THE PERFECT GIFT BASKET

Today, gift baskets are a $2.8 billion industry--a pretty staggering figure if you know how much each item in a basket is typically worth. Putting together themed baskets to give to loved ones as a personal expression of your affection and gratitude will give you a feeling of joy and satisfaction that handing them a gift card to the local department store could never replicate.
Containers for your baskets don't have to be limited to the usual wicker baskets; rather, they can be any number of items that will fit the theme.
For example, a plastic bucket can hold all the items for a new car basket, such as car washing soap, a chamois, and the like. A soup tureen will hold soup mixes, a bundt pan will hold cake mixes, a salad spinner can hold flavored vinegars and herb blends for salad, breadbaskets or loaf pans can hold bread mixes, and a cookie jar can hold cookie mixes.
the type of container you choose will affect the overall price of the gift. The most economical choice is a plain brown or white grocery bag or a plain box that you have on hand, which you can decorate with stickers, markers, paints, wrapping paper, and the like. An attractive heavy-duty gift bag from a card store or an inexpensive canvas tote bag from a craft store might cost between $3 and $10. Straw and wood baskets are available in that price range from craft stores. Using a piece of cookware, a backpack, or a picnic hamper for the container may cost significantly more.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR FILLING BASKETS
The size and depth of your container will give you an idea of how it should be filled. One rule of thumb is that it's better to buy a small container and really stuff it than to have just a few items swimming around in a large container. There are many ways to fill out that large basket so it doesn't look so bare.

Make sure to fill the container with excelsior (curved wood shavings used for packing) or straw to give height to the contents so that the recipient can see what's actually in there.
Tissue, cellophane, and boxes, as well as decorative tins, are all available on the internet from gift basket supply gepanies or through well-known retailers such as Hallmark, Ikea, Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table. Your local cake decorating store will also carry many of these items.
If you are using a heavy paper gift bag for your container, stuff the bag with lots of colored tissue paper to raise the level of the contents.
No matter what you are using for your container, make sure to place heavier items in the bottom and arrange smaller, lighter, and more fragile items on top.
Position your items in the basket in a tentative arrangement. YOu may have to move things around until you feel that everything is in the right spot. Then wrap the entire basket in cellophane, tie it up with streamer ribbons, and tuck something that coordinates with the theme through the ribbons. This could be crossed wooden spoons for a cooking basket or shells tied to the ribbons for a beach-themed basket.
Don't forget a card. This final touch gepletes the basket. You can use colored card stock (available at most office supply stores) and make your own card on the geputer or by hand, tying it in with the theme and/or color of the basket. You can also use a pretty store-bought card.
BOOK LOVER'S BASKET
Some people just love books, collecting as well as reading them. This basket is for someone who apapreciates the written word and enjoys reading. It makes a great birthday present for a special friend or a going-away gift for a neighbor or co-worker. Present in a simple box covered with wrapping paper that looks like library shelves. Arrange all of the following items in the box and cover with cellophane. Tie with streamer ribbons and attach bookmarks to the center bow.

Bookmarks
Bookplate
Nice pen to label bookplates
Journal
Book that you know the person would love to read
Small book light
Gift certificate to local bookstore
GARDENER'S HELPER BASKET
This gardening basket is for a friend who loves his or her garden. You can also make it into a children's basket by adjusting the contents for a child's garden and putting everything into a colorful plastic box. A classic basket is a great choice for a container, but you can also use a plastic box or tote bag for this gift. The following items can be used to fill your basket:

Garden Shears
Spade
Hand rake
Garden gloves
Kneeling Pad
Misting bottle
Seeds for vegetables and herbs
Gardening book(s)
Garden ornament
HAVE FUN - GIVING BASKETS SHOULD FILL YOU WITH JOY. THINK ABOUT THE PERSON (OR PERSONS) YOU ARE MAKING THIS GIFT FOR AND ENJOY THE PROCESS OF PERSONALIZING IT AND PRODUCING SOMETHING HE OR SHE WILL TRULY ENJOY.
MANY OF THE ITEMS TO FILL THESE BASKETS CAN BE FOUND IN OUR ON-LINE STORE. PLEASE VISIT US AND HAPPY GIFT BASKETING!