Lets make a Gift Basket.

#1 The first step is to select the theme gift for anyone.

This theme can be any variety of things like baby gift baskets, wedding gift baskets, birthday gift baskets, or thank you gift baskets. The example I will use is an Italian food gift basket. But you can choose from anything your special recipient may like. My recommendation is to try and stick with something that will not require a lot of perishable items. Unless it's quickly given away.

#2 The second step is choose what kind of gift basket idea will fit the theme of your gift.

I can't find many uses for those baskets or bags we receive gifts in. We may reuse them for another gift, but why not be more creative? I like to use an item that goes with my gift basket theme to put the other goodies in. But please keep in mind a larger item may be more costly to fill. For this gift basket we will use a colander.

#3 The third step is were your unique touch comes in.

You may choose from a wide variety of things for any theme. With Italian you can fill with things to make Lasagna, Ravioli, Fettuccine, or Spaghetti. I love to use my own pasta creation Penne Pizza. What ever you choose your gift basket will truly be unique.

#4 The fourth step is to fill the gift basket.

I like for any kitchen theme to start with a matching hand towel, dish rag and pot holder. I arrange them in my colander gift basket just as you would tissue paper. Next I put in penne pasta noodles, tomato sauce with sweet Italian sausage, pepperoni, Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil and a spaghetti rake or large serving spoon. You can make this food gift basket a full meal by adding mozzarella cheese, garlic bread, and green beans. If your gift basket is for someone special make it better by adding an apron, a large pot, or for Lasagna a 13x9 baking dish with foil to cover it. The size of these items depends on the size of your unique gift basket.