Sunday, November 23, 2008

How To Make Exquisite Hampers

By James Collett

UK hampers are gifts that are usually presented in a wicker basket. The act of giving a hamper has a long tradition in Western culture and, in the past, was done as a noble gesture, using the hamper to give food and other home necessities to the needy. The basket the gift was presented in was also purposefully chosen as it was a practical household item that could be used and reused.

In recent times, hampers have come to be less presents of necessities and more presents of small treats, such as wine hampers for example. An emphasis is placed on quality products such as gourmet jams, quality chocolates, exotic coffee beans, expensive wines and other gourmet products that can be enjoyed as a treat and will keep long enough for your special someone to take their time in using the item.

There has also been a rising trend to sell specialized hampers - wine hampers that are stacked with a different range and types of wine, chocolate hampers and bread and cheese hampers. Hobby hampers are an even more new development and are filled not with food but with helpful and desired items to please gardeners or DIY enthusiasts, for example. The contents of a hamper are only limited by your imagination!

The adaptability of wine hampers is why it makes such a wonderful present. They can be adapted to any person and can be packed with whatever would delight your special someone. When choosing the hamper you want to give, give careful attention to what items your special someone likes - are they a wine lover? Then wine hampers are a great idea! Are they a foodie? Then fill the hamper with premium food products. Are they expecting a baby? Why not give them a hamper filled with useful baby goods.

UK hampers can be given for any reason - for birthdays, for hens nights or bachelorette parties, for weddings, for anniversaries, for an expecting mom-to-be and, most popularly, for Christmas.

The Xmas hamper has become all the rage and, in an intriguing twist, customers are buying Christmas hampers to use for themselves instead of as a gift for that special someone. Often packed with well-loved Xmas luxuries such as shortbread, chocolate, wine, Xmas pudding and even turkey, they are bought by individuals to be used over the Xmas period. Many hampers are bought on a payment plan over the year and then used for the Xmas period, helping individuals pay for the cost of the loved Xmas luxuries expected over the holiday season.

There are a large number of companies that specialize in making hamper presents and lots of them can be found quickly and simply on the net. Many of them will have pre-packed hampers - such as wine hampers or food hampers - and some may allow you to modify a hamper and pack it with products of your choice. Many companies will deliver your hamper, making it a convenient and personal present.

Of course, you don't have to use a business to give a lovely hamper and it can be even more considerate to make your own. When putting together a hamper, give careful thought to what they might like. Use helpful items and special goods that your special someone might not think to buy for themselves, to make it even more lovely. UK hampers also work best when packed with items that won't spoil easily, such as white wine for wine hampers. If you do intend on putting in items that need to be refrigerated or won't last long, then make sure the hamper is sent as quickly as possible and make sure your special someone knows that the items must be used quickly.

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