Stuck for present ideas this Christmas?
Are you tired of giving away the same old gift set and socks? Do you wish to give something extra special to your loved ones this Christmas? Or maybe you are feeling brave enough to be crafty? If any of that seems familiar to you, then making your own Christmas hamper may just be the best gift idea!
Creating your own hamper can serve as a unique present, plus you can also tailor it to your loved one’s preferences. For example, you could create a chocolate-themed hamper for a sweet tooth or a spiced-themed hamper for those who like a bit of heat.
If you wish to make something all-encompassing, then keep reading!
What do I need to make a homemade Christmas hamper?
So now you’re wondering, how do I get started? Well, it’s just as simple as buying the following items from any craft store!
A wicker basket with a lid
Buying one with a lid means that the recipient cannot see what’s inside till the big day.
Packing material to cushion your Christmas hamper treats
There are different ways to protect your hamper goodies such as using shredded paper and ‘packaging peanuts’. You can even use popcorn too!
Ribbon
To decorate the wicker basket, you may wish to wrap it around in ribbon and finish with a bow on top of the lid.
Adhesive [optional]
By using any adhesive such as glue dots for example, will help secure the ribbon when tied around the wicker basket.
A label and some twine
A Christmas gift wouldn’t be without a label to let your loved ones’ know who their gift is from.
What to include in a homemade Christmas hamper?
If you want to make something a little more universal for your recipient, here are some ideas of what to include…
Hot beverages
The festive season is the best time of year to curl up on the sofa with a cosy blanket and a warm drink. So why not indulge them with some tea, coffee or some luxurious cocoa to brighten up their day?
Sweet treats
We all know that the best companion to a warm beverage on a chilly Winter’s day is a home-baked treat! So you may feel like adding some brownies, shortbread or, biscotti. The food magazine, Delish, is a great source of inspiration for some sweet treats to add to your Christmas hamper.
You could also add other confectionary such as the recipient’s favourite sweets or some decadent truffles!
Spirits and cordials
A festive hamper would not be one without treating somebody to some fine wine and liqueurs. If you want to add a more personal touch to the hamper, you could make your own liqueur. For example, you could experiment with making some raspberry vodka or limoncello.
However, if you are giving the hamper to someone who isn’t so keen on booze, then feel free to include cordial as an alternative. We love BBC Good Food’s recipes for rhubarb cordial and raspberry cordial.
Savoury delicacies
If home-baked sweet treats are the best companion to a warm beverage, then savoury nibbles are the perfect accompaniment with a cool glass of pinot grigio or the refreshing taste of raspberry cordial!
You could make some homemade cheese twists to add to the hamper, or if you’re feeling a little lazy you could instead gift some savoury snacks such as crackers, nuts and popcorn. Also, you could put a continental twist on the hamper by adding some delicious antipasti.
Condiments
At last, you can complete your Christmas hamper with some jams, chutneys, and hot sauces. If you feel up to spending time in the kitchen, we highly recommend trying Nigella’s chilli jam recipe!
Finally…
We hope you enjoy making your own hamper this festive season. At Glove Poppit HQ, we all wish you a Merry Christmas this year!
