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Making a gift basket for Christmas or a holiday is a very personalized way to convey your feelings. It’s easy too. A custom, unique, personalized gift basket from you will be appreciated by the recipient more than anything you can buy from a store.

How to make a gift basket is not rocket science. Once you learn the basics you can use the same pattern, all year ’round, just change the theme.

A holiday or Christmas gift basket is a great gift idea. Give one to your mother (mom), father (dad), grandma or grandpa, boss, co-worker, corporate co-workers, teacher, friend, new friend, best friend, boyfriend or girlfriend.

Also, you may want to give one to your neighbor, shut-in neighbor, hospital patient, assisted living

facility resident, retirement home resident, nurse, doctor or a special thank you to someone who has helped you in some way.

The first thing to do is decide on what items or products you’re going to put in the basket.

I’ve compiled and listed here some ideas and suggestions. These are items that might be appropriate for Christmas and the holidays, for you to consider, and choose from. Many of these items can be picked up at the dollar store if the budget is tight. Only use new items.

Important tip: be careful about using any packaged cookies or crackers. They have a short shelf life and go stale quickly.

Now the list of items and products — circle or make notations as you

read: small plant, disposable camera, a small book, inspirational book, spa pillows, bath pillows, spa supplies, bath and body products, facial and body scrubs, handmade soaps, fragrant soaps, shampoos, hand and foot lotion, fluffy towel, potholders, gift certificate for massage or spa visit, scented oils,and scented massage oils.

Also, gift certificate to favorite store, gift certificate for restaurant, loofah, fragrant candle, matches to light candles, CD of nature sounds, favorite artist CD, DVD of newer release movie, how-to video or DVD, garden trowel or other garden tools, garden gloves, work gloves, cold weather gloves, leather gloves, garden picks, seeds, hand lotion, and flower pot.

Also, flavored teas, green tea, specialty tea, herbal tea, biscotti, tea infuser, small tools, gadgets, stuffed animals, toys,

playing cards, calculator, healthy snacks, food, wine, champagne, special beer, lottery tickets, travel-size games and small puzzles.

Also, fancy chocolates, boxed chocolates, chocolate bars, hot chocolate mix, specialty coffee mix, handwritten poem, perfume, cologne, watch, framed photo, t-shirt, baseball cap, collectible cards, tickets to events, small dolls, homemade cookies, homemade brownies and homemade jams.

And movie tickets, popcorn, caramel corn, giant-size boxed candy, candy canes, suckers, lollipops, apple, pear, orange, persimmon, mango, papaya, chips, pretzels, nuts, plastic skulls, spiders, fake cob webs, magic shop items, coffee mug, gourmet pasta, and gourmet olive oil.

And doggie biscuits,cat treats, dog or cat collar, dog or cat toys, stationery supplies, cooking tools, cooking gadgets, measuring spoons, receiving blanket, baby rattles, baby powder, baby shampoo, baby bath

wash, hooded towels, pre-packaged food items, pancake mixes, brownie mixes, cookie mixes, wooden spoons, baby games and baby items.

And your best chocolate chip cookie recipe, Italian recipes, Mexican food recipes or other ethnic recipes, book of motivational quotations, birthday poems,corkscrews, computer-related items, mouse pad, yarn, and painting or artist supplies.

And finally, golf balls, golf tees, golf knick knacks, tennis balls, tennis knick knacks, key chains, small calendars or desk calendars, barometer, outdoor thermometer, science gadgets, electronic gadgets, health-related items, auto-related items, cinnamon sticks, etc.

Make sure to include some red and green Christmas products or other holiday items.

Use a red and green Christmas theme unless your religious holiday uses another color theme. Decide what type of container to use. To make

it simple use a traditional wicker basket. If you have time to experiment there are many other containers you can use, of course. For Christmas I think the best container choice is the traditional wicker gift basket however.

Now the easy part — gather together all of your gift basket items, scissors and other tools, container, liner, filler, wrap, ribbon, card, etc. Then line your selected gift basket with a red cloth napkin or red fabric.

Now stuff your filler with red and green straw or just red or just green straw (available from craft stores) - into the gift basket. Place, layer and arrange your selected items on the straw in the gift basket. Put the larger items in the back,

the smaller items in front to give it the proper proportional height.

Fill in the holes or prop up the items with more filler (shredded paper, straw, wrapped chocolates, napkins, holiday napkins, etc.) Also you can use artificial flower picks if you have them to fill in any empty space.

You can leave the basket unwrapped or get some cello wrap from your craft store. Place the wrap under the gift basket. Center the gift basket on the wrap. Bring the cellophane over the top of the gift basket and tie it with red ribbon and a beautiful red bow! Use ribbon and bows to match your red and green theme.

Tuck a hand-written card or a Christmas card in the ribbon and

that’s it! You’re done. Now why not make another gift basket?

With these tips you now know how to make a holiday or Christmas gift basket. Your loved one or the recipient of your unique, custom, personalized holiday or Christmas gift basket will be thrilled to receive it. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect. He or she will love it and love you for it!

Helen Hecker heads Twin Peaks Press since 1982. Helps publishers, online marketing,mailing lists,press releases,Helen Hecker’s Biz Hotline,How to Make Gift Baskets DVD. http://www.TwinPeaksPress.com http://www.HowToMakeBeautifulGiftBaskets.com http://www.SellCookbooks.com