Christmas is celebrated on December 25, the day that Lord Jesus Christ was born. Though mainly celebrated by Christians, it has become a secular holiday the world over with special traditions in every country.

Since gift giving is a Christmas tradition, one can consider the option of creating gift hampers at home. This is not only a thoughtful gesture but also lets you be as simple or luxurious as you please.

Here some ideas for gift hampers created at home:

• The gift box: Traditionally, a wicker basket is expected but you can experiment with gardening buckets, sand pails, old cardboard boxes, plates, serving trays, baking trays, terracotta pots, casseroles etc.

• Lining: You can fill up the hamper with crepe paper and shredded paper available at local arts or crafts stores. Or you can make you own using a shredder and coloured paper. For a festive feel, add some glitter and sequins.

• For foodies:For those who love good food, you can design hamper around food items; store bought or home prepared. Also, some great recipe books and food magazines can be added.
  • For the Cheese lover: include some premium cheeses and accompaniments like salt biscuits, spiced orange and beetroot chutney, a walnut and fig slice, or a baked Camembert kit.
  • For the chocolate lover: blocks of chocolate, hot chocolate drink, homemade chocolate truffles, chocolate cupcakes, chocolate biscuits, chocolate spread, chocolate brownies and any  chocolaty item.
  • For the tea lover: Selection of gourmet teas (Chai, Fruit tea, English tea), Chinese tea (jasmine tea, green tea) accompanied by home baked scones, jam, biscuits, cup cakes and sandwiches can be presented along with a tea tray or set of tea cups.
  • For coffee lovers: Selection of coffee coated chocolates, gourmet coffees, coffee candy, dark chocolate, and coffee with walnut cake. This may be accompanied by cookies and a coffee mug. For wine and cheese lovers: Assemble together gourmet cheese and crackers, a choice of wines, dried figs and fresh grapes. You may even add a cheese knife and a cheese board.
  • Beer lovers are next: Go for a range of beers, beer crisps and nuts, beer koozie holder, etc.
  • For fruit lovers: Send fruit baskets to who love the bounties of nature.
  • For book lover: Books, book marks, snacks, coffee mug, journal, and a book light.
  • Outdoor lovers: GPS or compass, guide to local hiking spots, Guide to local fauna and flora.
  • Film fans: DVD’s of favourite genre of movies, bottle of wine, gourmet popcorn, sound track of movies with great music.
  • Beauty care pampering: Face masks, lotions, bath salts, scented candles, pot pourri or fresh flowers, bottle of champagne, relaxing music, a gift of a day of pampering at local spa, etc.
  • Gardener: Fill a watering pot or can with some nice seeds, handy gardening gloves, some DIY plant markers, trowels, etc.
  • Sports lover: Fill a hamper with T-shirt of favourite team, tasty snacks, sports almanac, movie with sports theme and even tickets to a game.
  • Jewellery: One can make a jewellery theme basket filled with inexpensive costume jewellery or a theme of antique reproduction jewellery. One can shop online by browsing various stores.

These are some ideas for designing gift hampers for Christmas Day.