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A present from France -

Historians generally agree that the idea of filling a wicker basket with delicious sweet and savory treats originated in France and dates back to the 11th century. In 1066, William the Conqueror introduced the concept to England.

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Hanaper, the original hamper -

In fact, the words "hamper" and "hampyre" evolved as contractions of the Anglo-French hanaper, from the medieval Latin hanaperium. A hanaper was a case or basket containing a hanap, a large ceremonial drinking goblet often made of precious metal.

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Uses for a wicker basket -

Typical uses for a hamper, or wicker basket, in England during the Middle Ages included storing clean or dirty laundry.

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The charitable basket -

The wicker basket proved an ideal receptacle for food, and it was during the 11th century that history records the first use of hampers being filled with food, drinks, and sometimes clothing and given as a charitable offering to poor or impoverished families.

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The picnic basket -

At the other end of the social scale, the wicker basket developed as a picnic hamper in the 13th century, and was popular among royalty and the nobility.

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The food hamper -

Shortly thereafter, the wicker basket became an everyday item used for all sorts of purposes. Its use as a means of transporting food remained especially popular.

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Eating and drinking while traveling -

The 17th century saw much of Europe's traveling public using the stagecoach as a means of getting from A to B. Many passengers took with them a hamper of food and drink to enjoy along the way.

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The hamper gets sophisticated -

Later, rail travel made it easier for passengers to bring on board a hamper for the journey, with some baskets becoming quite sophisticated in what they could store.

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The arrival of the Christmas hamper -

It was during the Victorian era that the Christmas hamper as we know it today made its first appearance. It was quite usual for wealthy home owners to offer their servants a basket filled with useful items such as food and clothing.

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The Christmas gift basket -

In the United States, the festive hamper became known as the Christmas gift basket. It served the same purpose—to surprise the recipient with a wonderful choice of seasonal foodstuffs and other presents.

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Santa's hamper -

Nineteenth-century depictions of Santa Claus often depict St. Nicholas delivering gifts and toys using a wicker basket rather than a cloth sack in a clear illustration of the Christmas hamper concept.

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Gifts for serving troops -

An early example of soldiers delighting in some Christmas bonhomie is pictured here, with British soldiers during the Boer War in 1900 receiving presents from home, the parcels packed in a huge hamper.

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First World War -

Similarly, many soldiers fighting in the First World War were recipients of food parcels or gift boxes sent either by friends and relatives, or supplied by the Red Cross. Christmas also provided an opportunity to broadcast messages of goodwill. Here, this 1918 card features Santa Claus standing behind two figures, a uniformed Uncle Sam and a US serviceman. The wording reads, "Merry Christmas. Peace. Your Gift To The Nation."

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Commercial hampers and gift baskets -

By the 1920s, the Christmas hamper or gift basket had become big business. Those with deep pockets could purchase a ready-made hamper overflowing with luxury items, things like wine, ham, and fruit cake. The hamper advertised here cost 50 shillings. That's £6.00 in today's money, or a little over US$7.00—a tidy sum 100 years ago!

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Christmas card prop -

And, of course, the wicker basket and its association with the winter season worked wonders as a Christmas card prop.

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Goodwill gestures -

The long tradition of the gesture of community and social philanthropy and charity related to hampers continued to flourish in the 20th century. In this 1932 photograph, a gift box is being opened by enthusiastic orphan boys from the Foundling Hospital at Redhill in Surrey, England.

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Corporate responsibility -

The 20th century saw corporate responsibility extended to the supply of Christmas hampers and gift baskets by companies both in Europe and the United States. Here, staff members at British food company Crosse and Blackwell in 1937 pack hampers destined for both employees and the needy.

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Second World War -

Little gifts sent from home to troops serving abroad during the Second World War would often include luxuries like tobacco, matches, and razor blades, plus foodstuffs such as cake, tinned fruit, and a rare treat: coffee. Here, Christmas hampers are delivered to Australian troops serving in Libya during the North African campaign.

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Charitable causes -

During the post-war years, numerous charitable organizations including the Smith Family in Australia and Britain's Salvation Army began distributing Christmas hampers for the impoverished. In the United States, thousands of Christmas gift baskets were gratefully received by the poorer members of society.

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Volunteer force -

Today, these same organizations are making sure the needy always receive a little bit of Christmas cheer. Pictured are two Salvation Army members helping prepare some Christmas hampers for the needy in 1991.

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Helping the less fortunate -

Charitable organizations around the world are staffed by a small army of dedicated volunteers who give up their time during the festive season to help those less fortunate than themselves. Pictured are some of the more than 1,500 Christmas gift boxes in Denver's North High School gymnasium to be distributed with the help of 450 volunteers.

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Santa Claus Fund -

The Santa Claus Fund based out of Wyoming in the United States has been creating and distributing Christmas gift boxes to children of low-income families since 1982.

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What goes in a Christmas gift basket? -

In the United States, a basic Christmas gift basket typically contains festive-themed presents such as candy, wines and spirits, tea, coffee, and an assortment of cakes and pies.

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More elaborate hampers and gift baskets -

When putting together a Christmas hamper, you might also consider including a variety of cheeses, boxes of cookies perhaps, and some fruit.

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Fit for a king -

The festive season is traditionally a time when we tend to overindulge. In that case, a luxury Christmas hamper usually does the trick. Pictured here is the Highgrove Hamper, named after Highgrove House, the family residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. It's sold at the Highgrove shop in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

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Champagne Christmas -

For an exclusive Christmas gift basket for someone extra special, why not enclose a single bottle of fine champagne?

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Themed hampers and gift baskets -

There's no need to stick to tradition. For a hamper that best reflects the society in which the recipient identifies with, pack it with country-themed goods for example, or those that conform to a specific diet.

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Fortnum & Mason -

In England, one of the best places to shop for a luxury Christmas hamper is Fortnum & Mason, an upmarket department store in Piccadilly, London.

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Super markets and department stores -

Across the United States, big super markets and department stores gear up for Christmas by attracting customers through their special priced gift baskets and other discounts. Bloomingdale's in New York City is famed for its festive offers. 

Sources: (Etymonline) (House Beautiful)

See also: Celebrate Christmas past with these vintage images

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