How to Make a Christmas or Holiday Gift Basket

by Helen Hecker

Making a gift basket for Christmas or a holiday is a very personalized way to convey your feelings and it's easy too.  A custom, unique, personalized gift basket from you will be appreciated by the recipient more than anything you can buy from a store.  How to make a gift basket is not rocket science.  Once you learn the basics you can use the same pattern, all year 'round, just change the theme.

A holiday or Christmas gift basket is a great gift idea for your mother (mom), father (dad), grandma or grandpa, boss, co-worker, corporate co-workers, teacher, friend, new friend, best friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, neighbor, shut-in neighbor, hospital patient, assisted living facility resident, retirement home resident, nurse, doctor or a special thank you to someone who has helped you in some way.

The first thing to do is decide on what items or products you're going to put in the basket.

I've compiled and listed here some ideas and suggestions.  These are items that might be appropriate for Christmas and the holidays, for you to consider, and choose from.  Many of these items can be picked up at the dollar store if the budget is tight. Only use new items. Important tip: be careful about using any packaged cookies or crackers. They have a short shelf life. They go stale quickly. 

Now the list of items and products, circle as you read: small plant, disposable camera, a small book, inspirational book, spa pillows, bath pillows, spa supplies, bath and body products, facial and body scrubs, handmade soaps, fragrant soaps, shampoos, hand and foot lotion, fluffy towel, potholders, gift certificate for massage or spa visit, scented oils, scented massage oils, gift certificate to favorite store, gift certificate for restaurant, loofah, fragrant candle, matches to light candles, CD of nature sounds, favorite artist CD, DVD of newer release movie, how-to video or DVD, garden trowel or other garden tools, garden gloves, work gloves, cold weather gloves, leather gloves,  garden picks, seeds, hand lotion, flower pot, flavored teas, green tea, specialty tea, herbal tea,  biscotti, tea infuser, small tools, gadgets,  stuffed animals, toys, playing cards, calculator, healthy snacks, food, wine, champagne, special beer, lottery tickets, travel-size games, small puzzles, fancy chocolates, boxed chocolates, chocolate bars, hot chocolate mix, specialty coffee mix, handwritten poem, perfume, cologne, watch, framed photo, t-shirt, baseball cap, collectible cards, tickets to events, small dolls, homemade cookies, homemade brownies, homemade jams, movie tickets, popcorn, caramel corn,  giant-size boxed candy, candy canes, suckers, lollipops, apple, pear, orange, persimmon, mango, papaya, chips, pretzels, nuts, plastic skulls, spiders, fake cob webs, magic shop items, coffee mug, gourmet pasta, gourmet olive oil, doggie biscuits,  cat treats, dog or cat collar, dog or cat toys, stationery supplies, cooking tools, cooking gadgets, measuring spoons,  receiving blanket, baby rattles, baby powder, baby shampoo, baby bath wash, hooded towels, pre-packaged food items, pancake mixes, brownie mixes, cookie mixes, wooden spoons, baby games, baby items, your best chocolate chip cookie recipe, Italian recipes, Mexican food recipes or other ethnic recipes, book of motivational quotations, birthday poems, corkscrews , computer-related items, mouse pad yarn, painting or artist supplies, golf balls, golf tees, golf knick knacks, tennis balls, tennis knick knacks, key chains, small calendars or desk calendars, barometer, outdoor thermometer, science gadgets, electronic gadgets, health-related items, auto-related items, cinnamon sticks, etc. 

Make sure to include some red and green Christmas products or other holiday items.

Use a red and green Christmas theme unless your religious holiday uses another color theme.  Decide what type of container to use.  To make it simple use a traditional wicker basket. If you have time to experiment there are many other containers you can use, of course. For Christmas I think the best container choice is the traditional wicker gift basket however.

Now the easy part -- gather together all of your gift basket items, scissors and other tools, container, liner, filler, wrap, ribbon, card, etc. Then line your selected gift basket with a red cloth napkin or red fabric.

Now stuff your filler – red and green straw or just red or just green straw (available from craft stores) - into the gift basket. Place, layer and arrange your selected items on the straw in the gift basket. Put the larger items in the back, the smaller items in front to give it the proper proportional height.

Fill in the holes or prop up the items with more filler (shredded paper, straw, wrapped chocolates, napkins, holiday napkins, etc.) Also you can use artificial flower picks if you have them to fill in any empty space. 

You can leave the basket unwrapped or get some cello wrap from your craft store. Place the wrap under the gift basket. Center the gift basket on the wrap.  Bring the cellophane over the top of the gift basket and tie it with red ribbon and a beautiful red bow! Use ribbon and bows to match your red and green theme colors. 

Tuck a hand-written card or Christmas card in the ribbon and that's it! You're done.  Why not make another gift basket?

With these tips, you now know how to make a holiday or Christmas gift basket. Your loved one or the recipient of your unique, custom, personalized holiday or Christmas gift basket will be thrilled to receive it.  Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect.  He or she will love it and love you for it!

copyright©2006 Helen Hecker all rights reserved