Hamp it up: alternatives to the traditional Christmas Hamper

Hampers are a very traditional part of Christmas. As a child I clearly remember hoping that one day a basket-shaped parcel would land on our doorstep filled with treats for us to enjoy. Now that I am grown I have come to realise that it doesn’t have to come in a basket to be called a Hamper. A Hamper is just an expression for a collection of gifts with one theme that you can give to your nearest and dearest in the season of giving, rather than just entering a raffle to win one.

The key with hampers is the packaging.

1. You need a container for your treats, like the Popcorn Box that the ever-inspiring Missie Lizzie used in her Movie Night Hamper, or a more conventional basket as used in Life at the Zoo’s Breakfast Hamper.

2. Then you need ingredients: handmade beauty products will make a wonderful Pamper Hamper, for example or fill a box with craft supplies to make a Craft Gift Box like Red Ted Art.

3. Then it takes a few minutes to arrange your contents and you are done: use tissue paper like Kids Chaos’ amazing Stationery Hamper (don’t you love the way she made her box file look so fabulous? Or you could try cellophane/florists’ wrap. Cellophane is far easier than people think: it’s basically clear wrapping paper. Use a piece far longer than you think you need, place your item in the centre, then gather up all the loose edges around your hamper, bunch and tie. You can trim as needed. For a large gift, try using two pieces of cellophane- the same length- and placed over each other in at right angles.

Now here are five suggestions for Hamper or Gift Themes:

1. A Hair Caddy: what little girl doesn’t love hairdressing? I upcycled a nappy caddy to make a hair caddy, and filled it with ribboned hairbands, hair detangler spray, a few hairbands, clips and bobbles, as well as a hairbrush and comb.

 

2. Doll Caddy: if you know a doll-loving child, why not give a doll carrier filled with blankets, clothes and a simple handmade baby doll carrier? Dimples would love this gift!

 

3. A Gardener’s Trug: fill a trug with things that are useful in the garden. String, pots, bulbs, plant markers and a pen, gloves, and some upcycled handwarmers make a wonderful gift for the gardener in your life.

 

 

4. Ice Cream Treat Hamper: it’s not great weather outside but that doesn’t mean you can’t give a hamper filled with bits to make Sundaes. This little cool bag is stuffed with napkins, sprinkles, an ice-cream scoop and two easy-to-make ice cream sauces, Salted Caramel and Chocolate Fudge.

 

 

5. Kitchen Hamper: A great gift for a cook or a friend who has a new house. Take double oven gloves, an apron and tea towel and bundle up neatly. Tuck a few paint-dipped spatulas, cookie cutters and a timer into the pocket of the oven glove and it’s ready to give.

 Need more ideas? Check out Red Ted Art’s Hamper Ideas Roundup!