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