Save your baskets others give you as gifts! My mother gives me hers. I buy them at rummage sales for under $1.00 as long as they are in tip top shape. The gorgeous personalized gifts you can give are worth it!
Six years ago one of our best friend’s got engaged. Another one of my girlfriends and I decided to make the happy couple a romantic spaghetti dinner gift basket.
Romantic Spaghetti Dinner Basket
One pretty large basket
Red and white checkered towel
(or there are many Italian bistro, wine, grapes, and oil towels in stores)
Brick cheese -my husband and I find brick cheese much more flavorful than mozzarella. Listen to us, we are from Wisconsin! (giggling)
Bottle of wine
Two pretty wine glasses
Two candles
Box of spaghetti noodles
Canned homemade tomato sauce in a large jar
Loaf of French bread
Fresh garlic clove
Small bottle of olive oil
Recipe card with French Bread Recipe
One fresh long-stemmed rose
Pretty bow to tie on the top
Line basket with towel hanging over. Place items in basket. Leave rose for the top. French bread recipe: Cut French bread into thick slices. Butter. Crush garlic clove onto bread. Shred brick cheese and top on bread. Put on cookie sheet. (I always line my cookie sheets with tin foil so they are super easy to clean!) Broil in oven, watching closely. (About 2 minutes.)
Other basket ideas for friends and family:
Relaxation Basket:
Small or large basket
of the person’s favorite shower gel, lotion and perfume
Bubble bath crystals
Bubble bath soap
Loofah sponge
Back scrubber
Inflatable pillow to rest in the tub with for the person’s neck
A good book or gift certificate to Barnes & Noble
If very large basket – a plush bath towel
Small lavender candle
Male or Student Gift Basket
You can use a large bucket for this ‘basket’
Gas card with money on
Car washing solution
Car sponge
Car mitt
Window Cleaner for vehicles
Vinyl or leather cleaner for seats
Tire cleaner (shines tires..makes them look very black and new. Nice touch.)
Heated window scraper
Baby Gift Basket
Put in large Easter Basket -to be used later for the holiday
Baby announcements
Stamps
Baby bank -find bank to match theme of room, if possible
Baby Photo Brag Book
Disposable camera-unless you know the couple has a nice digital camera
Stuffed animal
Baby shampoo, lotion
Baby wipes
Hand-print in a tin- comes with a circle of clay that hardens after print is embedded and a stand for hand imprint to be treasured forever
Small Stationary Gift Basket
Pretty stationary (If the person loves cats, use this theme. Flowers, dolls, wine, etc. keep it personal!)
Notepad to match
Sticky Notes
Stamps
Nice smooth pen
Make them up some cute return address labels
Martini Basket –I won the basket in the photo at an auction
The martini glasses were hand painted. You can buy the glasses and do-it-yourself. The person just painted on circles and it looks elegant yet fun!
Large martini olives
Vodka
Vermouth
Martini flavor -Pomegranate was in my basket -Excellent!
(Or if making person’s favorite martini, use those ingredients)
Pretty stir sticks
Three martini candles
Tool for shaking a martini
Lemon
Massage Gift Basket
Gift certificate from spa or spouse
Scented Oil
Candle
Face mask
Cucumber with notecard: Chill in refridgerator, slice, put on eyes, relax
Avon carries spa warming stones
Have fun! Just think of what the person likes and let your mind run wild!
