Tips for Making Gift Baskets

Coffee themed gift basket

Creating a gift basket for someone is a great way to add a very personal touch to your gift. There is an endless amount of options for designing a basket and you may not know where to start. We have put together some helpful tips that should make it easier for you.

Choose a Theme

Select a theme that your recipient would be interested in and pick items that relate to your theme. Some examples of themes are:

  • local gifts - browse our store for LOCAL signs to find items made by local vendors

  • fair trade items - coffee, tea, chocolate, wine, and fruit spread

  • coffee or tea

  • water - porcelain base with a refillable jug and a reusable water bottle with extra straws

  • kitchen gadgets

  • wine or beer and snacks

  • fun items - quirky mug, t-shirt, socks, buttons, hat, calendar, and candy

  • wellness items - soaps, lotions, face masks, wine, chocolate, and candles.

Set a budget

Decide how much money you would like to put into the gift, including the basket, filler, and any extra decorations.

Choose a Basket

The basket can be part of the gift. You can choose to buy a nice multipurpose basket or bag, or you can put your gifts into a simple paper bag with tissue paper. Some ideas for baskets or containers include:

  • mixing bowl, casserole dish, or pie plate

  • cooler, pitcher, teapot, or water jug

  • reusable shopping bag

  • Alaffia hand-made baskets and bags like the one in this photo for our Fair Trade Month giveaway. We carry this brand in many styles at Bloomingfoods East.

  • any basket

  • be creative!

 
 

You will probably need to fill the bottom of your basket to fluff the other items up high enough to be seen at the top. Some items you can use are:

  • crumpled paper

  • towels

  • re-use packing materials

Building the basket

Build from the back to the front. Having taller items in the back will allow smaller items to be seen in the front. Be sure that heavier items are supported well from underneath so they do not sink into the basket and become hidden from view.

Add some flair

You can add some creative extras to the basket to make it extra nice and help fill it out, such as:

  • ribbon

  • gift tags

  • flowers

  • ornaments

  • sprigs of greenery

BE CREATIVE AND HAVE FUN!

Creating a gift basket should be a fun activity for you. Go crazy or keep it simple. Either way, the person receiving it is going to know that you put extra time, thought, and care into this gift!