How to Keep Everything From Falling Out of Gift Baskets

Balance and aesthetic value combine to create a secure gift basket.

Gift baskets are an ideal way to give someone a variety of personalized items as a gift. The basket provides an attractive centerpiece for presenting these gift items. Since gift baskets typically include many items, keeping those items in place so they don't fall out of the basket during transport is important. By arranging the items creatively and integrating materials that act as support as well as decoration, you can fill a basket to the top and still keep the gifts from spilling over.

Things You'll Need

• Tissue paper
• Grass stuffing
• Cellophane wrapping

Instructions

1. Place a layer of grass stuffing around the bottom of the basket, about 2 or 3 inches deep. This is the type of grass used for Easter baskets, but it comes in a variety of colors and can be used any time of the year. It makes a strong base for supporting the items you'll be placing in the gift basket.

2. Place colorful tissue paper in the basket. Press the tissue paper down to form an indentation for seating your gift items. Bring the tissue paper up around the edges of the basket to add some additional height to the basket itself. This can be used as support for lighter gift items.

3. Arrange the gift items in the basket for balance. Seat heavier items toward the center of the basket and place smaller items around those heavier items for support. Angle taller items so the heavier base of those items are toward the center and the tops of the items can rest against the side of the basket for support.

4. Wrap a colorful piece of cellophane wrapping around the top of the basket and staple the cellophane so it encases the entire contents. Staple the cellophane in place or tuck it down into the sides of the basket to enure the contents are secured. It can also be wrapped around the basket from the bottom up and held on with tape, ribbon or a bow. Transparent colorful cellophane wrapping serves a duel purpose because it accomplishes the job of keeping everything in place while adding color and allowing the items inside to be seen.

Tips & Warnings

• Other ideas for wrapping a gift basket include patterned fabrics or even a baby blanket in the case of a baby shower gift basket.

References

• Homemade Gift Guru: Instructions for Making a Gift Basket
• About Gift Baskets: Gift Basket Basics