By
eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Ribbons (optional)
- Greeting Cards
- Baskets
- Cellophane Gift Wrap (optional)
- Assorted Teas
- Baked Goods
- Crackers
- Dried Fruits
- Fresh Fruit
- Mini Juice Boxes
- Nuts
- Ready-to-eat Puddings
- Small Portions Of Favorite Foods
- Freezer Containers
- Pet Food (optional)
- Gift Certificates
- Shredded-paper Filling
Choosing the Gifts and Basket
Step1
Cook small portions of your friend's favorite meal and put them into freezer dishes. Upon arriving at the home, put them into the freezer and let the person know they're there.
Step2
Select other foods from items such as the following: ready-to-eat puddings, assorted teas, dried fruits, fresh fruits, baked goods, nuts, crackers, and mini-containers of juices.
Step3
Include small cans of pet food and small bags of pet snacks if animals are part of the household.
Step4
Pick a basket style. Choose from 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.
Step5
Select a natural wicker basket for its neutral color.
Step6
Use shredded paper filling to make the gifts fit snugly in the basket.
Step7
Buy a simple, but heartfelt sympathy card.
Packing the Basket
Step1
It is not necessary to wrap each individual gift since you are not preparing for a celebratory occasion.
Step2
Put a layer of shredded paper filling in the bottom of the basket.
Step3
Place the gifts vertically or horizontally in the basket, as space allows, pushing the filling between gifts to ensure a very snug fit.
Step4
Optional: 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. 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 ribbon.
Step5
Tape your sympathy card to the wrap.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Include items that quickly run out when a sudden group assembles. Kleenex (the small purse packs are even better), toilet tissue (that really is appreciated!), paper napkins or paper towels, mints (Tic-Tacs are great because people can have them in their mouth without a cheek full) and chewing gum are welcome. Pop, juice and bite size snacks are good. Homemade cookies, Chex mix, mini candy bars or candy kisses are good items, especially if kids are around, and nibble foods that are good for you. Maybe a relish tray, so they eat something healthy to keep them going during their stressful period. Usually I give things that aren't quickly perishable and need refrigeration, as they probably have tons of that already. If they don't need it or don't use it immediately, it will keep and be welcome to use later.