Personalised and Thoughtful Gift Baskets for Every Occasion: Make Your Gift a Winner with These No-Fail Tips(2020)

A gift basket conveys a simple yet thoughtful way of letting someone you know that you care and filling them with useful and personalised items without going overboard with expenses! The best way of putting together a basket is to fill it with stuff that you may have purchased, found in your gifts stash or even the basket itself. Rather than get overwhelmed with buying things and then assembling it all, work things out this way.

Put your thinking cap on and come up with some creative ideas on how to bring it all together. For instance, if you’re gifting someone who loves the waters and the beach, then you’d fill a sand bucket with beach themed items or for a traveler, you’d put together a toiletries bag as the gift basket. The whole concept of a gift basket to customise it for the person receiving it and you can double up on the effort by combining it with a lovely cause like donation in their name to a cause of their choice or a basket filled with stuff that’s full of socially conscious items.

Further when thinking of a gift basket, rather than buying one that’s expensive, make use of one that’s been used before, you’d find some at thrift or dollar stores and when you fill it up, ensure that there’s a balance of different sized products to make it look visually appealing as well.

When money is tight why give expensive gifts? Inexpensive gift baskets make for just as special gift options with careful consideration and personalisation. It doesn’t matter whether you’re making gift baskets for one or many, just as long as you plan the budget for gifting beforehand. Inexpensive gift baskets can be segregated on the basis of the base container/basket, the stuffing, the wrapping and the decoration. The containers and baskets can be found in a variety of dollar stores, garage sales, thrift stores or grocery shops and depending on how many baskets you’re looking to gift, you can choose them from one place or different sources.

If the base chosen is deep, then you may have to layer it up with tissue paper or newspaper to raise the items in it for better display. For instance, shreds made of different materials are typically used to cover up all the smaller areas where there’s nothing to make the container appear fuller and cushion the items well. You can use paper shreds, tissue papers, coloured paper, etc for varying effects. You can then wrap the basket with a cellophane to give it a visual appeal and ensure it is large enough to cover the entire basket with a large gathering at the top which can be decorated with a colourful bow, ribbon curls and/or gift tags.

When it comes to filling the basket with gifts, there are countless items that you can buy in the inexpensive category, like fruits, cookies, sweet treats, trail mixes, candies and nuts. Such items if on sale can be purchased in bulk as well, without affecting the budget drastically. Alternatively, you can look at a mix of store bought and homemade items, with handcrafted items, like bookmarks if you have books in the basket or create a gift basket with a mix of herbs, berries that can be used to make jams or flowers for potpourri.

One of the most important things to keep in mind about a gift basket is to plan ahead. If you’ve decided on a theme then shop according to it and lookout for sales/bargains on relevant items. Think out of the box on your choice of baskets. For instance for a baker or kitchen themed basket, you could include colanders, fun bowls, skillets, pots or baking trays, while for kids’ gift baskets, toy carts or wagons, glass jars are ideal and for housewarming themes, vintage crates or gifts can be interesting. You could further jazz up your gift baskets with an assortment of textures and colours along with sizes. For instance, a garden themed basket with seeds, herbs, soil, could also have miniature garden toys, stones, chimes rolled in.

Gift Baskets for expectant mothers or new babies are thoughtfully essential and when put together decoratively, tend to be a welcoming surprise. DIY your gift basket with a variety of interesting permutations and combinations, where you design your gift with fabric, bamboo, rope and other craft materials. Fill the basket with little baby accessories such as pacifiers, hair bows, bottles, bath items, socks, wash cloths, small toys, etc. To begin with, choose your basket and wrapping as it’ll help guide you on your next list of things to buy. Not only will the basket be ideal for gifting but also be useful for the new parents for storing their baby’s stuff. You can also use things like storage cubes, play buckets or small toy bins for a creative edge to the gift.

Next comes the placement of gifts. Baby accessories like pillows, blankets, plush toys and diapers are excellent choices for lining your basket, with the larger and bulky items at the bottom to lift up other smaller stuff. You can also combine it with gifts for the expectant mother, which could include a spa gift certificate, bath products or the mom, cozy slippers and more. Some other unique gift ideas for a baby shower could include white noise machines to help a newborn sleep better; a pregnancy and new baby journal is a sweet idea which serves as a guidebook, medical log, and scrapbook all rolled into one for the expecting mother; quick change crib sheets, non-contact thermometer, a portable diaper changing station, a hospital or mom survival kit, post pregnancy essentials kit, sleeping baby door sign, portable changing mat, stroller organisers, nursing covers would be some good options too!

Think creatively for unique gift ideas when it comes to your female friends. From an exciting gift subscriptions to beautiful handcrafted items to hand made pottery to friendship lamps that flicker on touch, no matter the distance to remind her that she’s thought of and cared for, are some ways you can let her know how much she’s loved. Gift her a unique set of items that are personalised for her, and carefully selected, no matter what the occasion.

You can choose a spa basket with essential oils, scented candles, bath bombs, scrubs, body lotions and body butter, shower gels, customised to her liking with a personal note from you. You can cheer her up with a variety of good cheer baskets with thoughtful handwritten messages, positive affirmations, self-help books, meditation music and more. Look for gourmet snacks, chocolate, wine, or fresh fruits gift basket or an assortment of teas, premium coffee basket, flowers, organic essentials, or a gardening gift basket to make her day.

It’s a given that men aren’t always the easiest to buy gifts for, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get them a unique set of stuff to use, be pampered with or enjoy! Whatever the occasion, there’s ample choice to make that brings together the coolest, most unique set of gifts in one place, no matter what his age, interests, style or hobbies. Gift baskets or sets can include a variety of things that center around him, more in terms of what he likes to drink, eat, ready, listen to, indulge in, etc. If he enjoys golfing with his friends, then a unique collection of an insulated lunch bag with a delicious assortment of snacks he loves, a cutting board may be ideal for when he’s out playing his favorite sport. If he enjoys beer, then a wooden gift box with a pint glass and beer growler engraved with his initials and a personalised note that says, ‘The Man, the myth, the legend’ could make his day!

If he loves spicy food and he’ll go bonkers over a hot sauce gift basket which includes a variety of sauces to pep up his favorite eats and give his recipes a chilly kick. It would be an ideal gift for a chef, foodie or griller who loves experimenting with his cooking and taste buds. Spicy food is much preferred by men and such a gift basket could make for a unique gift idea as well. Or you can gift him the ultimate shaving gift basket which has everything for a smooth shaving experience, like soap, face wash, a premium quality lather brush, straight razor set like the Park Avenue Gift Hamper. And then, there’s finding the soft spot which goes through his stomach kinda’ gift basket that has a variety of flavored popcorn, gourmet coffee, chocolates and lip smacking cookies that he’d relish at leisure.

If you know someone who’s recently suffered from a bout of seasonal flu or usually feels down and out, then a ‘Get Well’ Gift Basket can be perfect for them. You can use a plastic tote/tub or a plastic basket and fill it with peppy yellow or orange gifts as these colours represent instant pick-me-up vibes and represent joy and cheer. From body scrubs to essential oils to lemonades, candies, to a mix of homemade goodies, custom songs, heating pads, DIY craft sets or DIY manicure & pedicure sets, decorated boxes of facial tissues, a meds box with a sanitizer, homemade breads, jams or cookies, personalised thermos and more - these are great items for a Get Well Soon Gift Basket! You can also send them or gift them fresh fruits with flowers to cheer them up.

Make their birthday wishes come true with a variety of gourmet snacks and tasty treats with a Birthday Gift Basket which can be both generic or personalised if you know their taste and can include cookies, tea, coffee, chocolates, fruits, wine, cheese and other personal favorites of the birthday boy/girl. Abundant with a rich selection of happy treats, their birthday is sure going to be wonderful and your gift will be cherished for long! A delectable gift hamper of assorted chocolate and candies, or a combo basket of flowers, dry fruits, and a birthday cake or body care gift hamper with a special spa hamper are some popular birthday gift basket choices.

Pets are a significant part of our lives and for most families! And so, they deserve gifts too! If you’re working on a gift basket for a new pet parent, then fill a pet bed filled with chewy treats, and other pet essentials, to enhance the joy of parenting a pet. New parents love cuddling their pet babies, so adding a plush toy would be great. If there’s a small baby in the house too, then you’d gift matching baby and pet outfits. Some other inclusions could be pet collars, personalised pet ornaments, pet cookies or cakes, meals for pets, custom pet photo bracelets, and toy boxes only for pet toys.

There are other occasions that could make gifting a thoughtful gesture and pleasant surprise. From appreciating your boss on Boss Day to expressing gratitude to a junior colleague for teamwork, or appreciating a Teacher’s hard work and efforts with your child towards the end of the year or during the holidays, filling a soft lunch tote with treats or things you think they’d like can relay your thoughts and gratitude to them in a lovely way. Some unique gift ideas for a basket for the boss could include a posture correcting cushion that enables them to sit better, a phone sanitizer and charger, a personalised business card holder, best boss coffee/tea mug, hot chocolate and coffee set or a coffee sampler set, a portable charger, a productivity planner, a charging dock, a kindle, sleeping mask during travel, an LED message board/alarm clock, a pen scanner, Bluetooth portable speaker, a Fitbit, etc.

If you’re looking for a gift basket for your clients then you’d put together a gourmet food basket together that includes candies, cheese or cheese spread, chocolates, crackers, tea/coffee or cocoa, wine and arrange them in way that’s sure to win them over!

Colleagues tend to become like family after a point in time, and expressing your appreciation via a gift basket will always be welcomed. Giving a basket filled with brain stimulating, fun and thoughtful additions is a unique way of gifting your co-worker as it serves a dual purpose of being of use at work as well. Your gift basket can include a wooden puzzle which can not only serve as a desk toy but also improve your colleague’s attention to detail and alertness. A stress ball helps combat a long and frustrating day, click pens are ideal for mindless fidgeting, as are fidget spinners for those who have trouble focusing. Desktop succulent planters, funny employee mugs, noise canceling headphones, cookies, funny desk accessories, mini zen garden, mug warmer, RFID wallet or passport case, magnetic decision maker, a cell phone holder are some more options you can explore! For teachers, a basket filled with things they can use in their classroom or whilst checking work, things that they like or a teacher survival kit would be perfect.

Selecting gifts for kids is no easy task in comparison to selecting gifts for adults. From birthday gifts to cheer up sets, from Christmas to Easter gift packs, arts and crafts to fun tidbits, there’s a wide range of gift basket ideas that could include fun adds and quirky gifts for the kids. For instance, a popcorn and candy gift basket’s perfect for kids at any age filled with an assortment of flavors in popcorn, candies and movie theatre favorites, while a get well or cheer up basket with an activity book, funny faces stress balls or stickers, colouring books, plush animals, children’s card games, all arranged creatively in a basket and wrapped up in a colorful bow will be perfect to brighten up a kid’s day. A playtime gift basket can include adorable soft animals, activity books, silly putty, puzzles and music CDs, jump ropes, snacks and sweet treats, while an Arts & Crafts basket is best filled with markers, crayons, pens, craft paints, paper, art books, DIY craft kits, wooden model kits, art accessories, poster boards, and gift cards to buy craft supplies.

Welcome your loved ones into their new home with a lovely housewarming gift basket. You can fill little galvanised buckets with things they may need, like nails, screws, extension cords, to surge protectors and anything else a new homeowner may require. A welcome rug, a hammer and more, sealed up in cellophane and wrapped up with a twine or ribbon would look rad. You can also consider cleaning supplies in a tote with air fresheners and kitchen towels. If the newbies are moving into their new place during summers, then a summer party gift basket with sunscreen, bug sprays, colourful plastic cutlery and other things that would help them set up a new outdoor eating area would be helpful! Other alternatives could be gift baskets with supplies for the first breakfast at their new home or a gift basket with delicious ice-cream sundaes for their first night at their new home will also be great. If you’d like to gift them their first dinner at their new place then fill a plastic tube with a boxed pizza dinner or spaghetti supplies and things that don’t require refrigeration. Some other lovely and unique gift baskets can include Gourmet Dried Fruits and Nuts Collection, Wine and Fruits, Cheese Assortments, Cookies and Chocolates, Coffee Samplers, Snack Packs, Home Décor Items, Flowers and more!

It is quite natural to be confused when choosing gifts for loved ones for different occasions, be it a graduation ceremony or a milestone or a birthday, an anniversary or Christmas, Diwali, or any other occasion. Gift baskets are a wonderful way of gifting things that suit their requirements and occasion as well. From seasonal gifts to corporate gifts, personalised to distinct events like Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, New Year and more!

These gift baskets can be an assortment of thoughtful gifts for people irrespective of their age or gender, filled with gourmet treats, flowers, chocolates, cookies and health drinks and/or favorite items of the person receiving them. For instance, a coffee basket’s best for those who love to have coffee and can be filled with coffee beans, instant coffee sachets, coffee bugs, portable coffee maker, etc.

A flower basket implies love, care and beauty and is one of the best ways to convey your emotions to your loved ones. A flower gift basket can be filled with flowers of different colours and can be given on any occasion, while a Wine Basket is perfect for a marriage anniversary, wedding or birthday celebration. A fruit basket can include an assortment of apples, pears, oranges and seasonal offerings along with a selection of dry fruits as well.

As if wrapping a gift box wasn’t hard enough, now you’d have to learn ways to wrap a gift basket! From oval to circles to hexagons, there’s a variety of baskets that could be a nightmare for the process of wrapping. Here are some quick tips to help you make wrap beautiful gift baskets yourself.