Instructions for making professional looking gift baskets including themes, basket alternatives, different fillers, even wraps, and new ideas.
Gift baskets are a popular gift to give for many different occasions, from Christmas, to birthdays, even as an employee incentive. While someone could just grab any old basket and fill with a few assorted items, and call it a gift basket, a little bit of thought and planning can turn this handcrafted idea into a gift that appears as if it were assembled by a professional.
Five simple things are needed to make the basket:
Theme
Container
Fill
Contents
Wrap (Including bow or ribbon)
So as not to be confused, why have I listed fill and contents? The fill is the material that "˜takes up space' in the basket. The contents are exactly what they sound like. The first decision is of course the theme of the overall gift. The second step is deciding on the contents of the basket. After this is decided, the container needs to be decided on. The fill comes next, and then the final touch is the wrapping of the whole design.
Let us look at the theme. Who is the basket for? A new mother, your boss, the babysitter? After the theme is decided, one main item should be picked out. This does not necessarily mean the most expensive item, but the biggest. If your basket will contain only smaller items, and there is no large item to use as the central item, still think of the view and compromise: stack up several of the smaller items to give "˜height' to the basket. Essentially, as you assemble your basket, keep in mind the visual aspects of it. After this, several other items that will go well with the first need to be decided on. Remember that the fun of a gift basket is that it is more than just a single gift!
Fill should compliment the contents as much as possible. Paper is the most common choice, and access to a paper shredder is an absolute necessity if you will be making several baskets. There are shredders available for less than $20 at many office-supply stores. Other products can be used though, dependent on the theme of the basket. Moss is an excellent choice for a gardener's basket, yarn and fabric scrap, mixed among paper is an interesting fill for a craft or sewers basket. Shredded brown paper would be nice for a coffee theme basket, but not very fitting for a new mother's gift. Shredded comics are an excellent choice for a teen's basket, but not what you would want for a professional basket for the boss. The grass you find on store shelves at Easter, available in an array of colors and even metallic, can be used for many baskets, from a wedding to a bath basket. Use your imagination when it comes to the fill, and you will surely come up with an unusual, but complimentary fill.
The basket or container is often the last item decided. If you pick out the basket first, you run the risk of having not enough or too much contents, in relationship to the size of the basket. Wicker or woven baskets are always a good choice. Wrapped boxes are a good, inexpensive alternative, just make sure that the wrapping paper fits the theme! On the other hand, your gift basket may not even be a basket. A basket for the new mother could be a baby carrier. One intended for a teenager could be a character garbage can or for a smaller basket, a soft-sided CD storage-case. A kitchen theme basket could be a strainer. Again, keep in mind the main theme, and go from there.
The final step, while not a major assembly factor, should also be concluded with care. After all the time taken in putting the gift together, you most likely will want o be able to view the contents. Clear or light colored cellophane is the usual choice. It also is available with small prints, and if the print fits the theme, that is a good alternative. Occasionally, you may not want the contents visible, and in these cases, fabric is your best choice. Paper is not a good idea, as the unusual shapes that go along with a basket usually will allow the paper to tear easily. The one other error I see many people do in this step, is to not use enough of the wrapping material they choose! Make sure that the length of cellophane or fabric is sufficient. Set the basket or container in the middle of the material, pull up to the top, and tie together first with a tie or string to secure. Finish off with a big bow or curly ribbon, again, make sure it is complimentary to the rest of the gift.
Some ideas to get you started:
New Mother's Basket: Teddy bear, surrounded by washcloths, bottles, pacifiers, lotions, baby journal book, onesies, etc.
Computer Lover Basket: Stack of CD's or floppies, container of anti-static wipes, magazine or two, game or a fun new screensaver, new mouse, wrist rest, ream of decorative paper for the printer,
Coffee Basket: Fresh or ground coffee, oversized mug, spoon, packs of flavored creamers, coffee recipe book, decorative decanter to hold coffee, coffee grinder
Tea Basket: Loose tea, tea bags, infuser, oversized mug, spoon, cup warmer, decorative teapot, miniature teapot, porcelain teabag holder, tins for holding tea
Bath Time Luxury for Two: Rolled up bath sheets, lotions, champagne, champagne glasses, candles, scented bubble bath
Grandparent Basket: Photo album with photos included, book of special interest (gardening, fishing, craft, etc.) tickets to a show and gift certificate to a favorite restaurant
Budding Artiste Basket: (My favorite!) Roll of paper, markers, paints, clay, pencils, assorted beads, string, and fancy edge scissors; paint smock, and beret style artsy hat can also be a fun addition
