Earlier this year I put some strawberries from Col's brother into a kilner jar with a small bottle of Vodka and stood them in a dark cupboard.
I found a comment from Pat asking about the hampers. I started making Christmas gift hampers for my sister and husband and Col's sister and husband just a few years ago when I needed to cut down on spending.Before that I'd given some home made chutney with a gift voucher of some sort but the amount I could afford looked a bit mean. But a hamper full of goodies always looks good and it spreads the cost out too. One of my big dislikes of Christmas is wasting money on something not needed or wanted and edibles are always acceptable.
This is what 2016's hamper looked like, there was some Fair-trade drinking chocolate with mini marshmallows, home made truffles, Dundee cake, marmalades, cranberry chutney, and some chocolate spoons to stir into the drinking chocolate.
This years makes have been mentioned which has rather spoiled the surprise for my sister who reads sometimes (sorry L!), but luckily Col's sister doesn't read the blog.
And the Other Things........................Remember the Christmas cross stitch I rescued and put into cards? Well Col took them into the Macmillan Cancer Support and Information center at the hospital and they said Yes they could sell them so that's good. They offer help, information and support to anyone with cancer and cups of tea too!
Thank you all for comments and welcome to a new follower number 226, not sure who you are but hello.
Back Soon
Sue
Really glad the cross stitch cards can go to support such a good cause as Macmillan Cancer Support. Hampers look delicious!
ReplyDeleteA great way to use the lovely cards.
ReplyDeleteJ x
I do like those vodka bottles with the handle.
ReplyDeleteI'd been looking for something at car boot sales all year but had to resort to The Range
DeleteVodka looks yummy as does the hamper.I love making up hampers though don't do it as much now. I used to make them for all the fayres at my boys' last school. Funnily I was looking at photos of them the other day when going through Pinterest for something.
ReplyDeleteGlad the cards are going to help a charity-they were lovely. Thanks for showing us your hamper and you have inspired me for a younger friend who has just told us she is pregnant. I will put jot chocolate, mini mallows and spoons in hers instead of the usual wine! May also do some home made bath salts with lavender but will check if theyvwoukd be suitable. Also need to make a doggy bandana so Spike doesn't feel left out. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI've got a mould for the teaspoons from Lakeland years ago and have made the spoons to give away but never for me. Must remedy that this year!
DeleteSame mold-used once! Catriona
DeleteYour hampers always sound so lovely. I agree with you regarding the giving of useless gifts. Each year I sort 12 items for early December, this year I am sorting unused gifts, it's a shame and waste of money. One family member always gets me something she loves, BUT our taste are different, I have very few gifts from her in our home. We support Macmillan, but we pay monthly standing order, the local center was brilliant when I needed them in 2010.
ReplyDeleteIt upsets me to be given something I can't use as I hate the waste of money even if it's not mine.
DeleteOne Christmas, not long after we were married, we did a 'hamper' for my husband's grandmother. It wasn't a hamper as such, but a large shopping bag and filled it with tins and basic things like tea, sugar, her favourite biscuits etc. We didn't have much money as we were trying to furnish our first home and his Nan wasn't in need or want for anything. She was pleased with the present and we did it a few more years after that.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that The Range sell hampers specifically for Christmas? I didn't see if they included the tissue paper or cellophane required for packaging, but I thought that at least one shop had latched onto what quite a few people are doing now.
Joan (Devon)
I always search car boot sales for suitable baskets and the last couple of years I've picked up packs of shred - with cellophane and a bow in the January sales at The Original Factory Shop. The Works do the baskets and packing kits too but the bigger ones are £7 each, which defeats the object!
DeleteThe hampers are so lovely. I'd be thrilled to receive something like that. I've not tried making strawberry vodka before. This year I've made toffee vodka and some blackberry vodka to which I also added cinnamon and cloves- very festive. X
ReplyDeleteThe vodka is a beautiful colour but like you I couldn't drink it unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteHugs-x-
That pink vodka looks great. Very festive.
ReplyDeleteI made blackcurrant vodka one year - it was also a beautiful colour. Taste wasn't bad either.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that. This year, I've been struggling for ideas. Black Friday sales (which started online in the U.S. on Monday), aren't wowing me, as those I buy for really don't need anything & have limited space to store a bunch of junk... er... good stuff. Homemade gifts have always been special to receive. Next year, I'll follow your lead with hampers/gift baskets or bags of goodies. Congratulations on finding a place that will sell your beautiful handiwork!
ReplyDeleteI've started a list of ideas for next year already!
DeleteA big thank you for the post on hampers!. I have enjoyed reading your posts over the past months in which you mention items you have made or gathered with an eye for your Christmas hampers. They are such a special and thoughtful gift. I'm sure the recipients look forward to them each year - so much nicer than a basket ordered with selections made by an anonymous clerk somewhere. I've been making chutney this year for the first time (inspired by you) with the thought of putting together a hamper. Thanks again for taking the time to answer my question regarding hampers. Wonderful! Kind regards, Pat
ReplyDeleteI hope the family like them, I enjoy thinking of things to do differently each year
DeleteA girl after my own heart. I hate waste and after years overseas find the Christmas over indulgence in UK very difficult to understand. I made my kids presents when they were young & we still had a good time. Hope all goes well for C
ReplyDeleteGood morning Sue, my nome is Miriam and I live in Italy. It has been nice to find your blog, while sailing in the web. I have been attracted by the big huge of books that I have seen :-))) and because you live in Suffolk where I have dearest friends.
ReplyDeleteMiriam