Shrink wrap is the choice of many commercial merchandise packagers; it's quick, keeps the merchandise clean yet visible and presents a very professional appearance. Now you can obtain the same results shrink wrapping your own gifts.
Shrink wrap is the term used for both the material and the process; the material is a clear plastic that will shrink down to almost half its size when heated. For commercial or high-volume applications, you might want to acquire a shrink wrap sealer. This is a device that looks like a paper cutter; it seals the wrap with heat and then trims the excess wrap. A sealer is rather expensive for home-use; only invest in one if you are going to be making gift baskets on a larger scale, for resale.
To shrink wrap a gift basket, purchase shrink wrap bags. These are already sealed on three sides; you put the item to be sealed into the bag, close off the top and then shrink the bag down to size. Choose a bag-size well in excess of the item or basket you are going to be wrapping - shrink wrap will shrink a lot, and if you are trying to jam a wicker basket, for instance, into a bag just barely big enough, you can easily rip holes in the wrap. Holes will widen when shrunk, and you will have to start all over with a new bag.
'Dome bags' are specifically designed for items such as baskets; the bottom isn't straight, but dome-shaped. This makes the wrap conform more readily to the shape of a basket. Arrange your gift items attractively in the basket, then lower the basket into the bag, so that the bottom of the basket is in the bottom of the bag - that is, don't pull the bag on over the basket with the opening at the bottom. Twist the bag closed and secure tightly with tape. You can disguise the tape later with a ribbon with a big bow.
Now you need to heat the bag to cause it to shrink. You can use a home hairdryer for this purpose, but it will take quite a while. A craft heat gun, such as is used for embossing, will shrink the wrap much faster, but you must be careful with it and not linger too long over any one spot. A heat gun is much hotter than a hair dryer and if you bring the gun too close to the wrap, you can burn a hole in it. The gun heats as you use it, so the longer it is running, the hotter (up to a point) it gets. Therefore a distance from gun to wrap that was safe when you began to shrink may be too close after a minute or two.
Be careful to avoid heating the part of the bag that is above the tape, the gathered bit that stands straight up. Since all the wrap will shrink, heating the top will cause it to shrivel down into a mass of gummy strings and look very unattractive. Shield the top of the bag with your hand as you run the heat over the bag below the tape.
Move the gun from side to side and up and down over the basket, then pick the basket up and shrink the bottom part as well. The wrap will have little 'waves' in it as it shrinks; when completely shrunk, the surface will be taut and shiny. When the material is completely taut over the entire surface, stop heating it - further shrinking will cause the bag to split. Now you can put ribbons or bows around the tape, or attach a card.
