How to Create Themed Holiday Gift Baskets

Gift baskets offer something for just about everyone on your holiday list, from picky relatives to casual acquaintances. With the fun of opening the many gifts included in a basket, plus attractive containers that can be re-used throughout the year, these gourmet gift baskets will be appreciated long after the holidays are over.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Wicker basket or other decorative container
• Tissue paper
• Filler
• Bottles of wine or sparkling cider
• Wine glasses or coffee mugs
• Spa items or candles
• Small traditional holiday elements
• Jarred preserves or sauces
• Snacks
• Dry mixes
• Coffee or tea
• Sheet of cellophane or cellophane bag
• Wired ribbon

1. Decide who you want to give the basket to, and how many you will need to make. Also, determine whether the basket will be hand-delivered or shipped to the recipient's home or office.
2. Choose a holiday theme. Although a traditional wicker basket is the most popular, you can also use a decorative box or other re-usable container for cooking, storage or decoration. Coordinate a holiday color scheme, and if possible, try to match your basket to the recipient's tastes.
3. Buy materials. Purchase filler, ribbons and tissue paper at dollar stores and discount craft stores. Shop high-end gourmet and upscale import stores for non-perishable food items.
4. Arrange all basket contents. Cover blocks of florist's foam with tissue paper, and place them at the bottom for stabilizing items. Put larger and heavier items such as bottles of wine or sparkling cider angled near the back, gourmet items in the front, fitting smaller items such as cookies, crackers and candies throughout. Make the basket look as full as possible.
5. Make adjustments. Make sure all labels show, and the weight is balanced. Secure all items with a small amount of double-sided tape, then surround with shredded or crumpled paper filler to cover any blank spaces.
6. Wrap with either a sheet or bag of cellophane. Place basket onto the cellophane sheet or carefully lower the filled basket into the bottom of the bag. Gather the cellophane into one-inch pleats all the way around and tie a bow around the top with wired ribbon.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are creating a lot of baskets, make them assembly-line style.
• Only include items with a shelf life of 12 months or more.
• Never place scented spa items like candles, potpourri or sachets in the same basket as food.
• Chocolates can melt in warmer climates, or even in winter if they're near a fireplace or in a trunk of a car too long.
• Be sensitive to other religious traditions when choosing a holiday theme.