Things You'll Need:
- 1 or more bags of gourmet coffee
- 1 gift basket (or large container
- coffee mug (optional)
- coffee stirrers or swizzle sticks (optional)
- wafers or shortbread cookies (optional)
- cellophane (optional)
- ribbon (optional)
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Step 1
Choose a theme. The theme for this gift basket is gourmet coffee. If you know your recipients favorite type(s) of coffee, then you can buy these and perhaps add in a new type of coffee that your recipient may not be familiar with for variety. If you don’t know your recipient’s favorite type of coffee and want to keep your gift a secret, then don’t worry – there are plenty of types of coffee to choose from. In this case, include a sample of blends (you might vary blends according roast and acidity, for example) in the basket.
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Step 2
Choose the coffee. Coffee strengths are generally rated mild, medium, and strong according to acidity. Decaffeinated (or decaf) coffee beans have had the caffeine removed. You may want to provide a mix of different coffee strengths (including decaf) in your basket. Examples of each type of coffee include: Sumatran (generally low acidity), Kenya AA (medium-high acidity), and Jamaican blue mountain (medium acidity). Roasts, such as French and Italian, provide full-body flavor and are ideal for making espresso. Flavored coffees – such as vanilla or hazelnut, are often mild to medium in acidity and can also be found in decaf versions.
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Step 3
Decide to buy whole beans or pre-ground coffee. When purchasing coffee by the bag or pound, you will often have the choice of buying pre-ground or whole beans. Remember that whole beans will require your gift recipient to have a coffee grinder to process the beans prior to use. If you wish to have the beans ground before you add them to the gift basket, coffee vendors are usually happy to prepare ground beans for you at the time of purchase. Ask that the vendor grind the beans for an “automatic drip” – it is likely that your gift recipient’s kitchen will feature an automatic drip coffee maker.
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Step 4
Decide if you want to add extras. Extra items might include a coffee mug; after coffee mints; chocolate-, sugar-, or honey-coated coffee stirrers (or “swizzle sticks”); wafers; and shortbread cookies.
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Step 5
Choose a basket for the coffee. Baskets and containers can be found at hobby stores, home furnishing stores, and at large discount retailers. Be creative – other containers, such as large bowls, toy wagons, buckets, over-sized mugs, and decorative boxes can also be used to create a “gift basket.” Fill the basket with a colorful material, such as shredded paper or a cloth napkin, to add visual interest.
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Step 6
Assemble each of the items in a pleasing arrangement. Tape, glue, or florist's wire (often found in hobby stores or in the hobby sections of large retailers) may be used to hold the arrangement in place. You may wish to fill the basket so that it gives the appearance of being overstuffed. Gourmet coffee gift baskets can be wrapped in clear or colored cellophane and tied with ribbon to create an elegant finishing touch. Article text © 2009 by urbandill. All rights reserved
