How to Make Your Own Christmas Hamper
People gift Christmas hampers---wicker baskets or boxes filled with various gift items---in various sizes and designs for enjoyment throughout the Christmas holiday season or as Christmas gifts. Although many people gift fine gourmet foods, treats and beverages, you can fill a Christmas hamper with any gift items as the items chosen for the hamper range based on personal preference, a theme or the likes of the gift receiver. Making your own gift hamper isn't difficult and only requires the basic hamper packaging (gift items and a wicker basket or box) and any Christmas decorations that you choose to use. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Pen
- Gift items
- Wicker basket or box
- Tissue paper
- Paper twist (optional)
- Scissors
- Glue
- Ribbon (optional)
- Christmas accessories (optional)
- Cellophane or plastic wrap (optional)
Instructions
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Make a list of items that you want to include in the hamper based on your personal preferences, a theme or the likes of gift receiver's. If you're making a gourmet hamper, make a list of a variety of foods and beverages such as fine meats, cheeses, jams and jellies, treats like Turkish Delight and rum cake and/or a few pieces of fruit and wine. To make a single food-themed hamper, select a single food and make a list of different versions of the food (for example, cheeses from around the world). If you're making hamper based on a receiver's likes, make a list of items specific to one of the receiver's hobbies and/or entertainment preferences.
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Select and purchase the gift items and a wicker basket or box with or without a lid. Select the gift items before purchasing a basket/box so that you know that you have a hamper large enough to hold all of the items that you want to gift.
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Fill the base of the basket or box with at least one inch of tissue paper and/or unraveled paper twist to create a soft cushion within the base to stabilize the gift items for transport. Wait to add additional height until you position and organize the items.
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Position the gift items within the hamper. Whether you're using a basket or box, position the items for the most part based on your preferences. Although traditionally, many people place large items across the back of the hamper with smaller items in front, you can also stagger large and small items at the back or lay large items flat and surround with smaller items. If you want to stagger items or increase the height of smaller items within the hamper, add tissue paper and/or paper twist beneath items as needed.
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Decorate the hamper with ribbon and/or or Christmas accessories such as bells, ornaments, holly leaves or pinecones to compliment the hamper and gifts within. Glue the ribbon and/or accessories to any part of the hamper---front/back, sides, rim, inside and/or lid (if applicable)---any area that you feel the decorations will help to accentuate or will help to improve upon the overall "look" of the Christmas hamper.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're travelling with an open basket-style hamper without a lid, wrap the entire basket with cellophane or plastic wrap tied off with a ribbon or a piece of paper twist before transport.
To make a quick or rustic bow for your hamper, cut a six-inch to one foot piece of paper twist. Tie a knot in the middle. Glue the knot to the basket and then gently unravel the ends to make the bow.
