Hampers are perfect gift for people who have everything or those you are unsure about purchasing for. Rather than buying a ready made hamper personalise one for that extra special thought.

Top tips for buying a Hamper * Who is Hamper for? Male or Female is it for a Couple, what age are they Young, Middleaged or older? * Organic food or normal produce, more people are moving to organic produce for less interferance and keeping farming to more traditional methods * Does gift receiver drink? * Do you want to go savoury, sweet or a mix of two * Is your hamper a christmas hamper? If yes remember most people buy christmas pudding and other traditional christmas products themselves and may appreciate something different

Choosing your Hamper The hamper basket itself can be reused so see this as an investment, dark wicker hamper baskets are traditional. Fill your hamper basket with either rolled up tissue paper or for more traditional filling use straw packing. Bubble wrap is not an option!

Wrapping your hamper Use traditional tarten ribbon all around and create a large bow on top. Then take a brown paper gift tag using black ink write your gift message

Top products to include in your Hamper

Drinks Alcoholic to be considered for over 18's only -Red wines include Merlot or Shiraz, Whites we recommend are Chenin Blanc, Chablis or Sancere. Why not fill Hamper with some Fizz, if you are on a budget some Cava is a cheaper fizzy but still full of flavour Condessa Blanca, Segura or freixent. Supermarkets have a good range of wines with recommendations pick a budget and read their reviews. Always go for something morelight than focusing on a specific flavour unless you know their tastes. Avoid Cherrys & ports these usually stay in peoples cupboards and collect dust! Non Alcoholic - Cordials like elderflower are perfect however supermarkets now offer a range of non alcoholic drinks which are full of taste and flavour.

Savoury Hamper Cheese - Brie, Camermbert, stilton are classic cheeses however as a balance why not put in a goats cheese, mozorella in a secure tin or speciality cheese like feta in olive oil which should come in a jar; remember that you need to buy these as late as possible and they should be wrapped in greaseproof paper so they can breathe. A good chutney is always good to accompany go for a traditional raison and fruit or perhaps a homemade picallilly.

In kitchen, a clock can tell you if you have five minutes or thirty minutes to eat your breakfast and get out that door. In bedroom, they are pounded on, thrown, and yes, can play jingles to get you up and around. In foyer, you know when you left and when you cam back. Why even your car has one, you carry one on your wrist or in your vest pocket, and no New Year celebration is complete without one.