Hampergifts, Author at Hampergifts Blog

Where to celebrate Thanksgiving 2024 in the UK

If you’re an expat living abroad or you just fancy participating in a holiday from North America that’s all about gratitude, we’ll dive into how and where to celebrate Thanksgiving 2024 in the UK. Of course, you don’t need to go to a sit-down restaurant or cook a full gourmet meal to get into the right headspace. Even one of our cheeky little cheese hampers with a picnic blanket in the park with someone you’re grateful for is hitting the mark for the spirit of this holiday. However, we do have some suggestions for things to do and places to go to have a fabulous Thanksgiving 2024.

Do they celebrate Thanksgiving in London and the UK?

Not nationally. However, the British colonists originated the holiday in the Americas and it’s based on ancient harvest-style festivals across Europe. Thanksgiving as you’ve seen it on television and film is celebrated mainly in the USA and Canada. Meals that accompany this celebration usually include roasted turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, autumnal veg and pumpkin pie. Regional variations up and down North America will have additions to this. This might include fried chicken, okra, salmon, wild game, pecan pie, mac and cheese, collard greens, poutine and many many more dishes. Then there are the parades, parties, football games and other traditions that go on top of the traditional meal to consider as well.

How to celebrate Thanksgiving in the UK

If you wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving in London and the UK with your family and friends; you have options. You might plan a mini-break at a cabin with all your loved ones. This, combined with a covered dish meal and loads of festive films, board games and snuggly cups of hot cider? Perfect. Or you could go out for one of the famous Thanksgiving set menus offered across the country. You could also look online across websites like DesignMyNight, Meetup and Eventbrite. There are often listings for local celebrations or group meetings of expats and Thanksgiving foodies. Organised events like that usually have planned programs that tick all the boxes for what to eat and where to celebrate Thanksgiving 2024 in the UK.

Where to get Thanksgiving food in London?

If you’re in the capital and want to cook at home, here’s a hidden gem… Partridges has everything you need for a perfect Thanksgiving dinner. If that’s too much of a trek, many Tesco Extra stores have an American section. These will stock a number of the essentials. Barring that, you could enjoy a Thanksgiving spread at the Big Easy, Blues Kitchen Camden or The Pem. Their seasonal meals are popular and some like the Big Easy have a unique American style all their own. Lastly, in true Pilgrims’ Feast style, you might do a potluck where everyone brings their own home-cooked dish. (Bonus points if it’s a recipe from your culture and ticks the box of comfort food.)

If there aren’t any true themed Thanksgiving set meals near you, a pub Sunday roast is a pretty close second. Many pubs offer a turkey option in the fall and winter months. So, while you might not get pumpkin pie, you can have a lot of the popular fixings for a reasonable price.

Do you give gifts for Halloween?

You might read the question, “Do you give gifts for Halloween?” And think instantly, no. And sure, you’d be right in principle. However, are you overlooking an amazing opportunity to delight family & friends, clients & coworkers or maybe even potential customers? Sending gift hampers or making up treat bags could be a fresh, fun and creative way to celebrate Halloween this year. It’s not something to dismiss offhand. In fact, is it possible you’re passing over Halloween and its impact altogether? This holiday is gaining in popularity but not many people in the UK really know what to do with the occasion or how to celebrate it.

What is Halloween etiquette?

While most people don’t celebrate the pagan origins of Halloween, the festival is becoming more popular in the UK. For a long time, the decorations, trick or treating, dressing up and food items associated with Halloween were considered a mostly American holiday. However, today, you’ll find more and more families decorating their homes, carving Jack O’Lanterns, baking spooky treats and going door to door with buckets for candy at night. Generally speaking, Halloween etiquette in the UK is very polite. It’s focused on a cheeky celebration of things that might normally scare us. Children should be encouraged to participate kindly. They should restrain themselves when trick or treating, running around in costume or attending Halloween events. Much is the same for adults enjoying Halloween. The guidelines are a lot looser and more and more themed parties and events are available after hours in the UK as well. (Although Scotland has always done it big.) Unlike in the States, celebrations here tend to be less scary (especially if they involve kids). The focus is on having social fun, going out and getting candy or attending parties.

What do you give out for Halloween?

A spooky card, thoughtful gift hamper or dress-up day at the office are all becoming regular traditions for adults. And, if you’re thinking of staying in for the trick-or-treaters, you’ll want to leave a porch light on. You may also want to decorate with at least a few carved pumpkins. This is so families know you’re at home and ready to celebrate. But what do you give out for Halloween to trick-or-treaters? Helpfully, most modern supermarkets in the UK stock big grab bags of Halloween candy for only a few quid. Haribo and Cadbury do great value selection bags. This makes it even more fun for kids to pick and choose from what’s available (as some will have a preference or dietary requirements). It’s not recommended to do home baked goods or unwrapped candies. This is for health and safety reasons. But if you want to offer healthier choices, wrapped baked goods or fruit like apples, bananas and oranges are always a good option.

And lastly, if you’re still wondering, do you give gifts for Halloween or not; we say why not? It’s a great way to start a conversation and show you care. No one ever said no to a well-timed gift basket, treat bag or holiday biscuit; after all.

How to enjoy autumn in the UK

While your answer to how to enjoy autumn in the UK will be largely a personal choice, we’ve collected some suggestions on how you can amplify your free time this year. From taking food hampers to the forest or attending a harvest festival, we have a wide range of exciting ideas for you.

Do British people use fall or autumn?

Fall is largely an American term. In the UK, we prefer to use autumn. It’s the more formal option. However, the even older term for fall and autumn is harvest. According to Dictionary.com; “It comes from the Old English word hærfest, of Germanic origin, perhaps with an underlying, ancient sense of “picking, plucking” (as in, picking fruits to harvest them).”

What is autumn like in the UK?

Autumn in the UK is largely mild. It runs from September to November. The colours of the leaves on many trees will change from green to orange, yellow, red and brown. The wind will pick up a soft chill and you’ll see seasonal foods like root and deep green veg, game birds and lamb on the menu again. As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, you may see some storms come in from the Atlantic bringing wet weather. However, it’s often dry and cool.

Where is the best autumn in the UK?

According to Countryfile, the best places to see the changing leaves in autumn are:

Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire, England
King Alfred’s Tower walk in Stourhead, Wiltshire, England
Cardinham Woods, Cornwall, England
Grizedale Forest, Lake District, England
Bodenham Arboretum, Worcestershire, England
Hope Valley, Derbyshire, England
Trent and Mersey Canal, Staffordshire, England
Grand Union Canal, Hertfordshire, England
Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire, England
Thorp Perrow Arboretum, North Yorkshire, England
Westonbirt National Arboretum, Gloucestershire, England
Knightwood Oak Trail, New Forest, England
Leeds and Liverpool Canal, North Yorkshire, England
Kennet and Avon Canal, Wiltshire, England
Pocklington Canal, Yorkshire, England
Dove Crag in the Simonside Hills, Northumberland National Park, England
Birks of Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland
Glen Affric, Highlands, Scotland
Loch Katrine, Stirlingshire, Scotland
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, Powys, Wales
Llangollen Canal, Denbighshire, Wales
St Mary’s Vale, Monmouthshire, Wales
Stackpole, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Glenariff Forest, County Down, Northern Ireland
The Argory, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
Tollymore Forest, County Down, Northern Ireland

How to enjoy autumn in the UK?

There’s no right way to enjoy autumn in the UK. We love the idea of taking The Grande to the New Forest and renting a cosy cabin with a hot tub. But going to nearly any park or national trust building will allow you to see the colours. If you want some family fun, pick up a pumpkin, carve it up and display it on your doorstep for your neighbours to admire. Or, score yourself a 2-for-1 to fright night at Thorpe Park or Scarefest at Alton Towers. Book a winery tour and sip some reds with your colleagues or visit a fall festival with your special someone. Stake out the black friday deals for a head start on your Christmas shopping or take a gentle stroll down the high street with a PSL in hand and be on the lookout for the perfect fall candle.

There’s no real wrong way to do autumn in the UK. Just get out there and get stuck in!

How to gift wine

If you’re not sure how to gift wine, then wine hampers are always a great shout. They take a lot of the guesswork out of selecting and pairing a vintage. But if you’d like to DIY, we’ll share some top tips.

Is gifting wine a good idea?

First, the most obvious question… “is gifting wine a good idea”? Well, for many people in the UK, absolutely. It has near-universal appeal amongst those who do drink. Plus, there are so many types and varieties it’s easy to personalise to their taste. It makes a great gift for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, New Year’s, a work promotion, corporate gift, graduation and more. For many, wine and champagne are the go-to celebratory beverages and can signal a moment of significance or mark the passage of time in a memorable way.

Which bottle of wine is best as a gift?

There are three core considerations for which bottle of wine is best as a gift – taste, price and occasion. First, let’s start with taste. Depending on what type of wine your recipient likes best, you might go for these popular options:

Red

Very popular kinds of red wine are the Malbec, Pinot Noir and Merlot. They pair well with red meat dishes and rich pâté or cheese.

White

For white wines, try a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio. They’ll reach for a white with salads, fish and chicken or light hors d’oeuvres.

Rosé

If they like rosé, give them a Provence rosé, white zinfandel or rosé champagne. It’s a great wine for charcuterie boards, lobster and salmon.

How much should you spend on a good wine?

For most people, wine in the £15-£20 range is perfect to maximise value for money and pleasure. You’ll be able to find a nice, artisanal or sustainable option in this range that will work great as a gift. Obviously, the key to how to gift wine is about spending as much as you can afford and not more. The Fortnum & Mason Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Andre Brunel is an opulent red wine but £35 may be out of your budget. So, before you begin shopping, set a budget range and look for highly-awarded wines within that space.

What wine is good for special occasions?

Any wine can be good for special occasions but a crisp white Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay is ideal for summer and spring celebrations. In contrast, you might opt for a rich wintery Merlot or soft Malbec in the darker, colder months. This is, of course, with all other things being the same and your recipient not having a preference for one over the other. Taste should rule over time of year.

What is a nice bottle of wine for a hostess gift?

We recommend that you bring one of our impressive cheese and wine hampers if you really want to wow. However, a nice bottle of wine for a hostess gift is the Flagstone Longitude Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec if they like red wine. The Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé Reflet, Estandon, France for a blush or the Errazuriz Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley for a white.

Gift Hampers 101

We’re all about sending joy to people all across the country but as gift baskets are our bread and butter, what about the art of making them? Have you ever been curious? Today, we’re going to answer all of Google’s burning questions and maybe some of yours too! Welcome to Gift Hampers 101.

What is a gift hamper meaning?

At its core, a gift hamper is simply a collection of food items for gifting. The word hamper comes from an old French word for basket, but today, gift hampers have really evolved. You can have all kinds – many without food like baby gifts or pamper hampers. And now, most don’t even come in baskets anymore, but in magnetic boxes, wicker trays or lidded gift boxes. The meaning of gift hamper has really expanded!

What is the difference between a hamper and a gift basket?

Typically, gift hampers were bigger and had more items. But that definition seems to be changing and the two words are largely used interchangeably. If you want to really impress, use the term gift hamper as it implies more luxury.

What does a gift hamper include?

The sky’s the limit! Our hampers have everything from wine to stuffed animals. But popular options are bubbly, chocolates, teas and coffees, jams and spreads, savoury snacks and baked desserts.

How do you organise a gift hamper?

You need to think about the weight and presentation. Start with some shreds as a base and place the heavier, bigger items in the back. Follow that up with smaller bits in the front and use foam or paper with glue dots or tapes to level items so their labels are more visible. Then wrap everything in cellophane with a large luxury ribbon to really wow.

Are gift hampers worth it?

Frequently you can get nice gift items for less than you might buy them individually PLUS get a lovely basket as well. That means, if you’re not particularly crafty, you can trust that the items will be arranged nicely and delivered to their home or office quickly and safely (often with next-day delivery).

Is it cheaper to make your own hamper?

Probably not. First, you need to think about the cost of the basket or hamper. Even a very cheap and basic one from Hobbycraft is £16. Then you’ll need shred, foam or packing paper and tape or glue dots so you can arrange all your items nicely and a luxury ribbon to secure the gift. Now, think about what you’ll put in. Even a few food items and basic cutlery https://estudiosociologicos.org/portal/ could run you upwards of £70 – and that’s before you ship it anywhere. In comparison, you can sit back and have the jaw-dropping Picnic Summer Selection with a 12-piece dining set delivered directly to them for under £100.

Well, hopefully, we answered most of your questions in Gift Hampers 101. But if you do need more support, know that our helpful team is always standing by to suggest new gift ideas, support you with delivery or answer anything else you might ask about gifting. Reach out to them here.

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Summer bank holiday on a budget

Right, so you have one of our ready-to-fill picnic hampers and you’re looking to get away for a summer bank holiday on a budget… well, look no further, because we’ve collected a tonne of ideas for cheap summer holidays abroad. To do your own research, you might try the Google Explore feature. It lets you select your month, trip duration and more details to find the perfect summer bank holiday on a budget.

Where to go for a cheap summer holiday?

Well, Europe is the obvious choice. Looking at prices just one month prior, for a family of four, flying from London for a weekend trip in August, you can visit Dublin for £126 round trip or Amsterdam for £287. If you want somewhere beachy, there’s Palma at around £320 with a return, Barcelona for £381 or Marseille for £360 with a return flight. These are great options with a mix of history, culture and sun that any family will enjoy.

For food-obsessed families, there’s Venice or Rome for £376 with a return or the surprisingly foodie Copenhagen for £279 with a return. If you’re seeking culture and more of a city break, there is Strasbourg for £266 with a return, Prague for £268 or Budapest for £380. Need to chill out? The frigid Oslo is just £215 for a family of four or perhaps the Russia-bordering Tallinn for £353 or the icy cold Reykjavik for £734 – one of the least visited places in Europe. There are a load of fun wintery activities you and the family can get up to that would be super unexpected for a summer bank holiday on a budget.

Now, you’ll have to spend a little bit more to get outside of Europe but there are still amazing options at a reasonable price. For £642 with a round trip, you can visit the historic, beachy and beautiful Marrakesh or the stunning Istanbul for £695. Even further afield is Riyadh for £793 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with all its incredible architecture and history. And, of course, if you were to stretch your budget even further, you might land in a neighbouring country and travel through by car to see more of these far-off places.

Are summer holidays cheaper last minute?

Which did a whole study on this and found that (while you probably don’t want to leave it till 1 week before), the average first savings of booking super early was only about £200 quid. Waiting may see you bag a bargain for less popular destinations as carriers and hotels try to fill rooms and meet budgets if they are forecasting a shortfall. As Travel Republic explains, “If you’re travelling with children or as a large group, you’ll understandably be interested in getting plane seats and hotel rooms beside one another. If that’s the case, you’re better off booking approximately four weeks before you want to go to make sure you have a good choice of options.”

And, if you simply can’t decide, or you’ve left it too late, grab one of our Rose hampers and find a local UK beauty spot. You don’t need lounges and air miles if you’re spending your summer bank holiday with those you love.

Affordable client entertainment & gift ideas

If you’re looking for affordable client entertainment & gift ideas, this is the list for you. We’ll look at everything from corporate hampers to airport lounge memberships to give you suggestions that will appeal to nearly everyone (without breaking the bank). But first, we need to roll up a level and think about the reasons why you might want to invest in client entertainment & gifts.

Why is client entertainment important?

Client entertainment is one of the few ways you can broaden the relationship with your customers into deeper and more meaningful ones. According to City Experiences, “Client entertaining is a significant part of ensuring the business relationship is maintained. By entertaining a client, you’re letting them know you appreciate their support and business.” It’s just as important as marketing campaigns and loyalty rewards to make your brand more sticky.

So, let’s look at a few options for outings and gifts that will really wow your clients.

Corporate hampers

Go big with the Excelsior. It has four bottles of vino plus, Willie’s Cacao Chulucanas Gold Peruvian 70% Dark Chocolate, Joe & Seph’s Caramel & Belgian Chocolate Gourmet Popcorn, Peters Yard Fig & Spelt Sourdough Crackers, Edinburgh Tea & Coffee Co. Fresh Ground Breakfast Coffee, Edinburgh Preserves Wild Boar Pâté, Cambrook Baked Umami Cashews, Borders Dark Chocolate Gingers Biscuits, Buttermilk Crumbly Vanilla Fudge, Baronie Belgian Milk Chocolate Caramel Pralines and lots, lots more. If that’s too spendy, our most affordable option is the Muffins, Cookies & Flapjack Selection at under £35.

Multi-brand gift cards

Sure, you could select a single brand and send all your corporate clients gift cards and a message, but why not give them more choices? Multi-store cards are an amazing way to say you care without hemming them in. Just choose the occasion and the amount and then they will do the rest; redeeming them at dozens, even hundreds, of different retailers. Amp up the impact and make these cards part of a goodie bag at a lush hosted corporate dinner.

Charity gifts

You could donate some money in your client’s name to a good cause. Or you could shop a charity website to send a more traditional gift yet have some of the proceeds go to charity. We love the options from Macmillan. This little gardening set is sure to delight any client and “100% of the profits from this product goes towards helping [Macmillan] provide physical, financial and emotional support to people with Cancer, allowing them to live life as fully as they can.” Double down on the good vibes by hosting a charity auction to gift these products for even more fundraising.

Spa days

Gifting your client a voucher for a spa day with afternoon tea. This is a thoughtful and kind gesture that shows you know how hard they work too. With a website like Buy a Gift, redeeming is easy as they have partners all over the UK. That takes the stress out of using the corporate client entertainment gift. If appropriate, you could even do a group spa day. Arrange transport to and from and throw in some networking time too.

Travel gifts

Gifting a membership to a service like Lounge Pass is the perfect gift for clients who travel a lot. Combine that with a chic, cheap and cheerful group city break too. Then you’ll get some fabulous bonding time as well and you’ll tick all the boxes for affordable client entertainment. Just don’t forget to book some experiences and meals out as well…

Best gifts for summer

As the weather starts heating up, there will be even more events and parties to go to. That has people thinking about the best gifts for summer and how to be the perfect guest. So, today, we’ll break down some fabulous ideas from gift hampers to spa breaks to give you a few ideas you can take to your next soiree.

What is the best gift for summer?

Gift hampers naturally rank highly on our lists but we’ll throw a few more ideas out for you as well. What we’re focusing on is something that your hosts or giftees can use in summer that’s not too awkward to carry and would be appreciated by most people. So, in that vein, here we go.

Outdoor gear

Items like a portable hammock, camping equipment or a picnic hamper are great for those who love outdoor adventures. But even little nods like a chic water bottle, comfy outdoor socks or a windbreaker can show you know what they love to do without being a huge expense.

Beach essentials

While there aren’t a whole lot of beach days in the UK, a stylish beach tote, high-quality beach towels, a foldable beach umbrella or a portable cooler can make these rare days better. Need something smaller? What about a personal air con?

Garden accessories

Gardening is a great British pastime. So, a set of gardening tools, decorative planters or some flowing seeds are unlikely to go amiss. What about a personalised sign so they can really stake their claim? This one is adorable.

Summer apparel

While gifting clothes won’t be appropriate for every event, if you know them well, it can be a beautiful touch. Think light, breathable clothing like sundresses, linen, hats, sunglasses or flip-flops to keep the summer vibes going.

Water kit

If your host has children, water balloon kits, water guns or inflatable kayaks can provide hours of family fun. If they have a big garden with a bit of a slope, this water slide is a must! Even very big kids (aka dad) will have a blast.

BBQ tools

Does your host love grilling? A set of BBQ tools, a portable grill or gourmet BBQ sauces can be a real treat. And for the grillmaster who has everything? This smoke box is a really out-of-the-box idea.

Gift cards

Spa day cards, meals out or the like are great gifts that fit snugly in a card if you don’t want to lug anything big around. We suggest going for the multi-brand ones, that way they get a lot of choice baked right in.

Outdoor games

If they have a decent-sized garden space, lawn games like croquet, bocce ball or frisbee can be enriching. It’s a good way to get kids and adults to spend sunny days outside together, soaking up the vitamin D.

Tech gadgets

Who doesn’t like a bit of tech? Waterproof speakers, solar-powered chargers or a luxury pair of wireless headphones are both practical and fun. Also, don’t forget about keeping the party going late into the warm evenings with a wireless outdoor lamp.

Hopefully, you found something fun in this list of best gifts for summer. But, if you’re short on time, remember most of our gift hampers are available for next-day delivery.