As the festive season approaches, you might be starting to write your own Christmas list to Santa and also thinking about the gifts you want to give to your loved ones this year.

If you’re struggling to come up with ideas or perhaps you want to do something different this year you might considered making your own carefully curated food and drink gift hampers.

Making your own Christmas gift hamper is a great way to show off your creativity, as well as showing love. In this blog, we'll guide you through the process of making the perfect Christmas foodie gift hamper, step by step.

1: Make it personal

Think about the person you are making it for and consider the recipient's preferences, interests, and needs. Are they veggie/vegan, do they prefer sweet or savoury foods, do they have any allergies/intolerances, do they drink alcohol? etc

The answers to these questions will ensure you select exactly the right food and drink products for your hamper.

2: Choose a Theme

A well-thought-out theme will make your foodie gift hamper feel more cohesive and meaningful. Here a few ideas for Christmas gift hamper themes include:

• Vegan/plant based: Whether the recipient is a full time vegan or are just interested in eating more plant-based foods, pulling together a delicious selection of vegan products is a delicious way to show them that you’ve created a gift with them in mind.
• Cosy Night in: Include a selection of snacks and drinks that can be enjoyed during a cosy night in on the sofa. We’re thinking sweets and chocolates, crisps and snacks, wine, hot chocolate. You could even add some non-food items like cosy slippers or a relaxing face mask.
• Classic festive treats: Food is a huge part of Christmas and there are so many yummy treats that only make an appearance in the festive season. Celebrate these taste traditions with mince pies, mulled wine, stollen, Christmas pudding and gingerbread.
• The Great Outdoors: If you have a loved one that enjoys spending time outdoors hiking or partaking in other sports you can tailor a hamper around their passion. Include high energy, high protein snacks and that will keep their energy up or help them refuel (like our roasted fava bean snacks) You could also add a drinks bottle or hot drinks flask to help them keep hydated when they are on the go.

3. Collect Your Goodies

Now it's time to start gathering the items to fill your hampers. It’s nice to offer something different that can’t just be bought off the supermarket shelves so including up and coming or small brands is a a great way to ensure your gift is totally unique. You can source exciting food and drink items from local farm shops and online. However if you want to find lots of delicious businesses in one place a Christmas market or food and drink event is a great way to shop for your hamper gifts.

Shows like BBC Good Food Show or Country Living are a great way to shop for your hampers all under one roof and ideal for getting in the festive mood too.

You can find The Honest Bean Co at BBC Good Food Show Winter, NEC 23rd-26th November 2023 and Country Living, London 8th-11th November 2023

4. Pack it up

The container is a crucial part of your Christmas gift hamper. It should be practical for the recipient to re-use later or easy for them to recycle. Consider options like:

• Baskets: Classic and versatile, keep an eye out in charity and thrift shops as they often have baskets for sale at bargain prices.
• Wooden crates: A good rule of thumb is to make sure it’s large enough to fit a large book in. This makes sure it is a good size for repurposing.
• A shopping bag: As well as containing your items, it can be part of the gift. Reusable shopping bags are required on a day to day basis so you can be sure your gift will be gratefully received.
• A cardboard box: There’s nothing wrong with presenting your items in a sturdy cardboard box and is easy to recycle. If you feel like it needs smartening up try wrapping it in brown craft paper.

Whatever you do, ditch the plastic. Cellophane wrap just isn’t cool anymore and definitely isn’t required. However we do recommend adding sprigs of foliage, pinecones, ribbons or small xmas decorations to add a festive touch to your hamper.

Fill any gaps with shredded paper, tissue, or decorative filler to keep items in place and make sure your hamper look like it is bursting with delicious treats.

Happy Gift-Giving

Creating a Christmas food and drink hamper is a thoughtful and creative way to show your love and appreciation for your friends and family this festive season. By considering your recipient's preferences, selecting a theme, and carefully arranging and presenting the items, you can make a gift that's both beautiful and meaningful. Remember, it's not just about the items inside the hamper, but the thought and effort you put into the process that truly counts.

We understand not everyone has the time for making homemade hampers. If that's the case for you you'll be pleased to hear we've done the hard work for you. Check out The Honest Bean Co Gift Box, an ideal gift for vegans, fitness fanatics and snack lovers alike. 

Happy gift-giving this Christmas season!