Themed Gift Baskets
Thanksgiving is a time filled with family, sharing and giving thanks for all that we have. Giving a gift basket to someone is a great way to give thanks, say you care or just to say you are thinking of them. Is there a better time of year to do this then when we all are sharing the holiday season?
Buying baskets can be expensive so how about this year you make your own? The sky is the limit and other then a few rules you can make any type of basket you want.
Rule # 1- Have a container to place your items in.
Rule # 2- Wrap everything up with pretty paper, cellophane and a ribbon or bow.
That's it! The rest is up to you, let your imagination run wild. Since baskets are normally put together by theme, there are several ideas below to get your started but don't be limited to them, create your own or combine some of the ideas. Don't be limited to the typical Thanksgiving or autumn type items, as long as the contents are geared to the person receiving the basket you will be sure to please.
Place the items in a roasting pan, add poultry seasoning, canned sweet potatoes, marshmallows, canned fried onion rings, nuts, canned ham, caned cranberries, a bread mix and a gift card for the area grocery store.
Place gourmet pancake or waffle mix inside. Add specialty coffees, flavored sugars, hot coco mixes, small bag of marshmallows, mugs and a good maple syrup.
Use gourmet pasta and sauces. Mixed seasonings, a bread mix, bread sticks and a bottle of wine, a corkscrew, wine glasses and a cookbook. Instead of using a basket what about large pasta bowl?
THE SPA BASKET
Use scented candles, lotions, massage oils, aromatherapy eye patches, a bath sponge, bath pillow and a face or body mask. Adding some slippers and a robe is a nice touch too.
Use movie tickets, restaurant gift certificate, massage oil, bottle of wine and if they have kids, a coupon for babysitting, if it's for your spouse, pre-arranged babysitting works.
FAMILY FUN BASKET:
Use DVD's, popcorn, and a board game for the family to play, candy and other snacks.
GUYS BASKET:
Add tickets to a game or a sporting magazine, jersey from the team they like, tools and coffee mug.
Caned ham, cheeses, crackers, mustards, breadsticks, pasta and sauce, game the family can play together, grocery store gift card and even a restaurant or movie certificate is nice.
FALL AND AUTUMN THEMED BASKET.
Place the items in a large fruit bowl and add apples, pears, oranges, pumpkin muffin mix, caned pumpkin, spice scented candles, cinnamon sticks and scented pine cones.
Try mixing up the containers as well, it doesn't always have to be a basket, in addition to the ideas listed above, how about a large flowerpot for the gardener or a football helmet for the sports nut. When the basket is geared to the person and their likes or hobbies, they will know you put a lot of thought into it.
The idea is there really are no rules, well, except for the two listed above, so have fun. Don't forget friends and family far away. The baskets can be boxed up and shipped out from the post office or any one of the mail or express companies.
