How To Make A Christmas Hamper To Suit All Your Festive Gifting Needs
- 02 Dec 2016
- Rheanna Mathews
- Features
Christmas gifts are a tradition and hampers filled to the brim with goodies have a special charm all their own. I mean, who doesn’t like to open a gift and find a dozen more tinier pretty things inside? There’s absolutely no doubt. Christmas hampers rank way up there when it’s time to think of gifts for your near and dear. But the question remains, what kind of hamper do you give them? Do you get them the really expensive kind filled to the brim with luxurious sweetmeats and delicious wines and is store-bought? Or do you go for the more personalized option, tailoring each hamper to the tastes of the recipient? I confess, in my case, the second idea holds more sway.
First of all, a personalised gift hamper means you put thought into it, and whoever the gift is meant for shall definitely realize this. Which also means, extra warm tinglies and fuzzy feelings at Christmastime. Secondly, and perhaps slightly more enticingly, you get to choose how expensive your homemade hampers need to be. Let’s be honest, festive seasons are hell on our pockets and for those of us with mouths to feed (including our own), saving wherever possible seems a very commendable pursuit. And third, building your own set of gift hampers is so much fun, especially if you enjoy all things crafty and DIY.
So what takes precedence when building a homemade Christmas hamper? In the words of Megamind and taken completely out of context, “Presentation!” It is key if you want to make an impression. Use traditional woven baskets for that touch of local charm and yards of ribbon to give it a festive air.
And when it comes to filling your hamper, your imagination’s the limit. Go homemade all the way and make all the edible goodies yourself, which means cakes, chocolates and giant, chunky cookies apart from the wine (made with your grandmother’s recipe, maybe?). Throw in some bright fruit and you’re halfway there.
Artfully place a few pine cones, if you can get them (painted gold or in glitter, if you can manage it), and some shiny baubles here and there. Candles, especially scented ones, are almost always a treat. Add a card with the season’s greetings and you’re almost there.
A coffee mug and some exotic coffee for that lover of caffeine. Two wine glasses to go with that special wine you’ve set aside for that wine aficionado. A dry fruit mix, some spices and fruit liqueur for that home baking enthusiast. Scented bath salts and luxurious moisturisers for that unashamed hedonist. And a couple of santa stockings and hats, fluffy socks and a homemade Christmas wreath to complete it. The list is potentially endless.
Your personalised homemade Christmas hamper is sure to be a hit. But if, perchance you’re just too swamped with work to lend this project the thought it deserves, or if you simply do not have that creative bent or if you’re just too darn lazy to embrace such impracticalities, then here’s a list of places where you can get professionally made, beautiful, not to mention delicious, treats complete with a bow.
De Pastry School
Kakkanad
Ph: 0484 4163133
Rohini’s Tasty Treats
Kadvanthra
Ph: 9447822357
Incredible Art
Kaloor
Ph: 9446971002