Create a Beautiful Gift Basket

Gift baskets are extremely easy to assemble, but the final result looks stunning - a true labour of love. Suitable for any occasion, gift baskets can often be just the solution when you can't decide on a particular gift item. You can use different shapes of baskets, with or without a handle, and the size depends on what you want to put into it.

Steps

Choosing a theme

  1. Decide what the basket theme will be. The theme for the basket is an important aspect of making it suit the occasion. Standard themes include:
    • A baby gift basket – fill with diapers, washcloths, baby clothes, baby socks, baby grooming items, baby toys, a voucher for cleaning the house, etc.
    • A wedding basket – fill with champagne, bubble bath, chocolates, spa delights, a memory book for the couple to write in, household hints book, etc.
    • A birthday basket – fill with things that the recipient will like, such as gourmet foods, wine or beer, vouchers to activities, small items of clothing such as mittens or a hat, toys, gadgets, digital products, grooming or spa items, chocolates or candies, cooking equipment, video/board/card games, etc.
    • A pet basket – fill with items a pet would love such as treats, grooming brush, portable sleeping mat, catnip mice, toys, a Kong, gnawing bones, etc.
    • A toy basket – fill with the favorite toys for a child, such as items to add to a train set or doll house/collection, painting or drawing items, building items, craft items, and so on.
    • A cook's basket – fill with items for the chef of the house, such as utensils, a cookbook, an apron, citrus squeezer, unusual kitchen items that the chef might not have yet, tea towels, etc.
    • A gardener's basket – fill with gardening gloves, seed packages, kneeling pad for knees, a gardener's apron, small tools, hose connections, plant name sticks, small herbs, etc.
    • A get-well-soon basket – fill with items to cheer the sick person or hospital patient, such as fruit, a novel, magazines, puzzle or coloring books, chocolates, etc.
  2. Purchase the items to be given before selecting the basket. That way, you'll get both to fit, rather than shoving things into a basket that is too small or having the few items you have swimming in one that's too large.
  3. Choose a basket that will fit the size of the items you're choosing. Once you have an idea of the items, you can match the basket to the items, making allowances for any last minute additions and padding you're going to line the basket with.

Creating the gift basket

  1. Place a cloth napkin or paper doily in the bottom. You can put a cloth napkin or a paper doily or some newspaper in the bottom. Wrap breakable items securely in cloth or tissue paper to protect them.
  2. Arrange the items for your gift basket inside the basket. Position tall items in the center, with medium items on the outside, and small ones in between. Individually-wrapped candy sprinkled throughout the items adds a sweet touch.
    • If there is food in the basket, it is recommended that you put the food on top so that it doesn't get squashed.
    • Take care with items that have a strong odor. For example, putting soap next to food might cause the food to take on the flavor of the soap, thereby ruining it. Consider making a separate basket for such items or hanging them inside a cellophane bag of their own from the top of the basket, after it has been wrapped.
  3. Cut {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of cellophane and lay it on the table surface, right side down, and place the basket in the middle of it.
  4. Gather up the cellophane, pulling up the short sides first, then longer sides. Pull the sides of the cellophane up to the top of the basket. Then, holding the cellophane at the top with one hand, grab the corners of the cellophane. Secure with a long twist tie.
    • A helper is great for this step.
  5. Add the ribbon, making a nice bow with long curved tails. Or attach a ready-made bow. No need to remove the twist tie; it is there to keep the whole package securely together.
    • String, raffia, lace, hair ties, hair scrunchies or other material can be used in place of ribbon. Choose whatever best suits the theme of the basket.
    • You can make a bow or tie the ribbon in a knot and curl the ends, as wished. Or leave it dangling down.
  6. Prepare a card or tag saying who the basket is for and who it's from. Alternatively, choose something to do with the theme. Attach the gift tag with string or tape it to the front cellophane.
    • The gift tag can be attached by a string from the gathered bow, or taped to the front of the basket.
    • If wished, add anymore decorations to the outside as you want. But don't overdo this.
  7. Finished.



Tips

  • Other items can be used instead of a basket, such as a casserole dish, pie plate, serving bowl, or gift box bottom. If the basket or container has very low sides, you may require a helper to gather up the cellophane.
  • Cellophane is sold in either clear, colored, print or festive. The clear with a small gold pattern is very versatile for any occasion.
  • Ready-made bows are great for taking the hassle out of making one, but make sure that the size is right for the basket - a large basket requires a larger bow. Likewise, don't hide a small basket with an oversized bow.
  • Resist the urge to 'play' with the cellophane to get it just right - the idea is to gather the cellophane which produces an array of varying sizes of cellophane 'petals' - a unique 'bouquet'. If the 'petals' are too long for your liking, you can trim them with scissors.
  • Another alternative is to use the "heat shrink" cellophane that is left over from winterizing your windows. This will shrink with the heat of a hair-dryer to form a perfect fit and look like those gift baskets bought in stores. Of course, use only a full sheet from a kit that is extra and left over. It it rather expensive to buy and use a kit for this purpose.
  • If one of the short sides of cellophane is gaping, you may be able to adjust it by pulling gently on the top section, or secure with a small piece of clear tape.

Things You'll Need

  • Basket - sufficient for the items
  • Cellophane - a roll or at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} or meters
  • String, elastic band or hair tie something to keep it all together
  • {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} of wired ribbon or a ready-made bow
  • Gift tag with string to attach
  • Twist tie, or rubber band to 'gather' the wrapping
  • Scissors (optional)
  • Ribbon or pre-made bow
  • Items for the basket
  • Food (optional)
  • Card or tag
  • Tape (optional)

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