| Gift baskets have been around for a number of years. | | | | Gift Basket Ideas Don'ts |
| Though people mean well when they buy a gift basket | | | | While adding a personal touch to a gift basket, try to |
| for another person, most gift baskets that are | | | | make it unique. Unless the gift baskets are for children, |
| purchased pre-prepared lack in quality. These gift | | | | try to avoid adding the same items to more than one |
| baskets are put together by a company that is more | | | | basket. This could lead to embarassment if the people |
| interested in making a profit, and the result is quantity | | | | who received the gifts find that they received the |
| and not quality. If you do want to give a gift basket, | | | | exact same items. Though this doesn't take away the |
| then consider creating your own from scratch. This | | | | personal touch with which the gifts were prepared, it |
| way, you can personalize it and make your own | | | | does make the gift seem less personal and not as |
| choices as to the type of basket, and the items it | | | | well thought out. |
| contains based on the recipient's likes and interests. | | | | Another gift basket idea that should probably be |
| When someone receives a basket that has a | | | | avoided is the addition of items that are related to |
| personal touch, they will appreciate the gift more as | | | | religion or spirituality. Not everyone practices their faith |
| they realize that you put a lot of thought and effort | | | | in the same manner. Unless you are very confident |
| into it. | | | | that the gift being given will be received well, one |
| Gift Basket Ideas Do's | | | | should probably stay away from gift baskets with |
| One great gift basket idea is to add items to the | | | | religious overtones. Exceptions to this would be if the |
| basket that have special meaning to the recipient. For | | | | gift basket is being prepared for a member of your |
| example, you can add a picture frame to the basket | | | | church, or a friend or family member whose beliefs |
| that contains a picture of a person or persons, event, | | | | you are certain of. |
| or anything that has special meaning to the recipient. | | | | One other gift basket idea that should be avoided is |
| Also, take the recipient's likes and interests into | | | | adding food items to the basket that could spoil if not |
| account when creating the gift basket. If the gift is | | | | eaten right away. Unless your certain the recipient |
| intended for a man who enjoys fishing, you can add | | | | enjoys the type of food item that your adding to the |
| fishing lures or hooks. You could also add other items | | | | basket, and will eat it before it spoils, avoid adding |
| related to fishing such as a cap with a clever saying | | | | perishable food items. |
| involving fishing, or one of those popular "Gone Fishin'" | | | | By taking into account the gift recipient's likes and |
| signs. If the gift basket is for a woman who enjoys | | | | interests, you're certain to come up with some great |
| music, add a CD with songs from one of her favorite | | | | gift ideas. Simply put a little bit of thought and effort |
| artists. A t-shirt from the artist's latest concert tour | | | | into it and you're sure to create a gift that is very well |
| would also be a great addition. You could even take it | | | | received and greatly appreciated. The personalized gift |
| a step further by adding concert tickets to one of that | | | | basket is always one that is sure to both warm the |
| artist's shows. Just put a bit of thought into it, and I'm | | | | heart and put a smile on the recipient's face. |
| sure you can come up with plenty of great ideas. | | | | |