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Christmas

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Original poster

Home made hampers - naff or no?

91 replies

IVFfirsttimer91 · 22/10/2023 23:54

Hi all! We’re expecting our first baby in the new year, so this year finances are a bit strained!

We were thinking that instead of buying gifts this year that we would make our families hampers with home made preserves, chutneys, sauces and sweet bits (fudge - we just started a business making it) in them?

I would be super happy to get something like this, but I don’t know if it’s going to come across as cheap or something? My family tends to throw money around a bit especially at Christmas and I don’t want them to think that we are being tight.

Do you think that that would be something you would be happy to receive? Or should we go back to the drawing board?

OP posts:
feralunderclass · 23/10/2023 00:08

If money is tight I'd just tell them you can't do gifts this year. I'd personally love a hamper of homemade stuff (as long as the stuff was made well) but most people in my family wouldn't.

Original poster
IVFfirsttimer91 · 23/10/2023 00:14

@feralunderclass thanks for the feedback! My partner is a head chef so he can definitely make this things well! I suspect I’m overthinking things. Im pretty sure that my family would like this, but I just don’t want them to think that we’re being cheap or thoughtless.

OP posts:
Thelifeofawife · 23/10/2023 00:14

I love a hamper! I usually get a nice basket or box, and wrap in cellophane with nice ribbon to make it look a bit fancy.
When I have made similar hampers (not homemade, I’m not as talented as you), I’ve added crackers & sometimes cheese as well so it’s a bit more of a complete set.

Original poster
IVFfirsttimer91 · 23/10/2023 00:16

@Thelifeofawife adding a bit of fizz sounds like a good idea! And some nice crackers too! I made my best friend a tea hamper last year and it went down really well, so he will definitely be getting something hamper esq this year too! Thanks!

OP posts:
michaelmasdaisies · 23/10/2023 00:17

I would love this as a present!

TomatoSandwiches · 23/10/2023 00:20

I would also really love this as a gift.

SoShallINever · 23/10/2023 00:23

The thing is with hampers is that they get given on Christmas morning when the recipient already has a house stuffed with goodies.
I'd be happy to have a hamper but I'd appreciate it earlier in December so I don't go out and buy chutney!

Tilllly · 23/10/2023 00:28

I'd love it

NuffSaidSam · 23/10/2023 00:29

As long as it's things that will last then it's fab.

I agree with PP it's frustrating when you get one with stuff that needs to be eaten relatively quickly if you've already got all that stuff in. If it lasts, then it's great to have something to much through in Jan/Feb when you really need it!

novocaine4thesoul · 23/10/2023 00:30

I think this is a lovely idea, OK, you might have to socialise it with some early so you don't get the quid-pro-quo ridiculousness that we can end up with at Christmas " I bought him his favourite aftershave at £50, and a I only got a bottle of wine" but people (or the people that matter) will know that you are expecting a baby with all of the expenses that go with it in the NY. It is nice that you are thinking of them early and being well prepared. As a mum, I would love this. xx

Peepshowcreepshow · 23/10/2023 00:34

The cost of a basket/wrapping/jars/ingredients/booze will potentially come to more than the cost of a pair of slippers/plant/candle/whatever you may buy, especially when you factor in time and effort.

daisydalrymple · 23/10/2023 00:44

Personally I would hate something like this. But you know your relatives best.

Somewhereovertherainbowweighapie · 23/10/2023 00:45

I would love that much more than a gift.

andyourpointiswhat · 23/10/2023 00:57

Anything made with love and care should be received with love and gratitude. If your partner is a chef and you are starting a business making fudge it sounds like you are not exactly going to be filling a hamper with crap anyway (but even if you did the above should still apply).

LaurieStrode · 23/10/2023 01:07

It's a nice thought but really, I think most people would rather stop the gift exchange.

If you must, a small box of fudge with a card is plenty.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 23/10/2023 01:24

I give home made food gifts to a few close friends just before Christmas: cookies, egg nog, Christmas cake, caramel sauce. Sometimes cinnamon buns baked that day. Unless they're just being polite has always been warmly received. No one needs anymore stuff that will get tossed or Re-gifted anyway and I figure everyone is so busy no one gets the chance to do much baking etc.
You're having a baby!!!! Don't stress about pleasing others right now. 🩷

bananaboats · 23/10/2023 19:09

I think it varies tbh noone in my family would probably want homemade gifts and would probably rather a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates

vincettenoir · 25/10/2023 17:24

I did this one year for adults. I bought toys for the kids. The hampers went down well and I got lots of good feedback. I’m toying with doing the same thing this year.

hattie43 · 25/10/2023 18:26

Not for me but if you know the recipients would love them then go for it

reluctantbrit · 25/10/2023 19:03

I would check how much it would actually cost you. We received hampers last year and while it was lovely, it felt like a huge amount of food and I just couldn't feel I appreciated it, it felt like a burden to eat it in time. Especially typical Christmas food like mince pies were an issue.

In your case, if fudge is a business for you, just make some nice boxes if it keeps for 2-3 months at least and forget the rest.

HunterAngel · 25/10/2023 19:05

I usually do a hamper for the in laws as I have no clue what else to buy them and DH is no help! I usually get a few bottles of miniature wine, chocolates, biscuits, whatever else looks nice. Be careful though, sometimes it works out more expensive

itsmyp4rty · 25/10/2023 19:10

I would love to have a chef make a hamper of food for me! If family think you're cheap then that says more about them than you.

LovelyGreenCushions · 25/10/2023 20:26

Naff. (sorry)

BombaySamphire · 25/10/2023 20:30

IVFfirsttimer91 · 23/10/2023 00:14

@feralunderclass thanks for the feedback! My partner is a head chef so he can definitely make this things well! I suspect I’m overthinking things. Im pretty sure that my family would like this, but I just don’t want them to think that we’re being cheap or thoughtless.

It’s the polar opposite of thoughtless.
I’d love this, personally.

oohyoudevilyou · 25/10/2023 20:36

I'd love a small food hamper and would be delighted that they were homemade. The hampers that I think are naff are the ones made up of random stuff (socks, face masks, chocolate, mugs etc) picked up from Home Bargains and packed extravagantly with cellophane and coloured tissue: A family member loves making these and sadly I just don't use the contents...it's such a waste