Homemade gift baskets have become very popular over the years because they often add a personal touch. Commercial tea and coffee gift sets may offer a variety of gourmet beans or leaves, but very few extras such as mugs or candies. This is where a homemade tea or coffee basket can fill in the blanks quite well. In addition to the coffee or tea itself, a well-chosen gift basket often contains an assortment of items which can enhance the experience of drinking a gourmet beverage.
Here are 30 items a good tea or coffee gift basket could contain, ranging from inexpensive candies to open-ended gift certificates or services:
1. Coffee mugs, found in many gift stores or even bargain 'dollar stores'. Some companies can personalize mugs based on artwork or text messages.
2. Biscotti. These gourmet baked goods can be bought individually or in bulk. Make sure they are properly wrapped or protected for long-term storage.
3. Tea cookies. Cookies may be sold in decorative tins or rewrapped for a personal touch.
4. Mints and hard candies. Wrapped 'starlight' mints or other individual hard candies go well with both coffee and tea. Mints may also help with 'coffee breath'.
5. Flavored syrups. Coffee shops often sell small bottles of the syrups used in flavored coffee drinks.
6. Coated stir spoons. Some coffee shops and specialty stores may sell chocolate-coated spoons intended for stirring coffee. The heat of the coffee will allow the chocolate to melt for additional flavor.
7. Stir sticks. Many coffee and tea drinkers fail to purchase their own plastic stir sticks, so include a small pack for convenience.
8. Prepackaged sugars, sugar substitutes and creamers. Grocery stores may offer boxes of individual sugar packs or sugar substitutes. Creamers which do not require refrigeration may also be included.
9. Disposable cups. If a mug is not feasible, then a few disposable but decorative cups may be a good substitute.
10. Immersible water heater. This kitchen tool can be found with other small appliances in the kitchen section of grocery or department stores. The coiled heating element is placed in cold water and electrical current from a plug creates the heat.
11. Electric coffee grinder. Gourmet coffee beans are often sold whole, which means the recipient must grind them before brewing. When in doubt, include a small electric coffee grinder in the basket. Coffeeshops and specialty stores often carry individual grinders.
12. Tea ballers. Gourmet teas are often packaged as loose leaves, which means the recipient may need a way to suspend them in hot water. Coffee or tea shops sell a tool in which loose tea leaves are placed in a round metal mesh and held in the hot water for brewing.
13. Teapots. Tea is often served in ceramic or metal teapots which make pouring easier. These can be functional or decorative items, but either can be found in a kitchen supply store, coffee shops or department stores.
14. Liqueurs. If the recipient of the gift basket is a responsible adult who enjoys an occasional alcoholic beverage, a small bottle of Irish cream liquor or whiskey or nut-flavored liqueur (think Amaretto or Frangelico) may make his or her life more interesting. Do not include alcoholic beverages if the recipient could be a minor or someone who may not care for alcohol.
15. Coffee or tea-related books. There are numerous books and magazines dedicated to the world of gourmet tea or coffee, so you may want to include one or more in your basket.
16. Recipe books. In addition to books or magazines about the gourmet beverage world, there are also cookbooks which feature coffee or tea as ingredients. Adults may appreciate a book on coffee-based libations, while younger drinkers may want to know how to make mochas or frappes.
17. Coupons for local coffee/tea shops. Some gift basket recipients may have their own preferred flavorings or methods of brewing. A generous gift certificate or coupon redeemable at a local coffee shop may help them personalize their gift.
18. Magazine subscriptions. If you have already decided to purchase a magazine subscription as a gift, the coffee or tea basket may be the best way to deliver the news. Include a personal note detailing the name of the magazine and the duration of the subscription.
19. Decorative stationery. A pad of designer stationery and a quality pen should fit in any gift basket. This may encourage the gift recipient to send a personal 'thank you' note or letter.
20. Postcards. If the coffee or tea gift basket has been created while visiting an exotic location, you may want to include an assortment of postcards to recreate the atmosphere for the recipient.
21. Framed pictures. For a very personalized touch, consider adding small framed pictures appropriate for the recipient. This could also include artwork or empty frames for later use.
22. Phone cards. If the recipient of a gift basket lives far away, a pre-paid phone card may encourage him or her to stay in touch. These cards can be purchased in most department stores and additional minutes can often be added later.
23. Restaurant gift certificates. Even if the recipient is not a coffee or tea enthusiast, he or she should appreciate a gift certificate to a local restaurant.
24. Small kitchen gadgets. Kitchen specialty stores and larger department stores offer dozens of useful but unusual kitchen gizmos. Consider including such things as bagel slicers, corkscrews, cup holders, melon ballers and anything else that would be useful in the kitchen.
25. Spices. Many coffee and tea drinkers enjoy adding dried spices to their beverages for enhanced flavor. You may want to buy small containers of nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon or other spices typically offered at coffee shops. Tea drinkers may also appreciate a create-your-own assortment of chai spices. Consult a book on chai tea blends for ideas.
26. Ingredients for scones or tea cakes. Some specialty shops or tea rooms offer the dry ingredients for scones, traditional biscuits served with tea. Other dry mixes may be available for different cakes and brownies.
27. Natural sugar. Many gourmet tea or coffee drinkers prefer the taste of 'raw' sugar, often referred to as turbinado sugar. If you really want to go all the way with a gourmet theme, consider including packets of this less-processed form of sugar. This may be a specialty item only available at tea shops or health food outlets.
28. Flavored creamers. If the gift basket items can be refrigerated quickly, consider including flavored creamers from the grocery store. Some varieties of flavored creamers may not need to be refrigerated, but anything containing fresh cream or milk will most likely need to be kept cool.
29. Coupons for movie rentals. Enjoying a quality beverage while watching a favorite movie may be the recipient's idea of bliss. Include a gift certificate from a local movie rental store or invest in a DVD or videotape yourself.
30. Music. If you believe you know the recipient well enough, consider a CD by his or her favorite artist or a collection of songs meant to create a background mood.
