Are you looking for gift ideas that show you care, yet cost almost nothing?



Well, GiftBaskets are the answer. I don't mean those expensive, fancy wine or gourmet GiftBasket jobs you can buy for a fortune. I mean simple, beautiful giftbaskets you can make yourself. Your family and friends will

THINK they are the costly kind, but truth is it is ridiculously cheap and easy.

The beauty of GiftBaskets is the opportunity to be personal. That's the caring touch that makes people feel that your gift is thoughtful. That's the kind of gift that will be treasured and remembered. The great thing is how easy and cheap it is to make stunning personalized Giftbaskets.

A GiftBasket can be a lot of things, but there are a few principles to remember. Here are a few basics for successful GiftBaskets to Wow and touch your lucky

recievers. A GiftBasket usually consists of a container, usually a basket, and contents. Typically, it is then wrapped in "cellophane" (clear or colored

translucent plastic paper)and decorated.

Let's look into each component. Once you "get" the concept, you'll realize that GiftBaskets are really the perfect gift giving format. GiftBasket creation is the Art of creating a caring statement to your reciever.

These are the basics:

Container: This is usually a basket, but it doesn't have to be limited to that. The "Basket" itself is a big category of possibilities, colors, sozes, shapes and styles. Inexpensive baskets can be found at Party good stores, and most large variety and bargain stores. A good resource is garage sales and swapmeets and the like.

When you see a nice basket at a great price, grab it and put it away for "gift giving time".

However, creativity is your only limit when it comes to Giftbasket containers. Don't think that it has to be a traditional woven basket. It can be ANY container. Be creative!

Party supply stores and even supermarket paper-good sections are great places to find cheap Giftbasket containers. Great ideas are Disposable Serving Bowels that are a decorated in a nice pattern. If there is a coordinating napkin , it can make a coordinated basket liner!

A simple Clear plastic bowel can stunning if the contents are interesting or colorful.

Even nice crockry pieces make beautiful exclusive looking giftBaskets, Planters also, are a nice idea. They range from simple to georgeous. Plastic serving Platters can also work well. Mugs are nice too!

Your basket, or container then needs to be lined with a napkin, cloth or even colored filler. An old colorful scarf works great! Most Party goods stores carry this type of stuff, as well as cellophane and ribbons, bows etc.

Even white styrafoam packing filler pellets looks nice as is. It's easy to "Dye" it! Just shake it up in a plastic bag with food coloring and then spreading out to dry on a tray for an hour!

Next come the Content. What goes in the basket? Here's where the personal touch comes in. Decide a "theme" for your basket. What does the recipient like? What are they into? Creativity is the limit.And it doesn't have to be expensive at all. Suggestions may be chocolate, coffees, wines, stationary items, jams, baby items, little toys, Chips, tools, socks, gourmet foods or foods that they like.

Even "Diet Food" Giftbaskets are fun and big successes. Baked goods and cooked portions like lasagna or salamis go over really well. Even plain old grocery items of favorite foods or drinks are great! Of course add personal touches along with content like flowers, notes, pictures and the like. Family photographs are very nice in holiday GistBasketbaskets. If the GiftBasket is going to a hobbyist you can include a rememberance like a golf picture or a music nototion sheet with a message.

Kids LOVE giftBaskets. A few cheap toys, gums and stickers become a Super GiftBasket!

Last and perhaps Most important comes the decoration:

Wrap the container and contents in cellophane, like a sack. Gather the corners at the top and firmly secure with ribbin or a rubber band. Tie Ribbon around the secured area, adorn with stick on bows, cloth flowers, ornaments, novelty items etc. and you have a spectacular , cheap personalized gift.

Complete by attaching a card or note and that's it!

Of course the card, or note in itself is as creative as you want!

Somehow cellophane, ribbon and a card create a magic gift that your loved ones will remember for a long time. It's also a wonderful family project that children love!