Homemade Food Gift Basket SuggestionsA food gift basket is a great gift for anyone and for all holidays and special occasions. Making your own is even better because you can personalize it for the person receiving the basket. And, it's much cheaper than purchasing a ready-made gift basket. 
Any kind of basket (wicker, wire, plastic, wood, etc.) is the usual container used for making gift baskets using edible items as the theme. Trays with a lip, small wooden crates, unbreakable bowls, and many other
containers
are equally nice.Line the empty container with straw, kitchen towels, purchased shred, or tissue paper. Visit my how to make gift baskets page for more ideas and suggestions for making gift baskets, decorating gift baskets, and lots of other information. If you are considering making your own food gift basket, here are a few tips you may want to consider: Choose food items that are well-wrapped. If the packaging is not attractive remove the items and repackage in clear cello bags or clear wrap. Add a tie to keep the bag closed. 
Although it's lovely to include scented candles, make sure the scents don't seep through to the food items. A good choice is to chose food scented candles.Include homemade treats to personalize your food gift basket. A food gift basket can be an assortment of the recipient's favorite snack or food related gifts. Or you can create a food gift basket with a specific food theme. Even though this web site has many pages dedicated to a specific food theme, here are several unique gift basket suggestions for themes you may want to consider: 
This is an easy theme food gift basket to put together. First, place a towel with a hot pepper motif in the container to hold the gifts in place. Fill the basket with either dry or canned kidney beans, chili powder, packet of chili spices, Tabasco sauce, a small can of jalapeno peppers, packaged cornbread mix, tortilla chips, and a jar of salsa. Tie a wooden spoon in with the ribbon; or add a couple of fresh hot peppers just before presenting the gift basket.Cheese Gift Baskets: You can put this together at the last minute. Simply go to your local supermarket or produce store. Choose several wedges of cheese, cheese spread, links of sausage, gourmet mustard, and a couple of small packages of crackers. Ask the produce person if he has a wooden slat-type of basket that you can have at no charge. Or purchase a small wicker basket and line it with straw, a tea towel, or napkins. A cutting board would be a nice container also, but it must be wrapped to hold the gift items in place. You can also add a cheese knife and something sweet (like hard candies or shortbread cookies). Remember that this is a food gift basket that will require refrigeration. 
Asian Foods Gift Basket: A bamboo steamer makes a nice container for this food gift basket; or use a wok if you prefer. Fill it with Asian rice, noodles, tea, soy sauce, duck sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, cornstarch, chop sticks, a stir-fry paddle, rice bowls, and an Asian cookbook. Add a bulb of fresh garlic and fortune cookies. This is a nice theme gift basket as a bridal shower gift.Dinner Gift Basket: Treat that special couple to a full dinner in a basket as an anniversary gift; or for Mom on Mother's Day. Include a pate or cheese spread and gourmet crackers as an appetizer. A pasta theme is easy to put together in a gift basket. Include a package of gourmet pasta, jar of marinara sauce, and grated cheese. Top it off with gourmet coffee, chocolates, biscotti, and a bottle of wine. Don't forget to add a little romance with an unscented candle. Healthy Gift Baskets: Create a healthy food gift basket based on the special diet needs of the recipient. Some food items that are generally considered "healthy" are: fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts or peanuts, trail mix, green tea, jams or jellies (no sugar added), whole wheat or rye crackers, soy snacks, low-fat or fat free snacks or food mixes, cookies without sugar or trans fats, low fat cheeses, gourmet mustard, olives, and small bottles of vinegar and olive oil for salad. Include a cookbook with recipes for their specific dietary requirements or a general fitness or "good health" book. More homemade food gift basket suggestions!
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