Fret not! This does not mean you have to hand over poor quality gifts, it simply means you must be more creative. So every week on the lead up to Christmas I will post some credit crunch defeating ideas that will remove the worry!
This weeks idea is: Christmass Hampers!
Christmass Hampers are a simple concept. Every year stores such as John Lewis, Waitrose, Debenhams, Boots and House of Fraser make bundles of cash from selling the general public their hampers.
Hampers are a simple concept, you buy a basket, fill it with some tissue and goodies, wrap it in cellophane, finish it off with a bow and voila! You have a family Christmass present. The best thing about hampers is, you don't have to buy everyone an individual hamper, instead you should create a hamper for each section of your family or friends. When I say sections I am referring to the following:
1.In Laws + family
2.Parents + family
3.Grandparents
4.Family friends
Those are just some of the groups you can dedicate your hampers to.
So what do hampers contain aside from tissue paper?
Here are some classic hamper ideas:
- Jam, Shortbread, Scones, Mince Pies, Chocolates, Cheese&Crackers...any kind of festive food that will keep your loved ones full and feeling festive.
- Candles, oils or incense, selecting fragrances such as myrrh, ginger or even mince pie will leave any house feeling extra Christmassy.
- Wine, champagne, real ale, speciality cider/lager or miniature spirits will suit the grown ups.
- Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate are great for snuggling up with following a heavy christmass
- Jam: You can make your own jam with little time and little money, the following recipe will fill two big jars or three medium sized ones. CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE. Once you have made your jam you can either fill jars that are nearing the end of their contents or purchase marmelade from the Tesco Value range, scoop out the contents and place yours in! Make your jam jars pretty by placing trimmed fabric on the lid secured with an elastic band or by creating festive labels on your computer.
- Shortbread: Shortbread is also quick and easy, it can be cut in to festive shapes, topped with chocolate, mixed with almonds...the list is endless. CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE
- Scones: Almost everybody loves scones! They will work perfectly with your jam and are easy to make. CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE
- Mince Pies: Mince pies can be as simple or complicated as you like. Depending on your culinary expertise you may wish to buy your mince meat or you could create your own! CLICK HERE FOR RECIPE
- Chocolates: Chocolates do not have to be overpriced to please. Tesco stock a great selection of miniature chocolate boxes, buy selecting a small ferrero rocher box, guylian box and a pack of thorntons toffee you will keep your chocolate budget to under £3 per hamper.Blogger: The Truth - Create Post
- Cheese&Crackers: Most supermarkets make pre-packed cheese boards for under £5, along with a box of crackers for less than £0.70p.
- Candles: Visit www.tesco.com or www.wilkinsonplus.com for candles that are as cheap as £0.99!
- Incense and Oils: Most large town and city centres will feature shops that sell incense for less than £1.00 a pack. If you cannot reach a local shop visit www.simplyincense.co.uk
- Wine&Champagne: Offers at supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsburys include 3 for £10 on Lindemans wines. £10 could fill 3 hampers! Visit majestic wine stores or threshers for more great offers, including reduced price champagne.
- Real Ale/Lager/Cider: Most major supermarkets also feature regular offers on real ale, cider and lager. Purchase large bottles to fill your hamper, avoid cans and small bottles...they look cheap.
- Miniature Spirits: This is another area where supermarkets come in handy! Miniature whisky, baileys, gin and vodka are available over the counter.
- Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate: For a wide selection of tea, coffee and hot chocolate visit waitrose. They offer every type of tea imaginable, great roast and instant coffees as well as Green and Blacks hot chocolate.
An Example Of A Hamper: - Visit InStore or Wilkinsons to purchase a basket, these will vary in size, you may purchase one as small or as large as you like. Prices begin at £4.95
- Visit Tesco to purchase some of their Value Christmass wrapping paper for £0.14. Shred this and place it in your hamper
- GET COOKING! Make shortbreads, jam, scones, mince pies, cupcakes...anything you can think of. These are as good as free, but if you don't have the required supplies in your cupboard visit Asda or Tesco for value range flour, caster sugar, vanilla essence...or anything else you may require. Don't worry about the quality, these will do just as much justice as any other brand. Make sure you make these a few days before giving the hamper to avoid them going stale.
- Choose your chocolates. Tesco, Thorntons, BHS...all of them can provide a variety of chocolates that will allow you to spend as much or as little as you like. Visit Tesco to buy a selection of Guylian, Thorntons and Fererro Rocher chocolates for £2.88.
- Wine: Buy a quality white or red wine that has been reduced by 50%, you can often find a bottle that has dropped from £8.00 to £3.99 in major supermarkets.
- Beer: Magners, Gaymars, Asahi and Bombadeer are often featuring 2 for 1 offers. You can purchase two bottles for as little as £1.80.
- Tea: Go to Waitrose and buy some earl grey for £1.99
- Hot Chocolate: Green and Blacks is a little pricey at £3.99, but the quality will impress.
- Candles: Visit wilkinson to purchase a £1.50 lavender scented candle.
- Cheese and Crackers: Purchase a Tesco cheeseboard for £4.95 and crackers for less than £1.
Total for a classic hamper: £22.50
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