Gift Baskets for All Occasions
- Use a large terra cotta plant pot for a "basket". If you like, you can personalize the pot by painting it with acrylic paints. When the paint is dry, spray a light coat of polyurethane over the pot to add a shine.
Fill the pot with:
gardening gloves
hand trowel
hand rake
a selection of vegetable and/or flower seeds (go for something unusual)
bottle of liquid fertilizer
a gardening book
a subscription for a gardening magazine
- Use a large pasta bowl for a "basket".
Fill the bowl with:
a package or two of gourmet pasta
tongs
a package of sun-dried tomatoes
extra-virgin olive oil
spices: oregano, basil, garlic powder
a collection of your favorite pasta recipes hand-printed on recipe cards and/or a pasta cookbook
- For the golfer, fill a basket or a golf bag with:
golf tees
golf balls
a baseball cap
sunscreen
score cards
a small towel
a can cooler to keep a can of pop or beer cold
Of course, don't forget to personalize the towel or baseball cap - you can stitch on them, use fabric paints, etc.
- Wine appreciation basket.
Fill a basket with:
two bottles of quality wine, one red, one white
corkscrew
2 or more wine glasses
wine appreciation book
tickets or an invitation to a wine tasting (often held at wine specialty shops or wineries)
Extras: add snacks to go with the wine - fine cheese, fruit, crackers, etc.
- For the dog lover.
Fill the a large dog bowl with:
sqeaky toy
rawhide bone
dog biscuits
dog brush
dog collar
leash
- For the crafter. Use a rubber storage container for a "basket".
Fill the container with:
glue gun and glue sticks
acrylic paints
assorted brushes
a craft knife
other craft supplies such as beads, pom-poms, wood sticks, buttons, stickers, dried flowers, etc.
craft patterns or how-to books
- Fill a square basket with:
note cards
envelopes (choose a variety of sizes)
note paper
letter opener
a pen or a pen and pencil set
a personalized seal and some sealing wax
personalized return address labels
- For the shutterbug.
Fill a basket or a camera bag with:
assorted film
coupons for picture developing
filters for his/her camera
lens cleaning solution and cloth
assorted picture frames and/or albums
- How about a relaxation pack.
Fill the basket with:
a gel eye-pack
epsom salts or bubble bath
aroma therapy oils
scented candles
books on tape (to listen to in the bath)
a hand-held massager
relaxing music on CD or cassette
- Kids Coloring Kit.
Fill a rubber/plastic storage box with:
crayons (get the big package with tons of colors)
non-toxic markets
assorted papers, include a variety of colors and textures
coloring books
assorted stickers
a paint box and brushes
- For the sports enthusiast, use a sports helmet or hat as a "basket" (e.g. baseball cap, football helmet, etc.).
Fill the helmet or hat with:
sports cards
baseball, puck, etc.
shoe, boot or skate laces
for the hockey player, add: lace tightener and some tape
for the baseball player, add: mineral oil, batting glove and gum
a sports video
a subscription to a sports magazine
a poster of their favorite player
- For the new home owner. Use a tool box as a "basket".
Fill the box with:
screw drivers
wrench
hammer
pliers
assorted nails, screws, washers
gift certificate for the local hardware store
do-it-yourself book
assorted odds and ends like: light switch covers, light bulbs, duct tape, paint brushes, knobs and handles, etc.
- For the guitar player.
Fill the basket with:
assorted picks
tuning fork
sheet music
CDs or cassettes of great guitar players
guitar strings
electronic tuner
lesson books
- For the soap opera fan.
Fill the basket with:
tissues
bon-bons
soap opera magazines
biographies of their favorite stars
pictures of their favorite stars
blank video tapes
fan club membership
- Create a winter fun pack.
Fill a touque with:
lip balm
moisturizer
mittens
hot packs
a pass to the local ski hill
hot chocolate
Extras: add a crazy carpet or a sled (although it won't actually fit inside the "basket", you can present it on the side).
- For someone who is into new age.
Fill a basket with:
tarot cards
crystals
scented candles
incense
new age music on CD or cassette
certificates for palm reading, psychic reading, etc
books
- For grandparents who are far away.
Fill a basket with:
children's artwork
gifts made by the kids (see our craft projects for ideas)
frames family pictures (let the kids buy plain wooden frames and decorate them with stickers)
videos of the family
a long-distance calling card
Extras: fill out the basket with candy, coffee, tea, biscuits, christmas ornaments, candles, etc.
- For the craft enthusiast, how about a project in a "basket".
Fill a basket or a rubber/plastic box with:
grape vine wreath
dried flowers
pine cones
hot glue gun and glue sticks
wreath hanger
ribbon
- For the one who loves their car.
Fill a basket or a bag with:
tire gauge
liter (or gallon) of oil
wax
chamois
car wash coupons
squeegee for the windows
mileage log and pen
travel mug
- The sundae basket.
Fill a basket with:
ice cream scoop
gourmet sauces
sprinkles
cones
maraschino cherries
assorted nuts
sundae glasses and spoons
coupons for gourmet ice cream
- Fill a gold fish bowl with:
fish food
aquarium gravel
net
gift certificate for fish from pet store
book about care of gold fish
- Use a cookie tin for a "basket".
Fill the tin with:
your favorite cookie recipes or a cook book
cookie cutters
chocolate chips
nuts
decorator icing set
assorted sprinkles
- Here's a rainy day basket.
Fill a basket with:
deck of cards
cribbage board
find-a-word and/or crossword books and pencil
herbal tea
tea cup
- Accessories for men.
Fill an overnight bag with:
socks
underwear
belt
tie
tie clip
handkerchiefs
wallet
watch
- For the shop-aholic.
Fill a basket with:
cushioned insoles
directories for local malls
gift certificates (get a lot of small ones for different stores)
tote bag to carry home purchases
parking pass
list of babysitters or volunteer to babysit
coupons
- Create a comedy pack.
Fill a basket with:
deck of trick cards
whoopie cushion
chattering teeth
joke books
comedy movies, cassettes or CDs
tickets to a comedy club
- For the woodworker.
Fill a basket or rubber/plastic box with:
assorted sandpapers
chisels
router bits
saw blades
files
varnishes
brushes
paints
patterns and/or instructions
- For the computer buff.
Fill a basket with:
mouse pad
diskettes
novelty or personalized disk labels
anti-static wristband
travel mug (so that things won't spill on the computer)
a list of your favorite Web sites
- Create a salon pack.
Fill a basket with:
salon shampoo and conditioner
hair brush and/or combs
barrettes
combs
scrunchies
clips, bows, pins, twists, etc.
book on hair styles
- Fill a stew pot or pottery casserole dish .
Fill the pot with:
assorted dried beans: kidney, black, white, navy, pinto, etc.
dried red chili peppers
chili powder, cayenne pepper, cumin, cilantro
chili recipes
ladle
oven mitts
- For the teenaged girl.
Fill a purse with:
a wallet (you can even start it off with a little cash)
key chain
lipstick holder
purse sized perfume atomizer
purse sized hair brush and mirror
- For expectant parents.
Fill a baby's bath tub with:
hooded towel
wash cloth
rubber ducky
baby shampoo
baby powder
baby lotion
terry sleeper
- For those who make their own wine or beer.
Fill a box with:
wine or beer kit
empty bottles
personalized or novelty wine/beer labels
beer caps or wine corks
caper
recipes
- For the skier.
Fill a tote bag with:
lip balm
sunscreen
goggles
gloves
scarf
ski pass
wax
- For the executive or the home-office owner.
Fill a briefcase with:
day timer
business card holder (one for the wallet, one for the desktop)
pen and pencil set
newspaper subscription
shoe polish
reference books
desk calendar
coffee mug
- Create a New Year's Eve party pack.
Fill a basket with:
champagne
glasses
party hats
noise makers
sparklers
confetti
balloons
party invitations
- For the crochet or knitting enthusiast.
Fill a basket with:
assorted needles or crochet hooks
assorted patterns
buttons
ribbons
personalized "made by" labels
wool
- For the writer.
Fill a basket with:
lined note pads
an engraved pen
referrence books (dictionary, thesaurus, quotes, how-to books)
pocket tape recorder and tapes
style guide
newsletter or magazine subscripton
books about how to get published
- For the music groupie.
Fill a basket with:
fan club membership (look for their favorite musician on the Web, many bands now have online fan clubs which also sell tickets, posters, t-shirts and more)
CDs, cassettes of their favorite group
posters of their favorite group
biographies
sheet music
tickets to a concert
band t-shirts
- Create a night out in a basket.
Fill a basket with:
list of babysitters or coupons for babysitting
restaurant guide and/or gift certificates
movie reviews and/or tickets
or, tickets to a show or a concert
cab fair
lighted key chain
- For the mystery lover.
Fill a deer stalker hat with:
mystery novels
mystery game for computer
magnifying glass
puzzles or brain teaser books
how-to-host a mystery game
- For the hiker, use hiking boots as a "basket".
Fill with:
maps
rain poncho
bear bells or repellant
trail mix
compass
first aid kit for hikers
- For the vegetarian.
Fill a basket, pot or large bowl with:
your favorite recipes hand-printed on recipe cards
assorted dried beans
brown rice
sun dried tomatoes
spices: oregano, thyme, basil, garlic powder, etc.
mixing spoons
pot holders
- For the cowboy at heart.
Fill a cowboy hat with:
bolo tie
western belt buckle
boot protector
gift certificate for country dancing, horseback riding, rodeo, etc.
- For someone who like to walk or jog, fill a tote bag with:
pedometer
sweat band
tapes and batteries for the walkman
shoe laces
sport socks
personal alarm
t-shirt
water bottle in a shoulder or waist holder
- Use a cosmetic bag for a "basket".
Fill the bag with:
nail polish
emery boards
nail clippers
nail brush
cuticle remover
nail file
nail polish remover
cotton balls
- For the couch potato fill a large basket or box with:
assorted bags of flavored popcorn
other snacks like chips, nuts, candy
pre-recorded movies
TV Guide subscription
TV Remote holder
Comfortable slippers
Cushion
- Create a stock-the-bar package.
Fill an ice bucket with:
shot glasses
bottle opener
cork screw
maraschino cherries
cocktail napkins
jar of olives
fancy toothpicks or cocktail umbrellas
bar guide
- For the crafter, fill a rubber/plastic container with:
small terra cotta plant pots
flexible stencils
acrylic paints
stencil tape
brushes
spray polyurethane
seeds to plant when pots have been decorated
- Make a kid's beach pack.
Fill a plastic pail with:
plastic shovel
sand molds
beach ball or plastic floatation device (deflated)
beach towel
flip-flops
sunglasses
sunscreen for kids
bathing suit
- For someone who takes road trips, fill a tote bag with.
maps
travel mug
sunglasses
hotel coupons
tire gauge
beaded seat cover
travel games
recorded music on cassette or CD
car air freshener
- For the musician.
Fill a decorative can with:
reeds/strings/drum sticks/mouthpiece - appropriate for the instrument they play
sheet music
valve oils for brass instrument players
instrument strap
electronic tuner
- metronome
recorded music of their favorite artists
- For someone who likes to BBQ, use an apron with pockets for a "basket".
Fill the apron pockets with:
marinade recipes
BBQ sauce
BBQ tools
packages of meat tenderizer
skewers
gift certificate for the local butcher
- For the collector:
Fill a basket with:
reference books
items they collect
display cases, books, etc.
cleaning supplies (special polishes, oils, brushes, etc.)
tickets to a collectibles show
- Create a bachelor's survival kit.
Fill a laundry basket with:
laundry guide
cook book featuring easy meals like casseroles
roll of quarters and some laundry soap
take-out pizza coupons
an iron
room deodorizer
any other cleaning supplies
food staples like macaroni dinners, canned tuna, canned soup and, of course, beer!
- For someone who like to walk or jog, fill a tote bag with:
pedometer
sweat band
tapes and batteries for the walkman
shoe laces
sport socks
personal alarm
t-shirt
water bottle in a shoulder or waist holder
- For just about anyone:
Fill a basket with:
teddy bear
coffee mug
hot chocolate mixes
bedtime story books
- For the student or the home-office owner, use a rubber garbage can as a "basket".
Fill the can with:
stapler
tacks, paper clips, pens, pencils
notepads
holepunch
desk lamp
desk calendar
- For the cat lover use a cat basket as a "basket".
Fill it with:
food and water dishes
collar
brush
catnip ball
rubber ball, rubber mice or other cat toys
- Create a Christmas Decorating basket.
Fill a basket with:
nativity set
assorted Christmas ornaments (store bought or hand-made by you)
decorative lights
candles
- Make a basket full of puzzles.
Fill a basket with:
Rubik's cube
3D puzzle
jigsaw puzzle
word-search book
crossword puzzle book
slider puzzles
and any other puzzles you can find
- For someone who sews, fill a sewing basket with:
needles
assorted threads (stick to basic colors: black, white, navy, cream)
pins
thimble
pin cushion
measuring tape
tracing wheel and paper
sewing club membership
- For someone who likes to lounge in the sun, use a sun hat as a "basket".
Fill the hat with:
sunscreen
sunglasses
lemonade mix
novel
- Create a gadget collection, for someone who is moving away from home, getting married or moving into a new home.
Fill a canvas onion bag with:
garlic press
can opener
jar opener
paring knife (carefully wrapped)
strawberry huller
egg slicer
cheese slicer
mixing spoons
measuring spoons and cups
egg timer
grater
- For the wood shop owner use a shop apron as a "basket".
Fill the apron with:
safety glasses
wood glue
sandpapers
measuring tape
paint brushes
shop magazines
woodworking patterns
- For the fisherman use a tackle box as a "basket".
Fill it with:
assorted lures
leaders
pliers
gloves
guide to local fishing
- For baby
Fill a basket with:
rattle
bib
story book
stuffed animal
sleeper
- Create a women's accessories basket.
Fill a basket with:
a silk scarf
scarf clip
earings
belt
broach
necklace
perfume
evening purse
- For cyclists use a cycling helmet as a "basket".
Fill it with:
cycling gloves
water bottle
reflectors
sunglasses
odometer
patch kit
- For the aquarium owner, use a decorative tin for a "basket".
Fill the tin with:
fish food
book about aquarium maintenance
algae magnet (you run the magnet up and down the outside of the tank to remove algae inside the tank)
a net
thermometer
ornaments gift certificate for fish
- For someone who likes games, fill a basket with:
decks of cards
dice
poker chips
poker rule book
pocket electronic games
plane tickets to Vegas
- For the painter:
Fill a decorative tin with:
paints (acrylic, water color or oil)
brushes
paper or canvas
charcoal
- For someone who bakes use a cake pan as a "basket".
Fill the pan with:
pot holders
decorative frosting set
assorted sprinkles and nuts
baking recipes
cake server
- For someone who travels by plane a lot.
Fill a travel bag with:
travel pillow
travel alarm
flight schedules
gum
magazines or novels
toothbrush
- Create a Christmas box.
Fill a decorative Christmas box or tin with:
assorted home-baked cookies
assorted chocolates
Christmas ornaments (better if you made them yourself)
pre-recorded Christmas music
tuck in some candy canes or foil wrapped chocolate
santas for a finishing touch
- Create a night in, in a basket.
Fill the basket with:
wine
wine glasses
pre-recorded movie
candle
candle holder
romantic pre-recorded music
appetizers: cheese and crackers, olives, something you've made yourself
- For the crafter, create a project in a box. Use a rubber/plastic storage box as a "basket". Go to a craft website and select a project you like. Use your Browser's PRINT function to print out the instructions and any patterns that accompany them. Purchase all of the materials need to complete the project and put them in the box.
- Create a kid's bath set.
Fill a basket with:
bubble bath
no-tears shampoo and conditioner
bath crayons (they let kids write on the tub or the wall, then they wash off)
bath toys
bath mit or decorative face cloth
printed towel
robe
slippers
- For the teenaged girl, fill a cosmetic bag or cosmetic tray with:
assorted makeup in the latest fashion colors:
lipstick, blusher, eye liner, mascara cotton swabs
makeup sponges
nail polish in the latest colors
nail file
facial cleanser
facial moisturizer
eye makeup remover
- For the computer game player.
Fill a decorative box with:
membership to an online gaming WWW site
computer game CDs
joy stick
mousepad
shareware games on diskette
- For campers, use a backpack as a "basket"
Fill the backpack with:
tent pegs
compass
sharpening stone
mosquito repelant
tent patch kit
campers cook set
utility knife of swiss army knife
campground guides
- For thelover of spicy foods, use a chili pot as a "basket".
Fill it with:
spices: cayenne pepper, black pepper, white pepper, dried red peppers, chili powder, paprika
hot sauces like chili sauce
salsas
hot pickles (pick them up from an Asian food store)
fresh peppers
pepto bismal
recipes
- For the sci-fi fan.
Fill a basket with:
Science fiction novels
sci-fi movies
collectible figures (you know, the plastic ones modelled after TV and movie sci-fi characters)
Spock ears
books about their favorite shows or authors
tickets to a sci-fi convention
- For the engaged couple fill a basket with:
wedding planner
unity candle
garter
cake knife
honeymoon travel information or tickets
wedding decorations
wedding album
- For someone who works out at the gym fill a tote bag:
towel
water bottle
workout tapes or magazines
power bars
sports drinks
sports socks
gym membership
- For adults only.
Fill a basket with:
scented candles
massage oil
lingerie
wine
wine galsses
- For the jigsaw puzzle lover.
Fill a basket with:
jigsaw puzzle
puzzle mat
coffee mug
magnifying glass
gourmet coffee
- For the naturalist.
Fill a knapsack with:
binoculars
bird watching guide or wildlife or wildflower guide
log book and pen
maps
trail mix
- A small twist on the usual coffee gift basket.
Fill a basket with:
gourmet coffees
coffee mugs
novels
chocolates
decorative bookmark (why not make one yourself)
- For someone who ison their feet all day, use a rubber tub as a "basket".
Fill the tub with:
epsom salts or bubble bath
towel
pumice stone
foot lotion or foot powder
comfortable slippers
nail clippers
- Create a kid's craft kit.
Fill a rubber/plastic storage box with:
coloured paper
crayons
stickers
pipe cleaners
buttons
pom-poms
white glue
kid scissors
wooden shapes
wobbly eyes
kid sized craft apron
sparkles
- For little students fill a children's lunchbox with:
pencil toppers
decorated pencils
colored pencils
rulers
plastic stencils which let them draw stars, circles, etc.
stapler
children's scissors
water bottle in a shoulder or waist holder
- For someone who likes needlepoint fill a basket with:
patterns
canvas
assorted thread
needles
thimble
frames for finished work
- For the movie buff, fill a basket with:
pre-recorded movies
movie soundtracks on CD or cassette
batteries for the remote control
head cleaner for the VCR
movie tickets or gift certificates
popcorn
- For someone who like to walk or jog, fill a tote bag with:
pedometer
sweat band
tapes and batteries for the walkman
shoe laces
sport socks
personal alarm
t-shirt
water bottle in a shoulder or waist holder
- For the electronics hobbyist.
Fill a plastic box with:
resistors
capacitors
wire
pliers
soldering iron and solder
light bulbs
LED lights
printed circuit boards
project books
wire cutters
electrical tape
- For the chocolate lover.
Fill a basket with:
chocolate cookies (home baked is best)
chocolate bon-bons
chocolate sauces
chocolate syrup
chocolate dipped coffee spoons (see the instructions in our project sections)
Hot chocolate mix
chocolate covered coffee beans
chocolate flavored coffee beans
chocolate recipes
- For the young at heart.
Fill a basket or a small toy box with:
silly putty
assorted magnets
magnifying glass
yo-yo
paper airplane kit
kite
kaleidescope
puzzles
- For the health food buff.
Fill a basket or a mixing bowl:
brown rice (in a bag tied with a ribbon or in a glass jar)
other grains like quinoa, spelt, bulgur, etc.
all-natural candy bars
tofu in asceptic packages (so it doen't need refridgeration)
assorted dried beans (black, black-eyed peas, chick peas, lima beans, fava beans, etc.)
assorted spices
all natural skin and body care products (find them at your local health food store)
- For the someone who never has enough time.
Fill a basket with:
coupons for your babysitting time
cookbook featuring meals in 30 minutes or less
daytimer to help them organize their time more efficiently
watch
information about or coupons for a shopping service which will do their shopping for them
coupons for other time saving services like dry-cleaning, tailoring, take-out food, car washes, etc.
- Create a Chinese food "basket".
Fill a basket a wok with:
Chinese tea set
package of green tea
cook book
cleaver
chop sticks
package dried black mushrooms
bottle of soy sauce, other sauces like plum sauce, Szechuan sauce, teriaky sauce, etc.
Finishing Touches
Finishing touches actually come into play when you begin to assemble your basket. You can enhance the presentation of baskets, boxes, tins, hats, etc. by first filling them with:
coloured cellophane "grass"
crumpled tissue paper
a piece of fabric (try someting with a Christmas print)
shredded newspaper or coloured paper
straw
raffia
Then carefully arrange your items over top of the filler. Finish up by tucking in:
candy canes
foil wrapped chocolate santas
other foil wrapped candies
small pine cones
a bunch of cinnamon sticks tied with red ribbon
Christmas greenery like the tips spruce and pine branches
Christmas ornaments
lots of small bows
mandarin oranges
nuts in the shell
small scented candles
Christmas baking (wrapped in cellophane)
Wrapping Your "Basket"
"Baskets" that are in actual baskets do not need to be wrapped, but if you wish, you can wrap them in cellophane. Simply gather the cellophane around the basket and tie at the top with ribbon.
This method also works for "baskets" made with hats, boxes, bowls, pots, plant pots, etc.
Decorative boxes and tins usually can stand alone without wrapping.
Rubber storage containers can be wrapped in cellophane as above or can be wrapped with wrapping paper.
Some "baskets" like tote bags, backpacks, shopping bags, etc. are best left unwrapped. Instead, finish them with colourful bows and ribbons.
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