a french christmas hamper...

image- vicki archer

Something I love to give and to receive is a Christmas hamper... The most fun is thinking about the goodies to place inside... what my friends enjoy to drink or to eat... what they would find interesting to try and new flavours they might appreciate... I like to include a scented bulb or two to make the parcel smell delicious... There are so many ways to let someone know that you have thought about them... they don't have to be costly, they just take time and thought... and taking time over those we love is the greatest gift of all...

For my 'French' hampers I am using either wooden wine boxes that I have been saving up, or wicker baskets... I like to line them with a cute linen tea towel and then lots of colourful tissue...  My basket looks just like this... or there are some cute crates here if you need to make more than one hamper...

These ideas for the 'foodies' amongst you are from my French pantry to yours... I have been mentally emptying my cupboards to come up with this list. I seem to be forever travelling between France and London with a carry on bag full of sugar, sea salt or on too many occasions chocolates and caramels. Every year one of my resolutions is to carry less when I travel back and forth... to have what I have in France and leave it there... But do you know what?... I can't... we love these tastes and don't want to live without them even for a day or two... so with me they come. One of my first great discoveries in France was the supermarkets... for me they were filled with unimaginable extravagances... yes there are the basics too... but so many of the products were exotic and I found it incredible that I could buy such things amongst aisles and trolleys... Even now many of my friends who visit take a trip to our local supermarché and stock up... (Don't worry... that's not the only place I take them...)

If you need ideas for your hampers or want a taste of France in your kitchen these holidays, here are some suggestions... (right click each time to open a new page and view the links ) 

*an aged balsamic vinegar...

*sea salt from the Camargue... my cooking essential... 

*peppercorns with a Peugeot pepper mill... 

*a ceramic pot of mustard... typically francais, 

*fois gras de canard... a French taste sensation I have grown to love with a dab of champagne jelly... an extravagant gift but one that any gourmande would adore...
*dried chanterelle mushrooms... for a delicious risotto
*red rice from the Camargue... a crunchy, nutty flavour that is the perfect accompaniment

*a bottle of Ruinart champagne... my very, very favourite... 

*french syrup to pour over a little gateau or a scoop of ice cream... 

*for those who love a night cap... a bottle of Poire William brandy is a fabulous thought... 

*no Christmas hamper would be complete without some sweeties... caramels and carambars...  

*chocolates and jellies... 

*haribo gummi bears... don't get me started...

*chestnut puree... delicious any which way...

*chocolate powder for those chilly afternoons by the fire

*la peruche sugar cubes... the best of the best...

and from our farm I love to include a bottle of our own olive oil and some of our apple and pear juice... for that extra personal touch... 

*a couple of hyacinth or amaryllis bulbs and some plant markers... with a special note...

For European readers you will find many of these products here, here and here...

To finish up add a porcelain tag to the handle of the basket or one of the bottles inside, tie on a pretty bow or a loop of tinsel and the hamper is ready to go...

And if you are still thinking about the girls ... here are my ideas... and for the boys.... here... And most importantly if you are in need of a beauty pick me up... then this is for you... Happy creating... xv

my daily click HERE

follow me on twitter HERE

SHOP FRENCH ESSENCE - HERE

find me on facebook HERE

my colour boards on pinterest HERE

frenchessence.blogspot.com