My welcome hamper
I’m very proud of the hampers we offer at my holiday lets. They get mentioned in more reviews than anything else, and I think it’s because they feel like a genuine welcome rather than a tick-box exercise. They also celebrate our location, which guests love.
At my own place, The Snug at Caphays, the hamper changes with the seasons because we often include produce from the garden. It’s always breakfast centred, with a treat or two for good measure. We’re a fair drive from anything that’s open past 8pm, so it’s important to me that guests have the basics for a tasty first breakfast plus something to enjoy when they arrive.
For details about your legal obligations when providing any food or drink, take a look at my blog post, Legal Considerations for your hamper.
Here’s what I usually include, in case it sparks ideas for your own.
Eggs – our own, or from a nearby properly free range farm.
Bread and butter – Oxfords Bakery (Alweston and now Dorset-wide) is a firm favourite, and if I’m including bread, I always pop in some good butter too.
Fruit – raspberries, strawberries or blackberries from the garden depending on the season.
Cereal – we happen to be in Dorset, but a premium choice wherever you are is Dorset Cereal Fruity Muesli. This one is pretty consistently the best value I’ve found and I’ve never found it cheaper than on Amazon either.
Preserves – From Dorset with Love. Strawberry goes down best, and it’s made just up the road.
Apple juice – Dowdings (Somerset). Award winning and easily the tastiest apple juice I’ve tried.
A treat – when I can, I buy delicious baked goods from a local baker in the village. If that’s not possible, I go for Dorset Chocolate fudge. The milk is locally sourced, it’s delicious, and it has a longer shelf life than any biscuits I’ve found that still have that artisan touch.
Gluten-free swaps
Rather than gluten-free bread, I often include a tasty salty snack like Habas Fritas – broad beans fried until crisp. Guests love them, and they work well alongside a gluten-free cereal option like Eat Natural gluten free cereal.
A cuppa on arrival
We always offer a little of everything so guests can choose what they fancy, and most often they’ll leave behind whatever they don’t drink at the time. It’s a small touch that doesn’t cost much but makes people feel looked after.
I keep the selection in a small china bowl that was probably a sugar bowl once, found in a local charity shop. It adds a bit of quirk to The Snug and makes the tea and coffee feel special rather than just functional.
Tea – Dorset Tea in a large pack with individually wrapped bags, so they stay fresh.
Coffee – Clipper coffee, which is smooth and easy to drink, even for those who aren’t big coffee people.
Fruit tea – Pukka fruit tea bags. I like them because they’re biodegradable, but also because the mix of colours adds a cheerful pop to the kitchen and makes it obvious there’s a choice of flavours.
Hot chocolate – Clipper hot chocolate. I often see guests enjoying a mug in the garden in the evening, which always makes me smile.
Kay x
PS - Please note that, as an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases on the cereal and teas made with the links above. I earn nothing from the others. I never recommend something I haven’t used myself.
