How to Make Gift Baskets

How to make gift baskets. Easy instructions for do it yourself gift baskets. From chocolate gift baskets to Italian gift baskets, from wine gift baskets to spa gift baskets, from romantic gift baskets to housewarming gift baskets these same basic steps apply to creating and making gift baskets.

Decide on your theme or gift basket idea. Use our helpful guide to Gift Basket Ideas to select the right items for your gift basket.

Select the container. When you know what you want to include in your gift basket you can choose an appropriate container. An important tip on how to make gift baskets is to not limit yourself to baskets - get creative! A bucket or pail makes a good container for a gardening gift basket, a mixing bowl for a bakers gift basket, a colander for a cooks gift basket, an ice or champagne bucket for a romantic Valentine's gift basket. Wooden crates are wonderful for Italian gift baskets, country and organic gift baskets. Hat-type boxes are a good (and economical) choice for Mother's Day gift baskets or chocolate gift boxes. A tray is great for barbeque gift baskets or housewarming gift baskets. Baskets themselves come in a wide variety including wicker, rattan and chrome. Chrome baskets are good for spa gift baskets. Decide if you need a basket with or without a handle. If the gift basket contains tall items a handle can be helpful for securing items. A flat basket such as a chocolate gift basket looks better without a handle.


Select the filling for the basket. This can range from tissue paper, to shredded paper, to brown paper, to raffia to fabric. Or select something related to the basket's theme like a kitchen or tea towel or hand towel. Stuff the filler into the bottom of the basket to form a secure base for your items.
Arrange the items. Position tall items such as wine bottles in the center and medium items on the outside. Place the small items in between. This way the basket looks balanced from all angles. Or place the tall, heavy items at the back of your basket to create a wall against which the smaller items can be propped up. This way the basket has a front and back. Some items may need to be secured or anchored with double sided tape. Chocolates or wrapped candies are good for filling gaps in the basket.


Wrap the gift basket. You can wrap the basket with a variety of materials. Cellophane, tulle netting, shrink wrap. Cut a big enough piece of cellophane to generously wrap the basket. As you learn how to make gift baskets you will become an expert at cutting the right size wrapping for the gift basket. Spread the wrap out on a flat surface and place the basket in the center. Gather the cellophane or netting at the top of the basket - pull the shorter sides up first and then the longer sides. Secure with a long twist tie or rubber band. cover the tie with a pretty ribbon and bow. Curly ribbon streams cascading from the top is also attractive. Cellophane bags are popular. Carefully place the basket into the cello bag and tie it with a ribbon.


The final touch. Add an appropriate tag for the giver's message with string or tape to the front of the basket wrapping or attach it to the bow. Get creative and make your own unique tags.

Tips on how to make gift baskets

• A gift basket should look full. When selecting an appropriate container for your gift basket remember that a full or overflowing gift basket looks much better than a half empty one.
• Select the right bow. Ready-made bows are definitely a hassle-free option! Make sure the size of the bow is right for the gift basket. A large bow is needed for a large gift basket.

• Stock versatile cellophane. Cellophane comes in clear, colored, print or festive. Select a type that can be used for a variety of gift baskets such as a light colored cellophane or clear with a small silver or gold print.
• Stock versatile ribbbon. Ribbons and bows come in hundreds of designs. It is more economical to buy a large quantity than small quantities so choose a couple of versatile ribbons.

• Use netting. Tulle netting is inexpensive but elegant and can be bought at fabric stores. It can be used to wrap gift baskets that don't need to be protected from moisture such as spa gift baskets.
• Shrink wrap gift baskets. Shrink wrap is a clear, thin wrapping paper. Shrink bags can also be used. Place the shrink wrap or shrink bag over the basket and gather the excess wrap underneath the basket. With a blow dryer or heat gun apply heat directly towards it, starting at the bottom of the basket and move up to the top. As it cools the wrap shrinks and forms a tight seal around the basket.

These simple steps on how to make gift baskets show how easy it is and how much fun it can be. Starting a gift basket home business can be a creative and rewarding way of making money at home

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Start a gift basket business from home and become part of this exciting and profitable growth industry.