Home made hampers - naff or no?

[IVFfirsttimer91]

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?

It’s not something I would want at all and I think giving homemade hampers is definitely something that should be kept for people who you know really would like it.

I made DH a hamper one year for Christmas as he wasn’t forthcoming with ideas and we had young Dc. I did a hamper based on all the Scottish things he loved as a kid & adult, with a good mug and book. Lots of Tunnocks not readily available in our area of England, sweets as well as a few more specialty bits which his sister helped with (she’s in Scotland). He loved it, his tunnocks mugs are still used for his weekend coffee and he maintains it was one of his favourite ever presents several years later. Thinking of doing similar this year as he’s had a tough time and somewhat homesick.
I’m no hamper fan, not keen on receiving generic ones but if they are well thought of they can be lovely.

I think they can be lovely if personalised. However, they can be actually quite expensive to put together and also you have to make sure nothing has to be eaten quickly, as there’s already so much food around at Xmas.

I think it's a gorgeous present. But, if you're making them because money is tight, I don't think you'll save much. By the time you buy all the bits/ingredients you need, plus the actual box/basket and ribbons etc, I think it will be quite an expensive gift!
The fudge on it's own with a bottle of wine is a lovely gift- if you already have the fudge from your new business, something like that will be more cost effective I think.
Don't stress too much, it's only a token gift and nobody really cares too much!

They're a bit ungrateful if they didn't appreciate your home made efforts in which they deserve nothing anyway

I'm sure they'll love your gifts, most people would. I definitely would.

I'd hate it.

Just tell everyone you don't want to do adult presents this year. You need to do it quickly though before people start buying! Or do a secret Santa so you're not buying for as many.

I do my 25 year old son one every year- a mix of toiletries and nice nibbles- he loves it

Definitely not naff OP. It sounds lovely and thoughtful especially if you make some things yourself. I recall years ago my sister making biscotti for us all, was a really nice thing to receive. Places like Poundland, B & M, Home Bargains are good for ingredients etc.

Why would you hate it just out of interest @UpsyDaisyMegaphone

Aww we did this last year and it went down amazing with several family members so we Gona do it this year. They all loved it I think the thought behind it meant a lot more tbh

I did this last year, finances were extremely tight and it definitely worked out cheaper than spending the usual 20 or 30 pound on several family members! I made sloe gin, red onion chutney, Baileys fudge, mince pies, and chocolate and nut bark and packaged them up nicely with little labels. I did get good feedback on it, but it's the same as any other present really, you're never guaranteed that the recipient will love it but it if they love you they will appreciate the effort.

A home made hamper is exactly the best type of gift.
I prefer one over all others. To give a hamper for each household would be perfect.

You might want to consider the children differently depending on their ages? You could buy the children a toy, take them to a pantomime, a water slide session, fishing with a gold ticket or give them a book etc etc..

I have made home made hampers and generally was well received (and i am no chef). Also was great to have lots of extra stuff to throw into gift bags for elderly neighbours etc. BUT my sister hardly ate any of hers, shes just not into chutneys and jams etc so wasnt a good present for her. Although I stole back the unopened limencello the following Christmas and it was amazing after year of fermenting so worked out well for me

I quite often do hampers- but they tend to cost more to make than I would probably spend on the person if I bought a present!

Lovely, thoughtful gift OP.

I would love this. Especially as it will clearly be well made.

I'm likely a bit unusual in that I won't eat anything homemade.

I've seen inside too many houses.

I would receive the present gratefully, but I would absolutely donate it on.

I was given one that also had Christmas baubles.

He’s a head chef? Definitely yes then. This is not thoughtless, the opposite really given the time involved. It’s when someone decides they’re going to have a go at some chutney when they never cook and then palms it off on you as a gift that there’s a problem.

I love a hamper, if stuff is homemade but I do struggle with getting them at Christmas unless early enough to edit my big shop. It's the time of year I buy so many special bits that hampers can mean lots of doubling up.

It would be expensive and time consuming to make them. Why not do secret Santa or no gifts for adults as PP have already said?
I would appreciate the effort if I got one, but I wouldn't eat anything that was made in someone else's house.

I'd love a hamper from a head chef. Especially if a recipe is included!

I think it’s great if you know the recipients well enough to tailor it accordingly eg don’t give chutney to someone that doesn’t like it AND I’d give it well before Christmas day so you don’t dump a load of food on people knowing they’ve already bought and prepped everything. Could end up quite pricey though so might not be the money saver you think it is. Some of your fudge and a bottle of wine might be cheaper/easier (presuming they drink of course).

Those saying they wouldn’t eat something made in someone else’s house, surely that wouldn’t apply here? Given the DH works as chef and they have a fudge business I’m sure they have food hygiene certificates and do everything properly. It’s not school bake sale territory!

I would hate to receive a hamper, particularly one containing any food. I wouldn't describe them as naff though as lots of people would appreciate them.