ALT-1 Unique Items to Include in a Thanksgiving Gift Basket
There is probably not a better time to give someone a gift basket than Thanksgiving. This holiday season, a gift basket to that special someone you know might be just the way to say, "I'm thankful for you." With that in mind, take the word THANKS and fill a basket with one item for each letter. Here are some suggestions:
- For an Elderly Person...Tea - Include a nice assortment of individually-wrapped flavored tea bags.Hot Hands - These are great little "warmers" for seniors to slip in their pocket on a cold autumn day.Apples - If your senior has trouble eating apples, choose something made with apples.Nuts - Choose something flavored with nutmeg if you know your senior can't have nuts.Keri Lotion - Most elderly persons need skin moisturizer, and this is a nice one!Slipper socks - These are great way to keep warm AND safe!
- For a Woman...Talcum powder - Choose something gently scented and nicer than just baby powder.Hand lotion - Pick a small tube that fits in a purse easily... in a great scent!Anti-static cling spray - Most discount stores carry travel-sized cans of this... great for the purse!Nail polish - What woman doesn't appreciate a nice bottle of good clear polish!Knee-high socks or stockings - Again, these are a useful item.Soap - Choose one that is nicely scented or a specialty bar. Nice soap makes a great stocking stuffer, too!* For a Man...Tape measure - Pick a small, pocket-sized version.Handkerchief - Every man needs at least a couple of nice hankies.Address book - A pocket-sized address book might come in handy!Note pad - Everyone needs to jot down notes, and not everyone has a Blackberry!Key ring - Did you ever know a man who didn't have dozens of keys?!Socks - Everyone likes a nice new pair of socks.
- For a Teenager...Tickets to a movie or event - This would be a great gift and an allowance saver!Hand sanitizer - With flu outbreaks and other germs, this is great for the pocket!Alarm clock - Most kids could use one of these!Notebook - Doesn't everyone love new notebooks?Key ring - Kids have keys, too!Socks - Again, pick out a fun pair - or something soft and snuggly.
- For a Young Child...Toy - Pick a small, fun item that won't break the bank.Honey Grahams - Kids love graham crackers, and these are bear-shaped!Apple - Most kids love apples, especially if Mom peels it and dips it in peanut butter!New crayons - EVERYONE loves new crayons!Krispie treats - These now come ready-made in the cookie aisle!Sketch pad - Kids love to doodle... give them a small pad they can carry with them in the car or to church!
- For the Cook...Tomatoes - Select a gourmet variety, or maybe a nice bag of sun-dried tomatoes.Hot mustard - There are many mustards on the market today... choose one that is hot and spicy!Artichokes (canned) - Include a recipe for hot artichoke dip!Nuts - Pick out something a little extraordinary - pistachios, maybe?Kale - This could serve as a gift AND the decoration in the bottom of the container!Spices - Think whole nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, pickling spice, whole sage, and other seasonal spices.
Keep the items small and fairly inexpensive. If desired, gift wrap each one individually. Creative containers finish the gift. Some ideas include...
- Small baskets* A mixing bowl or cookie jar for the cook* A decorative storage container for the teens* A small galvanized bucket for the man* A mesh toy bag for the child* An inexpensive apothecary jar for the woman* A handy basket for the elderly person, or maybe even a small tote bag
Other personal touches might include little notes with each item to explain why you chose it. Perhaps a gift card could read, "Here are six reminders I give THANKS for you... and list them." The point is to make the gift personal and creative and more than "just another fruit basket" - even if that IS better than nothing. Use your imagination... maybe even think of another acronym besides THANKS... perhaps the person's name... and let the love and thankfulness flow this harvest season.
