Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Empty Wicker Hamper.

(52 Posts)
Calendargirl Thu 26-Dec-24 11:10:29

Have received two food hampers for Christmas, a M&S one from DD, a Tesco one from DS, who said, as he gave it to me “I know you like a hamper, Mum”.

Which I do, the contents of both much appreciated, but I now have two more to add to a few others I have been given in the past.

What to do with them?

I know I could fill them and re-gift, but I don’t honestly have anyone to do that to, plus I feel bad to give them away as they have cost money in the first place. Likewise if I send to charity shop.

Have got games and jigsaws stored in one, a collection of diaries in another, ….. but the actual hampers themselves are on top of a wardrobe as nowhere else to stack them. Hats, gloves and scarves will probably go in another.

Ideas please?

MissAdventure Sat 28-Dec-24 12:04:26

Fortnum and Mason, Fortnum and Mason, Fortnum and Mason.

I haven't got one, just wanted to write it and see how it feels. smile

mabon1 Sat 28-Dec-24 12:08:34

What's the problem? Give them away, you are making a mountain out of a molehill. If you had a Fortnum and Mason hammer they sell for about £15.00 on one, an acquaintance of mine has one every year from an offspring, that's what she does..

sazz1 Sat 28-Dec-24 12:09:23

Put them on FB selling page All 3 for £x or £× each.

JaneJudge Sat 28-Dec-24 12:12:02

could you line them to make them waterproof and use them as planters?

JaneJudge Sat 28-Dec-24 12:12:54

MissAdventure

Fortnum and Mason, Fortnum and Mason, Fortnum and Mason.

I haven't got one, just wanted to write it and see how it feels. smile

grin
i would so love a F&M hamper or even a harvey nicholls one. It's never going to happen
even an M&S one would be nice

Cateq Sat 28-Dec-24 12:25:08

I got given a white company one for my Christmas several years ago and I filled with my DGD crafting supplies as her Dad and her stayed with us. When they moved out she took it with and it’s still used for crafting. I have a smaller one from M&S which I keep my youngest DGD, nappies and nappy sacks in. She runs away when she sees it being opened 😂

Tanjamaltija Sat 28-Dec-24 12:25:59

Give them to someone who does hampers- Homes, Parishes, Centres...

MissAdventure Sat 28-Dec-24 12:26:18

smile

Nannan2 Sat 28-Dec-24 13:22:08

Ask the giver if they would like them back to use? If no, then ask them if they mind if you donate them, seeing as they 'paid the good money' for them- i am sure they wouldnt mind you giving as someone said a church bazaar etc.?

Nannan2 Sat 28-Dec-24 13:28:37

I treated myself to a big Fortnums one about 5 yrs ago- and its been very useful since.Apparently they are a bit of an icon, with folk displaying them on landings, in hallways etc, like a symbol that you are 'somebody'(i read that a couple of weeks ago in a magazine)! I love mine, however i wouldnt put woolies of any kind in it (unless inside a bag or smaller box first) as they can easily snag on the wicker.

winterwhite Sat 28-Dec-24 13:30:33

We use them for Christmas decorations kept in the loft.
I think I’d feel a bit Oliver Twist like giving them back but seems to work well for many people.

Eil4 Sat 28-Dec-24 13:30:39

I have three of different sizes stacked on top of each other on the floor in a spare room where I do my present wrapping. There are ribbons and bows and such like in them. I think the hampers look attractive on display

crazyH Sat 28-Dec-24 13:34:11

MissA 😂

llizzie2 Sat 28-Dec-24 13:38:28

Students at university would love to have such a basket. They can use them for their own possessions or books.

kwest Sat 28-Dec-24 13:45:38

I think handing the hamper back takes all of the joy and glamour out of the gesture that our children hoped to see on our faces or feel from the excited WhatsApp or email as we rush to say thank you.
It is glamourous present to receive and considered really special by most people. Too much practicality rings a death knell to joy and spontaneity.

Calendargirl Sat 28-Dec-24 13:46:51

mabon1

What's the problem? Give them away, you are making a mountain out of a molehill. If you had a Fortnum and Mason hammer they sell for about £15.00 on one, an acquaintance of mine has one every year from an offspring, that's what she does..

You obviously haven’t read through the thread.

If so, you would have seen on first page I thanked people for suggestions and said what I was going to do with them.

(I’m the OP.)

And I do have a F&M large hamper, btw, which is already used to store games in.

Ziplok Sat 28-Dec-24 13:51:14

It seems as if most of us use them or storage. I’ve got one that houses handbags and is kept at the bottom of a wardrobe, and the other houses some soft toys and other bits and is stored in the top of another wardrobe.
Your idea of offering the empty hampers back for next year sounds a good idea if your family are happy to take them, and want to do a hamper again.

Galton Sat 28-Dec-24 14:06:13

I use mine in the bedroom to store my hair dryer and tongs etc. Looks good too.

Rainnsnow Sat 28-Dec-24 14:21:56

Is there a free cycle site near u . Also any shops that do window dressing love a hamper to display stuff. I I have them dotted around the house . Some in the pantry for packets and some upstairs with material scraps for patchwork. I have a large one on the he landing full of albums and packs of photos. Love a hamper basket never date and so sturdy.

Oreo Sat 28-Dec-24 14:24:17

So many uses, craft stuff and a general tidy plus a log basket if you have a wood burner or open fire.

Mirren Sat 28-Dec-24 14:36:51

They sell well on FB market place or similar. I would buy them !
I use them for storing my craft thinhs x

Jan51 Sat 28-Dec-24 16:24:06

Pass them on to a local school or charity to be made up into raffle prizes. My grandchildrens' school always make lots of money if they have hampers as raffle prizes.

readsalot Sat 28-Dec-24 22:47:31

I sold a couple on Marketplace. Got what I wanted and so did the buyer. Result!

wetflannel Sun 29-Dec-24 20:01:10

My son in law had two huge F&M hampers as thanks for all his hard work. My daughter gave me one of the hampers with items they knew they wouldn't eat. The hamper itself is going to be very useful for keeping all my table linen which is squashed into the airing cupboard. Very useful item.

NanaTuesday Sun 29-Dec-24 20:52:02

Calendargirl

Have received two food hampers for Christmas, a M&S one from DD, a Tesco one from DS, who said, as he gave it to me “I know you like a hamper, Mum”.

Which I do, the contents of both much appreciated, but I now have two more to add to a few others I have been given in the past.

What to do with them?

I know I could fill them and re-gift, but I don’t honestly have anyone to do that to, plus I feel bad to give them away as they have cost money in the first place. Likewise if I send to charity shop.

Have got games and jigsaws stored in one, a collection of diaries in another, ….. but the actual hampers themselves are on top of a wardrobe as nowhere else to stack them. Hats, gloves and scarves will probably go in another.

Ideas please?

So you don’t want to send to Charity or regift by filling up next year .
Give one each back to whoever gave to you & ask them to refill for next Christmas 🎅 cheaper than buying a whole new hamper & they can choose your favourites !
Or sell any hampers that you have no use for , you will be surprised how much money you can make by doing so .
If that doesn’t appeal , how about filling one yourself & donating to a local shelter. ?