Baskets And Brew

Mark Planteir asked:


If you have an occasion coming up in either your personal or professional life then consider putting together a gift basket. The great thing about a gift basket is that it is not like getting just one present. It is like getting many presents at once this means that if it is the thought that comes when it comes to giving a present then you are sending a multitude of blessings and good wishes when you fill up that gift basket.

A gift basket can also be a very personal gift especially if you take the time and trouble to customize it. This is because you are taking the trouble to hand selecting various complimentary items that you know the recipient would like. Yet another perk is that the gift basket can also have a theme.

For instance if you are putting together a gift basket for someone who is about to retire and who loves to golf you could add a set of golf tees, a can of golf balls and an instructional video about golf to your gift basket to personalize it.

A coffee lover might really appreciate a gift basket filled with assorted coffees, a hand made coffee blender, biscotti and special sugars.

A gift basket can also be created with the holidays in mind. A gift basket for Christmas could contain a special decoration, some candy canes and maybe a mug to celebrate the holidays. A gift basket is also perfect to celebrate the birth of a baby or to comfort someone who is bereaved.

You can also never go wrong putting together a food gift basket. The idea of the food gift basket comes from the old idea of the cone shaped cornucopia that was filled with the fruits of the harvest. Nowadays we fill the food gift basket with pates, cookies, jams, cheeses, cocoa mixes, wine, fruit, chocolates and just about every food you can think off.

The great thing about a gift basket is that it is also so versatile. A gift basket does not have to be very big or expensive to please someone. If you cannot afford a big elaborate gift basket you can try filling a basket with less expensive items.

You can create a gift basket online by simply deciding on a theme and then putting together your choices of items to suit any type of occasion or theme that might arise.

boake moore asked:


Food gift baskets are popular gifts for birthdays, the holidays, or for any special occasion. Unfortunately, prepackaged gift baskets can be expensive! They also can be wasteful, as what are the odds that the recipient will like all the foods in the basket? So why not be creative and make your own custom food gift basket? You can fill it up with foods the recipient will appreciate, and you can control the cost. You also can include homemade treats, and what’s more personal than that?

When making a gift basket, it’s a good idea to include foods that are nonperishable, or at least foods that don’t go bad quickly. Choose food containers that are attractive and look nice together. Try to avoid foods that are too bulky. And most important, choose foods the recipient likes!

Here are some ideas for homemade food gift baskets, gourmet food gift baskets, healthy food gift baskets, and convenience food gift baskets. Choose one of these themes, or mix and match!

1)     Coffee or tea gift baskets are great ideas – they work well for the Holidays and for birthdays and special occasions.  Plus they are so easy to accessorize and add little nuggets of joy. Start with 3 or 4 different types of gourmet coffee – using a good assortment. Mix heavy with dark and light and even throw in coffee from different regions. A good variety is always well received. Then add some nice accessories like coffee mugs and travel accessories. Finally add some biscuits or crackers and even some flavored creamers if you like. Chocolates, Nuts and candies add a wonderful final touch.

2) Homemade food gift baskets are great for the holidays, college exam week, or anytime a little comfort food is needed. Dress up a gift basket of prepared foods with a few homemade items for a personal touch. Some ideas for homemade gift basket treats:

·         Cookies

·         Quick breads

·         Mini muffins

·         Fruitcake

·         Rice Krispie treats

·         Hand dipped chocolate covered fruits and cookies

·         Sealed jars of jam or jelly

·         Sealed jars of salsa

2) Gourmet food gift baskets make great housewarming or holiday gifts. They’re great for foodies who love to cook, or for anyone who could use a few gourmet meals. Gourmet condiments often are available in small containers, so you can fill a basket with a variety of gourmet treats. Some ideas:

·         Olive oil

·         Balsamic vinegar

·         Chutney

·         Gourmet mustard or similar jarred condiments

·         High quality chocolate bars, truffles, and other gourmet chocolates

·         Marzipan candy

·         Gourmet coffee or tea

·         Gourmet cocoa for hot chocolate

·         High quality, expensive spices, like saffron

·         Cheese (but check the shelf life)

3) Healthy food gift baskets. These will make a welcome change of pace during the holidays, when everyone’s bombarded by cookies and candies. For a good balance, add some of these healthy treats into other gift baskets as well. Some ideas:

·         Fruit with a long shelf life (apples, oranges, pears, etc.)

·         Dried fruit, nuts, and trail mix

·         Herbal tea or green tea

·         Organic cookies, crackers, or similar healthy snack foods

·         Mixes for hummus, vegetarian chili, fat free brownies, or other healthful items

·         Low fat granola

4) Convenience food gift baskets. These are ideal for a new mother who doesn’t have enough time or free hands to eat! Fill these gift baskets with foods that are tasty, energizing, and ready to eat. Here are some ideas:

·         Energy bars

·         Cereal bars

·         String cheese

·         Bananas

·         Goldfish crackers

·         Microwavable containers of soup

·         Cracker sandwiches with cheese or peanut butter filling