How to Make Valentines Day Gifts-The Chocolate Lover's Basket

Since our economy has stretched everyone's budget to the limit today, many of us are looking for alternatives to extravagant Valentines Day gifts. However, we still want to give gifts that come from the heart! These baskets are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of the person who receives them! They will not break the budget either!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Basket
• Paper stuffing
• Basket Shred
• Jello or candy molds
• Plastic spoons
• Coffee Beans
• Hot Chocolate
• Coffee Mug
• Semi Sweet Chocolate Morsels
• Stuffed Bear
• Shrink Wrap
• Bow

1. Gift baskets are easy to make if you know a few secrets. While they look like they took a lot of time and effort to make, only you know the difference! First you will need to decide what types of candy confections you would like to include in your basket. Depending on the person who they are intended for, pick your favorite recipe or just make some melted confections which will be discussed in step 2. Prepare the basket by placing paper stuffing until it is 1 inch below the top of the basket, finish filling with basket shred.

2. Place the molds on the counter. Heart shape molds are great for these! Place semi sweet chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler. Melt completely and pour the melted chocolate into the molds. Allow to cool. Remove from molds and wrap individually. Dip plastic spoons into the chocolate to cover the rounded spoon part. Place on a piece of wax paper and allow to dry.

3. Place a stuffed bear in the back of the basket holding a coffee cup with the coffee beans inside. Have the chocolate spoons placed in the cup or next to it wrapped in plastic. Place the chocolate candies around on each side of the bear to cover the bottom of the basket. Place the entire basket inside a basket bag or shrink wrap and heat with a blow dryer. Attach a bow and you are finished!

Tips & Warnings

• Jello Molds are inexpensive molds that can make excellent candies. These can be purchased on Ebay or in many stores.
• Chocolate flavored coffee beans are great for this basket. Hot chocolate mix may be substituted if the person is not a coffee drinker.
• Any recipe for home made chocolate candy can be used for this basket. Candies can be made and displayed in the basket instead of the confections used above or can be added to the basket.
• Heart shaped molds are excellent for these baskets
• Cover candies with either red or silver foils for a great visual impact in the basket
• Use oven mitts or pot holders when handling hot chocolate.

[hlthychoclitnut]

on 12/29/2008 I would really like to make An Inexpensive Chocolate Lover's Basket it sounds like fun. And I LUV chocolate.

[Alishamitchum]

on 12/13/2008 Sounds wonderful

[lacurcio]

on 12/8/2008 As a chocolate lover, I strongly agree with these ideas :) Wonderful!

[Pamelateda]

on 12/7/2008 Can I make one for me to keep too? Great idea, thanks!

[Inkling]

on 12/5/2008 This is a Christmas gift I would love to have! Or give.