Friday, June 4, 2010

The Coffee Gift Basket Is A Unique Gift For Anyone Who Loves Coffee.

Coffee has changed over the years and is now available in so many different forms. We no longer have just decaf and regular to choose from. Coffee can be purchased as beans, powder, granuales, pods, sachets, and even fresh. Coffee is also available in many flavours and you can choose from espresso, cappuccino, latte, Americano and many more.
There is so much variety that you could include in your coffee gift basket.

To Create Your Own Coffee Gift Basket

The following step by step instructions show you how to make your own coffee gift basket to really impress your friends and it does not cost too much either.

o Purchase a basket from any craft store

o Along with the basket you will also need to buy cellophane wrapping, colored tissue paper, ribbon, bow and items which make the coffee gift basket personal to the occasion. (for instance if it is a present for Easter you may want to consider buying a fury yellow chick or perhaps and Easter egg)

o Begin by lining your basket with the colored tissue paper.

o Arrange the coffee items in the basket starting with the bigger items at the back.

o Place the main item (ie the Easter egg)in the centre.

o Surround the main item with various smaller coffee items which could include such things as a coffee mug, coffee flavored chocolate or biscuits, coffee syrups, coffee cakes. You could even melt some coffee flavored chocolate over items that are of interest to the person.

o Decorate The outside of the basket in the theme that relates to the person the coffee gift basket is intended for.

o Once you are happy with the display of your coffee gift basket cover it with the cellophane, ribbon and bow.

If you would prefer to get your coffee gift basket made by a pro it will cost more money and may not have the personal touch that you can provide if you make it yourself. There are so many choices of coffee items that you can include in your coffee gift basket and so many varieties of coffee you could make them to suit your own budget. You could also add flowers or plants and even jewelry to make your coffee gift basket ultra special for the loved one in your life.
If you really do not like the idea of making the coffee gift basket yourself or you do not have the time to do so, many major coffee houses such as Starbucks will probably make one for you if you ask.




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How to Make Candle Gift Baskets

Would you like to give a gift with a personal touch to someone? A good suggestion is to make that person a special candle gift basket. This gift is a set of candles neatly prepared and arranged together inside a container of your choice. It is special because you painstakingly prepare it out of your own hands. In this fast-paced world where everything is in the 'instant' mode, a hand-crafted gift means everything.

To start with your candle gift basket project, you have to first get some specialized candles to include in the set. But you just don't gather what you see at the store. You have to specifically think of the person you'll give the candles to. What is her personality like? Is she a bubbly person or a timid one? Is she a person with a strong personality or someone who strikes you as mild and delicate? You have to know this as you shop because the candle's color, shape, and aroma should perfectly match its recipient.

For bubbly people, yellow and orange candles are good suggestions. These colors are good symbols of their sunny personality. Timid persons can go for blue and red is perfect those with a rather strong personality. You can give pink and white candles to a mild and delicate person. As for scents, you've got many choices too. There are citrus scents, herbal scents, candy scents, and many others. You can mix and match different scents and put several of them inside the basket. Or you can just go for one unique scent for a much better impact.

Once you have the candles ready, the next step is to look for a container where you can place the items in. If you have some leftover baskets from Christmas, that would do. Else, you might want to go to an arts and crafts store and get the one that would perfectly hold all the candles as you arrange them in one neat pile.

You are going to need decorative paper and paper fillings too. Put them inside the basket to give your gift a filled-up look. Ribbons, laces, and colored transparent sheets would make up the whole set. After you have filled the container, cover it with a colored transparent sheet of plastic. Or you can just give it as is. Just tie a ribbon on the basket's handle for an artistic effect.

Now your candle gift basket is ready. To make it even more special, you can add a handwritten note to it. Of course, you can also add other stuff inside. You can put flowers, a bottle of wine, or bath and body items. Put anything in it that you'll know for sure will be enjoyed by its recipient.




Sal provides expert advice on the benefits of candle gift baskets through his website: Candle Gift Baskets.

Coffee Gift Basket - The Perfect Cupper's Choice Gift For Every Occasion

Every now and then comes an important date where we would like to surprise a friend with a gift but we have no idea on what to buy. You may want your gift to portray a personal touch, and that you have given it deep thoughts when deciding. If you found out that someone is a coffee lover (as many people are), consider getting a Coffee Gift basket which makes a wonderful present for many occasions. It is ideal for couples, family, relatives, and even for business partners during formal events, guaranteed to bring a smile to their faces attributed to your unconventional choice!

Unlike other gifts, a gift basket provides you with the opportunity to add a more artistic touch of your hand. The first step in making your basket is selecting which types of coffee you want to include. You can either purchase ungrounded coffee beans, well processed premixed coffee blends, coffee candies or chocolates. Once you have decided on this, bring out the dusty phone directory or local map to locate coffee stores which sell them. Usually, hypermarkets can offer a better bargain than a small storefront. Buying the coffee is straightforward. Arranging them to nicely fit your gift basket will be the challenging part. It is just as significant to find the right kind of basket with accessories that accompany the occasion. For example, you can tie ribbons, striped candies, and jingle bells when presenting a gift basket in conjunction with Christmas. With some initiative, you can even throw in personalized mugs to create a strong coffee theme. Remember that you should never over-adorn the basket until it shadows the hard work which you have poured in to pick the coffee! Finally, it is up to you whether or not the gift basket needs to be wrapped.

In case if you don't have the luxury of time, there are still many gift baskets readily available for sale in coffee stores. Should travelling be an issue, you can find a dealer on the internet who will gladly deliver the baskets to your door-front. The price range may vary depending on the variety of coffee pre-packed inside. However you lose the flexibility to pick the correct combination of coffee variants. The price tags also come at a premium because someone has done the laborious task of finding the coffee and packing it on your behalf. Be sure to watch out for the content expiry dates on these off-the-shelf gift baskets as it is possible that the storekeeper is seeking a channel to clear their old stock of coffee. This of course, wouldn't make such a good impression to the recipient of your present. Therefore, it is always recommended that your gift baskets are handmade, or choose a well-known and reputable seller.

Whether you decide to make your own gift basket, or purchase one ready-made, giving a Coffee Gift Basket to someone tells them that you were thinking of them and wanted to sincerely show how much you care. There really doesn't even need to be a reason or occasion to present it. The key in every good gift is to know the people whom you are buying for so you can take advantage of the information to select things that they like and enjoy.




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How to Make A Cheap and Easy Chocolate Lover's Gift Basket

Gift baskets will always be popular and a great idea to give as a gift. People love to receive gift baskets. Making your own chocolate lover's gift basket is cheap and easy.

You can fill it with a variety of inexpensive items and there are lots of choices.ou can easily customize each chocolate theme gift basket to your recipient.

I've put together a few great ideas for making a chocolate lover's gift basket, complete with instructions on how to make them. You can make inexpensive gift baskets or expensive gift baskets depending on your budget.

First make a list of your recipient's hobbies and interests. List everything you can think of.

Suggestions: sports, books, television shows, in-house hobbies, outdoor recreation, camping, workshop, enjoy working with tools, golf, fishing, computer-related, environment friendly, golf, and tennis.

Also relaxation, food, wine, spa, bath and body, fruit, cookie, crafts, gardening, etc. You can tie in any interests into your chocolate theme. These are just a few ideas.

You can find many inexpensive items for use in making your gift baskets or filling your gift baskets, at 'dollar' stores, craft stores, party stores, discount outlets, flea markets, close-out stores, etc.

For gift containers you can use: any type of basket, wicker basket, straw basket, bucket, laundry basket, plastic container, toy dump truck or other large toy truck, purse, tin, Christmas tin, seasonal container, large tea pot, large upside-down hat, or plastic storage container-put lid underneath.

Other items might be: extra-large coffee mug, boot, potted plant holder, wire basket, large pasta bowl, large popcorn bowl, cooking pot, clay pot, tackle box, colander, small wagon, skillet, antique trunk, champagne bucket, hamper, Asian-style trunk or picnic basket.

For gift basket liner you can use: tissue paper, shredded paper, shredded newspaper, tea towels, dish towels, hand towels, kitchen towels, colored towels, colored napkins, placemats, diapers, baby blankets or fabric pieces.

For gift basket filler you can use: shredded colored paper, straw, Easter basket grass, crumpled newspaper comics, a bed of wrapped chocolates or other wrapped candy.

For items in the container it'll depend on the specialty or theme of the gift basket - in this case Chocolate! With chocolate it's best not to include any fragrant items, unless they are wrapped in such a way that they don't give off any fragrance. Here's a small random sampling to give you some good ideas:

Gift certificate for massage or spa visit, gift certificate to favorite store, gift certificate for restaurant, loofah, CD of nature sounds, favorite artist CD, DVD of newer release movie, how-to video or CD, handwritten poem, watch, framed photo, inspirational book, spa pillows, bath pillows, spa supplies, or a small fluffy towel.

Also flavored teas, green tea, specialty tea, herbal tea, biscotti, tea infuser, healthy snacks, fancy chocolates, boxed chocolates, chocolate bars, hot chocolate mix, specialty coffee mix, homemade chocolate chip cookies, homemade brownies, chocolate fudge, and Ghirardelli chocolates.

Or chocolate covered raisins, chocolate covered strawberries, Hershey chocolates, dark chocolates, white chocolates, chocolate bars, chocolate covered cherries, Belgian chocolates, chocolate mints, and chocolate covered pretzels.

How about miniature or giant-size chocolate animals, gourmet chocolate candies, Tootsie Rolls, nuts, homemade chocolate-based cookies, pre-packaged chocolate food items, brownie mixes,and chocolate chip cookie mixes.

And wooden spoons, your best chocolate chip cookie recipe, your favorite hand-written chocolate recipes, chocolate dessert recipes, chocolate fudge recipes, hot chocolate or cocoa mixes in fancy packets, coffee mug for cocoa, movie tickets and cinnamon sticks.

You can use as many chocolate items as you like. You can make your basket with all chocolate items or mix in a few non-chocolate items.

For gift basket wrapping you can use tulle netting or I like to use cellophane wrap. You can buy it in large rolls. Look for specialty packaging outlets where you can buy it wholesale.

Tie off the wrapped basket with ribbon. Wired fabric ribbon is best if you have it. For bows: You can use pre-packaged bows but making your own bows is easy and the best if you can do it. Use a large or huge bow.

Assemble all your gift basket items, tools you need, etc. Now line your selected gift container. Now stuff the selected filler into the gift basket to give added height to your items. Place, layer and arrange your selected items on the filler in the gift container. Put the larger items in the back, the smaller items in front.

Fill in the holes or prop up with more filler (shredded paper, Easter basket grass, wrapped chocolates, napkins or holiday napkins etc. Also you can use 'picks' of artificial flowers to fill in space.

Place your cellophane or other wrap under the gift basket. Center the gift basket on the wrap. Bring the cellophane or other wrap over the top of the gift basket and tie it with ribbon and or a beautiful bow! Use ribbon and bows to match your theme colors. Tuck a card in the ribbon and that's it!

You can find fabric or wired ribbon cheaply at Costco-- especially in the fall prior to Christmas but often throughout the year in some stores. You can shred paper in a paper shredder. If you're going to need a lot of cellophane you can purchase it wholesale through the packaging specialty stores throughout the U.S. but should be easily found in craft stores.

General tips: Try to use non-perishable items. Use freshly packaged food items, because even packaged crackers and cookies can go stale in a couple of months. You can find filler flower 'picks' at garage sales for pennies. If you buy wholesale they are usually around a dollar each.

Also there's nothing like learning how to make gift baskets from a video or DVD for making cheap and easy gift baskets. You can view it over and over again and share with your children, other family members and friends.

You can even charge for classes with your new-found knowledge and/or start a home based business if you so desire. In any event, making a chocolate lover's gift basket is cheap and easy and will be thoroughly appreciated by the chocolate lover recipient.




For more information on how to make gift baskets and how to start a gift basket business, go to http://www.HowToMakeBeautifulGiftBaskets.com a website specializing in making gift baskets and gift basket business tips, help, advice and resources including information on drop shipping gift baskets

Last Minute Gift Ideas in a Basket to Go

It's crunch time and you're starting to get an overload of anxiety. You need last minute gift ideas immediately - if not sooner. You are determined not to drop the ball and meet your obligation to make someone happy for this gift-giving occasion. But the clock is ticking. What to do?

There is a formidable option for you to consider that covers a very wide range of interests, hobbies, and edibles. This means that the gift recipient would very likely find one or more of these choices quite appealing. These themes include movies, casinos, bath spa, golf, gardening, guy items, NASCAR, romance, picnics, and even kid stuff. Need more?

This gift option also includes tasty comestibles such as chocolate, coffee, tea as well as other foods that fall under the categories of gourmet, Italian, and spicy. There are also edibles under the label of healthy classified as either "heart-healthy", sugar-free, and kosher as well.

Or how about last minute gift ideas that cover specific situations such as birthdays, get-well, new neighbors, condolences, thank-you's or even weddings? So what concept could possibly cover all of these with a probability in your favor of finding at least one that would strike a bulls-eye in the heart of the lucky beneficiary of your generosity?

The answer is unique Gift Baskets...and more strategically, buying unique Gift Baskets online. There's not only an exciting assortment of themes to choose from but a way to have them custom-delivered according to your wishes when purchased online. Your wish is the Gift Basket website's command from your home or office! How easy is that? And no mall-shopping hassles or costly gas prices to worry about as well!




Take the advice of aGiftBasketParadise.com and seriously consider unique Gift Baskets as last minute gift ideas. You'll have both a wide selection to choose from and the delivery taken care of. Your burden will be lifted and you'll also make a certain recipient very happy. How can you possibly top that scenario?

Brian is the owner of Gift Basket Paradise and wishes to share an idea regarding last minute gift ideas to consider. He invites you to visit his website at http://www.aGiftBasketParadise.com for exciting gift-giving solutions available right now.

Affordable Gift Basket

Many of us would really enjoy sending a nice gift basket to somebody but there may be times whenever we need to budget ourselves in some way or another. Looking for an affordable gift basket is not really going to be difficult but finding one that truly contains the items that you would like to send may be a bit more of a challenge. Here are some ways for you to be able to send an affordable gift basket but to send one that will really stand out in the mind of those individuals as something special.

Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the Internet, as you can often find an affordable gift basket from a number of different locations online. Many of these are going to be rather sparse, however, as far as the contents on the inside of the basket itself. They tend to make up for it in the decorating of the basket, which is less expensive but more impressive looking. At times, you may be able to find an affordable gift basket that has less expensive items on the inside but still is rather full. Striking a balance between these two may be difficult, but it is possible with a little bit of looking.

Another option that you may want to consider is putting your own affordable gift basket together. There are baskets and basket decoration available which can really help you to put something together that is professional looking. Look on the Internet for instructions on how to decorate one of these baskets, and pick up some inexpensive items at the local store. You would be surprised with exactly how nice of the job you are able to do.

Building a gift basket so that it is affordable has so many benefits. You get to acquire a new skill and you may even have fun doing so. Once you build a basket, you can always build another. Since this basket is a do-it-yourself project, you get to put in the basket what you have - you may not need to go and buy something that you do not already own. The person who is to receive the gift may come to appreciate the fact that time and labour has been invested in an effort to provide a gift.

As for the decoration, you are certainly not limited to patterns that you see on or offline. It is time to express yourself and do so without going over your budget.




Matthew Shofoluwe is a publisher and entrepreneur.

You can have affordable gift baskets at http://www.GourmetGiftBasketSite.com

Unique Gift Baskets as Cool Guy Gifts?

Before the process of purchasing a gift for a member of the male gender begins one must engage in a thought process regarding what to get the dude, hombre, brother, fellow, boyfriend, husband, lad or whatever we wish to label him. An option you may consider is purchasing unique gift baskets that qualify as cool guy gifts for the recipient of your kind giving.

Did you know that there are unique gift baskets that focus on stuff that guys find interesting, delicious, or entertaining? Don't fall for the stereotype that gift baskets are cheap wicker baskets packed with meaningless things. They have themes that can spark the attention of any man young or old. What are some of the cool guy gifts options to choose from?

Gift baskets can have various man-friendly themes such as golf, casinos, race cars, cigars, handyman, motorcycles and movies. The items are contained within a complementary receptacle that's within the sphere of the recipient's interests. What's not to love about opening a package and finding gifts placed within something that can be kept as a memento of what the gift receiver holds dear?

What's another cool guy gifts in a basket idea that may perhaps be the ultimate solution? How about glorious, wonderful and delectable food? There are unique gift baskets that specialize in gourmet food, Italian food and even spicy food. Some others are packed with other tasty comestibles such as coffee, tea, and gourmet chocolate treats. Let's face the fact that guys love food and you can't lose with one of these options.

Take the advice of aGiftBasketParadise.com and consider the many choices you have with gift baskets. Just go online to your favorite search engine and type in relevant keyword phrases and shop around for the best item in your price range. Fill out the shipping, billing, and safe credit card info as well as a personal message if you wish and you are done. You've saved both precious time and gas money going this route. It's a win-win scenario that can't be beat!




Brian is the owner of Gift Basket Paradise and offers an idea on how unique gift baskets can be cool guy gifts. He invites you to visit his website at http://www.aGiftBasketParadise.com for a selection of options to consider.

A Valentine's Gift Basket to Show Your Love

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and you're just not sure what to get for your love. You're tired of the same old box of candy and the same old red roses. What can you get that will be unique, appreciated, and most of all, show a little romance?

A Valentine's Day gift basket is a perfect gift. Gift baskets are always exciting because it's a lot of fun to sift through them and see what goodies one will find. A well-planned and wrapped gift basket will add excitement and elegance to your Valentine's day.

A gift basket can be a wonderful idea for you to help your children put together as well. They can create a small gift basket for a treasured grandparent or teacher. These little handmade baskets can contain a card the child has made, a few treats, and other small gifts they know the person will enjoy.

You can also put together a handmade gift basket for your sweetheart. This lets you give them a flower or two, and the obligatory chocolates, along with other small tokens of your love. You can add a small stuffed animal, a piece of jewelry, a folded new shirt, or another gift you know they'll love.

You can also buy themed gift baskets ready to go. Any fudge shop will have chocolate gift baskets filled to the brim with tasty treats. The chocolate lover in your life will enjoy digging down into the milk chocolates, dark chocolates, and various flavored chocolates. Choose one that has all her (or his) favorites in it. Consider having smooth, creamy fudge added. Cookies may be another good addition to the basket. If you're somewhere where it's still quite cold on Valentine's Day, add packets of hot chocolate mix to make with your sweetheart. Add fudge to the hot chocolate so you can enjoy extra richness.

If you enjoy wines, a wine gift basket makes a lovely gift. Have a few exotic wines and champagnes that you and your beloved enjoy. Add candies and chocolates to the basket, and perhaps a single stemmed rose. A variety of cheeses is another good addition to the wine basket.

A spa-themed basket is another good idea. This is especially pleasing to the ladies. Add in natural soaps in scents she loves. Body scrubs, massage oils, and candles are all good additions. You can also find natural sponges and luxuriously soft wash cloths to add in. Consider a pair of socks and gloves made to hold moisture into the feet and hands overnight. If you want to be really fancy, add a gift certificate for an afternoon at her favorite spa.

You can create a small basket for your children on Valentine's Day as well. This can be a great way to let them know how much you love them, without "over doing it." Put a coloring book and a package of crayons into the basket along with one or two candies. Add a little stuffed animal and a hand made card from you.

With a little thought and planning you can put together a gift basket as simple or elegant as you'd like. Your sweetheart (or your little one) will love getting a beautiful basket filled to the brim with goodies from you. It shows that you care enough to take the time to put something together - or at least to hunt the perfect gift basket down! Enjoy giving a gift that does a little more than the standard "flowers and candy."




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Creative Romantic Gift Ideas - Create Your Own Gift Basket 'Recipes'

Need a creative romantic gift idea for your sweetie? Why not create your own gift basket? It's not too difficult or time consuming - if you know where to look! Find some ideas for creative romantic gift baskets here - to spice up the ol' love life, or say 'I love you' to your significant other. Here's a couple of romantic gift recipes to get your ideas flowing...

Creative Romantic Gift Ideas Recipe #1:

1 blindfold - can be a new silk tie or eye mask for sweet dreams

Fresh strawberries

1 can of real whipped cream

1 Strip Chocolate Game

two large pillows to sit on or a heart shaped rug

1 bottle Dom Perignon

rose petals

Book of Rumi poems

Sprinkle rose petals in a large circle or heart shape on a clean floor. Place the blindfold on your darling, and lead your sweetie into the circle onto a soft pillow, or heart shaped rug - feed him/her strawberries with fresh cream as an appetizer. Take the blindfold off and open the Dom Perignon (or other champagne). Read a poem from Rumi as a toast to your sweetheart. Kiss, then break open the Strip Chocolate Game and have a go. Shower off together.

Creative Romantic Gift Ideas Recipe #2:

10 tea light candles

bath pillow

Crayola washable markers

massage oil

gourmet chocolate

exotic bar of soap

aromatherapy oil for bath

rose petals

wine

Carve a short romantic message in the bar of soap and strip petals from roses - set aside. After a light romantic dinner by candlelight and a glass of wine, prepare the bathroom for your darling. Write a romantic poem or favorite song lyric on the mirror using Crayola washable markers. Sprinkle rose petals in the tub, light candles and have a new bath pillow ready.

Set out the bar of soap. If your tub has room for two, join in (replace rose petals with super bubble bath and wash each others backs). Afterward, bring your sweetie into the bedroom for a relaxing massage. Feed each other small bits of chocolate in bed while finishing off the bottle of wine.




Here's an awesome poem by Rumi for your bathroom mirror: Creative Romantic Gift Ideas And check out these great gift baskets to get you started: Create Your Own Gift Basket

Giving A Food Wine Gift Basket

There are many ways to show someone that you care about them. Giving a food wine gift basket can be exactly what you need. There are many ways that you can give a basket, and you will also find that there are several types and prices of baskets that you can give.

Pre Made

The most common kind of food wine gift basket that you can find is ones that are pre made. Online and offline, you will be able to find many places that will offer you a great selection of gifts, like a basket. With these baskets, you will be able to choose the food and wine, and you will be able to send them to your friends and family quite easily.

Make Your Own

Another way that you can give a basket as a gift is to make your own. You will easily be able to find the basket, and then you can choose a bottle of wine as well as an assortment of snacks or other foods that go with the wine. The best part about making your own food wine gift basket is that you can have complete control over what you do, and you will be able to choose foods and wines that work perfectly with the person that you want to give the gift to.

Reasons For Giving

There are lots of reasons that you might want to give a basket. Many people feel that it is a much more personal gift because they can have a say in the types of foods and wines that are offered. People also like the fact that they are giving a gift that people will actually use and that they will be able to talk about for a long time to come. Often, people give a food wine gift basket because they want the person to enjoy the food and wine, and also to give a little bit of culture as well.

No matter what, you will find that there is always an occasion to give a basket. You might be surprised to know that they are given for all kinds of reasons. Perhaps it is a birthday or you would like to give a holiday gift. Also, people send a basket for congratulations, encouragement, or just about any other reason. Simply put, there is no reason not to send a food wine gift basket.




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link - http://www.winesandbenefits.com

Gourmet Food Gift Basket Online

If you have ever wanted to buy a gourmet food gift basket online for that special someone, then you have come to the right place. Ordering a gourmet food gift basket online can also be a very easy process. There are a few things that everyone should keep in mind before placing an order online.

The price of a gourmet food gift basket online can range from $50-$150+ depending on the package you decide to buy. Gourmet food gift baskets can have many features to chose from, so be sure to find one with the features you want and at the price that is in your range. Some sites will even let you tell them your budget so you can see what is available for you.

There are also many themes for you to choose from when buying a gourmet food gift basket online. Some themes are specifically made for holidays like Christmas, Valentine's Day, Independence Day, etc. There are also gourmet gift baskets made for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, as well as other occasions. If you just feel like sending someone for no particular reason, you can do that as well. There are many different themes for non-holiday occasions such as a country western themed gourmet food basket. Other examples include: pizza themes, dinner for two, extravaganzas, celebrations.

A good gourmet food gift basket online should also have a fast delivery time and reliable delivery history. The delivery history of a company can easily be found online as many former and current customers like to give feedback on their experience with that particular company. If the customers gave rave reviews to them, then they are the most reliable place to order from. After all, whose opinion is more important than an unbiased person who has no gain or loss from the success of the company?

As you can plainly see, ordering a gourmet food gift basket online can be a fast and simple process that almost anyone can do. All you need to know is how much you want to spend, what the occasion is, and if the company has a good record of delivering the delicious gift baskets on time for whatever occasion has popped up. So now, next time you have trouble finding a gift for that special someone, look no further than a gourmet food gift basket online. They would like nothing better.




If you are looking to find more information on how to find a gourmet food gift basket online or a tea gift basket check out http://www.squidoo.com/teagiftbasket/

How to Start a Gift Basket Business

Gift baskets are considered by many people to be the perfect gift simply because they can be personalized to suit the gift giver's specific needs. If you have a flair for arts and crafts, and you are looking for a great entrepreneurial idea, then starting a gift basket business could be ideal for you.

One of the great things about gift basket businesses is that they can generally be started up for very little cost. In fact, most people who get into this field start their businesses from home, so the only start up costs involved will be the essentials that you need to purchase in order to create your baskets.

Getting Started

To get started, you will first need to decide what type of gift baskets you want to sell. Particularly in the beginning, you might want to keep your business a bit specialized; otherwise, you will find yourself spending a lot of money on supplies so that you can make dozens of different types of baskets for customers.

Try to keep your focus as you begin your new business. While you can certainly pursue both individual and corporate customers, you want to start out by pursuing customers in your local area. Have some professional looking business cards created and pass them out everywhere you go. The more people who know about your business, the better, simply because word of mouth is one of the best ways to acquire new customers.

You should also create a website to showcase your baskets and promote your business. If you don't think you can handle this part on your own, then have a professional do it for you. If money is an issue (as it is for most people who are starting a business), talk to several different website designers to see if any of them are willing to give you a discount. It never hurts to ask, and you never know when you might get lucky and find someone who is willing to take a bit of a cut in pay to get a new client.

As you design your business plan, you will need to determine what you absolutely have to have versus what you can live without. This is especially important if you are on a tight budget. Some of the items that you will need include the following:

o Baskets (try to choose between 8 and 15 different kinds, initially)

o Packaging materials (including shrink wrap and labels for the baskets, as well as shipping supplies)

o Inventory (items that you plan to use in your gift baskets such as chocolates, stuffed animals, candies, jewelry, candles, etc.)

Making Money with Gift Baskets

If you work hard and you are able to dedicate a lot of time and effort into your new business, there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to generate a decent income. Even if you only work on a part-time basis, you should be able to gross at least $8,000 per year. Some people earn quite a bit more than that, even in their first year.

You should plan to price your baskets so that you earn about 30-40% profit off of each one. Doing this can be a bit tricky, particularly in the beginning, so you will have to use your best judgment until you get the hang of it.

Your busiest (and most profitable) times of the year will probably be around the holidays, so plan to be available to work during those times. Don't make the mistake of marking the price of your products up during those times, however, or you will run the risk of losing customers.




Pamella Neely writes about how to start a bakery and how to start a home bakery.

Creative Ideas for Golf Themed Gift Baskets

All golfers appreciate golf gifts. If you know a golf enthusiast with a birthday coming up, this article is for you. Our ideas for golf gift baskets will get your creative juices flowing. If you want to present a gorgeous golf gift basket to a friend, parent, or spouse-read on!

There are many ideas for golf gift baskets. Golf gift baskets are a great option for a variety of occasions. Perhaps your golfing buddy was injured on your last excursion? A golf-themed get well basket will brighten their day and encourage them to get back on the links soon. Christmas is a great time for golf gift baskets, but almost any holiday can call for one. Consider one for Easter or for an anniversary!

Another idea for golf gift baskets is to use them as corporate gifts. As you know, many executives love golfing. What could be a better way to impress clients or advertise to new ones? Send them as corporate thank you's or hand them out at promotional events. Imagine making an impression with pro golf gear wrapped in a classy way!

When it comes to the actual gift baskets themselves, there are many things you can do. One idea for golf gift baskets is to use more than just golf gear. Consider filling your golf gift basket with gourmet food. There are chocolates shaped like golf balls that would make an excellent addition. Or compliment your golf selections with some beer and snacks for the links!

Another great idea for golf gift baskets is to add a golf course gift certificate to the gift. This is truly a luxurious touch! It gives your gift recipient the opportunity to use the new golf gear right away. This also makes the gift larger and more meaningful. This is a great option for a big occasion, like a birthday or major holiday, or for someone extra special.




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How To Make A Food Lover's Gift Basket

Gift baskets are always popular and a great idea to give as a gift. People love to receive gift baskets. Making your own food lover's gift basket is cheap and easy.

You can fill with a variety of inexpensive items and you have lots of choices. You can easily customize each basket to your recipient.

I've put together a few great ideas for making food lover's gift baskets, complete with instructions on how to make them. You can make inexpensive gift baskets or expensive gift baskets depending on your budget.

You can find many inexpensive items for use in making your gift baskets or filling your gift baskets at 'dollar' stores, craft stores, party stores, discount outlets, flea markets, close-out stores, etc.

For gift containers you can use: any type of basket, wicker basket, straw basket, bucket, laundry basket, plastic container, toy dump truck or other large toy truck, purse, tin, Christmas tin, seasonal container, large tea pot, large upside-down hat, or plastic storage container-put lid underneath.

Other items might be: extra-large coffee mug, boot, potted plant holder, wire basket, large pasta bowl, large popcorn bowl, cooking pot, clay pot, tackle box, colander, small wagon, skillet, antique trunk, champagne bucket, hamper, Asian-style trunk or picnic basket.

For gift basket liner you can use: tissue paper, shredded paper, shredded newspaper, tea towels, dish towels, hand towels, kitchen towels, colored towels, colored napkins, placemats, diapers, baby blankets or fabric pieces.

For gift basket filler you can use: shredded colored paper, straw, Easter basket grass, crumpled newspaper comics, a bed of wrapped chocolates or other wrapped candy.

For items in the container it'll depend on the specialty or theme of the gift basket. In this case, for a food lover. Here is a small random sampling to give you just a few ideas:

Flavored teas, green tea, specialty tea, herbal tea, biscotti, tea infuser, small tools, kitchen gadgets, healthy snacks, fancy chocolates, boxed chocolates, chocolate bars, hot chocolate mix, specialty coffee mix, or a handwritten food related poem.

Homemade cookies, homemade brownies, homemade jams, popcorn, caramel corn, giant-size boxed candy, candy canes, suckers, lollipops, apple, pear, orange, persimmon, mango, papaya, chips, pretzels, nuts, coffee mug, gourmet pasta, or gourmet olive oil.

Cooking tools, cooking gadgets, measuring spoons, pre-packaged food items, pancake mixes, brownie mixes, cookie mixes, wooden spoons, your best chocolate chip cookie recipe, Italian recipes, Mexican food recipes or other ethnic recipes, birthday poems, or cinnamon sticks.

For gift basket wrapping you can use tulle netting or I like to use cellophane wrap. You can buy it in large rolls. Look for specialty packaging outlets where you can buy it wholesale. Tie off the wrapped basket with ribbon. Wired fabric ribbon is best if you have it.

For bows: You can use pre-packaged bows but making your own bows is easy and the best if you can do it. Use a large or huge bow.

Assemble all your gift basket items, tools, etc. Now line your selected gift container. Now stuff the selected filler into the gift basket to give added height to your items. Place, layer and arrange your selected items on the filler in the gift container. Put the larger items in the back, the smaller items in front.

Fill in the holes or prop up with more filler (shredded paper, Easter basket grass, wrapped chocolates, napkins or holiday napkins etc.)

Also you can use 'picks' of artificial flowers to fill in space. Place your cellophane or other wrap under the gift basket. Center the gift basket on the wrap. Bring the cellophane or other wrap over the top of the gift basket and tie it with ribbon and or a beautiful bow! Use ribbon and bows to match your theme colors.

Tuck a card in the ribbon and that's it!

You can find fabric or wired ribbon cheaply at Costco-- especially in the fall prior to Christmas but often throughout the year in some stores. You can shred paper in a paper shredder. If you're going to need a lot of cellophane you can purchase it wholesale through the packaging specialty stores throughout the U.S. but should be easily found in craft stores.

General tips: Try to use non-perishable items except for fruit for fruit baskets. Use freshly packaged food items, because even packaged crackers and cookies can go stale in a couple of months.

You can find filler flower 'picks' at garage sales for pennies. If you buy wholesale they are usually around a dollar each. Try not to mix chocolate or other food fragrant items with non-food fragrant items in the same basket.

Also there's nothing like learning how to make gift baskets from a video or DVD for making cheap and easy gift baskets. You can view it over and over again and share with your children, other family members and friends.

You can even charge for classes with your new-found knowledge and/or start a home based business if you so desire. In any event, making a food lover's gift basket is cheap and easy.




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Gourmet Fruit Gift Basket

If you have trouble deciding what to buy for friends, family and loved ones on special occasions, then perhaps you should consider a gourmet fruit gift basket. Almost everybody loves a good piece of fruit every now and then, and now a gourmet fruit will be enjoyed more often then a regular one. Here are some things to keep in mind when ordering a gourmet fruit gift basket online:

A gourmet fruit gift basket can come with all types of fruit. Everything from apples to pears to bananas to orange can be included in a gourmet fruit gift basket. Some fruits are only available during certain parts of the year and during certain seasons. A fruit basket will also sometimes come with nuts, chocolates, wine or other candies depending on how much you are willing to pay. Keep in mind that if you are ordering a gourmet fruit gift basket for someone who is under the legal drinking age in their local area, make sure you do not send the basket that features the bottle of wine, for safeties sake. If you decide to buy someone a gourmet fruit gift basket for Valentines Day or Christmas, bear in mind that the price could go up, as those are common holiday seasons and fruit basket companies make their most sales and money around these times.

The price of a gourmet fruit gift basket can range from $40-$200+ depending on the size of the gift basket and the contents inside of it. Most gourmet fruit gift baskets can be delivered very soon, within a few days of placing an order. But once again, keep in mind that delivery will be slowed down by holidays and inclement weather. So if you do order for someone on a holiday, please order a few days in advance. Gourmet fruit gift baskets can be sent to not only friends and loved ones, but also business partners and clients as an appropriate gift. Most companies will even be able to ship internationally to reach those that you cannot reach yourself.

Now that you know what to expect, what are you waiting for? A gourmet fruit gift basket awaits its departure from the warehouse to the house of your business partner, friend, relative, or loved one. It is a fast and easy process that is also very affordable for anyone, even if you are on a strict budget.




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10 Ridiculously Easy Christmas Gift Basket Ideas

There are many themes you can use when crafting your own holiday gift baskets. However, the list below contains some traditional gift basket ideas as well as a few for special friends on your gift list. You can get most of your crafting supplies at local stores like Hobby Lobby, or if you shop on the Internet, simply type "gift basket supplies".

Let's start with one of my favorites to share with your inner family and close friends.

1) The Traditional Christmas Gift Basket:

Fill your basket with hot apple cider mix large mugs, homemade Christmas ornaments, a letter or poem on why Christmas is important to you, matching mittens, hat and scarf (or, depending on your climate you could substitute sunglasses, sun block lotion, a cool destination theme cap) some mistletoe and or other fragrant scents. You could even include a popular Christmas music CD, and for a super nice touch... some home made Christmas cookies - with the recipe included.

2) Christmas Decorating Gift Basket

Fill a basket with nativity set, assorted Christmas ornaments (store bought, but better if hand-made by you,) decorative lights, homemade candles or seasonal candles from your local craft store and a little traditional mistletoe and holly

3) Coffee Lovers Gift basket

Fill a basket with gourmet coffees, coffee mugs, novels, or books on coffee regions and making processes, dark chocolates, and a decorative bookmark that you make yourself)

4) Chocolate Lover's Gift Basket

Fill a basket with, chocolate cookies (home baked is best,) chocolate bonbons, chocolate sauces, chocolate syrup, chocolate dipped coffee spoons and for a special touch wrap them in cellophane with a bow, hot chocolate mix, chocolate covered coffee beans, chocolate flavored coffee beans and some chocolate recipes from around the world

5) Christmas Survival Kit

Spray paint a basket white, then stencil the International Red Cross symbol on each side. Fill the basket with Tylenol - to take away the headache of overdoing, Tea - to calm, relax, and soothe away the tension, peppermints - to settle the tummy from overindulging, Slimfast - to kick off the diet you will need to start, pocket date book - to track all of the 'to do's, CD that includes soothing quiet music to listen to while wrapping gifts, tape - to use to wrap the gifts because you forgot to buy any, a package of gift tags that you made, your favorite quick and easy yummy cookie cookie recipe and last, but not least include some nice bath oil or bubble bath to soothe the weary body

6) Faraway Grandparent (or relative) Gift basket

Fill a basket with children's artwork, gifts made by the kids, frames for family pictures (let the kids buy plain wooden frames and decorate them with stickers,) videos of the family, a long-distance calling card. Extras: fill out the basket with candy, coffee, tea, biscuits, Christmas ornaments, candles, etc. Include printed notes from the kids with "why I love you Grandma/Pa sentiments)

7) Golf Lover's Gift Basket

For the golfer, fill a basket or a golf bag with golf tees, golf balls, a baseball cap, sunscreen, score cards, a small towel, a can cooler to keep a can of pop or beer cold. A nice touch is to personalize the towel or baseball cap (you can stitch on them, use fabric paints, etc.)

8) Fisherman's Gift Basket

Find a large basket or, use a tackle box and fill with assorted lures, leaders, long nose fishing pliers, gloves, guide to local fishing, DVD's on fishing tournaments, and gift certificate for a rod or reel

9) Baby Boomer's Gift Basket

Fill a basket with books and magazines on men or women's health issues, a variety of herbal teas, skin care lotions for maturing skin, hair care products with herbal scents, skin care accessories such as exotic sponges, brushes and loofahs, humorous coffee mugs, 60's CD's of great groups like the Beatles and of course... humorous articles on aging

10) Father/ Mother Gift basket

Fill a basket with subscription to his/her favorite magazine, favorite cologne/perfume, comfy warm slippers, a handmade coupon book... i.e., (take the day off Dad/Mom...I'll mow the lawn this time, wash the car, run errands, paint a room, etc.,) a gift certificate to his favorite sports shop favorite cookies or treat, a personal letter (in your own handwriting) telling him why you love and what you admire about him/her, favorite popcorn spices, favorite movie, a nice picture frame (with the picture of the family in it)

OK! There you have it. But Wait! Here's your bonus! Just kidding... I guess I'm watching too many infomercials. Your going to get several more great gift basket ideas, just because the Holiday season is all about giving. Here are two more great homemade Christmas gift basket ideas.

Bonus #1 Executive Gift basket

Fill a briefcase with a Daytimer, business card holder (one for the wallet, one for the desktop,) pen and pencil set, business newspaper subscription, emergency shoe polish travel kit, reference books like a new updated dictionary, CD of business forms, coffee mug with gift certificate to Starbucks, etc.

Bonus #2! Exerciser's Gift basket

Fill a tote bag or backpack with microfiber towels, water bottle, workout DVD or magazines, power bars, sports drinks, sports socks, headband, and for a really good boss... a trial spa or gym membership

Take these Christmas gift basket ideas, mix them up and use them any way that makes sense to you. Just remember one thing. Everyone loves to receive a personalized gift basket. You don't have to wait for Christmas or any other holiday. Just sit down and organize your ideas for each person you'll be giving a basket to. Many times you'll get a break by purchasing in bulk. Use this to your advantage and don't go shopping and buy on impulse. You'll end up spending more than you planed; become a smart shopper this season.




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Creating The Perfect Christmas Gift Basket

Making gift baskets for Christmas is a lovely way to make gift giving easy and put a bit of your own creativity into a present. Normally, Christmas gift baskets are themed and they'll either reflect the interests of the recipient or, if the basket is a business promotional tool, the gift giver.

If you're making a gift basket for a friend, try to think about his or her interests and include those in the basket's theme. For example, if your sister loves to knit, then make a basket with a knitting theme and decorate it with yarn. If your brother-in-law loves golf, then fill the bottom with tees and start from there. If your co-worker is a music buff, then include some mixed CDs and maybe a pair of headphones. By coming up with a theme, you'll find that putting together a basket is easy and fun.

There are some people though that are hard to pin down. If you're stuck for a theme idea, try going with a food focus like gourmet chocolate, tasty teas, or sumptuous soups. Or, and this is a safe bet, most women (and men!) would love to get a basket full of bath time goodies. Who doesn't like to pamper themselves?

Now, if you're making a hundred gift baskets to send a holiday thank you to your clients, then you're going to want that Christmas gift basket to reflect you and your business, rather than trying to tailor each individual basket to each recipient. Try to include items that represent your company and what you do. If you're a financial advisor, throw in some chocolate dollars. If you run a cleaning business, tie it up with rubber gloves. Christmas gift baskets are a great way to thank clients and show a touch of your lighter side.

Remember, be creative, have fun with it, and always put a bit of yourself into the project.




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Bridal Shower Gift Basket Ideas

Bridal shower gift basket ideas may help you decide on the perfect present. There are so many ways you can either purchase or put together a great basket. Start by answering some simple questions.

o Is there a party theme?
If there is, your choices can be automatically narrowed. Pick, or assemble, a basket that goes along with the theme.

o Where can I purchase themed gift baskets?
Depending on your theme, you can find them at specialty shops, department stores, supermarkets, and florists. They are also available online.

o Can you give me some suggestions for themed baskets?
Golf, tea party, Italian meal, wine lover, girly-girl, gourmet cook, spa luxuries, and travel, are just some of the more popular choices.

o What does the bride or couple really need?
If you know the bride well, you should know what she (or they) can really use. If they need basics like towels or sheets, then give them these.

o This couple has everything! What should I do?
If they have a hobby, they will love anything related to it. You could also give something for their honeymoon.

o Can I make my own bridal shower gift basket?
Sure. If you decide to make your own, think outside the box. Besides a basket, there are many containers you can use. Pick one that is also functional. For example, a mixing bowl filled with spices and other kitchen items. The bowl can actually be used.

o What else will I need if I want to make my own?
Filler, cellophane, and ribbon. You can find supplies at your local craft store, or online.

o What if my budget is very small?
The great thing about bridal shower gift basket ideas is that there is something for evryone's price range. Even smaller priced items look more expensive with a nice presentation.

Now that you've gone through the questions, I hope you have some great ideas.
You can now give a personalized gift that will truly be appreciated.




Trish Burrell is founder of Bridal Shower Ideas For You. Visit this informational site on all areas of bridal shower planning, at http://www.bridal-shower-ideas-for-you.com/gift-basket-idea.html