In modern times, Christmas hampers have become rather popular gift items. Instead of being just a gift of necessities offering food for the holiday season, it has become more of a gift of tiny treats. These wicker baskets have only the best of the best – gourmet jams, exotic coffee beans, quality wines, and the finest chocolates. Food items that can be stored and indulged for a long time are the usual things you would find in these Christmassy hampers. But how did it actually become a part of the celebration of the Christmas season?
Traditionally, hampers are the British term used to describe wicker baskets that are large enough to be able to transport various items, usually food. These wide-mouthed containers were also used for agricultural means. Farmers and other workers in the field carried them on their backs while they are harvesting by hand either fruits or vegetables. These containers would then be decanted into even larger containers in a cart, wagon, or a truck. In America, a hamper is a term that would be referred to as any household receptacle usually a container for dirty clothing that is why it is commonly called a laundry hamper. When the business of laundry services boomed, these large basket containers with a lid would be used to carry the dirty clothes into the laundry service. These also became popular in England and China with their own daily or bi-daily hamper laundry service.
Aside from being just a container for fruits, vegetables, food for picnics, or for dirty clothes, man has created a new use for the hamper. It is used to contain gifts. The act of giving hampers has a long history in the Western tradition. Before it became part of the giving gesture during the festive season, it was regularly used as a container for food and some other home necessities that were doled out to those who deserved them. The gift items as well as the basket would be carefully picked out because the basket could be used and reused.
The tradition of giving in hampers was modified and everything was just stuck to Christmas hampers. Initially Christmas hampers were associated with all kinds of food for those who were unable to eat certain food types due to a medical condition, food intolerance, or allergies. Now everyone is excited to give and receive a gift hamper packaged carefully and snugly to protect the delectable treats in it. These Christmas hampers are now abundant in the market and you will find a variety of them in different styles of baskets, trays, or the traditional wicker hampers. It would then be tied in a beautiful Christmas ribbon and bow and sometimes the name of the recipient would even be neatly printed on the basket. It would then be wrapped in a special cloth or paper to keep the item fresh inside the hamper. And this is what makes Christmas hampers special although the indulgence of the contents is actually what makes this tradition so exciting and famous.
Everyone just loves giving and receiving Christmas hampers . How the tradition of giving these beautiful hampers came about is not important. What is more important is that the tradition lives on during a busy festive season.
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