How to Make a Christmas Gift Basket

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Do you find that it’s difficult to buy just the right gift for someone? Or maybe you have some ideas in mind, but none are quite enough? One way to consolidate all of your ideas is to build a gift basket for the person. I like themes, so I try to stay within a themed idea, but certainly you can make a jambalaya (a mixture a many different things) of a basket. Pick up some things that will go into the gift and let’s get started.

What you’ll need:

  • clear plastic gift wrap–buy a package of two or more
  • container–basket, bowl, platter, even a beautiful piece of crystal from an estate sale
  • filler–colored paper, newspaper, shredded paper (like Easter grass), tissue, etc. I like to recycle gift wrapping paper for this. Shred or crush paper
  • twist tie and ribbon
  • card or name tag
  • items for the basket

For this post I’ll show how I put together a fruit basket, but the theory is the same no matter what items go into the gift.

Gather everything close at hand and begin by putting the paper into the bottom of the basket.

 I put enough paper to fill the basket almost to the very top.
Start with one large item, placed at the back of the basket.  Then add fruit on either side of the large item.

I especially like the sweet/salty mix of chips or pretzels with the fruit–in this case the Zapps chips, a Louisiana product.  Just be careful when making your choice. Sugar-free cookies or candy with fruit make a great gift for a diabetic.  Fruit with caramel dip and peanut butter (or Nutella) make a good basket for a family with children.  How about fruit and cheese with a bottle of wine for newlyweds? You get the idea.

Spread the plastic bag on a large surface so that you can open and flatten the bottom of the bag.  Roll the top edges out so that they will be out of the way.

Gently put the basket in the center of the bag and unroll the sides until the bag is completely open.  Tuck the corners in and tape down if necessary.  Add or move items around as needed to distribute evenly, including colors, textures, shapes, etc.

Now gather the top of the bag well above the basket and gently push out most of the air.  Use the twist tie to hold in place.  Add a large ribbon and card.

You now have a beautiful gift basket ready for giving.

Gift basket ideas:

  • baking goods with measuring cups and spoons in a mixing bowl for bakers
  • bath products and candles for a young teen
  • gardening hand tools and packets of seeds in a watering bucket for a gardener
  • car cleaning kits in a galvanized bucket for new drivers
  • variety of small toys for 3+ children
  • homemade goodies in a vintage crystal bowl for anyone (wrap foods individually in Saran wrap and pick up a bowl at your favorite antique or flea market)
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