CHRISTMAS can be an expensive time of the year, but thnakfully a handy hack can help you save money.
Instead of forking out on traditional selection boxes, you can create your own for a fraction of the price.
A DIY enthusiast demonstrated how to make a homemade chocolate hamper for Christmas[/caption]
This fun DIY project not only saves you money but is sure to be popular with your little ones.
By creatively displaying your favourite chocolate treats, you can experiment with fun personalised designs.
The hack was shared by social media user Hawkyard, who demonstrated a few versions of her DIY chocolate hampers.
Bargain hack
In her tutorial, she described the homemade bouquets as “an easy and super quick chocolate gift idea for Christmas“.
She added that they make “the perfect present for anyone on any occasion”.
So whether you’re planning ahead to your children’s stocking stuffers or have a birthday coming up for a sweet-toothed love one, why not give these a try?
All you need is a cake dummy, a piece of styrofoam shaped like a cake, as well as a cake board, double-sided tape, and a selection of chocolates.
And you can save money on this hack by using a multi-pack of bars or a handful of sweets from a chocolate box.
For her first example, the crafty DIYer added a piece of double-sided tape around the circumference of the styrofoam.
She then stuck smaller Kinder bars around the side of the cake dummy.
The crafter then used more tape to secure a handful of Ferroro Rocher chocolates to the top of the cake dummy.
As a finishing touch, she tied a gold ribbon around the chocolate display, tying it in a bow.
She also created a second display with a multi-pack of KitKats and mini packets of Biscoff.
For a larger gift, the DIY enthusiast combined all the chocolates for a big display.
She finished off this hamper with a large red velvet bow.
How to save money on chocolate
We all love a bit of chocolate from now and then, but you don’t have to break the bank buying your favourite bar.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how to cut costs…
Go own brand – if you’re not too fussed about flavour and just want to supplant your chocolate cravings, you’ll save by going for the supermarket’s own brand bars.
Shop around – if you’ve spotted your favourite variety at the supermarket, make sure you check if it’s cheaper elsewhere.
Websites like Trolley.co.uk let you compare prices on products across all the major chains to see if you’re getting the best deal.
Look out for yellow stickers – supermarket staff put yellow, and sometimes orange and red, stickers on to products to show they’ve been reduced.
They usually do this if the product is coming to the end of its best-before date or the packaging is slightly damaged.
Buy bigger bars – most of the time, but not always, chocolate is cheaper per 100g the larger the bar.
So if you’ve got the appetite, and you were going to buy a hefty amount of chocolate anyway, you might as well go bigger.
Impressed reactions
“Great idea! Would be fab for a chocolate lover!” wrote one impressed viewer.
“This is such a great idea. Thanks for sharing,” agreed a second commenter.
“They look brilliant. Saving this for later,” commented a third Instagram user.
More on food
Plus, another chocolate treat trend parents are planning for their children this Christmas.
And a new Terry’s Chocolate Orange flavour has been launched ahead of Christmas.
A discontinued 90s Cadbury chocolate bar has been spotted back on shelves for just 87p after decades.
And Celebrations have made a huge change to tubs ahead of Christmas.
Plus, B&M shoppers have spotted two new flavours of festive chocolate favourites, and they’re scanning at tills for just £1.
The crafty DIYer created a larger chocolate displaym combining all the sweet treats[/caption]
