You can never go wrong with a hamper. It’s the perfect gift for the people who have everything. Make it extra special by filling it with goodies from local businesses.
In turbulent times like these, it’s easy to feel helpless. I’m working from home, all events have been canceled, people are being told to not leave their homes and congregate in groups larger than 10 and local businesses are really taking a hit. We are all craving ways in which we can feel useful and make a positive contribution.
Here’s what I suggest.
Make a hamper.
It was both of my parent’s birthday recently and I always struggle to come up with new and exciting present ideas for them. It’s extra hard because they already have everything. When discussing this with my partner, he gave me the best idea, a food hamper. Just brilliant.
For this hamper, I knew I wanted to fill it with locally sourced products and produce. This way I was giving a gift that also helped others. My parents also loved it because they saw firsthand who their present supported. I also bought the bag from a local seamstress/tailor, so the hamper was both beautiful and functional.
Here are 3 tips for building your own hamper. Plus, I also list all the products I chose to include in mine. Gift to a special person in your life, someone with a birthday coming up or just treat yourself. Enjoy!
- Consider what your friend or family member likes. If you’re making a food hamper, think about their tastes. My dad loves sweets while my mum prefers savory. I made sure to get a good mix of things they would equally like. I chose the bag, tea towel and granola for my mum and went all out for the sweets for my dad.
- Set a budget. You can make a hamper out of any price point, just make it clear from the beginning so that you can choose your fillings accordingly. This will inform if you make your hamper with lots of little things, or a few big–ticket items.
- Support your favourite local businesses. Everyone has a ‘local’ that they love to support. Whether it be a café, sole trader or local magazine. It’s rewarding when you get to support these businesses and share them with other people you care about.
The local businesses that made up my hamper
I met Rebecca through word of mouth and she is an amazing tailor and designer and created the beautiful custom made tote/shopping bag.
Leisure Coast Fruit Market & Deli
My go-to deli which has a range of high-quality food, both local and international. Here were my picks:
- Brookfarm granola
- Manner wafers
- Bahlsen chocolate wafer biscuits
- Kellys Cando Co. Chocolate coated rocky road bites
An amazing farm-to-table café and general store in Coledale that serve the most delicious food and supports local businesses. This is what I bought from them:
- Earth Walker & Co ‘House made pickled fennel’
- Tibj raspberry jam
- Dark choc almond nougat
- Misty’s ‘Brandy Salted Caramel’
- Brooklyn Brine Co. ‘Dairy-free Secret Sauce’
- Hey Tiger ‘Floppy Ears’ chocolate bar
This cafe brings art and food together with their stunning collection of locally produced art and wares. I bought a beautiful cotton tea towel, printed with Australian artist Jaqueline Burgess’ stunning work.
Coal Coast mag and The South Coaster
Two great free magazines that showcase everything the South Coast has to offer.
A lot of people are doing it tough at the moment so let’s come together and support one another. Please share your favourite local businesses below and let us know what we can do to support them.
Kara x
