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Creating the perfect Welsh hamper for any occasion

Being part of a large family or group of friends certainly has its perks, but when it comes to the holiday seasons and planning the range of gifts you want to bestow upon your loved ones, it can challenge the creative half of your mind to find something useful, valuable, and personal for each individual.

This is where the gift hamper comes in.

Hampers have actually been around since the Middle Ages (as a charitable gift the wealthy and the clergy would provide to the less fortunate) but weren’t a commercial entity until the Victorian period where department stores like Fortnum & Mason were known for creating elaborate hampers packed with luxury goods.

This concept has since divulged into a number of diverse modern examples suited for every occasion, aimed at creating a personal gift experience – often with customisable elements so that we can truly give a gift that befits the desires of the recipient.

For us, the focus is on those hampers that:

  1. Remind us of Wales (either our home or our holiday)
  2. Call out to our taste buds

So, in answering the question of our blog on how to create the perfect Welsh hamper for any occasion, we need to start with those elements that are too important not to include.

Must-have items for any Welsh hamper

As we are building this Welsh hamper from a food-first perspective (some non-edible ideas have also been included in the sections below) we came down to four items that we agreed should be in every Welsh gift hamper and a few more that could be depending on your personal preference.

Firstly, Welsh Cheese.

Cheese is a great item for a hamper as no matter where you go (especially in Wales) you should have plentiful options for local and unique cheese producers. Not only this, but cheese has a longer shelf-life than some other edible gifts, meaning you can plan and buy ahead. Our friends at this place [+ link] have a great range of Welsh cheeses to explore if you’re looking for inspiration.

Next up is baked goods.

No food-based gift hamper can be without a good deal of input from the bakery - and in Wales, we’ve got some of the best options. Bara brith, Welsh cakes and shortbread are just a few of the excellent options you can pick up to both treat your loved ones and help compliment the cheeses and the next items on our list.

Local chutneys, honey and jams.

Again, an absolute staple of the hamper and one that you won’t struggle to fill with local Welsh examples. No matter where you live or where you went on holiday, there’s a local preserve producer for you that you can match with your other hamper selections.

Finally, confectionery.

This may just be as a result of my sweet-tooth, but when gifting for others what better treats are there than a little sugary confectionery? Whether you like chocolates, sweets, candies or other things you’ve come across on your journeys – it’s a surefire winner to include in your hamper.

So those are our ‘core’ items to include in any Welsh hamper, but what of those other products that perch on the borderline for inclusion? These come down to your personal preference and what experiences you wanted to remember of your time in Wales.

For us this list starts in only one place, with our top home-sourced product – our local Welsh crisps. They may not be a centrepiece in all food hampers, but they’re certainly a fan favourite of ours and always offer a range of flavours and options for complimenting your other ingredients like your cheeses and chutneys.

Depending on your preference (or the preferences of those you are buying for) you may also consider adding Welsh tea or coffee and, of course, local alcoholic drinks. 

You might also consider including our rich local meats and charcuterie options which you often see adorn other hampers. A firm favourite – they were only not included in our core list for two reasons; 1) they don’t work for friends and family who are vegetarian or vegan and 2) they may have a shorter shelf life than other elements and could be best sourced in person at your local butchers – which can make building your ideal hamper difficult if you are doing everything remotely.

Hamper Design and Presentation

We know that the items provided in a hamper are ultimately the cornerstone of the gift, but for those looking to make an even greater impact, then the hamper itself shouldn’t be overlooked for the ability to increase the chances of love at first sight.

Do you choose a basket or a box? Do you look for something with re-gift/re-use potential or a one-off display? Do you choose a square, round or a bespoke shape box?

These considerations are only looking at the hamper itself and don’t even include elements like the filling (tissue paper, straw, packing peanuts etc) and any other types of personalisation like cards, mementos or bows and ribbons.

All our gift hampers come with natural paper shred filling and a patriotic red ribbon (watch out for seasonal adaptations) with an option for a personalised message. Most of our hamper elements are also either compostable or recyclable to maintain high standards for the eco-conscious.

Outside of these elements – get creative!

To remember your holiday, home or anniversary you might think of collecting local art, picking up shells from our many beaches, adding other personal memories or inserting your own card from a local Welsh shop to help build that personal touch that gift hampers are so great at providing.

And don’t forget seasonality! Whether it’s Christmas Day or St David’s Day, a birthday or an anniversary, there are often a range of personalisation options that can help you to hit the right tone for the occasion.

If you’re interested in incorporating a little Welsh history into your hamper or just in the need for some more inspiration, you should check out our blog on the history of Welsh snacking to spur on some unique ideas for your creation.

Whatever your aim for your hamper, we hope we’ve helped inspire you to celebrate the best of Welsh produce with your loved ones and provide one of the best gifts around – an authentic taste of Wales.