Gift Baskets 101

Homemade gift baskets became my standard go-to gift about 5 years ago. Since then I have tweaked and perfected different aspects of the basket, and I'm pretty proud of the results I've gotten. No one is ever disappointed when they receive one as a gift. A few people have come to expect them as their yearly Christmas gift, while others look forward to eating whatever doesn't fit in the basket. Planning and creating the baskets has become a fun tradition. Since I've become somewhat of a "basketeer", I thought I would share the things I've learned about making them.

Tip # 1: Homemade = Bonus Points
Everyone loves getting homemade goodies. Sweet treats seem to get the best response, but I like to include something savory as well. And don't forget about crafty house wares!

Tip # 2: Know your audience
Find out your lucky recipients' favorite flavors. Tweak your recipes to suit their tastes. Some people prefer dark chocolate, some love pecans, etc. Personal touches make it much more meaningful.

Tip # 3: Keep it simple
In my opinion, a variety of simple items is nicer than a few really complicated ones. And don't forget you're creating each thing by hand, which can be a free-time vacuum.

Tip # 4: Plan ahead
Know what you're going to make so you can pick up all ingredients at once and save extra trips to the store. Also, you can double recipes to fill multiple baskets at once.

Tip # 5: Supplement a "gifty" item
If you want the basket to seem like a more substantial gift, you can include a small store-bought item. I usually do this around Christmas because I feel a little guilty for skipping out on buying "standard" presents, but I don't think it's necessary. Especially when you add up how much money you spent on ingredients plus the time spent making everything.

Hope you have fun making your own unique gift baskets!