How to make a last-minute gift hamper!

How to make a last-minute gift hamper!

Have you ever left your present shopping until the last moment? Don’t fret! We have some easy ideas for speedy and amazing special gifts…

A lot of times it happens that we totally miss out on buying gifts until the last moment. And sometimes, we plan too much into our budget and lesser the gift items. If you are in one of the situations, then here are some simple edible gifts you can make at home which will not take up your time and money. Read on to get some ideas…

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Sweets: – If you have no time at all to buy chocolates, then just make chocolates or caramels at home! Pick up a pack of caramels from any local shop. You can also make some pretzel bites using chocolates, cranberries and smashed pretzels. Put the smashed pretzels into the melted chocolate and add in chopped pieces of cranberry. Spoon them into moulds and leave them to set in the fridge. After few hours, once you are done assembling other gifts, this will be ready. Put it in an airtight fancy container and wrap it up! This can be done in about 10 minutes and while it is settling in the fridge, you can do your other chores or work.

Jars: – A clever jar gift can consists of anything. You can put in homemade jams or some lavender flowers can be bought dried in jars with some added sugar. You can also put in some homemade cookies, biscuits and so on… Baking fresh dishes is always advisable as they will not get ruined when you send gift hampers in UK by post.

Kits: – If you are planning to gift kits of make-up, jewellery, etc. then you are going to need hardly an hour to make a gift hamper. Head to your nearest drugstore and get all the items from there for a reasonable rate. For make-up kits, you can pick a fancy palette which comes in your budget and add some make-up tools. Throw in some cards and flowers to complete the hamper.

Other ideas: – Other than all these things, you can simply mix and match. Put in a wine bottle, homemade cookies with a jar of jam and flavoured sauces. If you decorate a gift hamper well, you do not have to worry about the things inside. If you are in a hush-hush situation, then just put in two or three items and use gift vouchers as last minute resorts. If you are jam-packed with your hectic day, then simple send across a readymade hamper through online websites. You will find a great range of different items at reasonable rates. If you are artistic and would love to create things then you can always make a do it yourself hamper. This will be really special since you have put in so many efforts in it.

Do not overthink when you are preparing a gift hamper. If you are on a tight schedule, then try out a simple and easy idea.

Creative hamper container ideas…

Creative hamper container ideas…

We have given you tons of ideas on different, reasonable and creative gifts to place in a hamper, but apart from making quirky gifts, you can also create some artistic and affordable hamper containers. Read on to know more…

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  • Shoes: - Yes, if you have some nice Ugg boots that you do not want or are new and you want to gift it, then you can use it as a gift hamper container. Make sure you place dry gifts inside this which are packed in a plastic bottle or packet. This could be a really creative way to surprise someone.
  • Cork containers: – If you have collected some medium sized liquor bottle corks then you can utilize them. Make a hole in the between with a knife and put in some cute earrings in there. You can also attach a magnet behind so that they can be used as fridge magnets. Paint them well so they look decorative.
  • Strainer containers: - If you are sending a fruit basket across or some delicacy then a strainer is very useful. The opposite person receiving the gift can make use of the strainer too, and it will be just another extra gift. You can also use some craft paper or ribbons to highlight the outsides of the strainer.
  • Toy trucks: - If you have a dump truck then you are in luck! You can use this to place a lot of jars and smaller containers. This can be the final hamper basket. This unique idea will surprise the other person and bring a huge smile on their face, we guarantee!  Make sure you only use this idea if you are taking the hamper along to gift it and not sending post otherwise you will have to double pack to ship it.
  • Birdcage: - Who needs a basket when you have a birdcage just kept like that at home. Polish it few days before and wash it off well if it has been kept in your store room or garage for ages. If your gift has a vintage theme, then you can keep it a little off coloured without polishing. Put in all your gifts inside this cage and use tons of ribbons to decorate. This surely is an amazing and quirky idea.
  • Paint cans: - Have empty paint cans lying around? If yes, then use them! Use colourful paints to decorate them and add in some glitter. Wash them well before using it. Once they are clean, you can put in several packed gifts like nail polishes, lipsticks, make-up sets, message cards, etc.
  • Book container:- If you have an old empty book or a fancy hard cover book then cut out the pages in a rectangle shape and use this as a container. You cannot place food items in there but can place some liquor bottles, make-up items, accessories, etc.

We hope these few unique ideas are helpful to youand can even send some of such hampers by post to your loved ones. You can find many other things around the house to use as hamper container and baskets.

Make your gift count!

Make your gift count!

Marian Anderson had once made a very thought provoking quote – “Everyone has a gift for something, even if it is the gift of being a good friend.” Everyone likes a good gift. A gift can be anything – they could be a bouquet of roses, an expensive dress, hampers delivered in UK or to any other part of the world or even something innovative such as a package holiday. But what makes gifts even more special are two things – if you can personalise them and if you do a buy a gift that really suite the person you want to offer the gift to. To make sure your gift hits the right note with that person, here are a few tricks that you could use and make the right decision:

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  • The occasion – You first need to look at what the event or the occasion is. If you are gifting someone something just for the joy of gifting, there is no special occasion for it, then almost any gift that you give is going to be a big hit because you are doing something wonderful, yet unexpectedly. If there are occasions, then choose according to that. For example, you can give your friend a mug with a naughty saying on it for their birthday but you certainly can’t gift something like that when they are getting married.
  • Know the person well – Are you on very good terms with the person you are gifting the things to? Or are you just mutual acquaintances of business colleagues? You also should consider how close the other person considers you to be. Extremely informal gifts for business partners or very expensive gifts for someone you barely know are going to be looked at with distaste or suspicion. It may even lead to souring of a few relationships.
  • The gift’s appearance – If you are gifting something along the lines of a paid vacation or a day in the amusement park, then you don’t have to worry about the way the gift is wrapped up and delivered or handed over to the other person. Here are some unique gifts that speak on their own – they don’t need an attractive outer wrapping. For example – antique sculptures or paintings, heirloom jewellery and luxury cars are good enough on their own. For the other gifts, whether big or small, a little bit of festive wrapping and some gift ornaments like tassels and bells go a long way to create a better impression.
  • Timing of the gift – If there is an event that will be happening in the next week or so and your gift is to be posted, post it in time in such a way that the other person gets the gift on that day, not before or after. This advice holds good for gifts that you personally give to someone too. Make the occasion special with your gifts; don’t give them as afterthoughts or as a result of social propriety.

So follow these simple yet effective tips and let your gift make the right impact on your chosen ones.

Top Gift Ideas for the Elderly Loved One

Top Gift Ideas for the Elderly Loved One

Choosing a gift for an elderly relative or friend may be quite a daunting task. Most people in their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s may be living in small homes or nursing homes. The main criteria for a gift are not its beauty and price, but its practicality and comfort. Most often gifts of companionship and spending time together are valued much more than tangible gifts.

Here are a few ideas for gifts for the elderly:

  • Gift baskets:  Agift basket assembled at home with items bought from a gourmet store or a supermarket is very good idea as it can be customized for the recipient. Ideas for gift  baskets include Reader’s gift basket (magazines, books, magnifier, hot chocolate or coffee), Memories basket (photos of family, art work by grand children, address book with names and contact details ) and Relaxation gift basket (bathing lotions, bubble bath or oils in favourite fragrances, a CD of relaxing music, couple of soft hand towels, chamomile tea and tea cup). Make use of hamper delivery in UK for sending these to loved ones far away.

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  • Gifts of food and beverages: Shopping for food for the elderly is difficult because of their dietary restrictions. If food is perishable, it is best to gift a small quantity. Items include a bottle of red wine, coffee, tea or hot chocolate, favourite brands of chocolates, a basket of fresh, seasonal fruit and homemade cookies.
  • Restaurants and gift cards: An elderly person who is mobile will appreciate a gift card to a favourite coffee shop or restaurant. Eating out is usually out of the reach of those with a fixed income. Gifting cost of transport is a bonus; you can drive him or her to the place yourself or arrange for a cab.
  • Tickets to events: The elderly also have cut down on their attending favourite events like concert, films and plays. You can gift them tickets for the same, especially for an event featuring a favourite actor or performer.
  • Special playing cards: For elderly with failing vision, playing cards of big sizes are suitable. Automatic card holders or shufflers can relieve stress on hands affected by arthritis. There are different types of card holders: hand held or table placed.

Jigsaw puzzles are also loved by the elderly. They have adult themes and large designs. They are suitable for low vision and arthritic hands.

  • Audio books, Game books, MP3 player: Audio books are ideal for those with vision issues. Game books come in large sizes to suit elderly players and enhance their cognitive function. Games include Sudoku, Crossword, Word Search, etc. MP3 players provide lots of music from a small device. Get it uploaded with favourite tunes before gifting it to the loved one.

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  • Assistive items: For the elderly, there are a number of practical and useful items to suit their daily needs. These needs include poor vision (over sized calculator, clock, watch, magnifying glass for reading, head lamp), hearing impairment ( personal headphones, light systems for alarms and door bells, amplified telephone, etc), stiff joints (electric scissors, can or jar openers, elastic shoe laces, comb with long handle, etc) and limited mobility (wheel chair clips, grabber, bed rails etc.)

These are some ideas for giving gifts to the elderly.

The organic giver – gift natural, be natural

The organic giver – gift natural, be natural

Gifts make us smile! Gifts make us not just happy, but delighted! Gifts warm us, make us glow… Gifting is not just a social protocol, but a delightful, superb way to let someone know how you feel. Gifts tell the person how much you care. Exchanging gifts highlights all social events – birthday gift, anniversary gift, return gift, wedding gift – the list goes on. What is important is, gift giving changes with every change in social interactions. One’s graduation from school to college, from college to work and from work to marriage – the kind of gifts he gets and gives keep getting more and more sophisticated, more mature. It is the norm.

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With the increase in environmental awareness and understanding of the threats and hazards our lifestyle poses to nature, the outlook of educated, enlightened individuals has become holistic and organic. People these days prefer organic fruits, vegetables, even fabrics! Biodegradable and eco-friendly choices are being made to preserve the environment for the coming generations. In such a scenario, gift giving becomes even more meticulous. Any common items will just not do – getting creative and looking for a pro-nature, eco-friendly gift is the norm of the day.

Then what to do? Look at these ideas for your sensitive and aware friends and family and gift them something they will just love:

Plant – gift a plant! Get something low maintenance for that busy workaholic friend of yours, so that he can manage looking after it without being guilty of killing it. Get a delicate orchid for the one with the green thumb. A plant gives back much more to nature than it takes, and the satisfaction both of you get out of such a gift is immense. Thank you nature!

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Eatables – Edible gifts are becoming a bit of a rage these days mainly because they neither require any space to keep, nor there is a question of like or dislike – we all eat, and that is the basic idea of a useful gift. Buy and send fresh fruit hampers online for that fitness freak cum naturalist yogi aunt of yours and earn that special place in her good books! Another good option is a freshly baked, home-style cake on order, of the choice of flavour; or maybe cookies or even organically grown vegetables. These are all available with many local retailers.

Bamboo Products – Be an environment friend as well as help some small scale artisans by buying bamboo gifts like baskets, fans, pen holders and many other useful items they weave and make. Once their use has been met with, they can be easily degraded in the environment and do not pollute.

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Clay Gifts – Go for unpainted pottery as an eco-friendly gift option. Many poor artisans are also benefitted along with nature. Hand-painted and hand glazed pottery is not only very attractive but also a great gift.

Go green and spread the message of a sustainable gift culture by using these ideas. Impress your friends and family by such creative and off-beat gifts, bound to bring lots of smiles in return!

The Art of Gifting

The Art of Gifting

The special warmth that runs through your body when you open a gift given by a loved one is so enthralling! The rush of excitement that accompanies you is a feeling incomparable, the euphoria is too much to handle – haven’t you felt this way too? Getting and giving gifts is a symbolic gesture which counts so much for any special occasion! But giving proper, loved and appreciated gifts is an art, which anyone can master, but it requires observation and the willingness to see that special smile on someone’s face.

These days, gifts are not really based on need – we all have everything we need. So, the basis of choosing a gift for someone should be aesthetic value, creative value and something connecting the giver of the gift to the receiver in a unique and personal way. Gift giving is certainly not an easy task!

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If it is someone’s birthday, anniversary, wedding, celebration of some achievement or any such special occasion, gift giving is the best way to convey our happiness for the same. A carefully chosen present is worth a thousand words. So, keep in mind the following, while you pick up that special something for the recipient:

-          The person’s taste- Is the recipient intellectual? If so, does he read? If yes, what does he read? One question must follow other in a logical fashion and gift picked accordingly.

-          What do you have in common? Is it through the drawing class you met or at a history symposium? Select something that may mark your first meeting, any special incident or some patent one liner you share as a joke – anything up, close and personal.

-          Some generic gifts – If you are really not sure what will be a good gift, items like laptop accessories, daily use items like bags or purses, watches, organic or gourmet soap, pots and pans, pens, mobile accessories or bed linen is a good idea. These things can immediately put to use and never lose their utility.

-          Cost of the gift – How well do you know the person? Do they or do they not value an expensive gift like precious metal or stone? Are they a simple person who appreciates even low cost gifts? These are the questions you must take note of.

-          The hamper question – Will it be appropriate and fitting? A multitude of options are available on the internet to buy cheap hampers in UK. The UKtops the charts for sale of cheap hampers to give away as Christmas gifts. But they may be too generic and not classify as well-thought after gifts.

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-          The person’s occupation – If the recipient is a teacher, it may be a good idea to gift them nice pens. If they work for a corporate, think about personalized stationery or cufflinks/ briefcase.

Gifts are wonderful! A person who has mastered the art of gift giving, will ensure there is a lot of warmth for every person they give a gift. Gifts have even grownups getting all jumpy like kids. That’s the charm! So, follow the key pointers while picking a gift and make them smile with your gestures!

Gift ideas for your teachers

Gift ideas for your teachers

Whether you are a child, teenager or an adult, you never forget that one favourite teacher you had in school or in college. You do not need an occasion to thank or gift something to your beloved teacher, so if you are planning to surprise your teachers with something special anytime soon. Here are some ideas which could help…

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  • Show all the appreciation: – Make her/him feel special by showing how much you respect and appreciate their efforts. There are tons of ways to show this gesture. You can give gifts, send a thankyou card or buy something they would really like. Giving best teacher mugs and certificates is a good, sweet and affordable idea.
  • Think unique: – Go unique if your teacher loves humour. You can gift things like food items with best teacher written on it or a small trinket. You could also gift them things like, a coffee mug giving out a funny yet nice message like thank you for making me smart and so on.
  • The gift should be thoughtful and meaningful: – If you are aware of their favourite book, then you could always write in a sweet message and give that to them. You could create simple cute hampers at home too by putting in little memories from your days in her/his class. If you have pictures with your favourite teacher, then use that to make a memory scrapbook.
  • Go generic: – Sometimes going simple and generic is a safe bet. Things like gift cards, flowers, spa vouchers; mugs, accessories and etc. work well if you are super confused and do not really know what to narrow down on. Mix up these few things and make a sweet hamper for your teacher. And, in case, your teacher isn’t in the same city or country, you can send hampers by post.
  • Be creative: – Creativity is very important when you are planning to gift your teacher. And if you are making a gift by yourself, then make sure it is unique and special. Teachers value what their students gift them. So, if you are painting something or making a scrapbook or stitching a bag, then keep their choices in mind and make it different so she/he always remembers and cherishes it.
  • Moderate budget: – Keep the budget of the gifts moderate but filled with sentiments. Sometimes the simplest gifts are the most special ones. A personal note or a letter or a poem about the teacher makes a lot of difference. If you are low on budget, you can ask some of your ex and current classmates to chip in so that everyone can make one gift and assemble it to create a nice hamper basket. Everyone can put in something they want to gift with personal notes on each present.

So, the next time you are planning on surprising your teachers, do consider these things before you plan your gifts. Putting in special efforts will never go waste. They are much better than materialistic gifts.