How to Create a Gift Basket for a Book Lover

It is easy to create a custom gift basket for a book lover. Just select a variety of items that the bookworm will appreciate and pack them into a specially chosen decorative basket.

Things You'll Need

• Ribbons
• Slippers
• Greeting Cards
• Baskets
• Bookends
• Cellophane Gift Wrap
• Clip-on Book Light
• Neck Pillows
• Wrapping Paper
• Assorted Teas
• Flavored Coffees
• Large Coffee Mugs
• Magazine Subscriptions
• Gift Certificates
• Shredded-paper Filling

Instructions

Choosing the Gifts and Basket

1. 

   Select new best-sellers or books and magazines related to the book lover's hobbies and interests. Other possible gift items include large coffee mugs, flavored coffee, a variety of teas, comfy slippers, an assortment of decorative bookmarks, neck pillows (great to use while reading) and bookends.

2. Pick a basket style. Your choices include baskets with one handle, with two side handles, or without handles. Make certain the basket is large enough to hold the gifts you have selected.

3. 

   Decide on the color of the basket by choosing one that complements the book lover's home decor. If in doubt, choose a neutral color by selecting a natural wicker basket.

4. 

   Use shredded paper filling to make the gifts fit snugly in the basket.

5. Buy a humorous greeting card.

Packing the Basket

1. Wrap each present with colorful gift wrap.

2. Put a layer of shredded paper filling on the bottom of the basket.

3. Place the wrapped gifts vertically or horizontally in the basket, as space allows, pushing the filling between gifts to ensure a very snug fit. Cover some of the gifts completely with the filling to create mini surprises when the basket is unpacked.

4. Place the basket in the center of a large piece of clear or tinted cellophane gift wrap. You may need two pieces of the wrap to completely cover a large basket.

5. Bring all sides of the wrap to a few inches above the top of the basket. Secure the wrap by tying it with a long, colorful ribbon.

6. Tape your greeting card onto the wrap.

Tips & Warnings

• Spend as much or as little as you want. Even a small gift basket will be appreciated if it contains items the recipient will like to use.

• Remember that the basket will be reused in the home. Look for unusual baskets in arts and crafts stores.

• Find colorful shredded paper filling in arts and crafts stores.