Stores have a wide, beautiful selection, and it’s a good gift for people you don’t know well. However, these aren’t always the most personalized or wallet-friendly offerings. We talked to the pros for tips on how you can save money and customize your gift baskets this year.
Gift baskets
Good news: As gifts go, gift baskets are almost infinite in variety. It’s easy to put one together, as long as you plan ahead and know your audience.
“We are seeing many hobby-themed baskets,” said Barb Williams of Franklin Florist and Gifts in Franklin. “I determine the theme and then match it with a related (container) to hold the items.”
Of course, the sky is the limit with themes, but Williams offers some helpful suggestions: “Car lovers might utilize a car wash bucket as the container. Fishermen might receive their gift basket in a fishing creel. Knitters would appreciate a sewing basket/yarn organizer as the container. If you’re giving a cooking themed gift, use a large stockpot as the container.”
Donna Trent of Grandma’s Gardens in Waynesville suggested gardening-themed baskets complete with seed packets. If you’re not sure about the recipient’s hobbies, Trent has advice: “Who doesn’t know a chocolate lover, coffee or tea drinker or wine enthusiast? Indulge your foodie friends with locally produced holiday coffees, jams and sauces, chocolate treats in pretty packaging, or a box of easy-to-make cheese ball or dip mix.”
Presentation is key with gift baskets, and so is the safety of your gift items. To insulate the items and hold them in the container, Williams said, “Use Styrofoam peanuts in the bottom to provide shock absorption as well as to provide proper height to the items. Bubble wrap can do the same thing. Cellophane cut into 5-inch squares and then tucked around the items will give it a fuller look. We also try to use themed items when possible. A cooking basket could incorporate hot pads as filler material, while a shammy cloth could be utilized in a car lovers’ basket.”
Finish it off with a card and a festive ribbon.
Evergreen arrangements
For those new to floral arranging, creating a design from scratch can be intimidating, not to mention time consuming. If you’re too busy or don’t have the skills to create an arrangement on your own, then consider personalizing a ready-made arrangement instead.
“The most simple and time-saving way to personalize an evergreen arrangement in a basket, pot or other decorative container is to start with a readymade assortment of fresh-cut greens, natural or lifelike berries, pine cones and ribbon,” said Marybeth Taggart, also of Grandma’s Gardens.
You can add to these simple arrangements or swap out the container for a more unique choice. And just as with gift baskets, themes and hobbies are a great way to go. “For baskets, potted arrangements, even door decor such as a wreath or swag, make it more thoughtful by adding an ornament or gift item geared toward a favorite sports team, pet, hobby, indulgence or theme,” Taggart said.
If your hostess gift is also acting as the centerpiece, or if you want to charm family and friends at your own table, consider this festive tip: “Think about dressing up your dinner or coffee table by surrounding a readymade evergreen arrangement with fresh cuttings or a decorative wreath. Or just use the tabletop wreath to surround a pillar candle or hurricane lantern for a holiday glow. Tuck in a few ornaments, photos or this year’s vacation souvenirs to celebrate family and friends.”
Proper care
Unless you’re doing a food basket with fruit or other perishables, gift baskets can be made whenever you have time to create them. Williams offered this warning about keeping fruits fresh: “Do not use fresh cut evergreens in a fruit basket — the ethylene gas produced by the evergreens will cause the fruit to spoil much quicker.”
If you’re going the floral arrangement route, the shelf life may be longer than you think. Many arrangements can even last through January. Water the arrangement frequently and advise the recipient to do the same. “Keep the watering can handy,” Taggart said. “Depending on the size of the container, water may be needed once a week or every day.”
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