How Homemade gift baskets can save you money and show you care

Gift baskets can be made for every occasion and every person. They can be costly to make or buy but with a little planning and creativity you can craft the perfect gift even if that person has everything.

When you personalize a gift it says a lot about you. It says you cared enough to put love and effort into creating something for someone who's important to you. And that special someone will be impressed.

Sure you can buy gift baskets from a professional and spend any amount you want. They look good and come in a variety of themes and containers. But, wouldn't a basket fashioned personally by you send a more meaningful message? Not to mention it's a lot cheaper and more fun. Homemade foods from your kitchen for example are the perfect gifts for your basket.

Ask yourself three questions before you get started: who is it for, what are their interests and how much am I willing to spend. A gift basket fills the bill for everyone regardless of age or gender.

Choose a theme based on their interests, hobbies or an upcoming event in their life. You can spend as much as you want but assuming you're on a limited budget your basket can still be something you can give with pride.

Wicker baskets are probably the first choice to use because they're easy to work with and can be found inexpensively at dollar stores and even yard sales. Other containers work as well such as trays with an edge, plastic pails (best for kids), coffee mugs, flower pots, and if the person you're giving to happens to enjoy cooking use a baking pan or bowl or even a colander.

Let your imagination run wild utilizing various shapes and materials. For instance if the recipient is a cowboy, put your items in an old boot, a tackle box for a fisherman or a sewing basket for a seamstress. Choosing the container and the gifts can be almost as much fun for the giver as the receiver.

Place your main theme gift in the center or high enough that the eye is drawn to it. Additional gift items go around the sides and then add filler material such as colored paper or straw available at hobby stores. If you have a paper shredder and colored paper make the filler yourself and save. Remember, an overflowing basket looks better than one that's sparsely filled.

Set your basket inside a cellophane bag and tie a bow with colored streamers flowing down. Attach a card and you're good to give. If you need to secure items inside the basket to keep them from flopping around, clear tape works well - or use a glue gun. Be neat with your work, not sloppy.

Give genuine thought to the appropriate theme to make the basket more expressive. Consider the person's personality, whims and passions. Fashion something you would like to receive and be assured others will like it too.