Personalized gift baskets not only says "you're special to me," but also "you're important to me, and I want you to know it."
Think back and recall how wonderful it felt when you received a personalized gift or personalized gift basket. How lovely to know the gift basket was created just for you. And that every item, even the basket or container the gifts were placed in, was hand-chosen based on your needs and wants.
Getting a personalized gift basket makes for a great ending to your day. Who doesn't want to be special or get a special gift?
Keys to personalizing a gift
The key to personalizing a gift basket is not that you spent an excessive amount of money. Nor is it about trying to outdo a gift your subject gave to you last year or the year before.
The key to personalizing a gift basket is to give from the heart. Any inexpensive items placed in a gift basket will be just as cherished as expensive gifts.
Personalizing a gift basket in five easy steps
Step One: Know your subject. Familiarize yourself with habits, likes and dislikes, etc.
Personalized baskets can be containers filled with a mishmash of items loved by your subject or they can be a theme baskets wherein all items pertain to a particular theme, also loved by your subject.
Step Two: Pick a topic or theme that your subject is passionate about.
Garden enthusiast
Hopeless romantic
Homebody
Weekend warrior
Nature lover
Gourmet
Step Three: Choose a basket or container that will complement your theme.
Garden enthusiast: wheelbarrow
Hopeless romantic: picnic basket
Homebody: wicker laundry basket
Weekend warrior: large plain bucket
Nature lover: wooden crate
Gourmet: large bowl or pot
Step Four: Fill the basket with items appropriate to each theme.
Wheelbarrow (must-have for every gardener)
Potting soil
Spring bulbs or a couple of mums
Garden book
Gardening gloves
Gardening tools
Case of lemonade
Picnic basket (newlyweds can't survive without one)
Plastic or paper plates, cups and utensils
Bottle of wine
Homemade napkins and matching blanket
Cheese and crackers
Book of poetry
Chocolate cheesecake (or suggest they take leftover wedding cake!)
Wicker laundry basket (everyone needs three or four)
Afghan (in colors that match the subject's living room)
Anthology of inspirational stories
Slippers
Mug
Cocoa
Cookies (homemade are always best)
Large plain bucket (great way to carry tools from one renovation site to the next
Tape measure
Hammer
Screw gun and screws
How-to book on weekend renovation projects
Flashlight (headgear for hands-free working)
Pizza coupon
Wooden crate (makes a perfect outdoor chair for the bird watcher)
Bag of birdseed
Backdoor rug (wildlife scene)
Bunch of freshly dug carrots
Apples and nuts
Bird Book
Mug and coffee
Large bowl or pot (can never have too many)
Stirring spoons
Oven mitt and kitchen towels
Recipe cards
Apron (personalized with their name would be fun)
Cutting board
Gourmet cook book
Step Five: The finishing touch? A beautiful ribbon.
Use ribbons in colors your subject is partial to, and keep your theme in mind as you choose this last accessory. Include a card that also complements the gift basket or theme basket to perfection.
Ribbon embossed with birds would be great for the nature lover's basket, while ribbon imprinted with gingerbread cookies would go well with the gourmet basket.
Hints for further personalization
A nice way to personalize a book is to address it to your subject and then write a small personal note.
Cloth items can always be embroidered with your subject's name.
Write a poem, using the subject's name and personal information such as the date of a wedding, birthay, etc, then tuck it in the lining of the picnic basket. They'll find it eventually.
Homemade recipe cards are delightful when the subject's name appears across the top.
Engrave your subject's name on the handle of the hammer. That way if he lends it to the neighbor, he'll always get it back.
 | It's easy to learn to make gift baskets and they make excellent gifts. The best thing about them is that they can be personalized for any occasion or individual tastes. |
 | The time-honored tradition of gift giving has been practiced by all societies, in all walks of life. Since the beginning of time, the giving of gift baskets has been a thoughtful means of expressing oneself. And whenever a gift is given from the heart, it becomes much more than just a gift. |
 | A home spa gift basket is the perfect gift for someone who needs and deserves a little pampering and relaxation. You can assemble the products yourself, or buy a wide variety of ready-made gift baskets in a range of prices. |
Movie theme gift baskets are an impressive gift for singles, couples and families. It's easy to control costs with this gift as well, since most of the candy and snacks you'll use for filler can be found at the local supermarket. |
One of the great things about making your own gift baskets for women is that you can control the cost and choose basket fillers that have special meaning to the recipient. |
