DIY Christmas Hampers & Gift Baskets

Image from http://www.thepartydress.net/ via Pinterest

Every year I have the good intentions of putting together Christmas hampers for family and friends. Best laid plans and all that but the closest I got to it in 2012 was making an ice cream sundae kit for a friends daughter. This year I'm a little more organised and have been saving ideas for a while.  I've managed to put together a basket each for Mr M and my children. I'm not going to say specifically what I've done as Mr M does occasionally read this blog and we don't want to ruin the surprise do we?

Anyhow, I thought I'd share some of my theme ideas here with your guys, complete with short lists of suggested items you could include, just in case you're struggling on gift inspiration this year. I think a well-thought out, personal gift basket can be a great present for those difficult to buy for family members!

Image from giftboxgalore.co.uk via Pinterest

Movie Night

DVD, soundtrack CD, bags of popcorn, empty popcorn bags/tubs, small tubes of Pringles, bag of M&Ms, small bottles of fizzy pop or juice.

Baking for Beginners

Recipe book, mixing bowl, wooden spoons, measuring spoons, cookie cutters, sprinkles, tea towel, apron, rolling pin, cake cases.

Hot & Spicy

Curry spice kits, bottles of beer, balti dishes, curry cookbook, jars of chutney and raita, poppadums, mini naan breads. 

Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate power, mini marshmallows, chocolate stirring stick, mug, sprinkles.

Image from http://www.parents.com/ via Pinterest

Craft Box for young children
Safety scissors, sequins, googly eyes, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, pom poms, stickers, glue sticks, 

Good Grooming

Shaving supplies, face wash, shower gel, men's moisturiser, wash-bag, aftershave, razor, hand towel. 

Gardener's Paradise

Plant dibber, string/twine, seeds, plant tags/markers, hand fork and trowel, gardening gloves, soil tester, kneeling pad, 

Cocktails and Dreams
Martini glasses, cocktail sticks, jars of olives, jars of cherries, cocktail umbrellas, stirrers, bottle of vodka/gin/rum etc, bottle of liqueur like Chambord, cocktail book, cocktail shaker, alcohol measure.

Ice-Cream Delight 
Scoop, sundae dishes, sprinkles, wafers/cones, sundae sauce, sundae recipes, glace cherries, cocktail umbrellas.

Image from Etsy/Calypso Salt & Soap via Pinterest

Italiano
Colander, spaghetti/pasta, pasta sauce, spaghetti server, spaghetti measuring tool, Italian cookbook, amaretti biscuits, prosecco. 

Petrolheads

Car washing accessories, road map, car air fresheners, driving music CD, multi-tool, snow brush, tax disc holder, key ring, small torch.

Stationery Addicts

Post-it notes, highlighter pens, list pads, washi tape, small notebooks, funky paperclips, pens in different colours, sellotape dispenser.


I'm hoping you might have found this interesting and given you some inspiration. If you've got any categories or items you'd like to add to this list, let me know and I'll include them here!