Article - Gift Baskets for Seniors

A Different Way to Wrap It Up!

Oh! A goody bag! *smile* That's the usual happy reaction to a gift basket. Gift baskets almost always bring joy to the recipient and are generally easier for the gift giver. They are usually filled with a variety of things and offer lots of choices. Kind of like a treasure hunt, surely they'll enjoy something in there!

Most commercially available baskets are filled with food stuffs or toiletries. You can buy them at candy shops, department stores and gift shops. Personalized gift baskets are an even better choice, if you have the time. Gift baskets are easy to customize, fun to fill and best of all, there is no wrapping involved!

We've seen gift baskets for hobbyists and hard to please food lovers. If you have a friend or relative who is finding it hard to complete everyday tasks, why not customize a gift basket just for them? As they peek inside, you can be sure they will feel special and loved.

Some tips for customizing a fabulous gift basket:

• You can find great baskets at craft and discount stores. Perhaps you even have some hidden away in the closet or basement that you can recycle.

• Sometimes the "basket" isn't a basket at all. You could use a large mixing bowl for a food basket or a tote bag for a travel themed basket.

• Buy filler like crinkle paper or tissue paper to fill the base of the container and prop the gifts up for display. Buying items like this in bulk will save money and, more importantly, time and energy.

• Create a budget for each basket and stick to it. Little items can add up fast!

So how do you choose the right gifts for the basket? Have fun and keep it simple by picking a theme. Think about their hobbies, passions and pet peeves. You can find lots of little helpers in each of these categories.

Reader's Basket:
In a wicker magazine holder, include a book light , a magnifier (if appropriate), a book mark, some hot chocolate or coffee, a mug and a new bestseller. You could add some Moc Socks and Arm Warmers so they will have cozy toes and hands while they enjoy the book.

The Forget-Me-Not Basket:
In an attractive storage container , place artwork by the grandchildren, some recent family pictures and a Photo Phone with pictures already in place and numbers pre-programmed. You could also include a large print address book with important names and numbers already entered.

Pasta Lover's Basket:
Fill a nicely painted pasta bowl with specialty pasta fixings and some special tools to make the meal preparation easier: an Ulu Knife and Cutting Board, the Unskru Jar Opener and the Graviti Pepper Mill. These are all easy and comfortable to use!

Spa Relaxation Basket:
Combine a body brush with a bottle of liquid body wash or foot cream and a long handled lotion applicator packed with a bath tub caddy . Add some bubble bath or bath oil and some rolled up hand towels to fill out the basket. Include a box of chamomile tea to maintain the calm, pampered feeling.

After you gather all the gifts together, get the baskets ready to present. This means you need to assemble the gifts nicely into the holder. Start by putting some filler in the bottom. Put taller and heavier gifts in the back and then fill the front with the smaller gifts. Shiny plastic wrap is an nice finish that holds the contents in place. Add a bow on top to make it look festive. And don't forget a name tag! We recommend handled containers for easy transport of the baskets. Or put the finished baskets in a cardboard box when you're ready to deliver them.

This year, try the easy but creative solution to finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list. The contents can be expensive or inexpensive, depending on your budget. Either way, the results will be delightful. When you create a personalized gift like this, everyone notices and appreciates your effort!

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