Hampergifts, Author at Hampergifts Blog

Keeping kids busy in the summer

Parents often ask “How do I keep my kids busy in the summer?” And that’s not as straightforward of an answer as you might initially think. Today, we’ll look at how to evaluate different activities and balance them against interests, available time and funds to arrive at the best ideas for keeping kids busy in the summer as it relates to your unique family.

How do I keep my kids busy in the summer?

It’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. You can’t just grab some picnic hampers and a blanket, head to your nearest park, and have it tick all the boxes (well, not everyone can). What if your child has a deadly bee sting allergy or struggles to interact with other children in a free-play environment? The answer to keeping kids busy in the summer is a bit more nuanced than grab-and-go. Here are the things you should consider, based on a more formal family activity scale. Get a pen and pad. Scribble down an answer to these questions for any activity you’re thinking about this summer:

Is this activity something they will enjoy?
Does it fit into our budget?
Will it fit into our schedule?
Is it convenient enough to get to?
Is it novel or have they done this before?
Are we free from any other commitments at that time?
Will they meet new people or can they bring friends?
Is it enriching academically, spiritually, mentally, socially or physically?
Are there any dietary, medical or mental health issues to consider?
Is it a long-term commitment or a one-off adventure?
Will there be an opportunity for self-guided play or exploration?
Do they need prerequisite skills to participate?

The more positives you get and the fewer negatives, the more aligned this activity is for your family. You could even assign a scale of 1-5, using the numerical score at the end to choose from several equally good options, if that helps.

Ideas for keeping kids busy in the summer

The choices are endless from visiting a museum to unwrapping gift hampers for an afternoon snack. Using the questions above, you might want to think about activities that meet most of these conditions but also make use of the good weather. These will largely be outdoor activities like building a fort out of cardboard boxes, swimming, camping, riding bicycles, table tennis, skating, frisbee, tag, fishing, planting flowers, flying a kite, football, boating, visiting a zoo, going skateboarding, trying a rope swing and other more active or out-of-doors ideas like that.

Remember to budget and plan for unexpected costs and needs like:

Petrol to and from
Snacks or lunch while out
Time for toilet breaks
Sun, wind and bug protection
Parking fees
Pillows and blankets for afternoon naps
Diapers and/or a change of clothes in case there’s a mess
Any medicines and basic first aid supplies like plasters
Water
Books and toys for the journey
Pram or tikes bikes

With just a little thought and forward planning, you’ll find keeping kids busy in the summer isn’t that hard. Just apply these tips and you’ll have a big list of relevant, entertaining and enriching things they can do throughout the summer break.

Top summer activities for 2024

If you’re thinking “What should I do over the summer?” We have a great list of top summer activities for 2024 that you can sink your teeth into. From hampers in the park to thrill-seeking, heart-pumping rides, you’ll definitely find something amazing to explore below:

Go to the beach

Grab your swim trunks and one-pieces, it’s time to get drippy. According to Conde Nast, there are dozens of beautiful beaches in the UK and with a bit of sun cream and one of our picnic hampers, you can have the time of your life. Just don’t forget a beach brolly if you tend to burn…

Explore nature

The UK is blessed with a wide range of outdoor environments from the breathtaking white cliffs of Dover to the impressive Aira Force waterfall. If food hampers in a field aren’t your speed, why not check out a zoo + theme park in Flamingo Land, Yorkshire? You’ll be outside, getting in touch with nature by interacting with a tonne of animal exhibits. Plus, you can break it up with exhilarating theme park rides.

Attend a festival

If you love music and being outdoors, check out some of the amazing musical festivals on offer for 2024. You’ll have heard of the insanely huge Glastonbury Festival but Leeds Festival, Black Deer and Wide Awake are pretty big too and also worth a look. You’re bound to find something to suit your tastes and budget.

Find a pool

Who doesn’t like doing a few laps in the afternoon? And with this cool tool from Swimming.org, you can find a local pool near you in just a few clicks. It has a lot of information about family activities, the types of pools on offer and the depth etc so you can choose the right one for you.

Go camping

Camping and caravanning are some of the great British pastimes. According to Campsites, “Camping is a fantastic way to spend a holiday: it’s fun, easy, and cheap and kids love it. Camping gets you into the outdoors, active and appreciating nature. You see the stars before you go to sleep and you wake up to the sound of birds.” Doesn’t that sound lovely? Why not use their tool to plan your next adventure?

Get working out

The summer is a great time to try a new fitness routine. Pilates, yoga, boot camps, boxing; however you choose to keep fit and healthy, it’s all valid. You could take a class at your local village hall or try out some outdoor gym equipment in a nearby park. Need more inspiration? We love these fun ideas from the British Heart Foundation.

Try watersports

Canal boats, kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats; however you get out on the water, boating and watersports are a popular pastime. If you want something more active, try venues like WakeUp Docklands. Or, for a more relaxed adventure, a canal boat holiday might suit.

What should I do over the summer?

If you’ve made it this far and you’re still asking “What should I do over the summer?” we encourage you to make a list of all the things you enjoy. It might be the outdoors, food, drink, art, music, games or something else. Then search for those activities as keywords in Google or on UK-specific activity lists like this one. That will pull up even more relevant ideas that you can evaluate against your schedule, location and budget.

Gift Ideas for Father’s Day 2024

Not sure what to get Dad for his big day? This list of gift ideas for Father’s Day 2024 runs the gamut from brew-making kits to amazing Fathers Day hamper gifts from our very own collection. So, grab a cuppa and have a read of all the ideas below.

For the dad who always loses his keys – Apple AirTag

Pops is getting older and the wallet and keys are essential items that just can’t go missing for long. So, get him this bundle of Apple AirTags – one for each – and they’ll never do a walkies again. (You might have to show him how to set them up and use them though…)

For the nature-loving Dad – A National Trust Membership

At under £100 quid a year, get Dad free entry to more parks than he could enjoy in a lifetime plus lots of goodies and gifts to treasure with the £15 gift card he’ll get when you buy a new membership and pay by direct debit.

For the coffee lover Dad – Nespresso Vertuo Pop Coffee Pod Machine by Magimix

Nespresso pods are an amazing way to experience new flavours and they’re available everywhere so he’ll never run out. This machine doesn’t take up too much counter space and it will match with most kitchens in the black version. (Although there are other fun colours as well.)

For the snacking Dad – An affordable gift basket

No matter what he likes, we have a Fathers Day hamper that will do the trick. From baked goods to cheese & vino, have a look at the full list here sorted from our most extravagant options to more budget-friendly baskets.

For the Dad who is always in the garden – VegTrug Outdoor Medium Planter

This planter is a great idea to keep your eating fruit and veg up and away from a range of pests and animals who might foul them. Grow all sorts of edibles without having to bend to tend them (great for dad’s back).

For Dads who need to travel – John Lewis Made in Italy Leather Holdall

Perfect for train trips and overnights alike, this classic leather holdall comes in black or tan and is big enough to fit all his essentials. Pair it with the matching wash bag to really wow him this Father’s Day.

For Dads looking for a new signature scent – CREED Men’s Sample Inspiration Fragrance Gift Set

If your Dad wants to try a different cologne but is a bit indecisive, this is perfect. Aventus, Silver Mountain Water, Green Irish Tweed, Millesime Imperial and Original Vetiver all have unique scent profiles that are bound to delight but without the commitment.

For the beer-loving Dad – Pinter Fresh Craft Beer Maker

This is an amazing kit for making 10 pints of award-winning fresh beer at home. It’s got easy app-based instructions and you can get all the supplies you need to make incredible beer on the manufacturer’s website. Or, if that’s too slow for him, gift him the Premium Beer Box so he can get some brews in while he waits.

Hopefully, you’ve found a gem in these gift ideas for Father’s Day 2024, but if you want help with one of the baskets we’ve recommended, remember you can talk to our team here.

Great family activities for the May bank holidays

This year, we’ve got a wealth of holidays in just a few weeks with Easter running into the Early May Bank Holiday just a couple weeks later on May 6th, 2024 and then followed by Spring Bank Holiday on May 27th. That’s a lot of time to entertain yourself and your kids in such a short space. So, we’ve compiled a list of indoor and outdoor activity ideas for the bank holidays that aren’t too dear and will put a smile on everyone’s face. So, from budget-friendly walks to slightly more spendy theme parks, here are some great family activities for the May bank holidays.

Trail holiday weekend

Bundle up the whole family and make a road trip of it. Take them to a scenic country house somewhere and take one of the country’s most picturesque walks. Whether you like high hills & moorland, beachfront strolls or rolling countryside; the UK has tonnes to offer. And tour companies provide complete end-to-end planning so all you need to do is show up. Take this Helmsley Short Break, it’s perfect for a bank holiday weekend. It’s ideal for older children and includes a visit to the National Centre for Birds of Prey, rambling walks in the woodland ravine of Riccal Dal, a 900-year-old castle, tea in the Walled Gardens and much more.

Diggerland

There’s probably a location near you with parks in Kent, Devon, Durham and Yorkshire. With 20 different rides and loads of activities, try your hand at real JCBs and Komatsu excavators, enjoy the views on the Skyshuttle or bump around on Go-Karts. It’s fun for everyone over 4 years old and also has all the park amenities you’d expect like food, drink and souvenirs. There are even experience days available for adults! If you like the idea of playing with construction tools, diggerland is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Royal site visit

From Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace, there are interesting Royal Family properties to explore and enjoy throughout the year. Windsor Castle is probably the most iconic holding that’s open during bank holidays this Spring, but if you are in Edinburgh, the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the end of the Royal Mile is worth a look. You may find the food and drink inside these locations a bit overpriced, so why not pack a picnic and take it to a nearby site like Snow Hill in Windsor? Bring one of our big red wine hampers and make the most of the crisp spring air while still having treats everyone in the family can enjoy.

Make something together

Nothing brings families together like a bit of crafting. Get the paper, paints and scissors out and try some of these fun crafts. We love the pipe cleaner flowers and think they add a little homemade charm to any room. Crafting is one of those great family activities for the May bank holidays that can cost as little or as much as you like. Try foraging in nature to get the base supplies and then choose the most appropriate craft around what you find. That’s good for the mind and the body!

How we balance hamper flavours

Looking for tips on creating hampers as good as ours? You’ve come to the right place. The approach to how we balance hamper flavours depends on several factors and we’re going to share just a few insights to help you understand what makes ours so unique. Plus, these ideas can inform your own creations at home, if you’re trying your hand at it. So, let’s dive into the science of how we balance hamper flavours.

Why flavour balance matters

Gift hampers are a great British tradition and their significance in gifting culture can’t be overstated. Not only is there a tradition in this country that the beautiful wicker baskets they come in are cherished and used throughout the home, but the balance of flavours and treat selection in each hamper is a significant consideration when choosing one. A hamper missing one or more of these elements just won’t wow. So, when creating well-balanced hampers, we need to think about flavour profiles, diversity in product range, the right mix of sweet and savoury treats and textural variety.

Flavour profiles

You’ll already know about the five basic taste sensations: sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami. In hamper design, sweet, salty and umami are the core profiles. They’re the most common ‘crave’ tastes and are the most prevalent in treat foods.

Here are some examples:

Sweet – desserts, candies, chocolates, biscuits and pastries
Salty – nuts, pretzels, crisps, crackers, bread and popcorn
Umami – cheese, mushrooms, pate and dried tomatoes

Adding diversity

You’ll want to select a few categories from each of the listed items above and then find diverse brands to include. Most people will gravitate towards hampers that contain a few brands they know and love while getting excited to try the new names they’re not familiar with. A basket with only niche products may be off-putting because it’s too unknown. So, mix the traditional with the new and up-and-coming to strike the right hamper balance.

How we balance hamper flavours with a cheese board with chutney, crackers and fruits

Creating pairings

We all know about the classic sweet and savoury combination, but there are more pairings you can consider with gift hampers. The first is what you’ll add for any tipples you include. With our wine hampers, we love to include cheese, pate and crackers – a classic staple – as well as some flavoursome chutney for balance. Think about how you’ll elevate the experience beyond what’s expected to create a full snacking course. In this case, there’s a decadent beverage, sweet, umami and savoury treat notes all included.

Textural variety

Surprisingly, texture has an impact on your perception of flavour. Crunchy, chewy and creamy elements should be included in your hamper to appeal to the widest range of people. That’s because some really need a crunch to enjoy cheese while others will skip the crackers and just enjoy a wedge of brie solo. Giving a range of textual options provides more avenues for a delightful eating experience. Think about providing that variety with a mix of treats like creamy chocolate bars, crunchy flatbreads, soft cheese, crisp bruschetta or chewy gummy candies.

If you apply the same principles we use to balance hamper flavours or look for baskets that align with these tips, you’re sure to be delighted by the experience. Need help to pick one? Talk to our team of treat-ficionados here or shop some cheese-forward bestsellers here.

Easter hampers for everyone in your life

Easter is coming up soon and it’s no wonder we’re already excited. From fun pastel colours to cute choco bunnies, what’s not to love about Easter hampers? If you’re not quite sure what to get, here are a few of our absolute favourite Easter hampers for everyone in your life. And, if you order before lunch, we can often get it to their door the next day!

Lindt Easter Bunny Basket

First, we’re kicking off with an absolute classic to give to your own family. The Lindt gold bunny is an Easter hamper tradition and this one is no different. The sweet little bell and decadent flavour? It’s sure to delight everyone in the house. And, it’s not alone. There’s a whole Large Milk Chocolate Easter Egg nestled in the wicker basket too. Plus, they can snack on Elizabeth Shaw Coconut & Hazelnut Biscuits, Belgian Chocolate Milk Crisp Praline Pieces and more!

Happy Easter Tower

Next, we’re not just showing Easter hampers, but whole Easter towers this year! A vibrant pastel purple and silver, tied with a luxury ribbon? What a statement. The Salted Caramel Chocolate Easter Egg, Mini Speckled Milk Chocolate Easter Eggs, Zentis Chocolate Coated Marzipan Loaf, Belgian Chocolate Hazelnut Praline Pieces and Buchanan’s Milk Chocolate Eclairs are just some of the amazing treats in these seven boxes. We think this makes an amazing office gift!

Sweet Easter Surprise

It’s a sweet surprise indeed! This green spring basket comes with the usual suspects – a Large Milk Chocolate Easter Egg and Mini Chocolate Speckled Easter Eggs. But also Grandma Wilds Butterscotch Cookies, Belgian Chocolate Hazelnut Praline Pieces, Walkers Dessert Collection Dark Chocolate Coated Brazils, Baronie Belgian Chocolate Mint Sticks with Pure Peppermint Filling and a rich Chocolate Coated Marzipan Loaf. We think it’s ideal for a couple or small family. And once they’ve finished all the goodies, the green-striped woven basket can be reused for picnics in the early summer sun.

Taste of Easter Hamper

Next, we recommend this light and sophisticated orange-coloured hamper for clients. It screams spring and it’s full of treats that adults love. They can crack open the Large Milk Chocolate Hollow Easter Egg or nibble on a Grandma Wilds Butterscotch Cookie. Share the Syrup & Oats Flapjack and Double Chocolate Sweet Muffin or scarf a few Milk Chocolate Speckled Mini Easter Eggs or Baronie Belgian Milk Chocolate Caramel Pralines Pieces between calls. At under £40, it’s affordable and delicious – an Easter hamper not to be missed.

Easter Treats Basket

Lastly, this basket is a sweet deal at only £54.99 and it still features the iconic Lindt bunny and choco eggs with a full packet of melt-in-your-mouth Borders biscuits. If you have aunts, uncles, bosses or grandparents to give a hamper to, this is the one. Once they make it through the traditional Easter treats, there are Grandma Wilds Butterscotch Cookies, Baronie Belgian Chocolate Orange Sticks, Duc d’O Belgian Chocolate Flaked Truffles and Baronie Belgian Milk Chocolate Caramel Pralines to eat too. They’ll have eight treats to share (or not) this holiday – a superb value.

Have questions about our Easter hampers? Talk to our team at +44 (0) 1727 895 900 or email us.

Mothers Day hamper ideas and gifting guide

For Mothers Day hamper ideas and gifts she’ll love to get this Mother’s Day, look no further. We’ve got some traditional and more out-of-the-box suggestions for this holiday to surprise and delight the star lady in your life. Of course, if you’re ready to shop hamper gifts with next-day delivery, you can check out our full list here, otherwise, let’s dive in!

Personalised jewellery

First, what mum doesn’t love customised necklaces, bracelets or rings with her children’s initials or birthstones? You can really amp up the sentimental value if you and any grandchildren make it yourselves. There are bound to be classes nearby you in craft jewellery-making. Most are available at a reasonable cost.

Spa visit

Treat your mom to a day of relaxation and pampering at a local spa or book a massage therapist to come to her on apps like Urban. New mums might not be able to take the time away from their little ones, so, in that case, why not try a pamper hamper? We have many options available.

Photo book

Using Google Photos or other apps, you can compile cherished family snaps into a beautifully designed photo book that she can treasure forever. They are usually fairly affordable and ship within a few days. Choose photos around a theme, a holiday or go broad and tell the story of your family over the years to make them cherished gifts.

Baking class

Next, if your mum loves to bake, why not book her a class at a local culinary school or restaurant? She might learn new techniques or try recipes from different cuisines. It’s a thoughtful and fun gift that shows you know what she enjoys doing in her spare time.

Subscription box

There’s a box for every interest. If you know something she’s a niche fan of, why not sign her up for a subscription box service tailored to what she likes? Think gourmet food, wine, books or beauty products… the sky’s the limit.

Handwritten poem

Now, you might combine this with another gift like one of our Mothers Day hampers. But, why not express your love and appreciation with a heartfelt poem written by you? If you are worried that it will be too hard to write a long one; you could try a Haiku. These simple Japanese poems are only a few words long.

Outdoor adventure

If your mum likes to be outside, why not plan a day trip or outdoor activity like hiking, kayaking or a picnic in a scenic location? If you’re in the UK, places like the Lake District or Scottish highlands can provide an amazing getaway. Have a look at reputable travel websites like Rick Steves for recommendations.

Gardening supplies

Lastly, does your mum enjoy gardening? Why not give her a set of quality gardening tools, seeds for her favourite flowers or a portable outdoor greenhouse? Overall, this will help her get a jump start on this season’s planting. Plus, it will show you care at the same time.

Finally, if you’d like to pair any of these ideas with an incredible Mothers Day hamper from our own family business, we’d love to deliver that next day. Talk to our team here about any custom requests or have a look at more ideas here.

Last-minute Valentine’s Day hampers

Get your gift today, before it’s too late. Our last-minute Valentine’s Day hampers are perfect if you’ve lost track of the date or had a quick change of plans. If you order before the 11th of February, we can still get it to their door in time. Our UK delivery is fast and tracked so you know their gift was received. And we have so many amazing hampers to choose from too! Here are just a few of our favourites:

The Ruby Red Wine Hamper

Red wine lovers, rejoice! This is the perfect hamper to share for an evening. The Luis Felipe Edwards Lot 18 Merlot from Chile is the star of the show. With it are Elizabeth Shaw Chocolate Salted Caramel Biscuits – delicious! And Brown Bag Crisps, Lightly Salted, Buchanan’s Chocolate Raspberry Caramels or Joe & Sephs Cosmopolitan Popcorn: Caramel, Cranberry, Orange, Lime, Vodka & Triple Sec for some unexpected flavours. But that’s not all. Several more treats await discovery in this hand-tied seagrass and wooden basket.

Bathtime Tower Pamper Hamper

Now, this one is spectacular. Not only does it look impressive, but using it can be an experience as well. Instead of opening every box at once, why not encourage your partner to open one each bath time for the next several days? Then, they’ll prolong the relaxation and enjoyment with fresh surprises all week long. They’ll love lighting the Pomegranate Soy Candle Pot and popping in their Bomb Cosmetics Cotton Candy Bath Blaster or scrubbing up with the Cloud Nine Solid Shower Gel and Bomb Cosmetics Pink Pamper Sliced Scented Soap. There are even haircare and foodies treats too! It’s an incredible value, delivered before Valentine’s Day when ordered by the 11th of February.

Tanqueray No. 10 Hamper

Who wouldn’t love Grandma Wilds Butterscotch Cookies, Joe & Seph’s Gin & Tonic Gourmet Popcorn, Brown Bag Crisps Lightly Salted, Willies Cacao El Blanco – Sublime Creamy White Chocolate with Natural Cocoa Butter, Sicilian Lemon Butter Cookies or Baronie Belgian Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Praline Pieces? Probably no one – at least not on Valentine’s Day. But the star of these hampers is the gin. A full-size bottle of Tanqueray No. Ten, to be exact. Your gin-loving partner will be positively delighted to receive this incredible gift and enjoy trying each pairing in turn. Then, when they’ve finished the lot – down to the last drop – the cute basket it comes in makes great storage too.

Rosé, Chocs & Cuddly Puppy

And last, but certainly not least, it’s all things sweet and rosy (or should we say, rosé)! Tucked in this red gift box is a Coteaux Varois en Provence Rosé from France. It is nearly as delicious as the Cuddly Floppy Dog with an “I Love You” Heart is cute. And that’s all paired with Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate Cornet Truffles, Gold Ballotin of Belgian Caramel Pralines and Buchanan’s Chocolate Raspberry Caramels for an eye-popping gift that’s sweetly traditional. They’ll love the thoughtfulness and layers of this present, almost as much as you’ll enjoy watching them open it!