First start with a wicker basket. You can find gift basket supplies at most craft stores and you may even have luck finding a like-new basket at a second hand shop for very little money. Spray paint the basket red or pink for an extra special touch. Check your paint supply before you purchase a new can, because you won’t need much.

Use some material, a cloth napkin or a handkerchief to line the bottom. Try to have one large enough to hang over the sides. If you’re using a solid color, try white – it will look nice with the red.

Now for the fillings! If it’s for your spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend, you’ll want something romantic, but also items that are personal for their likes and hobbies.  

If they enjoy movies, buy a romantic comedy on DVD. If they like reading, a book of love poems might be nice. You don’t want to buy a bulky hardcover book for your basket – instead choose a small, soft cover one.

A cute little stuffed animal is a great filling for this gift basket. Even if your giving the basket to your husband or boyfriend – nobody can resist a soft, furry stuffed animal.

A Valentine gift basket would never be complete with out some form of chocolate. Check below for vegan and sugar-free versions!

Scented lotions and body sprays would be perfect in a basket for your wife, mother or girlfriend.

Little Valentine trinkets and toys can add a fun and whimsical feeling to your basket so don’t overlook these.

Another cute idea is to collect as many of the following snacks as the person likes. Create tags with the messages and tie them around the candy with red ribbon.
Jolly Rancher – for all the times you’ve made me laugh
Sweet Escapes – for the special times we spend alone
Hugs & Kisses – yours are simply the best!
Popcorn – because you keep popping in to my thoughts
Almond joy – for the joy I feel when we are together
Pack of Gum – I “chews” you for my Valentine
Candy corn – this may be “corny” but be my valentine
Hershey’s Kiss – A “Kiss” for you, if you’ll be mine.
Bubble gum – Don’t “Burst” my bubble, be my Valentine

People love receiving homemade gift baskets (I know I do!) because I know someone made it just for me and that thought and love went into it. Happy Valentine’s Day!!
 
 

White Wicker Basket Start with this 8-1/4x11x14in basket! Price: $8.59

Sleepless in Seattle 10th anniversary edition DVD Price: $4.38

Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown Remastered Deluxe Edition DVD  Price: $8.99

Love Poems This paperback is filled with sensual, earthy love poems.  Price: $6.09

Webkinz Valentine Love Monkey Great for anyone’s gift basket!  Price: $7.95

Valentine Hello Kitty Beanie Baby So cute! Perfect for your girlfriend or daughter.  Price: $4.98

Ghirardelli Chocolate Valentine’s Day This premium shiny red tin is filled with an assortment of 15 individually wrapped Ghirardelli Squares™ Chocolates. , 7.19 oz. Price: $12.00

Valentine’s Day Chocolate Covered Oreo Cookies This is the perfect little package of Chocolate Covered Oreos for your sweetie! Four of our most delicious Milk Chocolate Covered Oreo cookies all dressed up for Valentine’s Day, with a Cinnamon Heart and Pretty Red Ribbon. Oreos come in a elegant box. Price: $5.50

Vegan White Chocolate Bar Low glycemic, dairy free, vegan, raw premium solid chocolate. 1.4 Ounce Bar (Pack of 3) Price: $15.80

Sugar Free Double Dipped Macadamias Nuts Yummy!! 8 oz. bag  Price: $8.99

Customer Review
“Takes the novice and more experienced entrepreneur through the steps of estimating start-up costs and defining one’s niche to designing beautiful, marketable baskets. The chapters on the actual gift basket design reveal ideas for making baskets that are definitely a step above the competitor’s.”
–North Jersey Herald News

Crucial advice on how to design, promote, and sell gift baskets from a home-based operation. Tips on managing finances, beating the competition, organizing work spaces, and avoiding common pitfalls, along with helpful worksheets, will help turn an amateur into a successful entrepreneur.  (more…)

Send a fun and festive happy birthday surprise delivered right to their doorstep! Opening this VERY COLORFUL birthday cake shaped paperboard gift tote reveals delicious and delightful goodies for your lucky gift recipient on their special day. Delight them with sweets and treats like Chocolate Chip Tea Cake, Sugar Cookies (each decorated with a balloon!), “Happy Birthday” bag of Bonbon Candy, Fruit Gel Slices, buttery Caramel Treats, Chocolate Chip Cookies, decadent Chocolate Fudge, and everybody’s favorite Jelly Belly beans. Each gift is carefully hand crafted, tied with ribbon, and includes a personalized gift message from you to convey your “Happy Birthday” wishes. (more…)

The graduation gift basket should reflect the student’s interests, accomplishments, and goals. Consider giving something that helps in the future career. For example, if the student graduated with a graphic design major, consider purchasing software or subscription services that will help to create his/her portfolio.

If it was a major in education or someone who plans to become a teacher, organizational gifts such as a professional-looking daily planner, or classroom supplies, is a welcome gift. If the person graduating chooses to see the world before entering the workforce, include high quality guidebooks such as Lonely Planer or Frommers, traveler’s checks or prepaid gift cards, or luggage accessories.

Many young adults would enjoy receiving music, such as a custom-made mix CD with some of the hits from the past several years or songs that got a lot of playtime in their dorms, fraternity/sorority houses, or student activity groups. People who majored in technical fields such as engineering or physical sciences (physics, chemistry, mathematics) may prefer “practical” gifts that serve some direct purpose, while those in the social sciences or liberal arts and fine arts may prefer more sentimental, personalized gifts such as a hand-made card or scrapbook of the college years.

Students who went to school far from where they grew up, or who will be moving away upon graduation, would enjoy photos, newspaper clippings, or other unique memoirs from their home to take with them. Gifts that tastefully and professionally allow the person graduating to display their school spirit in the working world are generally cherished for years.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that while everyone is an individual, college graduation is an important milestone that students will cherish, and thoughtful recognition of their hard work will be sincerely appreciated.

Turn Your Creativity into a Fulfilling Career
Do you have an eye for complementary colors and patterns? Are you known for your creative ideas or your unique way of taking something ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary? Your artistic eye and resourcefulness may be the perfect foundation for a very lucrative career in gift baskets! A booming market, gift baskets are the most convenient yet thoughtful way for busy corporations to thank clients, for on-the-go families to send holiday wishes, or for real estate agents welcoming new homeowners -the occasions are endless. This hands-on guide takes you step by step into the trendy world of specialty gifts and shows you how to establish and launch your own full- and part-time gift basket business right from your home. Plus, Entrepreneur has scoured the field to interview experts who provide from-the-trenches examples, advice and tips to help you avoid common mistakes and get on your way to success! (more…)

Check out our tips on creating Valentines gift baskets!

Pamper her with a personal course in the three R’s: Renew… Recharge… Rejuvenate. Our superbly equipped lavender scented spa basket soothes the body and soul by including a two piece skin reviving loofah set including a sisal hand mitt, sisal body sponge and fragrant potpourri to scent the air. We then add luxurious lavender scented body lotion, cleansing bath gel, bubble bath and a relaxing aromatherapy candle. Your gift is carefully hand crafted in a beautiful tin spa caddy, accented with flowers and ribbon, and includes a personalized gift message from you to convey your heartfelt best wishes. (more…)

Check out our tips on creating Valentines gift baskets!

The best housewarming gift baskets come complete with things like: baking sheets, recipe books, gourmet foods, snacks, cookies and candies, different coffee flavors, coffee mugs, scented candles, sewing or mending kits, bath salts, shower gels, lotions, perfumes and colognes picture frames, address books, champagne, wines, maps, phone books, cooking and cleaning supplies, bill organizers, gift cards to local establishments and much more.

It is always a good idea to try and select a gift that compliments the recipient’s interests: what they like, what their hobbies are. If they love gardening; you may want to fill their basket with seed packets for beautiful flowers and plants. However, no matter how you fill the basket, the recipient will appreciate the fact that you thought of them.

Send best wishes with this decadent gourmet sweets gift basket. Offers a wonderful assortment of premium gourmet chocolates, candies and cookies including premium Lindt and Ghirardelli chocolates, Belgian truffles, kettle fudge, butter cookies, malt balls, and more! Designed in rich cranberry and gold colors, and arranged beautifully in this dark cherry stained willow basket, they’ll enjoy for days!

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Check out our tips on creating Valentines gift baskets!

A successful gift basket professional reveals her tricks of the trade in this bible of the business. Gift baskets are an ideal small-scale business – but not all gift baskets are created equal. The Gift Basket Design Book shows you how to transform your creative ideas into polished professional-looking baskets to give as gifts or use in your own business. Shirley George Frazier, a successful gift basket entrepreneur, reveals basket-building and design techniques that yield expert results. Her easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and photos show you exactly how to craft delightful gift baskets for all occasions, from holidays to life’s milestones to those everyday pick-me-ups.Inside you’ll find:Guidance on selecting supplies, gifts, and food. The best techniques for placing and anchoring contentsThe most effective ways to wrap your baskets. Special design touches to complete your lookIdeas for using unique containers, such as boxes, bags, teacup (more…)

Check out our tips on creating Valentines gift baskets!

The gift basket should be unique, display your taste, your personality as also the liking and preference of the recipient of the gift. Every wedding anniversary is special and since the gift is going to epitomize your affection for the person, it will look special no matter what you choose to put in it. Yet, remember to take into account such items which are passionately liked by the person.

If he is a voracious reader, give him his favorite paperbacks tied neatly along with some flowers and chocolates. If the person is a foodie and health conscious, remember to include gourmet cookies and recipe books. If the occasion is 25th anniversary, go for a cane basket and have it painted in silver to signify the event. Include enough satin ribbons wherever possible. For the fashion conscious one, you may include a number of cosmetics along with flowers and chocolates or home made cookies. There are varieties of baskets available these days with imaginative shapes and sizes.

No matter what you give, do not forget to add some flowers and candles or cookies for better effect. If they are fond of delicate bone china or crystal wares, you could gift them beautiful coffee or tea mugs along with respective sachets or latest brands, along with flowers and candles. Put anything in the basket, but remember to make it attractive and let it denote you feelings for the person.