Food Lover's Gift Secrets
Gifts for Food Lovers
Hampers are the 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 the 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 the more traditional methods * Does the gift receiver
drink? * Do you want to go savoury, sweet or a mix of the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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.
Bread Products - Foccacia (italian bread), bread sticks or a
olive or sundried tomato cibatta is perfect. Other dried
biscutis work well try for rosemary and seasalt crispbreads or
perhaps a chesse biscuit selection including oat cakes.
Meats - Hams have a longer shelflife consider purchasing a Parma
or San Danielle ham or pancetta which are all cured to take on a
richer flavour. Salamis, Chorizio and other sausages usually
require more thought when eating so avoid unless the receive has
a love for them.
Fish - You can get tinned anchovies or sardines are loved by
some but not all. Somked salmon is perfect since it has a good
shelf life, consider purchasing some gravlax with it and some
dark rye bread.
Pasta & Rice - There are great varieties of dried pasta and
perfect as a gift. Rice is not such a good option unless you got
for a flavoured risotto version
Vegetables - Unless you are purchasing a few days before you
cannot purchase fresh. Consider some more unusual flavours like
dried porchinni mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, olives, roasted
peppers in a jar with oil a comination of all would work.
Fruits & Nuts - Dates are traditional at christmas, again avoid
fresh fruit and go for dried or long lasting foods like dried
apricots, mixed nuts, dried banana apricot & apple are tasty
snacks
Oils - Olive Oil is a common kitchen cooking oil, however you
can get flavoured oils such as rosemary, chilli & basil. You can
make your own by purchasing a glass bottle with cork stopped
fill with an extraq virgin olive oil and then simply drop the
flavours in such as garlic and rosemary or my favourite fresh
sundried tomatoes. Balsamic olive oil is another great dipping
oil and a perfect compliment to this dish.
Non Food - Brown earthware or Tapas dishes are great to include
in a hamper, if you have followed the above contents you might
want to purchase 2 small dishes for the oils and 1 larger dish
for the breads. You could always consider a small cookbook or
food lover book which are available in good book stores.
Sweet Hamper
Biscuits - Your supermarket will have a range of biscuits but
shortbread is an older favourite. Why not make some of your own
for that extra special touch.
Fruits & Nuts - This is the same suggestion as the savoury
hamper, but consider nuts which are chocolate dipped or perhaps
suger coated almonds
Sweets & Chocolate - Consider a rich chocolate the majority of
people prefer milk chocolate but if you are not sure include a
small plain and milk to be on the safe side.
Jams & Preserves - You can now find speciality jams such as
champagne & strawberry whic is a little different to the basic
jams. I love to give honey a local variety
Non Food - Perhaps a chocolate fondue set or recipe/cook book
You can always mix the 2 hamper suggestions. With these simple
suggestions you are sure to give someone a yummy festive feast!
Enjoy!