IF you are stuck for gift ideas, a hamper would make the perfect present – but the big problem is they can be pricey.
A Fortnum & Mason Christmas treat hamper will set you back £100 while M&S has one from its Collection range for £55.
Thankfully, Lynsey Hope can show you how to make your own look just as impressive for less than £20.
She says: “Hampers are such lovely gifts and by making your own you can choose items you know the recipient loves.
"I was really excited to see what shops had on offer this year.”
Mum-of-three Lynsey, 41, from West Malling, Kent, packed six hampers, each with products from a particular supermarket.
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For all of them, she used the same silver basket from Wilko, which is a steal at £6.
Lynsey says: “These baskets were a great size and looked lovely quality. As an added bonus, you simply pull a string to tie the bow, which is great if you aren’t very creative or are pushed for time.”
Lynsey lists the goodies packed into each hamper, and gives a rating out of ten.
Lidl: £19.58
CONTENTS
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- Chocolate Santa, 99p
- Lebkuchen Shapes, £2.49
- Sweet chilli rice crackers, 89p
- Grissini breadsticks, 55p
- Extremely Chocolatey biscuit selection, £3.49
- Cranberry and orange sauce, £1.69
- Christmas candle, £2.99
- Prosecco, £6.49
LYNSEY’S VERDICT: “If you are on a budget, Lidl is a great place to fill your hamper.
"There’s a great selection of Lebkuchen, biscuits and chocolates, while the Prosecco was the cheapest we found. And the candles look more expensive than they are.”
Score: 7/10
Sainsbury's: £19.85
CONTENTS
- Character cookie tin, £5
- Hot chocolate bombe, £1.50
- Taste The Difference Belgian chocolate shortbread stars, £3
- Cadbury Dairy Milk snowman, 55p
- Taste The Difference olive twists, £1.30
- Taste The Difference Christmas chutney, £1.50
- Taste The Difference cherry, rum and coconut mince pies, £2.25
- Mull It Over mulled wine, £3.25
- Taste The Difference strawberry conserve, £1.50
LYNSEY’S VERDICT: “I seemed to get loads for my money – all the products looked festive and pretty and were a great price.
"The shortbread stars were yummy and would make like a lovely gift.
"The soldier tin of cookies for £5 looked really impressive too.”
Score: 10/10
M&S: £20
CONTENTS
- Classic All Butter mince pies, £2
- Double chocolate panettone, £3.50
- Conte Priuli prosecco D.O.C. rose, £8
- British strawberry & champagne jam, £2.50
- Hot chocolate light up lantern, £4
LYNSEY’S VERDICT: “I could easily have spent double this amount as M&S has so many festive gifts.
"This hamper wasn’t as full as others but the products really stood out and made lovely gifts.
"The rose prosecco was a real bargain and tasted better than what I picked up at other shops for a similar price.
"The light-up lanterns looked great too and the panettone was delicious.”
Score: 8/10
Morrison's: £19.55
CONTENTS
- The Best cheeseboard cracker collection, £3.15
- The Best 9 mini mince pies, £2.25
- Bahlsen Choco Leibniz, £1.25
- Hot chocolate comb, £2
- The Best iced Christmas cake bar, £3.50
- Sorso prosecco DOC, £6.75
- Cadbury Pud, 65p
LYNSEY’S VERDICT: “Morrisons had a smaller selection of festive bits than other supermarkets and the packaging didn’t look as special or Christmassy.
"The Christmas cake bar did stand out, though, and the Sorso prosecco has won awards. I liked the look of the mini-mince pies too.”
Score: 6/10
Aldi: £18.95
CONTENTS
- Specially Selected blonde choc honeycomb, £1.99
- 12-Month matured Christmas pudding, £1.25
- Perry the Pug Chocolate, £2.49
- Belgian chocolate workshop elves, £2.99
- All Butter almond mince tarts, £1.75
- Grapevine Shiraz, £3.50
- Winter candy apple hand cream, £1.99
- Hotel Collection No.16 bergamot oud eau de parfum, £2.99
LYNSEY’S VERDICT: “You can pick up some real festive bargains at Aldi, including these chocolate elves and a little eau de parfum.
"Although these products are low in price, they don’t look it. Most people would assume you’d paid much more for the contents of this hamper.
"The almond tarts tasted delicious and the blonde chocolate honeycomb was yummy too. Anyone would be happy with this hamper for Christmas.”
Score: 9/10
Tesco: £19.63
CONTENTS
- Eucalyptus & pine needles candle, £4
- Mixed Lebkuchen, £2
- Milk chocolate reindeer x2, £1.78
- Milk chocolate medallion, £1
- Mr Kipling deep filled snowflake mince pies, £1.85
- Hot chocolate melting Santa, £1
- Tesco Finest rose prosecco, £8
LYNSEY’S VERDICT: “This hamper was overflowing. It was hard to choose from the supermarket’s gift options too – there were lots of lovely scented candles at a great price and probably the best selection of child-friendly gifts if you are buying for kids or a family.
"The chocolate reindeers looked great and were only 89p each.”
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Score: 7/10
Additional reporting: CLAIRE DUNWELL
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