The Versatility of Gift Baskets

March 5th, 2009 by Cindy Greene

by Cindy Greene

Having trouble finding the right gift for your sister’s upcoming birthday? Maybe you should consider a gift basket. I think many people conjure images of fruit baskets or summer sausage and cheese when they think of gift baskets but with a gift basket the possibilities cab be endless.

Gift baskets can easily be designed to make a great gift for anyone, regardless of age or gender. While ordering a pre-made basket may be tempting because of the ease if you design the gift basket yourself you can add more of a personal touch to help make it specifically fit the lucky recipient.

You may be thinking a gift basket isn’t appropriate for your ten year old nephew, or your sports-loving husband. But when you create the gift basket you can make it anything you want. For instance the basket portion doesn’t have to be a traditional wicker basket. It can be a helmet turned upside down to hold the other gifts like tickets to a game or a rolled up jersey or t-shirt and some favorite snacks; or the basket can be a toy truck filled with other smaller fun toys.

One of the reasons it’s fun to get a gift basket is because of the variety of items in it. The gifts in the basket are often times based on a specific theme that fits the individual receiving the gift and sometimes it is designed for the occasion as well. But when you’re creating a basket you can do whatever you want. If you know the person really well you can give a range of items that have no connection or theme, but that have a meaning to the two of you.

For the soon to be new mother you may want to give her a gift basket containing items to make her feel special and to help relax. After the baby comes she probably won’t have much time for herself so give her an excuse to pamper herself before the big event. You might want to include things like votive candles, some nice bath soap/salts/gel, a book you know she has been wanting, and a small box of nice chocolates.

For the busy body who loves homemade deserts but never has the time to make them you might create a gift basket filled with “homemade” instant goodies. For instance you can find directions on how to attractively put together the dry ingredients to make things like cookies and brownies, then package them in a nice clear jar with the instructions — which should only be adding the wet ingredients like butter and eggs.

To make your gift basket a big success make it personal and show that you paid attention to the details. Think about things you know this person likes and doesn’t like or things that have special meaning. And always remember to think about possible food allergies or sensitivities.

A gift basket can be a good idea if you’re on a budget too. You can pick up items from various places or even make things and present it nicely to make it look more expensive than it really was.

As you can see by now a gift basket can be a versatile vehicle for gift giving. Just focus on the recipient’s personality and lifestyle and might be surprised by what you can create.

About the Author:

Learn more about either finding or making fantastic the best gift baskets at Chocolate Gift Baskets. While we emphasize chocolate and candy, we cover a whole lot more, including gift baskets for men.