| Christmas gift baskets are a great idea when you're | | | | use a flower pot, a bird house or even a bucket and |
| looking for something fast and easy. You can get | | | | make a super nice gift for someone special. |
| baskets filled with almost anything. Do the people on | | | | If you want your gift basket to be remembered, |
| your gift list like food, wine, cheese or chocolate. You | | | | there are some things to be careful about. |
| can find a basket for that. | | | | 1. Don't give baskets containing things the recipient is |
| You can make a basket be all about a person's | | | | allergic to. Don't give a basket that contains milk to a |
| passion, profession or favorite sport. Baskets can | | | | person who is lactose intolerant or nuts to someone |
| come filled with anything from school supplies to golf | | | | with peanut allergies. Meat is a bad idea for |
| balls. Gift baskets can be suitable gifts for any | | | | vegetarians. While it's the thought that counts, you |
| occasion. | | | | don't want your holiday gift baskets remembered for |
| Take some of the time and burden off your | | | | inappropriate items. The insensitivity or the trip to the |
| Christmas shopping by giving a gift that will please | | | | hospital will be remembered long after the rest of |
| everyone on your shopping list. Gift baskets are a | | | | the stuff is gone. |
| great way to show someone you care about them | | | | 2. Kids don't like some things for Christmas. DVDs or |
| and cut down on the search time for the perfect | | | | toys in a basket is a good idea for kids, but socks, |
| gift. But, there are some things to consider when | | | | shirts and other clothing won't be appreciated. This is |
| choosing a gift basket. | | | | another item that will not be remembered fondly |
| 1. If it is a holiday or special occasion, pick a themed | | | | 3. Generic baskets or multi-themed baskets are |
| basket. Sometimes you can find the perfect basket | | | | impersonal. While they may be okay for some |
| that is based on a theme, such as fall colors and corn | | | | holidays, they don't require a lot of thought. If your |
| for thanksgiving or pine cones and boughs for | | | | friend or relative actually likes the baskets you buy at |
| Christmas. Baskets can be regional or have a sports | | | | the local mall, then that's fine. Otherwise, you need |
| theme or be centered around a favorite food. | | | | to put some effort into it. Find out what the recipient |
| 2. Pick something the recipient will like and enjoy. This | | | | actually likes, and build a basket around that. It shows |
| seems obvious since we try to pay attention to | | | | you care about what they like and enjoy. |
| what peoples like and dislike when we choose gifts. | | | | A gift basket is something you can't go wrong with |
| Baskets can be about anything. You can give a | | | | as a Christmas present. Everybody likes them. |
| basket filled with bath items, craft supplies, car | | | | Surprise your friend or family member with a basket |
| washing supplies, fruit or food. A basket does not | | | | full of little things they love. It is actually easier to go |
| always have to be filled with food. Your imagination is | | | | this way than to spend a lot of time trying to find |
| the only limiting factor. | | | | the best possible gift. |
| 3. For something unique, build your own basket. Most | | | | Specialty gift baskets can be bought online and |
| gift baskets pre-assembled, but you can find some | | | | delivered directly to your recipient's door full of the |
| "build your own" baskets on-line and in some stores. | | | | items you requested. Shop when you want to and |
| It is easy and more personal to build a gift basket | | | | think of the time you will save by not standing in the |
| with items you know please your gift recipient. The | | | | endless holiday lines at the post office. |
| gift doesn't always have to be in a basket. You could | | | | |