How to Take a Gift Basket to Your Host

Gift baskets bring the best elements of gift giving together: color, variety and surprise. Be creative and put your own personal sparkle on each basket.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Gift Ribbons
• Ribbons
• Tissue Paper
• Cookbooks
• Gift Cards
• Baskets
• Cellophane Gift Wrap
• Gift Bags
• Gift Bows
• Wrapping Paper
• Wines
• Acid-free Tissue Paper
• Wine Bottle Openers
• Tissue paper

1. Reflect upon the personal style and interests of your host.

2. Decide upon a theme. If the host is a gourmet cook, create a cooking theme. For a stressed-out host, consider a relaxation theme.

3. 

   Purchase several small gifts that fit your theme. Small soaps, lotions, candles and bath salts fit a relaxation basket, while miniature olive oils, herbs, spices and condiments fit a gourmet cooking basket.

4. 

   Purchase a sturdy basket with plenty of room to fit all of your little treasures.

5. 

   Fill the gift basket with cellophane Easter grass, shredded colored paper stuffing or crumpled tissue paper.

6. Organize the gifts on top of the basket stuffing in an aesthetically pleasing and balanced arrangement.

7. Wrap the gift basket in colored cellophane wrap or gift wrap. Use an extra-large piece, and wrap it up from the bottom of the basket, tying it with a brightly colored ribbon at the top.

8. Present the gift basket to your host immediately upon arriving at the party, while extending your gratitude for the invitation.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider creative host themes for your basket: a cocktail party theme with olives, toothpicks and martini glasses, or a party planning theme with boxed invitations, an appetizer cookbook, a bottle of wine and after-dinner mints.