How to Create Gift Baskets

A gift basket is a unique way to present your token of love and friendship. Because the gift is part of the wrap, the presentation is important. This article will guide you step by step; and the pictures will give you some ideas for creating your own fun presents - gift baskets!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Basket or other cute container
• Filler material
• Items to make up the gift
• A little time
• A little creativity

1. 

   Gift Baskets can be as simple or as elaborate as your budget and creativity allow. You can make a relatively cheap gift basket, or go over the top with expensive ingredients. Regardless of the contents of the basket, the love & artistry will become part of the gift. The Gift Basket Is The Gift, too!

2. 
   75% off After Easter Sale cute basket!

   Choose your basket. You may have baskets around your home, or hit a sale at a craft store for inexpensive baskets. After-Easter sales are great for picking up unique baskets and colored Easter basket grass (both shredded plastic & paper)for a really cheap price. Any ribbon, filler, decorations should complement the color theme of the gift itself. While you're shopping think of other special occasions are upcoming that would make for fun baskets: teachers gifts, Mother's Day gift, Father's Day gift, hostess gift. These festive baskets can be very inexpensive presents so think ahead!

3. 
   Summer Party Theme - complete with windsock & margarita mix!

   Choose the contents. Will you have a theme gift basket: Wine gift basket, Fruit gift basket, Chocolate gift basket, Italian gift basket ... what is your pleasure? Will the gift be for a special occasion: A Birthday Gift Basket, a Christmas Gift Basket, a New Baby Gift Basket? Once you decide these things, you're ready to begin construction of your beautiful gift basket.

4. 

   Choose the arrangement. Once you have your contents, you should begin to arrange in the basket. If you want to build it up higher, use crumpled paper or newspaper in the bottom of the basket, and put the filler on top. This will help you when you nestle items down in the basket, and makes it look more bountiful! For a movie pass theme gift, it would be fun to pop popcorn and use it as the filler.

5. 

   Choose the wrapping. Ribbons, shells, silk flowers .... what do you have around the house that would adorn your gift basket? Use the pictures in this article to give you some ideas. Once you have filled your basket, and decorated it, you're ready to present it! I don't prefer to shrink-wrap, but if you are mailing your gift basket, it will help lessen the shifting of the contents.

6. 

   More ideas for baskets - They don't have to be elaborate. What about a small basket with an assortment of Yankee Candle tarts? Or a favorite candy? If you think carefully about the gift recipient and shop sales and/or include homemade items, you can create inexpensive anniversary, inexpensive birthday, inexpensive holiday gifts galore! And imagine ... what if you could keep Christmas inexpensive? What a fun idea!

Tips & Warnings

• Use what you have around the house! Repurposing is a great way to clean your closets, and keep your gift costs under control.
• Include a combination of purchased and homemade items. This is particularly effective in your food baskets.
• As you are assembling your gift basket, watch the cost. You should keep track of the total of the items you're including in the basket. You will get carried away, and pretty soon you'll have a very expensive gift!

Resources

• How to Make Christmas Inexpensive

[patsnyder]

on 11/15/2009 I have always admired gift basket and now maybe I can try making one myself. Thanks for the tips. 5* & rec

[riefderrico]

on 9/27/2009 Great Christmas present ideas!