The people around you are those who make every season and occasion worth celebrating. From family get-togethers to everyday moments, they deserve every bit of your love as a token of gratitude and appreciation. Simple gifts may sound convenient at first, but it won’t be as amazing if it is a common gift like a watch, wallet, clothes, etc. There is also a chance that the recipient will not like the color, size, shape, design, etc. This is where hampers come in—they are a one-stop solution for all your gift needs, whatever the occasion. Think of a beautifully decorated basket with delicacies, treats, favorite beverages—the perfect combination of happy tummies with happy hearts.
What Is a Hamper?
So what qualifies for a hamper? We may think the answer can be “anything wrapped together and put in a bigger box or basket.” The most basic answer that defines a hamper is a basket or box that contains food and beverages. A gift hamper is a basket of happiness that conveys your message in the form of treats.
Types of Hampers
In Australia, a hamper will almost always refer to a picnic basket or a gift hamper full of delicacies, food items, and bubbles. In some places, many people just call it a gift basket. This can often confuse many of us because a gift basket can also contain items other than food. Let’s look at all the different kinds of hampers that you can give to your loved ones.
Traditional Hamper
Ideally, a hamper is a box or basket put together with food items. They can be given to anyone, whatever the occasion. Having said that, there are some occasions that sit perfectly with the idea of hampers more than others. They include:
Christmas Hampers
Christmas hampers are popular everywhere in the world. It’s the season to share love and joy, so many people wish to send seasonal greetings by giving hampers. In Australia, even the local neighborhood shops offer Christmas hampers with delicacies including pudding, cookies, pies, and wine. They are a popular choice amongst businesses who want to show their gratitude to their employees during the holiday season.
Cheese and Wine Hampers
Again, a very popular choice in Australia, people absolutely love their wine and cheese. You can handpick cheese, crackers, and dips and pair it with a nice bottle of wine—and voila! It makes for a perfect day to sit down with your friends by the beach and enjoy a cheese and wine hamper.
Baby Hampers
A very thoughtful way to welcome a baby is to give a baby hamper to the new parents. Now, you’d naturally think that a baby hamper should contain baby items—well, not necessarily. It can contain baby food, but food for the new parents too! They often spend a lot of time staying up at night, wanting to munch on some yummies. So if you want your present to stand out, you can put together a customized baby hamper for the mommy and daddy!
Baby Shower Hampers
Hampers for baby showers are everything. If you are attending one, you must get one of these. They are the complete blend of everything a mom-to-be would require during the last trimester. It is a unique idea that wins hearts and tummies. You can add their favorite treats, pregnancy-safe food items, their current cravings, etc. You can also throw in some baby items to add a baby shower feel to it. Your focus should be on the mother as baby showers are dedicated to celebrating their new journey.
Wedding Hampers
You can make it grand for newlyweds by showering them with special items to celebrate their love for each other. You can organize two separate ones too—gifts for him for the groom, and gifts for her for the bride. They don’t have to be limited to food items; you can add other items to the hampers as well. Like toiletries, champagne, candles, flowers, etc. If you have a close relationship with either of them, then you can also give them vacation tickets, hotel room deals, etc. and place them in the hamper.
Achievement Hampers
These are hampers that can be tailored to celebrate a success or an achievement of the host too. It can be a housewarming party, the announcement of their promotion party, or any other achievement that’s worth celebrating. Such hampers can contain beverages like wine bottles, champagne, an expensive pen with a diary, photo holders, tickets to their favorite show, or a day at a spa—the list can be endless. Whatever the achievement, presenting a hamper to the host of the party really displays how much you appreciate their growth.
Picnic Hampers
Who doesn’t love picnics in Australia? It is very common to gather your friends and family for a picnic by the beach or in your backyard to celebrate special days. Do you know what completes a picnic? A picnic hamper. It usually contains dry food like sandwiches, crackers, homemade food items, cheese, fruits, etc. A wonderful way to celebrate outdoors with your favorite people.
Many of us love to make it extra special by adding a homemade meal into a picnic hamper. If you feel this is something you’d enjoy doing, then we are here for the rescue. We have put together an all-time favorite recipe for you to try.
Pie-Love You Hampers
Let Cupid sprinkle his magic for the pie lovers—which is all of us. Pork pies, mushroom pie, pumpkin pie, and apple pies are all specialties that we can never have enough of. For example: If you were invited to a friend’s place for dinner, you know what you could take instead of just a bottle of wine? You could get a hamper with a homemade pie and pair it with a bottle of their favorite wine or whiskey. You could even opt for a store-bought pie and make it look fancy by adding other items to the hamper. What a perfect way to enjoy a cozy dinner.
Recipe for Picnic Pies
Ingredients
- Butter to grease the pan
- 500 gram puff pastry blocks
- 175g skinned sausages or sausagemeat
- 8 slices cooked ham thick-fat trimmed from edges
- 1 medium-sized onion
- 1 apple peeled, cores, and grated
- 1 tablespoon thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 egg beaten
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 170/190C. Add butter to the pan evenly (loose-based tart tins or pans). Cut a third of the pastry off each block. Use the smaller pieces to roll out the pastry, then cut circles from each piece to create the top of the pie. Now, use the remaining two-thirds of the pastry to line the tins. Make sure to leave an excess amount of pastry hanging over the edge to close it.
- It’s time to mix the sausage meat with the remaining items. Add apples, thyme, and onions. Divide it into 2 portions. Place four slices of ham in each pie. Use 1 tablespoon of mustard to spread over the layer of ham. Add half of the sausagemeat to the pie and press with a spatula to even it out. Add another layer on top along with mustard. Lastly, the remaining sausagemeat goes on top to level it up.
- Use the lid that you made at the very beginning and brush it with beaten egg. Now fold the excess pastry and tap it gently. Cut off the additional bits hanging out. Repeat the egg wash step once again and make a hole in the middle of the pie.
- Bake for 50 minutes. Let it cool for at least 15 minutes. Then release the sides of the tin. Let it cool on the rack.
- When cooled down, cut into slices before serving.
Conclusion
Who doesn’t love to receive an exceptional gift hamper that stands out from cliché gifts? They are definitely the best choice for all age groups. There are many other hampers that are gaining popularity other than the list we have provided. For example, they are ideal for kids too! You can throw in their favorite treats and candies to make their day. Like we said, they are suitable for everyone. We hope you enjoyed reading this article and are now ready to put together a unique experience for your loved one.
Note:
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