The hamper represents everything there is to love about Christmas. It's the epitome of thoughtfulness, generosity and, of course, festive dining.
The thoughtful, handpicked presents can be imbued with familiar yet well-loved Scottish delicacies, making the hamper the perfect gift for everyone on your Christmas list. From colleagues to loved ones, each one can be elaborately filled with almost anything, and it’s this aspect of personalisation that makes them such a heartfelt gift.
There is certainly an art to creating an elegant hamper, but it’s an art that everyone can perfect. In fact, planning and crafting a hamper itself can bring you enjoyment in the lead-up to the festive period too.
This guide shares our advice on how to expertly curate the perfect Christmas hamper for all your family and friends.
Before you begin shopping, there are a few things to consider.
It’s important to take measure of who you’re creating a hamper for; think about their dietary requirements, their likes and dislikes, and whether you’d like to give their basket a theme - afternoon tea or an at-home spa day, for example.
Next, you must decide how big you'd like your gift to be. Hampers can be anything from a mug filled with sweets to a basket overflowing with individually wrapped gifts, so it’s important to know how you would like to present it.
Finally, think about when you will be giving the hamper. If you’re sending it abroad or transporting it somewhere, you won’t want to fill it with delicate items. Similarly, it will be best to avoid perishable foods that might spoil if there is a delay in delivery.
Once you have finished planning, begin with choosing the packaging.
Traditional wicker baskets offer a gorgeous rustic aesthetic, whilst wooden crates are perfect for those who appreciate a more farmhouse design. Both provide plenty of space to fill with gifts, and they are strong enough to support heavier items like wine or whisky.
Luxurious gift boxes are also the perfect option, especially when lined with festive napkins or clothing. Our House of Bruar Gift Boxes are sturdy and suitable for storage too, meaning your loved one can preserve their gift in the best possible condition for the future.
If you are searching for something smaller, a stylish tray, plate or mug would be a great option, and they act as an extra little gift too.
The filling is equally important to keep your gifts safe. If you would like to give glass items like bottles, for example, crêpe paper and tissue paper are often popular choices which also give a feeling of opulence to your gift.
What to put in a hamper is entirely up to you. If you’ve picked a theme, buying the gifts should come quite easily. For that extra special touch, you can even make some of them - jam or chocolates, for example. Just remember not to overfill or overload your container.
If you haven’t picked a theme, there are plenty of options that will delight the loved one you are buying for.
Here at House of Bruar, our magnificent Food Hall offers endless inspiration for irresistable gifts. You will be spoilt for choice with the award-winning meats in our butchery, exquisite local produce in our delicatessen, and traditional favourites in our bakery.
Create the perfect charcuterie board with an array of succulent meats, fish and pâté, and complete the platter with flavourful olives and superb condiments.
Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a cheeseboard. Pair our irresistible local cheeses with classic savoury biscuits to treat their taste buds this festive season.
Since it’s the time of year to indulge a little, why not also browse our gourmet Confectionery collection and gift rich chocolates, delicious biscuits, or even luxurious cakes?
When considering ideas for what to put in a food hamper, try to note the shelf life of the items so the recipient has plenty of time to enjoy them.
For a more traditional hamper, an assortment of Christmas classics always makes a welcome gift. From indulgent Christmas pudding to irresistible stollen and mince pies, those sublime seasonal essentials are a must - festive chutneys, nuts and mulled wine spices included.
Finish with Christmas cake, brandy butter, panettone and port, and you’ll have curated the most wonderful collection of Christmas classics.
To bring a Scottish touch, opt for Dundee cake over Christmas cake and switch biscuits for shortbread. To top it off, add an assortment of local teas or a bottle of whisky from one of Scotland’s most distinguished distilleries.
With a host of prestigious beverages forever flowing in our Drinks Cabinet, there is plenty to explore when deciding which tipple to include in your Christmas hamper this year.
Whether they prefer beer or fine wine, liqueurs or spirits, we have a sophisticated selection to suit every palate. For a more decadent touch, our finest Champagnes will help them celebrate the festivities in luxury.
We offer a resplendent collection of family-friendly beverages too. Our mixers include refreshing fruit nectars and sparkling juices, whilst our outstanding teas and coffees provide delectable warmth to see them through the winter months.
Of course, hampers can be filled with more than just food and drinks.
If you're opting for a relaxation hamper, give the gift of delightful aromas with a candle or diffuser set. Lavish soaps and toiletries, along with a cosy hot water bottle cover, would also be the perfect addition for the spa-lover in your life.
For those who love to host, consider a cheese knife set so they can impress their guests with a well-dressed cheese board, a teapot to create warming brews or some stylish dinnerware to accompany a variety of tasty delights.
If they appreciate more useful gifts, consider purchasing a Harris Tweed purse or wallet that provides traditional charm and modern utility. Practical seasonal essentials like socks, slippers hats, gloves and scarves are also on everyone's wishlist each year.
When you’re buying for children, jigsaws, games and books will fit in a hamper nicely, especially alongside toys and crafts. Or, for any animal lovers, look at our fabulous range of dog gifts. From coats, blankets, leads, collars and toys, they will be sure to bring delight to both them and their pet.
If you’re still searching for ideas, there’s plenty of inspiration in our Christmas Gift Guide for Her, and our Christmas Gift Guide for Him.
When it comes to wrapping, cellophane is the usual go-to. Not only will it give the hamper an expert finish, but it will also give the recipient a lovely sneak peek into all of their perfectly presented gifts inside.
For a traditional look, the cellophane is often tied with a bow which you can personalise with a name tag. Elevate the wrapping by choosing a colour scheme that will match the filling with the ribbon.
For a minimalist look, neutral tones are best, especially if you use twine to tie the wrapping. If you’d like to achieve a more festive feel, opt for bright colours with plenty of embellishments.
Last, but not least, it’s time to wrap your hamper.
If you’re gifting perishable foods, wrap your hamper at the very last minute and encourage the recipient to open it right away so they can store the items appropriately.