by Jennie Hanba

Created on: October 29, 2009

Show how much you care by giving a gift basket to the special people in your life. Gift baskets are a great way to say, I appreciate you. But instead of picking up a premade gift basket from the store, make your own and make it personal to the person receiving it.

The basket can actually be any type of container. You can use a traditional wicker basket or perhaps a flower pot for someone who gardens or a tool box for someone who enjoys working on cars. Whatever container you choose to use, make sure it is big enough to hold all of the goodies that you are going to put inside.

As to what you fill your basket with, traditional items include fresh fruit, mixed nuts, chocolates and candy, jellies and jams, coffees or teas, and homemade treats, such as cookies or brownies. These are great ideas and can be used, but make sure that you add things that really reflect the person who the basket is intended for.

For a unique, personal touch, add items that can be used for the person's favorite hobby. For instance, if he or she is a writer, you could include a journal, a pen set or perhaps a pocket dictionary and thesaurus. For a bookworm, you might like to add a bookmark or two, a book light and a small afghan he or she can use when curling up with a favorite book. A person who loves to cook would appreciate an assortment of spices, a cookbook or a blank recipe book where he or she can jot down favorite recipes.

You can also add items that reflect the person's lifestyle. An eco-friendly person would appreciate reusable shopping bags, a reusable container for water or some organic treats. A busy mother might enjoy items that would allow her to pamper herself, such as bath salts or aromatherapy oils. A person of faith might like a prayer book or rosary.

Other ideas to make your gift basket personal and unique include:

Tickets to a sporting event or concert

Personalized stationary with envelopes

A certificate showing a donation to the recipient's favorite charity

A mass to be said in the recipient's name

A CD with the recipient's favorite songs

Use Spanish moss, tissue paper or another type of filler to put on the bottom of the basket or container you are using. Arrange your items so that the display will look attractive when you present the basket.

The basket can be left unwrapped, or if you choose to wrap it, you can use fabric or tissue paper instead of the traditional plastic (especially if the gift is for someone who is eco-friendly).

For the finishing touch, add a hand written note expressing how much he or she means to you and how thankful you are to have him or her in your life.

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