| Gifts of food are welcomed and appreciated for all | | | | Barbecue Theme: This is a particularly nice idea for |
| holidays and special occasions. It can be a basket of | | | | men on Father's Day, birthdays, or anniversaries. It's |
| homemade goodies or it can be a more elaborate gift | | | | also a nice gift to take if you are invited as a guest to |
| basket containing gourmet foods and a bottle of wine. | | | | a barbecue or housewarming party. Use a container |
| Wicker baskets are traditional containers, but there are | | | | that can double as a cooler such as a metal or plastic |
| many other containers that are suitable. Unbreakable | | | | basin, tray, or a pail. An unbreakable tray with an edge |
| containers like wooden crates, trays with an edge, | | | | works well, too. Include gifts items such as bbq tools, |
| basins, tubs, and ice buckets are good alternatives. | | | | an apron, an oven mitt, cookbook, or citronella candles. |
| Since theme gift baskets are very popular, here are | | | | Barbecue sauces, marinades, rubs, hot sauce, and |
| three of my favorite themes when making a food gift | | | | cans of soda or beer are all necessary items for a |
| basket. | | | | cookout. |
| Cookie Lover's Theme: This is a gift for anyone who | | | | Mexican/Southwestern Theme: Anyone who enjoys |
| loves sweets. It's a good idea for work associates and | | | | spicy food would be more than happy to receive an |
| teachers as well as family and friends. A cookie jar, | | | | assortment of Mexican food items. The best tip I can |
| mixing bowl, or a basket are all nice containers. Line | | | | gift you in creating this theme gift basket is to make it |
| the container with a decorative towel, purchased | | | | spicy and make it colorful. Place an assortment of |
| shred, or tissue paper. Fill it with an assortment of | | | | spices, dry or canned beans, rice, bags of chips, and |
| cookies wrapped in small cello bags, purchased cookie | | | | jars of salsa in a basket or a colorful bowl or serving |
| mixes, chocolate chips, herbal tea, gourmet coffee, or | | | | tray. Add some fresh fruit such as avocados, lemons, |
| envelopes of hot chocolate mix. Add a wooden spoon, | | | | limes, and pineapple. You may want to add a |
| spatula, and your favorite cookie recipes written on | | | | cookbook for Mexican food or beverages. Line the |
| recipe cards. Wrap the completed gift in a cello bag, | | | | container with bright colored terry towels and top off |
| tied at the top with curly ribbon. If desired, tie a | | | | your gift basket with some fresh peppers. Don't forget |
| decorative cookie cutter in with the ribbon and add a | | | | the makings for margaritas. |
| gift card. | | | | |