basic food hamper

[knat]

my mom and dad are very plain eaters and really are struggling moneywise at the moment.For Xmas the jsut buy for dd and not for us and we get them something from dd. This year got my dad books and don't know whatelse for mom but am doing them a hamper - i want to put some "nice"things in that are treats but also some basics that will help them save on their weekly shop. Any ideas - as it's really difficult without fresh stuff? i've got crackers, cheeses, nuts, part baked baguettes (as they keep for ages and can be frozen) some home made cookies - any other suggestions would be gratefully received!

chutney, dates, nice stock cubes, marmelade, olive oil.
How about putting the dry ingredients for some nice muffins/cakes/biscuits in layers in a poundland jar with recipe tied on?

What about those tinned steam puddings or other puddngy things in jars or tins. You can get those little jars of stuff from the English povender company www.englishprovender.co.uk/
you can get their very lazy (already chopped into tiny pieces) garlic, chilli and cinger. They also do gorgeous chocolate, raspeberry and other fruit sauces/coulis and chutneys n stuff like that.

Jars of pasta or curry sauces if they would eat that. Some of those packs of coloured or shaped pasta. Couple of packs of Uncle Ben's microwave rice.

Some nice relishes, salad dressings or jam/marmalade.

Jar of pickled onions, red cabbage. Nutella. Fajita box. Tins of salmon or tuna.

Hope that helps, gonna get carried away here!

marmalade's agood idea. As i say they're very plain eaters and do basic dinners ie meat and veg, eat no pasta, rice etc.

Custard powder, tinned fruit, mustard, apple sauce, stock, tea, coffee, sugar.
The list is endless.

I would possibly do a tea, coffee, sugar, hot choc, biscuitstype thing

some Fray bentos pies then!!! Tins of corned beef/ham. Coffee - selection of teas, other drinks. Honey. Small amount of fruit enough for them to eat before it goes off.

forgot to say i've got tea and coffee. Sugar's a good idea and maybe pickled onions and red cabbage as my dad like them. keep themcoming please!!!

Dates/walnuts. those jars of fruit in liquers/syrup. Olives. Booze. Pringles. custard, rice pudding. Tinned fruit. Tinned soup
New toohbrushes n toothpaste. toiteries/bubble bath