How to make a Christmas hamper
Looking for Christmas hamper ideas? Read on to discover recipe inspiration and tips on what to put in a hamper, plus how to present and assemble it.
A luxury hamper under the Christmas tree really does give you that magical feeling – and if it's homemade, you can feel truly smug.
It makes a thoughtful, personal gift, and you can save cash by eschewing expensive shop-bought versions. And, the beauty of doing it yourself is that you can make it as simple or luxurious as you like.
Here are our top tips for hamper success, including recipe choices and presentation advice.
Get more inspiration from our pick of the best Christmas gifts for foodies. We've also got plenty more extended gift guides too, including the best Christmas hampers, letterbox gifts and best baking gifts.
What to buy to make a hamper
Use crêpe or tissue paper (£3.39, Amazon) to wrap your present and avoid single-use plastic. Wrap in a variety of ribbons (£4.98, Amazon) to create a colourful look.
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Wicker baskets (£12.99 for two, Amazon) can be found in garden centres, online and in department stores, but it's worth scouring your local charity shops for secondhand bargains, too.
You can also use a pretty plate to present your gifts or a nice tray, both of which also work as an extra present.
Reuse nice cardboard boxes you have around the house as an easy shortcut.
Christmas hamper recipes
Gifts for cheese lovers
If you're making a hamper for a cheese lover, treat them to homemade accompaniments like manchego & chorizo melting biscuits, sea salt water biscuits, a fig & walnut slice and spiced beetroot & orange chutney. Add some wine, a round of cheese or baked camembert kit and they're sure to love it.
Submerging cheese in oil is a good way to preserve it. Try our marinated goat's cheese recipe. Pack a jar with olive oil, chilli, fennel seeds, strips of lemon zest and thyme sprigs, add your cheese and leave the flavours to marry over a couple of days. It'll last for two weeks after that.
Gifts for chocolate lovers
Keep chocolate lovers sated with a hamper of sweet treats and you'll definitely be popular. Who can say no to a chocolate truffle, banoffee chocolate cup or coconut Florentine? Or, try adding a triple-chocolate cupcake kit for those who love to bake their own.
These snowy chocolate crackle biscuits have a real festive feel and can be made with kids. Chocolate bark is also easy to make and decorate – just choose your flavours, then pour the melted chocolate into a slab, decorate and leave to set. For something more challenging, try making your own chocolate fudge.
Homemade flavoured spirits
A bottle of wine in a Christmas hamper is almost compulsory, but you don't have to stick with the standard. Turkish delight vodka is sure to impress, mulling syrup works well in cider and wine, or try giving limoncello a Christmassy touch with oranges and spices. Read more on how to make flavoured spirits and find tips and recipes for making infused gin, vodka and the classic winter tipple, sloe gin.
More Christmas hamper recipes and tips
The best edible gift recipes
Last-minute homemade festive hamper ideas
Christmas biscuit recipes
Gingerbread inspiration
Chocolate truffle recipes
Easy DIY boozy gifts
Homemade Christmas gift ideas
Christmas chutney recipes
How to make your own fudge
Pickle ideas
Savoury biscuit recipes
The best hampers to buy
Have you made your own Christmas hamper? Let us know your tips and advice below.
