Make Your Own Holiday Gift Basket
Dec 17, 2017, Updated Jun 03, 2021
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Build a custom gift basket for someone special on your Christmas list.
Do you have someone special on your Christmas list who is difficult to shop for or already has everything? Don’t fret! Wow them with a custom gift basket filled with gourmet food and drink.
It’s easy to put together a show-stopping gift basket. First, select your basket, being mindful of the size you choose. The larger the basket the more items you’ll need to fill it. The smaller the basket the fewer items you’ll need and the less space you’ll have for larger items. This all seems obvious, but take a few minutes to consider who you’re creating the basket for, what items you want to include, and your budget for filling it. These considerations will help you determine the right basket size.
Once you have selected your basket, fill it about half to two-thirds full with a decorative basket filler like crinkle paper. This will give your items some height so they don’t get lost in the basket. It’ll also help them stay in place.
Begin filling your basket with larger items. Place these items—think wine bottles, boxed crackers, olive oil, and whole pineapples—in the back of the basket. This prevents smaller items from getting lost in the basket and allows the basket recipient to see all of the items in one glance.
Then, begin layering in your medium and smaller items—being careful to place the fruits most susceptible to bruising, like pears and grapes, on top. Be sure to include a mix of salty, savory and sweet items! Cheese is a great item to include, but be sure to choose a cheese that does not require refrigeration, like parmigiano-reggiano. Same goes for the fruit. Finish your basket off with a beautiful holiday bow.
Watch and see how we built the ultimate holiday gift basket with items from Kroger:
The best thing about creating your own gift basket is that you can select items that you know the basket recipient will love. Here are a few of our favorite items to include…
Great items to include in your custom holiday gift basket:
- Wine
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Mixed nuts
- Whole pineapple
- Crackers
- Small kitchen gadgets
- Cloth napkins, tea towels, or holiday-themed dishcloth
- Olives
- Jams, jellies, and preserves
- Capers
- Dates
- Cheese (choose a cheese that does not require refrigeration)
- Himalayan sea salt
- Whole peppercorns
- Pomegranates
- Apples
- Figs
- Oranges
- Grapes
- Pears
Thanks to our friends at Kroger for inspiring this idea!
What items would you love to receive inside of a holiday gift basket? Do you plan to make one for someone? What will you put in it and who will be the lucky recipient? Share in the comments below!
