| A gift basket filled with gourmet food items can | | | | As assortment of cheese wedges, cheese |
| be a practical gift as well as delicious. And, if you | | | | spreads, gourmet crackers, bread sticks along |
| make it yourself, you can personalize it with gifts | | | | with a small cheese board with a cheese knife or |
| of the recipient's favorite foods. Gourmet foods | | | | spreader are readily available and easy to place in |
| are special foods and a wonderful way to | | | | the gift basket. Green and black olives, spicy |
| celebrate a holiday or special occasion. | | | | mustard, pickled onions, roasted peppers, and |
| Selecting the Basket: | | | | appetizers in jars are nice accompaniments to the |
| When selecting an empty basket for your food | | | | meats and cheeses. Include something sweet for |
| gifts, choose a size that is appropriate for the | | | | dessert, such as cookies, chocolate covered |
| number of people for whom you are making the | | | | mints, or anything with chocolate. |
| gift. For example, you can make a small gourmet | | | | Top off your contents with a selection of |
| basket for an individual or for a couple, or a larger | | | | beverages: a bottle of wine or non-alcoholic |
| one for a group of people or for an entire family. | | | | sparkling cider as well as gourmet coffee and |
| If you already have a nearly new basket you | | | | herbal tea. If you plan to include a bottle of wine |
| would like to use, simply give it a quick refresher | | | | or sparkling cider in your gift basket, choose an |
| by swishing it in hot, soapy water, rinsing it with | | | | empty basket with a sturdy handle so you can |
| clear water to remove any fragrance from the | | | | anchor the bottle by tying the neck of the bottle |
| soap, and allow the basket to thoroughly air dry. | | | | to the basket handle using twine or cord. |
| Preparing the Basket: | | | | Decorative Touches: |
| The most attractive gift basket looks overflowing. | | | | - Add small bunches of fresh red or green grapes |
| Before arranging the food items in the basket, | | | | at the last minute so they remain fresh. |
| place plenty of filler materials in the basket so | | | | - Scatter colorful Hershey's Kisses amongst the |
| that the gifts show above the basket. If your | | | | gifts. |
| basket is on the deep side, place a piece of foam | | | | - Add a fruit, wine, or chocolate scented candle. |
| in the bottom first. Shredded brown paper or | | | | (Note: Some non-food fragrances might seep into |
| newspaper as well as purchased colorful shred or | | | | the food.) |
| straw are all attractive fillers. If you have empty | | | | - If desired, place your finished gourmet gift |
| spaces after you have placed all the gift items, | | | | basket in a cello bag. Close the bag at the top |
| place small bunches of the shredded materials in | | | | with curly ribbon with plenty of ribbon so it |
| these spaces. | | | | cascades down the front of the gift basket. You |
| Choosing the Contents: | | | | can tie silk flowers or a satin bow in with the |
| A variety of gourmet meats such as pepperoni, | | | | ribbon. |
| salami, and a small canned ham are regularly used | | | | - Don't forget to include a gift card. |
| in gourmet food gift baskets. You may also want | | | | has more than 50 different themes including |
| to include canned seafood products like crabmeat, | | | | several related to Kitchen Gift Baskets plus a |
| clams, and sardines. It's a nice touch to add a dry | | | | variety of Gifts From The Kitchen. |
| mix for making a dip using the canned seafood. | | | | |