This stylish and user-friendly guide offers baskets for every occasion, with options to fit anyone’s budget. Gorgeous four-color photographs offer inspiration and guidelines on choosing the proper container, selecting the right-sized items, and decorating the finished basket make this an easy and fun gift idea that anyone can embrace. Ideas range from “Off to College,” “Baby’s Here,” “Welcome to the Neighborhood,” “Book Lover’s,” “Martini Basket,” and many, many more. A special section of food-themed baskets with homemade mixes for cookies or bread or seasonings will appeal especially to those who like to do kitchen crafts. In short, The Perfect Basket gives both seasoned and novice gift-givers everything you need to create spectacular thematic gifts for everyone on your list!

About the Author
Diane Phillips is the author of several cookbooks, including The Soup Mix Gourmet and The Perfect (more…)

New Mom/Dad Gift Basket: print out coupons for free babysitting, gift certificate to their favorite restaurant, CD of relaxing music, photo album, journal
Mothers/Fathers Day Gift Basket: gift certificate for a foot massage, new slippers, a poem you wrote
New Grandparent Gift Basket: photo album, journal, disposable camera
Sympathy Gift Basket: home cooked foods, ceramic angel, journal, fruit
Get Well Gift Basket: puzzle books, pencils, magazines, tissues, soup
Engagement Gift Basket: heart shaped items, champagne and glasses
Boss’s Day Gift Basket: newspaper, favorite coffee, lottery ticket
Bachelor(ette) Party Gift Basket: adult toys, gift certificate to favorite restaurant
New Job Gift Basket: framed picture of family, gift certificates for lunch near job
Birthday Gift Basket: print out of events from the day they were born, items with their birthstone
Wedding Gift Basket: champagne and glasses, spa gift certificates, adult toys, massage oils
Thank You Gift Basket: gift certificate to their favorite store, favorite cookies or candy

If you’d rather purchase a gift basket, please click the banner below to view a wide variety of pre-made gift baskets for all occasions.

Apology Gift Basket: gift certificates to their favorite restaurant, flowers
Bon Voyage Gift Basket: journal, binoculars, photo album
Secretary’s Day Gift Basket: gift certificate for a massage, candy, lottery tickets
Grandparent’s Day Gift Basket: journal, photo album
Divorce Gift Basket: gift cards for a dating service, new address labels, comedy CD’s and movies
Retirement Gift Basket: photo album, journal, lottery tickets
Hangover Gift Basket: aspirin, ice packs, crackers
Congratulations Gift Basket: confetti, champagne and glasses, lottery tickets
House Warming Gift Basket: pot holders, kitchen towels, small kitchen items

Waste paper basket
Cooking pots
Colander
Picnic Basket
Hat
Wagon
Bucket
Lunch box
Large mug
Flower pot
Salad bowl
Ice cooler
Laundry basket
Tackle box
Tool box
Goldfish bowl
Pet food dish
Watering can

Anna Jarvis, who was born in Virgina in 1864, began her crusade to create a day to honor mothers, after her own mother passed away. On the second anniversary of her mothers death, she dedicated a small tribute to her at her church. From there, the custom caught on and eventually spread to 45 states. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother’s Day, as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war. Nine years later, commercialization of the day became so widespread that Anna Jarvis herself became a major opponent of what the holiday had become.

This year, instead of mindlessly picking something up in the store or paying a florist to deliver flowers that you didn’t pick out yourself, take some time and create something thats personalized for HER.

Start with a pad and pen and write down all the interests she has. Include any hobbies she has or sports she’s interested in. Does she have a favorite type of movie or food? For each interest that you listed, think of some small to medium sized items that you can make or buy and start collecting them. Also begin thinking of what type of basket or container you want to use. You don’t have to buy an actual basket. For instance, if you’re going to create a gardening basket, use a flower pot as the ‘basket”.

Homemade gift baskets are always appreciated and with a little thought and some creativity, you’ll create a one of a kind gift for a one of a kind person.

Gift baskets don’t have to cost lots of money. They’re great for those on a budget because they can be created with any price range in mind. Shopping the sales is an easy way to watch costs. Shop the after holiday sales and save items for next years gift baskets. Watch for sales on baskets and other items that can be used for containers, such as cute waste paper pails, decorative flower pots and oversized soup mugs. Check second hand shops and flea markets also. You can find new, or newly new items, at a fraction of what it would cost you in a store. Shop with your baskets in mind and you’ll be surprised at what you can find!

Consider who you are giving the basket to, what do they like, what are their hobbies? Have the shown an interest in something or do they have a favorite food or type of music? Also consider the occasion you are making the basket for. What you would purchase for a “thank you” gift basket would differ from the contents of a sympathy gift basket. Also, go window shopping and take note of other gift baskets and what you like about them. Are there certain color themes that catch your eye? Are they decorating them in a way you find appealing?

With some creativity and imagination, you can create a one of a kind gift that will be appreciated, and used. What more could you ask from a gift?

Start shopping early for baskets and other containers. Flea markets and second hand shops are a great place to find new and like-new baskets. You can use green or red napkins as liners for the bottom to pretty it up. Baskets are not the only container you can use. Use a collander for a cooking basket. Use a waste paper pail for a teacher or college student’s basket.

As you look for items to fill the basket up, think about the person you are giving the gift to. What do they enjoy doing? Do they have a favorite food or movie? Also, look for items that reflect the holiday. A few candy canes or Christmas ornaments tucked in will make an all occasion gift basket look more Christmasy.

Here’s a short list of people that would appreciate a small gift basket during the holiday season:

Child’s Teacher
Girl/Boy Scout Troop Leader
Your babysitter
The instructor at your gym
Your favorite hair stylist
Neighbors on your block

Think about all the people you come into contact with on a daily or weekly basis. All of them would love a thoughtful gift such as a gift basket.

There are tons of themes you can use to create your basket around. Here are just a few to get you started.

Baking
Pizza
Nature
Beach
Angels
Fruit
Boats

There are so many themes you can create a basket around. The possibilities are endless.

Christmas only comes once a year so make it extra special for the people in your life by giving them a thoughtful gift that they’ll use and love. Use the ideas on this site to get you started and let your imagination run wild.

If you would prefer to purchase a gift basket, click the banner below for a wide variety of baskets for everyone on your Christmas list!