Best Gift Basket Ideas

Any occasion is an opportunity for a basket filled with goodies for the lucky recipient. Whether you order a basket or fill one yourself, the results are sure to please.

Many companies offer gift baskets through their web sites. Food sites, such as Wolfermans, Hickory Farms, Harry and David, or the Honeybaked Ham Company are just a few that offer everything from breakfast foods, to cheese and sausage snacks, and on to dinners and desserts. Prices and basket size vary, and usually can be mailed out to any place in the continental United States.

Sweet baskets, filled with chocolates, cookies or other treats are another food basket idea. Romance a lover with a basket from Godiva Chocolates; send a gift basket of Mrs. Fields Cookies to thank a teacher; or congratulate your friend with a popular cookie bouquet from Gourmet Cookie Bouquet or Cookie by Design.

College students love to get care packages anytime; however, sending out a gift basket filled with healthy snacks during exam time is especially appreciated.

For the wine connoisseur, a basket filled with local or imported red, white, or bubbly, is certain to bring a smile to the recipient’s face. The basket can be as simple or as elaborate as your budget allows. If creating your own, throw in a fancy bottle cork, glasses, wine glass jewelry, and a corkscrew to complete the gift.

Nonfood gift baskets vary as much as the items inside the package can. Here are some of the ideas for a company delivered, or personally created, gift basket:

New moms-create a spa package filled with a loofah sponge, bath oils or shower gels, a bath pillow, along with candles, a relaxing cd, and finally, a gift certificate to a local massage clinic.

New dads can celebrate with a book or two on fatherhood, as well as some gag gifts for diaper duty: a nose plug and rubber gloves.

Newlyweds: send a gourmet food filled picnic basket for an evening at an outdoor concert. Throw in two tickets and a bottle of wine for a romantic evening under the stars.

Baby gift baskets speak for themselves. These can include a health basket filled with thermometer, lotions, nail clippers, a baby care book, and a baby monitor. Another baby basket idea is the bath theme: baby bath products, towel and washcloth, and not to forget, the rubber ducky.

Gift baskets are a wonderful way to pull together a fund raising party. Advertise your organizations event with a prearranged theme party. Then, have participating members create, (or purchase), a room full of baskets of various sizes. Then, have a silent auction where people will place their bids or raffle the baskets off. It is a fun way to get creative while earning money for your cause.

Sometimes you will get the exact results you want by designing your own gift basket. Only you know the specific taste of the person who will get your gift. Where to go for supplies?

1. Start with selecting a basket from a craft store, such as Michael’s.

2. Have the items to be placed in the basket already set aside to ensure a proper fit.

3. Decide on the right wrap for your basket: colored cellophane, net, or ribbon.

4. Add a filler on the bottom of the basket to ‘nest’ in your gifts, such as shredded tissue.

When you are completely satisfied with your materials then assemble the basket, enclose it, secure a bow and add a gift card. Your loved one will enjoy the gift basket even more knowing it was designed by you.