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