamper' way.

Maybe nice basics that they wouldn't get in a food bank parcel. So heinz soups, more premium micro rices like the flavoured Tilda packets, different pasta selections to the regular economy penne and premium brand jars of curry sauce/pasta sauce/pesto. Maybe also a few bits to enjoy over Christmas so mince pies/micro pudding/Christmas cake/biscuits/treeslets/crisps/ chocolate Santa etc.

If you wanted to put other bits in that wasn't food. George @asdahave nice kids character and older child themed fleece blankets for £6-£8. Maybe also a colouring book/crayons or small stocking filler each for the children and adult?

Just thought it would be nice to have some treats etc at a time when people may not be able to afford fancy chocolates or biscuits etc at this time of year.
I've already started on the 3 for 2 deals.
I know these families well so know what they like.
Lady who's pregnant is lactose intolerant so will get some nice goodies
The single person likes/eats anything except dark chocolate!
The single mum loves a candle so that will be going in and one of her children loves a pot noodle so they will be added.
It's all simple stuff that will hopefully put a smile on their faces.
If I got them a voucher it still may not cover a treat.
I can afford, they can't

Is this meant as a Christmas gift or a food parcel to see them though the Christmas period?

If it’s a gift then treat items, but if it’s a food parcel because they are struggling then a supermarket voucher for a store near where they live instead will ensure they get exactly what they need/want.

I agree.

My sister is literally on the bones of her arse with the price rises, fuel costs etc so for Christmas I've set up an online shop for her, given her a budget and she can add anything she wants to be delivered a couple of weeks before Christmas.

I can see the shop as she is adding stuff and she is adding basics but also lots of treats that she hasn't been able to have over the Christmas period for quite some time, nice cheeses, wine, posh biscuits.

She will appreciate that a lot more than if I chose stuff for her (even though I know her tastes pretty well)

Bit of both. Just wanted to give something that was more practical for these friends than something that would be put in a cupboard or never used.
In the past my mum used to do a parcel like this for us at Xmas and we always greatly appreciated it

OP, what about doing both? So a basket of treats and a supermarket gift voucher. I'm still not clear what the recipients' financial situations are but certainly when we've been less well off than we are now whilst treats were nice because they were unaffordable, there was also an element of me thinking of how many tins of baked beans I could have got for the price of a fancy tin of biscuits but equally, if they are not in the breadline then being given couscous may not feel very treaty. If you bought treat foods and slipped a gift card in too then it covers all bases and also gives them an element of choice which can sometimes be taken away when you don't have much spare money.