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The Gift Basket for the Person Who Has Everything

What do you get the person who has everything? I don’t know about you, but shopping for this type of person is not an easy task. I keep thinking that there has to be something on planet earth they don’t own! That’s when I switched gears; instead of shopping for the type of present that will likely be deemed useless in the eyes of the person who has everything they need, I thought why not buy them a gift basket full of food. Food is enjoyed, consumed and best of all doesn’t collect dust or get tossed away never to be enjoyed; and that person who has everything isn’t left with a gift they can’t use.

Buying a gift basket for that difficult to shop for person think about their interests and hobbies. Try and tie their interests into the theme of the gift basket. In fact, you don’t even have to use a basket. Chances are they already have a basket anyway. Once you have one of their interests in mind, finding a gift basket to suit their needs is easy. Does your friend enjoy cooking? Use a creative container such as a mixing bowl or wooden salad bowl. Go for a decorative piece here. There’s a good chance your friend owns a mixing bowl or salad bowl, but if the one you buy can serve double duty and is unique it’ll peak their interests! Then fill up the container with high end pantry items like olive oils, spices, various flavored vinegars, and some recipes. When you have to shop for that person with everything, keep their interests in mind and you can find a gift basket worthy of their household.

Housewarming

Searching for a home and moving can be stressful and extremely rewarding. When your friends or family move into a new home you want to congratulate them on this huge step they’ve taken. What do you buy as a gift? It’s next to impossible to pick out a home accessory that you know they’ll love or need. Therefore, look to gift baskets as your gift of choice. Here are just a few examples of housewarming gift baskets sure to send a heartwarming welcome to the new homeowners.

If you want your gift to serve a more useful purpose, get a gift that will make home ownership a little easier. Any homeowner will tell you, a good set of tools is one of the single most important things to have handy. Houses require a lot of maintenance and your new homeowner friends will thank you for this one. Tools are expensive, so buy just a couple heavy hitters of the tool world like a hammer, screw driver or tape measure and then just have fun with the rest of the gift. Fill it up with hard working snacks such as nuts, dried fruits, oatmeal raisin cookies and granola bars. However, if you know your friends already have all the tools they need you can still buy a gift basket with a tool theme like this Handyman’s Toolbox of Treats and/or include a gift certificate to the nearest hardware store.

Another way to say congrats on the new home without all the implied hard work is with a classic wine and gourmet foods basket. Let’s face it, your friends are probably exhausted from all that unpacking and settling in they’re doing. This type of gift really let’s them unwind and enjoy their new home sweet home.

The No-work Gift for Your Boss

Oh that dreaded time of year when you are stuck shopping for a birthday gift for your boss. You walk a fine line between insulting and inappropriate if your gift is too cheap or too expensive. How do you avoid having your gift say “I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on you” or “I make too much money so I don’t need a raise.” You want to go with a gift that isn’t too highly personalized but also is not so generic. It’s times like these that we can turn to the no fail (and no work!) gift basket. They are beautifully arranged and come in so many sorts and price points. Plus they are chock full of delicious gourmet food, fruits, cookies and candy. Who wouldn’t love that? Gift baskets are also personalized without being personal. Let’s say it’s your boss’s birthday and you know he/she enjoys coffee. There are tons of choices and price points for a coffee themed gift basket. Is your boss a wine enthusiast? There are hundreds of choices when it comes to shopping for a wine gift basket. I guess the only question you need to answer is red or white.

One of the great things about shopping for a gift basket is that all the work is done for you. No overtime needed. Be sure to read reviews on the best gift baskets and you can’t fail. You can also shop by price point. Even if you settle on a $40 basket it’s going to look like a million bucks. So the next time you need to shop for your boss, don’t fret. A gift basket is there for you to say “I bought you the perfect gift” a.k.a. “I deserve a raise.”

The ‘Let’s Get Personal’ gift basket

If you’re thinking a gift basket is an impersonal gift that’s because it can be. I mean, who doesn’t like gourmet snacks or desserts? Everyone does! How do you get this seemingly impersonal gift to hit home with your recipient? First off, you want to make sure that the gift basket suits the occasion and the interests of the person you are shopping for. This way the gift will be decorated for the occasion and contain items the celebrant will enjoy. Using a birthday as an example, a gift basket can say Happy Birthday with it’s ribbons and wrapping. As for the contents suiting their interests and likes, that’s up to you to know which basket to choose. You can choose or make a basket filled with the recipients favorite movies, music, candies, snacks or gifts with their hobbies in mind.

Many gift basket companies allow you to personalize gift baskets from choosing the contents to writing messages. The Basket Tree Gift Company let’s you create a gift basket by selecting each item or mixing and matching existing gift basket creations. Other companies also allow you to create custom mugs, frames, balloons and stuffed animals to include in your gift basket. In essence a gift basket is the perfect personalized gift because you aren’t relying on one gift aiming to please. Instead you have a better chance of making someone happy with a selection of smaller gifts. So the next time you are searching for a personalized gift, consider a gift basket.

The Non-Basket Gift Basket

Just because a gift basket is called a gift ‘basket’ does not mean you are confined to using only a basket. There are tons of ways to be creative with the vessel that is delivering your gifts. If you have a gift theme in mind play off that theme while choosing the container for your gifts. Let’s say your theme is cooking, try a colander, large pot or a reusable shopping tote as your gift basket. If you’re putting together a movie gift put your gifts inside a popcorn bucket. Shopping for a baby gift? Put all those cute gifts inside a baby tub or diaper bag. Fill a classic red wagon for a kid’s birthday gift. How about an ice bucket for a wine or champagne gift? For that green thumb friend fill a tool caddy or watering can with gardening gloves, seeds and tools. Another great thing about not buying a basket is you have a better chance of finding your alternate container for your gifts right in the same store or department. You can find a diaper bag or baby tub right near all the smaller gifts you’ll be filling them with. The gift recipient also has a reason to reuse the container their gifts came in, what can be better than that? So next time you are shopping for a gift basket or making one, think outside the “basket” and try something different.

Gift Basket Design

Attack this project with a plan. Keep in mind your recipient and the occasion. Pick a theme and run with it from the contents to the container to the wrapping. Once you have the theme in mind the entire basket will fall into place. You’ll also want to be sure that the contents of your gift fit into the basket or container of your choice. A basket that’s too big or too small will look unprofessional and as if you put it together last minute. Pick one or two upscale (meaning larger or pricier) items and build around that by purchasing smaller items to compliment them. Varying the size and shape of the items in your basket will create a more aesthetically pleasing gift overall.

Another way to boost your display aesthetics are to stuff the bottom of your basket with tissue paper, packing peanuts or shredded paper. This allows you to control the height of the items in your basket as well as hold them in place. It’s also a good way to protect items that may be more fragile--items such as these are better placed in the center of your basket to provide the most support. Try to keep all the items tightly packed inside the basket. You want to have all the components inside the basket leaning on each other or the sides of the basket to ensure a secure display.

Once the arranging is done, wrapping the entire display will complete your presentation. A few options are cellophane, shrink wrap or a gift bag. You can find these wrappings at most craft stores. Finish off the look with a bow or ribbon still keeping in the theme of your gift. Designing your own gift basket can be a fun project and very rewarding when you see how pleased the recipient is!

An Introduction to a Gluten Free Gift Basket

Almost everybody can enjoy a gift basket which contains the following: cookies, crackers, pretzels, sausage and chocolates. These items may seem harmless to most, but those who suffer from celiac disease know that these items must be avoided.

Celiac disease is a condition that tears the lining of the small intestine and hinders it from absorbing parts of food which are necessary for health. The tearing of the lining is caused by gluten consumption. Gluten is a type of protein usually found in rye, wheat and barley. Hence, it can be found in most types of bread and cereals. Most people know that the likes of cookies and crackers have gluten, but some would be surprised to know that salad dressing and beer contain gluten. There are times when wheat serves as a thickener for some products, while barley malt is often used as natural flavoring.

Gluten is present in plenty of foods, but this does not mean that those with gluten intolerance cannot enjoy a gift basket with food and drinks. If you want to give a gift basket to someone who has celiac disease, then the items in the package must be gluten free. There are some gluten free gift baskets available, but if you want to be sure that the contents of the basket are really gluten free, it would be better to make your own basket. Do not forget to read the labels carefully. The products to be included should all be “gluten free.” You must know that “wheat free” is not the same as “gluten free.” There are times when the likes of barley, oats and rye are listed in the packaging as something else.

If you have to make a gluten free gift basket, you may include fresh fruits in the package. Like all vegetables, fruits are also gluten free and are packed with vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Oranges, bananas, apples, melons and pears are great choices. Dried fruits, such as raisins, can also be included. Nuts like almonds can also be included. Cheese can also be added, as long as it is not in cheese spread form. Lastly, keep an eye out for potato chips and cookies which are made without gluten; these will allow the recipient to indulge without risking his or her health.

With carefully prepared gift baskets, people need not veer away from their gluten free diets.

The Gracious Host Gift Basket

I have family all over the country; in San Francisco, Cleveland, Maryland and Virginia. As well as friends in San Diego, Chicago, and Vermont. With so much family and friends opening their doors it’s nice to be able to thank them with a gift basket. It’s unrealistic to give a large expensive gift basket to each person you stay with. So a good rule of thumb is to gauge the size and worth of your basket based on the length of your stay. If you stay will a friend for one night a bottle of wine and/or a small box of chocolates will do. If your stay is about a week long, a bottle of wine just may not cut it. In this case perhaps you’ll want to add a few more items and put them together in a nice display like a basket. If you aren’t into making your own gift basket there are so many sites that sell them. You’ll definitely be able to find a suitable option for your gracious host.

Another factor to keep in mind is how comfortable your stay was. Not to judge your family and friends on their hosting abilities--it’s not like you’re staying at a hotel! However, I’m sure you know that some people go above and beyond just providing you a bed or couch to sleep on. A gift basket, whether purchased or made by you is a great show of appreciation. Since you can always send a gift basket to your friends and family after your stay, take note of what your host may like or you think they may need. If for example they enjoy wine but perhaps don’t have some bar accessories that’s something you can include in your gift basket. Put together a basket of one or two bottles of wine and add accessories such as a drip catcher or an aerator. Whether homemade or purchased, a gift basket is a great way to say thank you.

Rustic Boards Gift Basket

While searching for some recipes I came across this site the other day for the Maple Cutting Board Gallery by Ann Thibeault. All of the boards are solid maple wood and allow the integrity of the wood shine through. Each cutting board is truly unique and is so gorgeous they can even be hung on a wall as decoration. This got me thinking that these rustic gems would be a unique addition to a gift basket. The boards come in many different sizes and thicknesses that they are ideal for several applications and types of gift baskets. The baguette board is a great jumping off point to creating cheese gift baskets perfect as holiday gifts. Keeping the board as the star of the basket, include a few items to allow the recipient to dive in and use their board right away. A baguette with a selection of cheeses is all you’ll need to complete this gift basket. For someone who loves to bake, the larger boards are great for rolling out dough or cutting out cookies. You can even include some dessert recipes from Ann Thibeault’s collection at Thibeaults Table. These boards also make a great base for a gift basket. Use the board as the basket and stage your gifts on top of it then wrap it all up with cellophane or a large clear gift bag. If you want to keep your gift basket simple and all about the board, using the care tips provided from the Maple Cutting Board Gallery buy some oil and a cloth to help the recipient keeping their board looking like new.

Making a Baby Essentials Gift Basket

Have a set of new parents to shop for? Sure it’s easy to check the baby registry, but why not provide them a bunch of daily baby essentials nestled in a gift basket or even a baby tub! In talking to any new parent you’ll quickly learn their days are spent feeding the baby, changing the baby, bathing the baby and doing lots of laundry. The key to making this gift work is in choosing the contents that will make their life a little easier. Start filling up a basket with bottles, diaper cream, baby wipes, baby shampoo, lotion and onesies of all sizes. By keeping the parents (and their many new chores) in mind you know they’ll appreciate your gift basket.

Your baby essentials gift basket does not have to lack style because there is diaper cream and baby wipes sticking out of it. Placement of the essentials inside the basket is key to making it look professional. Shop for all the items you want to include in your gift first. This way you can choose an appropriately sized basket. Balance out the basket with larger heavier items in the back and along the sides. Roll up onesies and stand them up vertically in the basket for a neat tidy look. Fill in gaps with teething rings, plush toys and/or socks and hats. Finish off the whole look with a wide fabric bow to hold in all the items. Also, if you know the color scheme of the new baby’s room you can choose a fabric-lined basket, toys and onesies to match. By choosing a coordinating basket it can be used in the baby’s room as storage. It’ll also serve as a reminder to the new mom and dad of the great gift basket they received from you!