Making a gift hamper or gift basket enables you to use your creative abilities and save a lot of money. It takes some effort and time, and you can fill the basket with unique gifts suited to the nature and liking of the recipient.

You can buy gift hampers from stores or assemble them at home. Stores offer pre-arranged gift hampers or you can pick the items to be included in the hamper. However, the best gift hampers are ones made at home. They not only inexpensive but have special value because of effort and time you put into them.

Here are some ideas for a cheap gift hamper:

Do some research:  Try to select a few items for your hamper and make a list of items which you want to put into your hamper. Find out where you can find cheap supplies to include in your hamper. If you are going to put in handmade items like baking cookies and cakes, do research on recipes and secret tips, which you can easily do online.

Pick a theme: Themes can be based on:

Food products: Cheap ingredients for the hamper can be food items made at home. Specialty breads, cakes and cookies make for tasty treats. Collect canisters and cookie tins to hold homemade gifts. For a festive feel, decorate the basket with bows and ribbons.

Needle crafts: If you are talented at handcrafts like embroidery, knitting or crochet, you can gift many items like scarves, wall hangings, mittens, booties, hand embroidered handkerchiefs etc in your gift hamper.

Accessories: You can include accessories for the recipient to pursue a much loved hobby. For e.g., for a golfing enthusiast, include items like towels, tees and golf balls. For this, you must find out what hobbies the recipient enjoys and what items you can put into to make the hobby more enjoyable.

Luxury: You can include items of luxury at cheap rates if you buy items individually. Bath products such as bath oils and loofah sponges can be had at reasonable prices. Pre-made luxury hampers are much more expensive than home assembled ones.

Estimate a budget: What to include in the basket depends on your budget. This includes cost of basket (container), fillers, decorations, and the cost of each gift item. For best results, one can mix and match items. For containers, one can use something practical like terracotta planters and pots, crockery, metal buckets, wooden crates, bags, serving trays, pie dish, etc. For fillers, use a shredder to shred cloth or paper. Newspaper that is scrunched up also works well. One can also re-use filler got from gifts you received.

Arranging: While arranging items, place long and big items first and the small and delicate items on top. Keep items in position by using sticky tape. One can also tape items to the handle of the basket.

Wrapping: Cellophane wrapping is most popular. Complete the gift hamper with a bow made of ribbon.

These are some ideas to make the cheapest hampers in UK. You can use your ingenuity and creativity to make them look great and wonderful.

People get tired of receiving the same kinds of gifts repeatedly. You can ensure that your thoughtfulness is cherished forever via unique gift hamper delivery in UK. They may be sent by courier or hand delivered. They are suitable for all occasions, albeit with variations in contents.

• Housewarming Present: Imagine the delightful surprise on your friend’s face, when he/she receives a basket crammed with a bottle of wine, all kinds of scrumptious sweets and confectionaries, and other foodstuffs. The contents may be consumed at leisure. After all, the family has just gone through several days of hectic unpacking. Otherwise, you may offer decorative items and handicrafts that will complement their new home beautifully.

•  Corporate Gifting: Oh, yes, gift hampers are the perfect way of saying “thank you.” You have to deal with all kinds of clients, customers and employees; they may belong to different cultures, be of varying ages, and differ in gender. An elegantly decorated basket filled with boxes of delicious chocolate treats, different flavors of tea or coffee emitting marvelous aromas, sets of embroidered towels and handkerchiefs, a bottle or two of wine, small handcrafted items, desk accessories, useful gift vouchers and festival coupons and so on, will find favor with everybody. There is something for self and for the family.
• Food Hampers: Food addicts will love to gorge on fresh fruit, fruit muffins and preserved foodstuffs at breakfast time. The meal may be rounded off with a hot cup of tea or coffee prepared from the boxes of tea/coffee that you have sent. Do not forget to include some beautiful mugs, one for each member of the family. If possible, have their individual photographs embossed on the mugs. As far as food baskets are concerned, there are no limitations. Things like crusty bread, cheese, dried pasta, pasta sauce, chocolates, bottles of wine, fruits, and so on, are loved by all. Just ensure that nothing requires refrigeration.
• Hobby Hampers: Some people love to be out of the house most of the time. An avid gardener would love to receive a variety of seed packets, digger, trowel, gardening gloves, weeding fork, rake, kneeling pad, and a water sprayer. Of course, you may make further additions if you wish. A passionate fisherman will thank you for sending him a hat, sunscreen lotion, a fishing hook and pole, sinkers, lures and a guide to the best local  fishing spots. If your friend loves to travel, send across a good compass, passport holder, maps, a diary, gift vouchers, and a few energy bars.
• Baby Hampers: Create a sensible new mum and newborn combination, which will show them how much you care about their wellbeing. Arrange a few rubber toys, baby body wash, adult body wash, chocolates, baby body wash, baby towels and nappies in the hamper. If within your budget, offer a nappy laundry service voucher.

Do ensure that whatever you purchase is of good quality and durable. These gift hampers are meant to represent the quality of ‘gratitude.’