Article - A Different Way to Wrap It Up

Gift baskets are all the rage and for good reason. Gift baskets are generally easier for the gift giver and fun for the recipient. They are usually filled with a variety of things and offer lots of choices. 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. 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. Gift baskets are easy to customize, fun to fill and best of all, there is no wrapping involved!

Some tips for customizing a wonderful 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. Dynamic Living has some suggestions to help get you started:

Reader's Basket:
In a wicker magazine holder, include a gooseneck 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 so they will have cozy toes while they enjoy the book.

The Forget-Me-Not Basket:
In an attractive cardboard storage container, you can 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 written in for them.

Food Lover's Basket:
Fill a nicely painted pasta bowl with specialty pasta fixings and some special tools to make the meal preparation easier: Chop Chop cutting boards, an ergonomic can opener, silicon pot grabbers and the Graviti Pepper Mill. These are all easy and comfortable to use!

Card Players Basket:
In a basket or box, put a few scorecards for their favorite game and a set of small pencils or pens, a Revolving Card Tray, 4 Deck Card Shuffler and Card Holders. Also, if seeing the cards has become a problem, our Large Print Playing Cards can make playing easier on the eyes. Some snacks like microwave popcorn or pretzels would also help fill out the basket.

Relaxation Basket:
You could combine a body brush with a bottle of liquid body wash or lotion in their favorite scent. Add some bubble bath or bath oil and some rolled up hand towels to fill out the basket. Include an eye pillow and a box of chamomile tea to maintain the calm feeling after the bath.

Out and About Basket:
Fill a collapsible shopping cart with a Push Button Open/Close Umbrella, a pouchable poncho, an Easy-To-Hold Key Holder and a Travel Tow. Snow and Ice grips for their shoes would be a great addition if they live in colder climates.

After you gather all the gifts together, you need to get the baskets ready to present. This means you need to get them put together. Start by putting some filler in the bottom. Put taller and heavier items in the back and then fill the front with the rest. 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 you could put the finished baskets in a cardboard box when you're ready to deliver them.

This year, try the easy, beautiful, no-wrap 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!

© Copyright 2006 Dynamic Living, Inc.
Dynamic Living Newsletter may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission from the editor must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter.

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