by: Larry Flynn

Anyone can make a gift basket and you'll definitely have fun doing it! Your basket, any container of your choice, should appeal to your recipient. The contents should also appeal to your recipient and should be customized for the occasion or the individual. So gather your ideas and head off to find those special gift items. Remember, your basket and the contents do not have to be expensive; rather you want the recipient to know that you took special care in making a unique gift.

Gift baskets are great for all occasions: for the new baby, a wedding, birthdays, get well, housewarming, special holidays or "just because I'm thinking of you".

Be creative when selecting the "basket" and determine how much you will place in it to insure you select the right size. If your gift is for an adult, select a wicker basket, a gift box /bag, or a hobby/themed container. Themed basket ideas would include a range basket for a golfer, a tool box for a gardener or a handy person, or a specialty ceramic piece to capture your theme. If the gift is for a child, make it fun! Select a dump truck for a little boy; a girl would love colorful purse.

With basket in hand, you now need to fill it with what your recipient likes. Candies, nuts, cookies, cheese, crackers, coffees/ teas or a favorite bottle of soda or wine are snacks you must include! But remember to leave room for the personal gifts. Consider a book for the book lover, a DVD for the movie buff, mugs for the coffee aficionado, spa items for someone who likes to unwind or special hobby gifts for the chef or fisherman. Remember that you are creating a gift that is personal and unique, so select items carefully.

You now have the basket and the gift items, but you're not creative and have not done this before, so how do I make the basket presentable? Fear not, it's easy and fun. Place the largest item(s) in the back of the basket, heaviest in the center and arrange the remainder of the items in the front and sides of the basket. A little tissue in the bottom to assist in arranging, a little tape (very little) to keep the gifts in place, a bow or colorful cellophane and you're finished.

Gift baskets are great for all occasions: for the new baby, a wedding, birthdays, get well, housewarming, special holidays or "just because I'm thinking of you". The items to put it all together can be found in your home, at your favorite hobby shop, stores or on the internet. Make it special, make it personal and remember have fun doing it! When you present the gift to that someone special, they'll appreciate it even more because you made it yourself.

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