Decorative Gift Baskets

Decorative Gift Baskets are a lot easier to make than most people think. They can be as elaborate or as simple as your budget allows. The most important thing to remember is personalize the basket by putting things that would be enjoyed by the one receiving it.

Things You’ll Need:
Baskets
Small Gift Items
Cling Wrap
Ribbon
Scissors

Making Decorative Gift Baskets are fun and easy. They are great for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Showers, Retirement Parties, House Warming, Door Prizes, and more. Anytime you may need a gift is a great time to give a Gift Basket. In the baskets shown in this article, the green basket was a door prize for teens and the blue one was a door prize for a lady. The event was a TEENS AND THEIR MOMS NIGHT OF PAMPERING. So the baskets are filled with lotion, flavored teas, chocolate, relaxing books, and other small items for pampering themselves at home

Step 1
First, think about the person you are making the Gift Basket for. If it is for a door prize, you can make it generic but if you know the person, buy some small things that person would love.

Step 2
Once you have an idea of what you want to put in your basket, choose your basket. You want to fill your basket so don’t get a large basket for small items unless you plan to buy a lot of items.

Step 3
Some gift item suggestions would be to put some type of writing tablet and a pen in your gift baskets (people always need paper and pen). In the baskets shown in this article, I took 11 index cards (per basket) and using a hole puncher, I put holes in the cards and tied a piece of ribbon through the holes making a flip book. On the first card, I wrote TEN GREAT THINGS ABOUT ME. I thought the flip book would make a great affirmation book.

Step 5
Once you have your items displayed nicely in the basket, it’s time to wrap the basket. This is the part that can get tricky. If you have someone to help you, it goes smoother. Take your Glad Plastic Wrap (colored or clear) and tear a piece that is long enough to easily cover from both sides, leaving several inches above3 the basket (for the basket I used, the plastic wrap was about four feet long). Cut three pieces equal in length. If you have or can find the saran wrap, it is stiffer and works better.

Step 6 .
Put the first piece of plastic wrap in the center of your work space or table. Carefully lay the second piece over the first (making an X). This is where it is nice to have someone help you line it up.

Step 7
Now place the third piece of plastic wrap over the other two making a (*).

Step 8
Place your basket (filled with goodies) in the center of the plastic wrap where all three pieces cross.

Step 9
Take the top two ends of the plastic wrap and pull them together. This is another great place for someone to help if possible.

Step 10
Now take the next two sides and pull them up to meet the first two sides. You may need to tuck the first layer of plastic wrap around the basket before pulling the second up. The idea is to cover the basket and the contents completely with plastic wrap.

Step 11
Next, pull up the third layer of plastic wrap. Again you may need to tuck the second layer before pulling the third layer up. Be sure to cover any openings in the plastic wrap.

Step 12
If your basket has a handle, gather the plastic wrap as close to the handle as possible and twist the wrap. Make the wrap as tight as possible and tie a ribbon. If you can make a big fancy bow, this is a great place to put one to make your basket look more professionally done.

Step 13

If you know how to curl the ends of your ribbon, you can do that now. Add any special touches that you are able to add. A beautiful gift card is a nice touch. Don’t forget to fluff the plastic wrap at the top of your basket.

Tips & Warnings
1. Try to make it personal if possible. Remember, the basket should be something you would like to receive.
2. Keep allergies in mind when making the basket.