What Could I Set Up in a Food Basket?

Once you’ve decided to send somebody a food gift basket, make sure the foods that are put into the basket are suitable for that person. For instance you wouldn’t give someone a food gift basket with alot of sweets if they happen to be diabetic. Setting up the basket is easy and won’t take long to do, simply use common sense and think of who the basket is going to.

A food gift basket can comprise of just about anything one could think of. Freshly ground gourmet coffee beans works for a wonderful gift. Fruits and vegetables can be set up to make the basket beautiful. A few confectioneries can be suitable as long as they aren’t over done. One could add dry spaghetti with a bottle of good sauce and a bottle of great wine. You could think of any theme for a food gift basket and present it personally.

Making a certain theme could save someone from receiving fifteen identical meals. Receiving baskets full of chicken is excellent for a couple of meals, but not for two weeks. A food gift basket doesn’t even have to be a meal, just a few small items like cheese and wine, or some other small gourmet items are an excellent way to convey kindness to someone.

What to Avoid in a Food Gift Basket

There are some items that are great but not suitable for a gift basket. If the basket is filled with sweets, don’t add too many chocolates. The biggest problem with chocolates is that they will melt if it is exceptionally warm. If it’s a hospital room that the person is staying in, they more than likely won’t have control over the temperature. A person doesn’t like to open their favorite chocolate with anticipation and find that it’s all mushy and melted.

Think of a few things your friend would actually like and arrange it in a food gift basket. Make sure that what they wouldn’t like, have religious or cultural sensitivities or are allergic to is left out of the basket. Remember a meal you’ve loved at the recipients house and try to repeat that. It is actually that easy when putting together a food gift basket. Things to avoid would be anything that takes that extra time and effort to prepare.

Look at all of this information and use it to make a terrific food gift basket for someone who deserves it.

Teachers work hard all year with our children. If you are looking for a special gift for your child’s teacher this year, why not try something different this year.

Here are a few gifts for teachers’ ideas:

1. Stationary with pens
2. Coffee mug with gift certificate to their favorite coffee bar
3. Homemade cookies and candy
4. Mini scrapbook or photo album, ready to insert pictures into
5. Candy-filled glass bowl
6. Books from their favorite author
7. Keepsake box
8. Small jewelry box
9. “Pamper Me” basket, filled with bubble bath, soaps, body lotions, etc.
10. Deliciously-scented candles
11. Handmade cookbook, filled with your special/favorite recipes
12. Gift certificate for “two” to the movies
13. One dozen of her favorite flowers
14. Scarf, knitted by you
15. Small bottle of favorite perfume
16. Personalized keychain
17. Personalized gift basket, filled with all her favorite things
18. Tote bag with name or initial embroidered on the front
19. Pretty refrigerator magnets
20. Potpourri jar
21. Handmade soaps or lotions
22. Handmade pillar candles
23. “Why you’re special to me” book – Purchase a small notebook or journal. Have each kid in the class write why their teacher is special to them. Present it to the teacher as a class.
24. Surprise party
25. Decorative watering can, filled with pretty flowers or greenery
26. Variety of specialty teas inside a china teacup
27. Home cooked meal, delivered at the day/time of teacher’s preference
28. Monetary donation in teacher’s name, to her favorite charity
29. Custom made charm bracelet
30. Food baskets (fruit, canned foods, specialty items, etc.)

Romantic Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Spouse

Christmas is a wonderfully romantic time of the year. Remember your first Christmas with your spouse? Wasn’t it a magnificent holiday that year?

Celebrate Christmas this year and give your spouse a romantic gift. Take a walk down memory lane and remember what brought you together in the beginning. Reminisce about the love and life you share.

- Dinner for two. Plan a special dinner just for the two of you. Surprise him, by picking him up from work that evening. Pamper him and make him feel like he’s king of the world.

- Personalized jewelry. Nothing says “I love you” like jewelry. Shop for something extra special, when something catches your eye, ask about personalization options. Create a special message, just for your spouse, and have it engraved on the inside of a ring, or on the back of a beautiful watch or bracelet.

- Time at home. Most couples are so busy these days that they hardly have any time to relax at home. Get a family member to keep your kids overnight and plan a special night at home for your spouse. Cook his favorite meal and prepare a candlelit setting for dinner just before he arrives home. Serve him a special dinner, some nice wine and use this time to talk and connect.  Afterwards, soak together in a hot bubble bath and just enjoy the quiet evening alone. This is probably the best gift your spouse could ever receive!

Do you need nice, but inexpensive gifts for your friends, but don’t have a clue what to give them? This Christmas, don’t stress yourself out by shopping for hours on end. Instead, make your own homemade holiday gifts. Try these ideas that your friends are sure to love.

Gift Idea #1: Layered Cookie and Drink Mixes
Buy a box of Mason jar and lids at your local grocery store. These are usually available year-round. Purchase a small amount of fabric, to decorate the lids with. Using your favorite cookie and drink recipes, layer the dry ingredients inside the jar. Print your recipe on a small card, punch a hole in the top corner, and tie it around the lid.

Gift Idea #2: Homemade Jams and Jellies
If you grow your own fruit or veggies, jams and jellies (or pickled veggies) are wonderful gifts to give your neighbors. Make sure to can/jar extras during the summer months when you harvest. Then you’ll have ready-made gifts on hand at the end of the year! You can “pretty” the jars with your own decorations, if you wish.

Gift Idea #3: Inspiration Jar
Write special, inspiring or motivational messages on small slips of paper. Fold them in half and drop them into a small, clear jar or bowl. Then write a special message on a card to go outside the jar, telling your friend that the next time she’s feeling down or sad, take a message out of her “Inspiration jar” to help cheer her up.

Gift Idea #4: Homemade Goodies
Who doesn’t love homemade cookies, candy or bread? Plan a special day just for baking. Create all your favorite treats, including your famous homemade bread. Prepare trays of treats for everyone in your neighborhood. (You can find inexpensive plastic trays at most dollar or department stores.)