Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Valentines, Birthdays, Christmas, Baby Showers, Weddings, Engagements, Thank Yous, Whatever You Are Celebrating … there’s always an occasion where a hamper is a thoughtful and appreciative gift. Especially when that hamper is personalised or tailored for the recipient. Especially when every item in the hamper has been carefully chosen with the recipient in mind. Please welcome onto the blog Cathy Catto, founder of Top Hampers…. Hi Cathy 👋
Hello. I’m Cathy. I’m a mother of four incredible adults, I love business, and I’m curious about a range of topics including astrophysics, neuroscience, and motivational and behavioural psychology. There is so much more I want to learn and experience, and so much more growth I want to achieve. I appreciate every day of my life. The lessons along the way have only made me more thankful for where I am today. I am something of a workaholic and find it difficult to switch off – hence also an insomniac. I do take time out for fun and relaxation though (resisting with difficulty the temptation to check emails). Relationships are hugely important to me and I consider myself attentive to those who matter, always willing to go the extra mile.
I spend much of my time at my Spanish home and, for exercise, I swim, play Padel, do reformer Pilates and walk my three dogs by the sea. But most of my hours are spent at my laptop, working on the business I set up with my two daughters—with some input from my two sons. I marvel at the wonderful people my children have become and I have the privilege of being very close to them all.
What inspired the creation of “Top Hampers”?
I’ve always loved making a personal effort to show people they are valued—whether it’s organising an event, planning a surprise party or finding a truly meaningful gift.
Hampers have traditionally been a mix of items, not all of which are necessarily what someone would choose or enjoy. At one point, I received a couple that were poorly presented and filled with things that didn’t reflect my taste. Not long after, a friend was sent a Christmas hamper from a top-tier company, only to find the meat inside wasn’t fit for consumption. Around the same time, my husband started a senior role and was sent a bottle of Moët by the CEO. While it was appreciated, it didn’t wow or leave a lasting impact—it was simply delivered via Amazon with no personal touch.
It made me think—what’s the point of gifting if it doesn’t feel like someone actually thought about it? A gift should say, ‘You matter, and I want you to know that. I’ve put thought into this—it’s not just a box to tick.’ That’s what led me to create something better.
You offer a lovely wide range of hampers for all occasions. What hampers and products are proving popular amongst your customers so far?
Seasonal hampers are always hugely popular—Christmas is the biggest, with Valentine’s Day growing in demand, and we’re now gearing up for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. But our mission goes beyond traditional occasions. We want to help people strengthen relationships through thoughtful gifting—not just when the calendar dictates, but in those moments when you stop and think ‘This would really mean something to them.’
We love the idea of gifting ‘just because’, and more people are starting to embrace it. It could be a way to lift someone’s spirits during a tough time, a thoughtful gesture after a breakup, or a care package from parents to a child leaving home – something that feels like a hug, with practical items included. The possibilities are endless, and we’re expanding our range daily to make sure there’s always the perfect gift for any moment.
Imagine you are making up the perfect hamper for yourself – what would you include in it?
I’d add some of our excellent sleep products, starting with a luxury jar of magnesium muscle and sleep cream – I’ve always been an insomniac. Maybe ‘The Secret Garden’, as I haven’t read it since I loved it as a child, and it would be a nice change from my usual non-fiction. Definitely some Belgian chocolates and Pol Roger champagne, a True Grace candle, and some bath oils. I could go on, but that would be a good start.
On your website, I noticed you offer a Hush Gifts Service – what does that service entail?
We’re refining this service as part of our upcoming site relaunch, introducing it under the new name ‘Top Gifts’ instead of ‘Hush Gifts’. This update expands our offering, allowing visitors to personally select from a wider range of individual gifts, including higher-end items.
‘Top Gifts’ will complement our themed and bespoke personalised hampers by giving customers the flexibility to handpick one or multiple gifts, whether it’s a piece of jewellery, a silk scarf, or another luxury item. With a single click, they can have everything included, along with optional wrapping paper, bows, cards, and even Sellotape for a fully personal gifting experience.
This concept emerged from our growing base of loyal customers, many of whom wanted the option to curate their own gift selections without compromising on the convenience and presentation we’re known for. For those who prefer a more tailored approach, they can also send us details about the recipient, and we’ll select the perfect gifts on their behalf.
As you are based in the UK, are your hampers available to purchase overseas?
We have customers overseas who buy gifts for people in the UK but, at the moment, we don’t ship internationally. We did trial it, but exporting – especially mixed gift baskets – comes with challenges. Instead, our plan is to establish a local hub in Europe in the near future, making transit across EU countries seamless. After that, we’ll expand into the USA. The plans are in place, but for now, our focus is on growing bigger in the UK.
When picking suppliers for the products for your hampers, what is the criteria you follow? What makes a supplier special?
We love working with UK-based suppliers who create their own products—around 80% of our suppliers fit this criteria. Just as importantly, we choose to work with people we genuinely like and who share our commitment to going the extra mile when needed, just as we do for our customers. Reliability is essential; we can’t afford weak links in the chain.
We’re always on the lookout for something a little different alongside the classics, but above all, quality is our top priority. We made a few missteps with purchases in the beginning, but those lessons have only reinforced our focus on sourcing the very best.
When it comes to bespoke hampers – what’s the strangest item or request you’ve had?
The apology hamper we had to send after Ethan the cat’s unprovoked attack on a neighbouring cat – and its owner – immediately comes to mind. The owner, who ended up in hospital after Ethan turned on her too, was understandably shaken. Meanwhile, Ethan’s mortified owner reached out to us, hoping we could help smooth things over and restore some neighbourly harmony.
Along with a selection of indulgent treats for Helen, the injured neighbour, we personalised the message on the box to acknowledge the rather unusual situation. The request also came with a rather specific addition: Ethan’s owner asked if we had a large water pistol, as she’d given her neighbour permission to fire at Ethan should he attempt another unwelcome visit. As it happened, we had one in stock! We also included a game called *Catastrophe*, which felt particularly fitting.
In the end, the hamper did its job—peace was restored, and both parties were happy (though Ethan may have been less impressed).
What do you enjoy most about your business?
I absolutely love working with my daughters—they’re upbeat, hardworking, and incredibly capable. We’re all driven to succeed, bringing complementary skills and a shared passion for what we do.
Beyond that, we’ve built a small but growing team, carefully chosen for their commitment and alignment with our values. I’ve made both great and not-so-great hiring decisions in the past, but one thing I’ve learned is that a company is only as strong as its people. Now, I won’t compromise on bringing in anyone who isn’t fully aligned with our vision.
Growing up, what were your career aspirations?
I’ve always wanted to have my own business. As a child, I dreamed of opening a tea shop and would stand outside ones I had identified as successful, counting how many people went in and estimating their average spend and profits. I even planned the name, the menu, and how I’d grow it.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I’m not a huge fan of jeans, though I do wear them occasionally in winter with jumpers and short boots. When it comes to brands, I like Mirta, ba&sh, Max Mara, Forte Forte, and Uterque. For occasion wear and tailored suits, Alice Temperley – now Temperley London, is my favourite.
I’m not particularly tied to specific shoe brands, but with a very high instep, completely flat shoes don’t work for me, and I find high heels challenging. Comfort is key, as long as they complement my outfits. I often shop in Spain, where I find more unusual options, but in the UK, I tend to gravitate towards Russell & Bromley.
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?
Apart from Temperley London, I prefer shopping for clothes in person. My favourite places are El Corte Inglés in Marbella and Selfridges, both on Oxford Street and in Manchester, as they offer a great selection of brands.
For books, I buy online from Amazon. I used to shop for gifts online too, but now, of course, I get them all from Top Hampers!
What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?
One of my daughters is getting married this year, so I imagine it will be a Temperley London outfit for me. The shoes will depend on the outfit, but comfort is key as I plan to dance the night away!
Boots or Shoes?
Usually, I opt for short boots if they work with the outfit. I find them more comfortable since the heel distributes weight better, and I also like the look. I have them in a range of colours to match different outfits, but I often wear cream or tan.
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook/twitter etc so that readers can find out more about Top Hampers
We’re only just starting to build our presence on LinkedIn, TikTok, and Facebook, and we’ve decided to give X a miss. Our most active social platform is Instagram, where you can find us at top.hampers. That said, the best place to explore what we offer is our website, www.tophampers.com. We’re currently migrating and updating it to improve speed and functionality.
Great to chat to you, Cathy! I must say that Alice Temperley/Temperley London is one of my favourite brands too! 😊
Linda x
All photographs have been published with the kind permission of Top Hampers
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