When giving thought as to how to build a gift basket that is both unique and personal one should always look within; to find your own passion (s) and then play them out creatively.
One year my god daughter asked me what I wanted for Christmas. My quick answer was a Porsche and a chocolate cake assuming that I would get a chocolate cake in the shape of a car. Sure enough, I received the chocolate cake and a matchbook sized Porsche.
OK, so how does this relate to a the making a gift basket(s)? Very simple. When I opened the box what the others in the room saw was just a cake. What I saw was the results of a 10-year old’s heart-felt creativity and what I felt was an even deeper love for her than when she was born. She took the time to make something - it didn’t matter what it was, as all that mattered was she had made it herself.
The toy Porsche was equally valued. She did not make it; obviously. What she did do was give very special thought and did not simply go to Macy’s and buy me a tie or a wallet or a flea-market / garage sale trinket. Actually, I might have needed a wallet but you get the point.
Back to the gift basket (s) … think about the person or group you want to give the basket to. Write down some ideas as to what they like. It is easy enough to create labels in a computer if you want to customize something. It is also easy and (can be) economical to make something yourself. And no worries as to the level of quality that what you are going to make is. Unless you are a Portuguese / German (like my wife) you can assume that there could be blemishes but will be YOUR signature and what will endear your gift basket to them. And not to worry as to its durability or “shelf-life.” You will want it not to last so as soon as possible is its memory if really blemished :)
As to the matchbox Porsche? I have had it on my desk for almost 30-years. It is a little rusted from the water that I poor on it once-in-awhile. I keep thinking that if I water it it will grow up to be real!
