Constructing a Gift Basket
Gift baskets can be used for many different purposes
including holidays, birthdays, special occasions, and celebrations. The gift basket illustrated here was made to
raffle at a church Christmas bazaar. I call
it “All Wrapped Up for Christmas.” The focal
item (or main gift) for this basket is the Christmas teddy bear. Also included were numerous small items,
such as gift-wrap, bows, Christmas mugs, tea, and wrapping materials. Following
these simple instructions, you too can construct a beautiful gift basket.
Step
1. Decide on a theme.
·
In
choosing a theme, keep in mind:
(a) Whom the gift is for,
(b) what occasion is being celebrated,
(c)
and what that person enjoys.
·
Some
samples themes:
(a)
Wine
and Cheese basket – include a bottle of your (or their) favorite wine, several
different styles of cheese, crackers (or homemade bread), and a cutting board
with knife.
(b)
Arts
and Crafts (for the youngster) – include items such as drawing paper, crayons,
paints, glue, craft scissors, tape, construction paper, and a book about
crafts. Instead of a basket, the
container could be a box to keep all their goodies in.
(c)
Baby
Shower basket – include items the new baby will need, such as diapers, lotions,
bottles, rattles, receiving blankets, tee-shirts.
Step
2. Choose the container or basket.
·
Remember
it must be large enough for all the items to fit in, but not so big that it’s
awkward to wrap and decorate.
·
The
container need not be a basket; it could be a box, a bowl, a watering can, or
any item fitting the chosen theme.
Step
3. Select gift items to place in the
container.
·
Keep
your theme in mind. Each item should
have something to do with the theme.
·
Your
gift basket needs a focal item. The focal
item is the main gift and should also be chosen carefully to represent your
theme. The focal item is usually the largest item in the container.
Step
4. Purchase or make decorative items.
·
Materials
needed: cellophane wrap, scotch tape, double-sided tape, tissue paper, floral
foam, wood picks, a large bow, shredded paper, other decorations (check out
your local party store for ideas).
Step
5. Prepare gift items for the
container.
·
In
order to secure the items to the container attach a wooden pick to the back of
each gift item with scotch tape. (See
1.)
·
Then,
cover the pick with double-sided tape, and add shredded paper. This hides the pick, making a more
professional presentation. (See figure
2.)
Step
6. Prepare your container.
·
Your
container should be clean and in new condition.
·
Cut
floral foam to fit snuggly in your container.
·
Wrap
colored tissue paper around floral foam, securing with tape.
·
Fit
wrapped floral foam into your container, making sure it is secure.
Step
7. Arrange items in the container.
·
Start
with the focal item; place it
center-front, pushing the attached shred-covered wooden pick into the
tissue-covered floral foam.
·
Then,
begin placing the other, smaller gift items in, remembering to push the wooden
pick into the foam for security. Also,
don’t neglect the back of the container; the gift basket should be attractive
from all viewpoints.
