4 gifts
Food is one of the easiest gifts to get right. Everyone eats, and a good hamper gets shared around the house or the office.
Choosing a hamper
Ask the business what's in it before you buy. Hampers at the same price can vary a lot. Some are mostly packaging, and others are full of items from local producers. If the person has dietary needs, ask whether the business can swap items out for gluten-free, dairy-free or alcohol-free options.
For a hamper with alcohol, check that the person drinks, and remember the recipient has to be 18 or over. For a family, a hamper with treats the kids can share goes further than one built around a bottle of wine.
Gifts for hot weather
Townsville is hot for most of the year, and December is very hot. Chocolate, cheese and some baked goods don't last long in a warm car. Pick the hamper up on the day you plan to give it, or ask the business whether they deliver and how they keep things cool. If the hamper is going to an office, ask that it arrives in the morning.
Local food and coffee
North Queensland produce makes a good gift for visitors and for people who've moved away. Mangoes come into season in the lead-up to Christmas, and a tray of mangoes is a common Christmas gift up here. Honey, sauces, coffee and rum from the region all travel well too, so they suit someone flying south for the holidays.
For a coffee drinker, a bag of beans from a local roaster with a good mug or a milk frother is a simple gift. Ask whether they'd like whole beans or ground, and which grind suits the person's machine. Roasters can usually tell you which beans suit a plunger, a pod machine or an espresso machine.
Corporate hampers
For clients or staff, order early, especially in the weeks before Christmas. Ask the business about bulk pricing, whether they can add your logo or a card, and whether they deliver to several addresses. Give them a list with names, addresses and phone numbers in one go. It saves a round of emails, and nothing gets missed.
Ask for the invoice to show GST, and for one total rather than one bill per hamper. If you'd rather give a food experience than a hamper, our experience gifts page covers dinner vouchers, tastings and cooking classes.
Hampers and food gifts FAQs
What is in a typical gift hamper?
It varies. Most include snacks, chocolates, biscuits and sometimes wine or beer. Ask the business for the full contents before you buy.
Can I get a hamper for someone with dietary needs?
Often, yes. Ask whether the business can swap items for gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan or alcohol-free options.
How do I keep a hamper fresh in the Townsville heat?
Pick it up on the day you give it and keep it out of a hot car. Chocolate and cheese are the first things to suffer.
When should I order corporate Christmas hampers?
As early as you can, ideally in November. Ask about bulk pricing, branding and delivery to multiple addresses.