| Gifts of food can be given to anyone for | | | | sparse one, fill in any empty spaces with |
| holidays or other special occasions. These | | | | colorful silk flowers or greenery. A nice |
| gifts will be appreciated by family, friends, | | | | decorative touch is to include a wooden spoon |
| coworkers, or anyone else on your gift list. | | | | or a wire whisk tied with curly ribbon or a |
| Creating your own food gift basket can be a | | | | bow. |
| very special gift as you can personalized it | | | | |
| with the recipient's favorite candy, cookies, | | | | Pizza Basket: |
| wine, or other food or beverage items. | | | | |
| | | | Create this gift basket for a student going |
| When selecting foods to place in your gift | | | | away to college or anyone setting up their |
| basket, make sure they are fresh and check | | | | first home. |
| any expiration dates. It's difficult to | | | | |
| include foods that are perishable and require | | | | Use a pizza pan or pizza stone as a container |
| refrigeration, so keep that in mind when you | | | | to hold the food items. Place several red |
| are choosing items to place in a food gift | | | | checkered napkins or tea towels on the pan or |
| basket. Fresh fruits and vegetables are | | | | stone to help position and anchor the other |
| wonderful items because they are inexpensive, | | | | items. Include gifts such as pizza dough |
| colorful, and readily available. However, | | | | mix, pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic |
| it's better if you choose fruits that are not | | | | powder or a bulb of fresh garlic, red pepper |
| yet ripe; oranges, lemons, limes, | | | | flakes, a small bottle of olive oil, grating |
| grapefruits, and apples are good choices | | | | cheese, a cheese grater, and a pizza cutter. |
| because they are more hearty. | | | | If you prefer an easier method, use a wicker |
| | | | basket instead of the pizza stone or pan. |
| In addition to wicker baskets, there are many | | | | |
| other containers to choose from. Unbreakable | | | | Asian Food Basket: |
| bowls are appropriate for most food themes | | | | |
| and it is easy to assemble your gifts in | | | | Make this gift basket for anyone who enjoys |
| bowls. If you are trying to stay within a | | | | Chinese food. It's also a great gift for a |
| budget, shop at your local discount or dollar | | | | bridal shower or wedding. |
| store. My local dollar store has a nice | | | | |
| variety of large plastic bowls and serving | | | | Use a wok or bamboo steamer as the container |
| trays that are sturdy and attractive. If you | | | | and fill it with the makings of delicious |
| decide to use a serving tray, choose one with | | | | Asian cuisine: soy sauce, sesame oil, rice |
| sides as the assembly will be easier. | | | | wine vinegar, fresh ginger, ginger grater, a |
| | | | bulb of garlic, cornstarch, Asian noodles, |
| Breakfast Basket: | | | | duck sauce, a stir fry spatula, and a |
| | | | cookbook. Tie curly ribbon or raffia around |
| This make a great gift for a hostess when you | | | | several sets of chopsticks and position them |
| are an overnight guest, or as a housewarming, | | | | throughout the basket. Don't forget to add |
| anniversary or wedding gift. It's also a | | | | some fortune cookies. |
| nice gift idea for a large family. | | | | |
| | | | After you have completed your food gift |
| Choose a wicker tray or basket with handles | | | | basket, you may want to place it in a cello |
| as it will be easier to work with than one | | | | bag or wrap it in cello paper; the bags are |
| without handles. Fill the container with | | | | much easier to work with. This will help in |
| shredded brown paper, straw, or purchased | | | | transporting your gift basket and keep it |
| shred. If desired, add a couple of rolled | | | | dust free. If you choose to use cello, you |
| napkins. Select food items that one would | | | | can place ribbon or other decorative items |
| eat or drink for breakfast; herbal tea, | | | | before placing the basket in the bag, on the |
| coffee or coffee beans, small bag or box of | | | | outside of the cello wrapped basket, or both. |
| pancake mix, bottle of maple syrup, jams, | | | | A nice idea is to place a decorative item |
| jellies, and a small jar of honey for the tea | | | | amongst the food items before placing it the |
| drinkers. If there are small children in the | | | | cello. You will need to use ribbon or raffia |
| family, include several serving size boxes of | | | | to tie the bag closed above the basket. It |
| dry cereal. Add several fresh oranges or | | | | looks really nice if you allow curly ribbon |
| grapefruits and a couple of lemons. Since an | | | | or steamers to cascade down the front of the |
| overflowing gift basket looks better than a | | | | completed basket. |