Homemade Gift Basket Ideas for Valentines Day for Women
Whether a relationship is many years old or recently born, Valentine's Day is the ultimate test. After Christmas, stores strip down the tinsel and ornaments, only to replace them with heart-shaped balloons, cards with cute teddy bears and boxes of chocolates for the one you love. For months, customers are bombarded with these items in every store they walk into.
The two most important qualities a partner can show on Valentine's Day are uniqueness and thoughtfulness. Whether or not the holiday itself holds importance, Valentine's Day is a good day to showcase these qualities - especially when women can compare notes on what their special someone gave them.
While a box of chocolates or a bouquet of roses is sweet and would earn the the status of both "thoughtful" and "unique" on any other day of the year, on Valentine's Day these gifts are "just alright." A girl wants to feel special, to know that her special someone cares about her and thinks about her. What better way to show her than to customize a gift basket?
Gift baskets are unique, show that you're thinking about her, and are fun to make. On the upside, they're not as expensive as store-bought balloons, roses, chocolates or cards (for which the prices spike during February). There are a lot of options for gift baskets, and creativity is the keyword when you set out to make one.
It's a good idea for gift baskets to have a theme. Some examples of interesting themes are: sweets, spa day, relationship in a box, books...the options really are endless.
First, think about what your girl is interested in. Then consider everything that fits this theme. For example, if you pick spa day, gather soaps, shampoos, loofahs, bath salts, bubble bath and different scented candles. Candles go along with almost any theme and are perfect for a gift basket.
If your woman is a bookworm, you could even go to used bookstores and pick out a variety for her to peruse. For this theme you could find or make some awesome bookmarks, and find a blanket for her to cuddle up when reading. A good idea is to include a homemade book among the books you buy. For example, if you have a photo album lying around that you don't use, find pictures of you and her, stick them in, and write little captions. If you've only just started dating and don't have any pictures, draw a comic of your relationship on blank cue cards (also with captions), and do the same.
A lot of women love it when their guy shows a sentimental side, and the gift theme perfect for this would be "your relationship." If you've collected little things, like concert stubs, movie tickets to movies that you saw together, put them in her gift basket! Even if you don't have any of these things, reflect on your relationship and on the things you do together. Is there a special restaurant where you met? Ask them for a menu. Think about the kinds of little things that are special to both you and her. Write little notes on each item - she will treasure these forever.
One idea, that takes a rather long time to make, but would fit into any gift basket, is a jar of memories. Obtain a clean and clear jar, and some construction paper, and if you'd like, googly eyes. Make the jar look like a teddy bear by sticking on ears out of construction paper, eyes, and a bow around its neck (maybe a button for a nose). Then on little slips of paper write funny, memorable, or loving moments that you've shared with her. Fold them, and fill the jar with them. Tell her she can only open one each day.
Now that you have your theme picked out and all your items gathered, it's time for the most important part. Packaging! The best way to package a gift basket is to get a nice plate or a basket of some sort, some clear cellophane, and a large bow. Arrange all the items on the plate, and put it in the middle of a huge piece of cellophane. Gather the ends of the cellophane up at the top of the pile of items, and tie the ends together with a piece of ribbon. Voila! A lovely, thoughtful and unique gift that is sure to touch a woman's heart.
