CHRISTMASINKENT
CHRISTMAS HAMPER KNOW-HOW CONT .
Pamper hampers
Pamper boxes are extremely luxurious and the perfect gift to spoil a loved one . A mix of homemade soaps , soaks and skin products will be sure to go down a treat , look really stylish and suit most tastes . Try to support local businesses where you can , and remember that quality over quantity is definitely key here .
Craft lovers
A hamper with a difference , a crafty hamper is a really creative option and ticks all the boxes . The key to getting it right though is to start with a theme . Determine the interests of the recipient and base the hamper around their favourite crafty activity be that drawing , painting or knitting for example . Once you start buying the products , everything will come together and they ’ ll have everything they could possibly need to indulge their creative spark .
Getting started
When planning your hamper , start by considering the packaging and how your gift will be presented . For a sleek modern look , opt for gift boxes which are great for smaller hampers that aren ’ t too weighty . Using a box also allows you to get creative with the design - think stylish wrapping papers , ink stamps and twine or ribbon . There are also plenty of ecofriendly box options that are really smart , fully recyclable and sustainably sourced . Although , there ’ s no denying that sometimes you just can ’ t beat a traditional wicker basket , which are available in a huge range of sizes and shapes so you can have the perfect canvas to get creative . There ’ s nothing stopping you from creating your own tray , or experimenting with different materials to package your gifts – wooden boxes , trays or fabric boxes can work as really great alternatives , plus they ’ re more likely to be reused . Next , move on to what ’ s going inside the hamper and the main elements . In the case of a food hamper , do you want it all sweet ? Savoury ? Or maybe it ’ s just going to be wine ? Or beer ? The decision is yours . Then comes the exciting part ... the shopping .
Find the perfect balance
Every item in your hamper should be considered . Try not to pick too many items that are big and bulky as they tend to dominate and take focus away from the other components . Unless of course , you want a particular item to be the key focus , for example a bottle of champers . Steer away from products that look the same , be playful and combine colours , scents , materials and textures . Position taller items towards the back and smaller in the front as this will create depth and will be instantly appealing on the eye . Find the perfect balance by not overdoing it as sometimes trying to bring too many things together can look chaotic and cluttered – less is more in this instance and a handful of wonderful products makes for a stylishly executed hamper . Not only that , it ’ s much more exciting if you have to dig around in search of gifts under all the layers .
The finishing touches
Don ’ t forget to carefully consider the filling for your hamper ; opt for biodegradable options made from card , paper and other recyclable materials . Classic wicker hampers or boxes with lids need little dressing and a complementary ribbon or decorative wrap should do the trick – the lovely products that are hidden beneath will do the talking . For lidless hampers like wicker trays or wooden boxes it ’ s best to finish neatly with a recyclable cellophane or ecowrap . Not only will this give the hamper a luxury finesse , it will help to hold everything in place , particularly important during transportation . Most materials you can pick up from craft shops like Hobbycraft , or online sites like Puffin Packaging ( www . puffinpackaging . co . uk ). To finish , tie with a delicate ribbon , twine and a decorative gift tag for that personal touch . Get creative and have some fun – it ’ s the attention to detail that won ’ t go unnoticed .
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