How to Create a Gift Basket for a Traveler

You can easily create a custom gift basket for a harried traveler. Just choose items that will bring your friend some comforts of home in other locales.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Gift Ribbons
• Quiet Travel Alarm Clocks
• Ribbons
• Tissue Paper
• Black Umbrellas With Slender Handle
• Foot-massaging Slippers
• Travel Pillows
• Bon Voyage Greeting Cards
• AM/FM Radios
• Personal Stereos
• Travel Adapters And Converters Or Converter
• Baskets
• Cellophane Gift Wrap
• Gift Bags
• Gift Bows
• Wrapping Paper
• Aspirins
• First Aid Kits
• Hair Conditioners
• Hair Spray
• Mouthwash
• Shampoos For Normal Hair
• Toothpaste
• Gift Certificates
• Shredded-paper Filling
• Tissue paper

Choosing the Gifts and Basket

1. Think small ' not in quantity, but in terms of gift size. Suitcases can accommodate only so much.

2. Find out if your friend already has a UL-approved electric adapter/converter and a computer surge protector for international travel. If not, consider buying one or both.

3. 

   Buy the following in mini sizes at your local drug store: shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, toothpaste, mouthwash, headache medication and a basic medical kit.

4. Select soft, foot-massaging slippers that can easily slip into a stuffed suitcase.

5. Include a black folding umbrella with a slender handle. Rain happens when you least expect it.

6. Consider an inflatable neck pillow for use on planes, trains and buses.

7. 

   Pick a small alarm clock and make certain that it doesn't tick loudly.

8. Choose a mini AM/FM radio and include several sets of batteries. Your friend can use it to relax outdoors anywhere in the world. Some models also play tapes. If the one you buy does, include some relaxation tapes or favorites of the traveler.

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

10. 

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

11. 

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

12. Buy a suitable greeting card.

Packing the Basket

1. Wrap each present with a 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.

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.