Making a Christmas Gift Basket - It's Easier Than You Think

During the holidays, you'll always find delicious food, whether it is turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes or a sweet Christmas ham. It is common knowledge that between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the time of year to stuff yourself - losing weight can wait until after New Year's. Take full advantage of your friends and family's vulnerability to food this holiday season by creating a Christmas gift basket - the perfect gift for anyone. Here are some ideas on what to fill your Christmas gift basket with, from succulent treats to useful things for the home.

Create a theme. Think of the person you're wanting to give a Christmas gift basket to. What do they like? What can they use? If they love to cook, create a kitchen-themed basket. Fill it with durable kitchen utensils such as a wire whisk, a garlic press, or a rolling pin. If you can, try to include items that they don't already have. Don't forget scrumptious gourmet bread mixes and cookie dough! If the person you're buying for likes to entertain, you can go with a cheese and wine theme. For this basket, however, only the best will do. Cheap wine and cheese will not impress.
Make a list. Based on your theme, think of all the things you could possibly put in your Christmas gift basket and write them down. At this point, you are just brainstorming, so don't limit yourself in any way. If you're creating a basket for that breakfast-in-bed lover, write down everything from eggs to a TV tray. You can always cross things off later. Once you have a really big list, sit on it for a few days if you can before whittling it down. Think about things they would really love and cross off the things they won't or that they already have. Depending on how big you want your basket to be, you should have 1-2 large items, 4-5 medium sized items and several smaller items to fill in the gaps. (Christmas candy, of course, makes an excellent filler!)
Get creative. 'Tis the season for festivity! No one wants a boring basket, no matter what cool stuff you have gathered inside. Find inexpensive ways to decorate your Christmas gift basket for an ultra-impressive look. Ribbons are by far the most valuable tool when it comes to decorating your basket. Inside, outside and in between, ribbons can be curled and twirled to your hearts content - and they're cheap too! Try making several little goodie bags using the decorative cellophane from the grocery store, or include mini-cards or confetti. Red and green tissue paper can also work wonders.
Make it look completely overstuffed. This is a trick of the trade. Even if the basket is not completely full, making it look like it is absolutely overflowing is the recipe for success. Pack taller or larger items in the back, and work towards the front according to size. Again, here is where tissue paper can save lives by filling almost the entire bottom of the basket. Nothing can zap a full wallet like packing a Christmas gift basket with nothing but the items themselves. Stick your fillers down in the gaps between items for a completely overstuffed and impressive display.

Don't be afraid to put your own variations on things if you so choose. That's the best part about making a Christmas gift basket - you have full creative reign! Above all, make it personal. Resist the temptation to purchase a store bought basket, because not only are they generic, they often cost more than making one yourself would. You can find excellent items to fill your Christmas gift baskets at www.unique-gift-for-her.com/gift_shop.php. You might just find everything you need!