For a few years I've been doing Christmas hampers filled with mainly home made goodies for my sister and brother-in-law and Colin's Sister and her husband. I was sure I wasn't going to do that this year. For one thing I've not made my usual large amount of chutneys and jam and I'm running out of other ideas. But then I got to thinking that if I didn't do hampers what the heck would I give for pressies this year?
Then over at Mama's Mercantile blog was an idea for a different sort of mincemeat, plus there was that book I found at a car boot sale a few weeks ago with some ideas........................
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..............................and there's still a couple of months to go. So maybe I've got time to rustle up some gifts.
Better write a list!
Back Tomorrow
Sue
I enjoyed your video - it's the next best thing to being there. I love to hear about your plans for Christmas hampers. Do you know until I started reading your blog a few years ago I had never heard of Christmas hampers! I guess that term is not used here. It is such a great way of putting together gifts for couples or families.
ReplyDeleteYou live in such a lovely part of the country. I loved the video and it really did capture the wind.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the hampers. I think they make the best gifts ever. I look forward to reading what you have made.
xx
If I make anything!
DeleteIt was certainly windy in your part of Suffolk yesterday hope there was no trees blown down. I look forward to what you make for Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHazel c uk
The wind was really cold too, better today
DeleteI make shopping bags in various sizes. Everyone needs shopping bags these days to reduce the plastic bags
ReplyDeleteJulie xxxxx
Not sure I have the skill for bag making
DeleteRe-usable shopping bags will be the basis of my gift giving this year-you can buy them ( I’ll sew them) for a readonable price in eg Wilkos. Then fill with interesting bits and bobs that you know people will enjoy. Hope the little book had good ideas.
ReplyDeleteit really was a breezy day yesterday. I got out for a walk in it regardless, certainly blew away a few cobwebs.
ReplyDeleteLove your beautiful accent! Same here regarding getting going, I just can't seem to motivate myself at all which is most unusual for me.
ReplyDeleteHate my voice!
DeleteHome made hampers are lovely, and a wonderful gift. I too love your accent, after years of following you, and like others getting to know you, it was wonderful to hear your voice, maybe we should all do a post with a video introducing our real selves.
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear your voice and that terrible wind that blew here as well. Bag making should be taken up by all of us, shall have to look round my patchwork material.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the mention and I was so glad that I inspired you to make some mincemeat. Red cabbage and beetroot are quick and easy as well as pickled onions and shallots. Oils infused with herbs or chilli's are another quick favourite of mine and are usually well received. It was a joy to take a stroll with you, windy here to so no ferries again.
ReplyDeleteI need to search out the recipe you used and write a list
DeleteIt was a Women's Institute recipe, let me know if you can't find it and I will email it to you.
DeleteWe had that wind here too Sue and it looks like it's back today.
ReplyDeleteHope you find some good ideas in your lovely little book.
Hugs-x-
Much calmer today
DeleteI thought you said no more hampers. If you make red cabbage don't make it too soon, it loses its crispness quickly so make it just before you finish the hamper and stuff it in at the end. Windy here but a glorious morning, again. Long may it last, unlike red cabbage.
ReplyDeleteI did say no more hampers but the alternative would be a gift voucher which is a bit boring and I'm still not sure I have the time and inclination, I'll see
DeleteI have always loved your idea of Christmas hampers - it gives the giver hours of pleasure thinking what to put in and then making/buying it; it spreads the cost over the months and cuts down the cost of Christmas; also it gives the recipient something to look forward to each year.
ReplyDeleteI like your video. Well done. It does give an idea of what a windy day it was (here too - I hate it) and it also gives the idea of those huge, flat, Suffolk fields which, as you say, they now seem to wish were smaller again.
PS Didn't recognise your voice, but then it was some years since we met.
It was a cold wind too. The field at bottom is huge and no hedges for miles thats why it gets so windy here
DeleteYou can’t beat a handmade gift, that book looks like it’s full of ideas, looking forward to hearing what you do xx
ReplyDeleteI'm making hampers this year too. I recently discovered making my own soap so everyone I give presents to is getting soap this year! I thought I'd better give a bit more than that though, so I've been gathering facecloths and other 'personal' bits and pieces too. I'm really enjoying thinking up ideas for the hampers, much more than thinking up one 'larger' gift. It's windy here in Scotland too, has been since Saturday. Its a bit less today though but then its to get colder next - winter is almost upon us. x
ReplyDeleteI liked that video - like taking a nice walk all of us together. Having to get those hampers together sounds like an enjoyable challenge I am sure you will meet.
ReplyDeleteIt’s so lovely hearing your voice , great accent !
ReplyDeleteI vote for the hampers , whenever I do them people appreciate the personal touch xx
Really enjoyed your video, what beautiful surroundings, it must a joy to live in that countryside.
ReplyDeleteHope that you do the hampers, I am sure that they are much appreciated.
Pam in Texas.x
Hoping to do bags this year. With a print of one of my paintings on.
ReplyDeleteFor years I have been making up a Christmas food hamper for my daughter, filled with all those things that you see in the shops and think 'Mmmmmm, that looks yummy' but would never actually buy for yourself. It's always the favourite present.
ReplyDeleteLoved your video and gosh, I could FEEL that cold wind! You have a lovely accent and voice. I remember when Next Door was grubbing out hedges and we rescued a few young saplings to grow on our land, including the big Rowan tree by the front gate.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you could just ring the changes a bit on the contents of the Christmas hampers. How about bath bombs? https://www.thesoapkitchen.co.uk/recipe-bath-bomb/
Or some of your photos made up into a calendar (I do that now).
I agree with BB - your voice and gentle accent is lovely.
ReplyDeleteIf you can work up the energy to get started on your hampers, I reckon you will enjoy it, the challenge and the opportunity to think creatively and thriftily!
I think the hampers are a good idea to make the gift personal and cost effective.
ReplyDeleteHome made soap is easy, the simplest recipe is coconut oil, Olive oil, lye and water, method is on a wonderful blog called "Down to Earth " which is taking a break but still has all the information you need.
The first batch can be a bit tense , then you realize how easy it is,been making mine for 6 years now. I make pure cotton knitted facewashers and dishcloths to give with the soap, a nice little luxury.
Shopping bags are a good choice and also project bags for crafting people...plenty of help,on Utube.
Loved the video, you are so brave to do one. Your area is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMaking a basket/hamper is a wonderful way of sharing your talents.
God bless.
There is a lovely book called Edible Gifts by Claire Clifton, came out years ago but I have found some lovely edible gifts in it which always seem quite unusual to me and people do like them.
ReplyDelete