You probably know some overworked women. They put in a full day on the job to pay the bills, then come home to cook, clean and spend quality time with the family. You can't help but admire their dedication and hard work. A lovely surprise for such a woman would be a spa gift basket, which would offer her a much-needed chance to relax and pamper herself. Try these ideas to make your own special gift to give to a deserving woman in your life.



Begin by looking for a stylish basket. Scout out craft stores, dollar stores or even a thrift store to find a suitable basket. Ensure that it's big enough to contain all the purchases that you want to fill it up with. Consider painting the basket in a shade that matches the contents.

Now it's time to pick out the items for your special spa basket. Remember that the main purpose of this gift is to encourage the recipient to relax, so think of things that will transform her bathroom into a sumptuous home spa.

Your first item should be a towel. Find a thick cotton bath towel with a coordinating face cloth or two. Roll them up separately and tie them with an attractive ribbon. Next, look for a scented candle that matches the towels. Set this in the middle of the basket, and arrange the towels around it.

Now you can fill in the basket with bath items. There's a huge variety of options to choose from, including scented soaps, foaming wash, cleansing gel and bath oils. Stick with a specific fragrance and style. Another nice addition is a loofah or bath mitt to smooth away dry skin. Arrange your selection of products in the basket, keeping in mind to visually balance the items. Instead of purchasing individual items, another option is to open up a packaged set of coordinating bath products and rearrange them in your basket.

To enhance the relaxation experience, tuck in a novel and a CD of soft music. Music is sure to help that special woman unwind, and a bestselling page-turner will distract her from her to-do list.

The spa experience doesn't have to end when the tub is drained. Add a bottle of body lotion for the icing on the cake. If you're going all out, add some creams and lotions targeted to specific body parts, such as feet, hands, or elbows.

An extra special touch would be to tuck in a gift certificate to a nearby spa. And best of all, include a written note offering to look after the kids for an evening so she can be worry-free as she enjoys her candle-lit home spa or uses her gift certificate for a relaxing treatment at the day spa.

Your spa gift basket will be a thoughtful, meaningful gift for the hardworking woman in your life. It will rejuvenate her, relieve the day's stress, and make her all set to head out the door again tomorrow.