Food Gift Baskets

If you have the time, you may prefer to make your own gift basket. It generally works out cheaper than a ready-made basket, and can be filled with food you know the recipient will love. It can be pure indulgence or a mixture of everyday food items plus some luxuries. You may want to make it a themed basket or an interesting mix of foodstuff.

I tend to buy the treats one or two at a time when on shopping trips, plus make some myself; when I have a nice collection I set about assembling the gift basket. Baskets are easy to come by and usually inexpensive; if you can't get one however, then you can use a box or sturdy gift bag instead.

Place some padding in the basket to help protect the gifts and hold them in place. I like to use shredded paper for this as it looks good and is fun to rummage around in. Make your own using old magazines or wrapping paper, or buy ready-shredded paper from a gift store. Gold metallic paper is particularly nice for a Christmas gift basket or food hamper. Although it doesn't look as good, bubble wrap is a good alternative to shredded paper, especially if you have glass jars of food in your basket. Another idea is to use pretty dish cloths or a set of napkins as a base. This works particularly well with a cookery ingredients gift basket.

Once you've got the basics done then fill the basket, arranging the items nicely to show them off. The basket will look extra special if you cover it with cellophane and tie at the top with some pretty ribbon. If you're using a box then decorate the lid with a bow. And that's it! All that's left is to present the food gift basket to the lucky recipient and watch their enjoyment as they explore the contents.

Gourmet: Pâté, smoked salmon, caviar, lobster, crackers, cheese, estate coffee, infused oils and vinegars, grain mustard, charcuterie, fruit preserves, dark chocolate, wine nuts.

Snacks: Pretzels, grissini, trail mix, Japanese rice crackers, cheese straws, nuts, seed mixes, vegetable chips, popcorn, tortilla chips, crackers, oatcakes, olives.

Baked Goodies: Cookies, fruitcake, apple tart, Scottish shortbread, brownies, muffins, chocolate cake, fruit and nut bars, cheesecake, Bundt cake, pound cake, baklava, gingerbread, liqueur cake.

Sweet Treats: Fudge, jelly beans, taffy, chocolate bars, dried tropical fruit, hard candies, Easter eggs, chocolate covered almonds or raisins, nougat, toffee popcorn, fruit jells, Turkish delight, crystallized ginger, chocolate truffles, marshmallows.

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