With the spring season in full bloom, it makes us think of baskets, both indoors and outdoors. Baskets have so many different applications, that it would be tough to describe them all, so we will focus on gift baskets, as well as the ability of a basket to be reused in any fashion of our choice. Earth Day in April 22, so it’ll be another good opportunity to use and reuse baskets and help to eliminate waste and save our planet. It is exciting to be on the giving or receiving end of a beautifully wrapped “personalized” gift basket. These are some great ideas to make your basket the very best it can be for that special someone or customer!

 By Susan Sanders-Kinzel http://rubyglen.com/gifts/giftbaskets.htm

Gift baskets are a great way to make a personal gift for family or friends. This article includes many ideas of containers and themes to help you get started on a gift basked for everyone on your list. Gift baskets can be a lot of fun for you and the recipient and don’t have to cost a lot of money.
The Recipient
The first thing to consider is who you are giving the basket to:
– What do they like?
– What are their hobbies?
– What do they need?
– What do they like to eat?  Ideas for Themes

The items that go within the gift basket should be tied together
by a common theme. The themes below are gift basket recipes that
can be modified to fit your needs or to get you started on
developing your own themed gift basket.
 Bath Gift Basket
Use a nice basket
Kids Coloring Gift Basket
Letter Writer’s Gift Basket
Use a square basket
Pasta Lover Gift Basket
Gardener’s Gift Basket
Grandparent Gift Basket
Use a basket or reusable container
Wine Lover’s Basket
Holiday Entertainment Basket
Use a nice holiday basket
– Holiday Napkins
– Holiday Plates
– Holiday Cups
– Whole Mixed Nuts
– Nutcracker
– Cookies or baked goods
– Holiday floral picks or ornaments for decorating
– Cheese ball or Sausage stick and crackers

Fillers

Once you have obtained your items here are some fillers to put around
them.
– Piece of fabric
– Shredded paper, newspaper or colored paper
– Straw
– Easter basket grass
– Tissue paper or newspaper comics
– Raffia
– Colored towels or cloth napkins
– Cedar shavings

Finishing

If you buy colored cellophane you can cover the entire container with it disguising what is inside. Tie a ribbon around the whole thing or paste a ribbon on top. Have fun!

Be sure to let us know if you have more ideas for themes and items!