How to Create a Gift Basket for Someone Who Is Mourning

A person who is grieving needs to know that friends still care. Create a gift basket filled with small portions of simple, comforting foods and deliver it as a gift that is secondary to your company. Both will be appreciated.

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

Instructions

Choosing the Gifts and Basket

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Include small cans of pet food and small bags of pet snacks if animals are part of the household.

4. 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.

5. Select a natural wicker basket for its neutral color.

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

7. Buy a simple, but heartfelt sympathy card.

Packing the Basket

1. It is not necessary to wrap each individual gift since you are not preparing for a celebratory occasion.

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

3. Place the gifts vertically or horizontally in the basket, as space allows, pushing the filling between gifts to ensure a very snug fit.

4. 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.

5. Tape your sympathy card to the wrap.