When you're creating gift baskets for Dad, either for Father's Day, his birthday or Christmas, it's all about the theme. Basic cheese gift baskets and nut gift baskets are a special treat and always welcome, but you'll be a hit with Dad if you can tie those indulgent foods into one of his favorite interests.

What Does Dad Enjoy?
Start out by taking stock of Dad's interests. Is he a sports fan? Does he like to golf? Does he enjoy grilling in the backyard or insist on changing the oil in his car himself? Perhaps he's a gourmet or cigar buff.

Combining things that appeal to his interests or hobbies with the stock Dad foods will set your gift basket for Dad apart and make it personal. No matter what his interests, there's a way to add them to the mix.

The Container
Baskets by themselves aren't all that useful to most dads, so you may want to think up something creative. Use a clay or plastic flower pot for the gardening Dad. Consider a beer bucket for the sports fan or an ice bucket for the gourmet. A small plastic bucket is useful for the handyman Dad or the mechanic. Aim for a container that's practical and that fits the theme of the basket for Dad.

Basket Fillers
Once you've got a theme and a container, start with the fillers that are sure Dad pleasers:

• Wine
• Beer (a few bottles will do; a six-pack can quickly overwhelm a basket, so keep the rest in the fridge or cellar)
• Cheese
• Nuts
• Pretzels
• Crackers
• Smoked meats

Line the bottom and sides of the container with a creatively folded T-shirt that fits the theme. Add some crinkle paper in a color the matches the shirt to hold everything in place. When you're assembling the basket for Dad, keep the largest items in the center and toward the back. This allows more of the gifts to be seen and keeps the basket from tipping.

To complete the theme, choose a few items that reflect Dad's interests.

• Gourmet Dad: Wine glasses, cheese slicer, cigars, corkscrew
• Golf Dad: Tees, golf balls, score cards, club covers
• Handy Dad: Tape measure, retractable knife, screwdrivers, pocket level
• Mechanical Dad: Socket set, small wrenches, tire pressure gauge, toy cars
• Sports Dad: Trading cards or items with team logos, including balls and pucks, keychains and bottle openers
• Barbecue Dad: Barbecue sauce, grill brush, grill tongs, dry rub mix

You can also include a pocket-sized book that fits the theme or a gift card to one of Dad's favorite stores.

Once everything is arranged, all you need to do is wrap the container in a large piece of colored cellophane, then tie it off with a bow.