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