Is Giving A Gift Basket Still A Popular Idea?

The idea of giving gift baskets as a gift for any occasion has been written about in popular US women's magazines for almost as long as there have been popular women's magazines. As an example, The Woman's Home Companion published an article entitled, "Baskets for the New Baby" almost 95 years ago, in 1913. This topic continued to be written about more and more often until it virtually exploded as one of the most popular gift giving ideas and how-to type articles in the 1980's. By 1990, gift basket entrepreneurs were forming their own businesses and taking orders to create custom gift baskets for any occasion. By the mid-1990's, the gift basket industry as a whole was generating over 700 million dollars in revenue every year in the United States alone. In fact, the gift basket business has become so hugely popular that current woman's and business monthly magazines now write more about the commerce of gift basket businesses rather than the gift basket products themselves.

This huge industry and the reported revenues don't even take into account all of the small cottage industries and the single individuals who provide gift basket service to their own circle of friends, family and social communities. Additionally, those yearly figures also do not include the number of people who purchase all of their own supplies and create their own gift baskets themselves in order to give as gifts to others rather than sell them. With all of the attention being paid to the lucrative money side of the gift basket industry and also on the growing number of companies that are in the gift basket business, it only stands to reason that gift baskets are still a very popular gift giving choice.

What keeps the gift basket industry growing and remaining such a popular item? The main reason behind its success is the actual product or the gift basket itself. Marketing this single product is not like selling any other single item or idea. The gift basket industry remains so popular because its product is so versatile and can be targeted toward absolutely any person's tastes and the product can be altered to be appropriate for any occasion. Consequently, it looks as if the product and the industry are here to stay.

Another reason why the gift basket industry will not only remain, but also continue to grow is the fact that our society as a whole continues to get busier. With so many added responsibilities such as 50 and 60 hour work weeks, we also have other commitments to our friends, our extended families, our children and our communities. But, the fact remains that no matter how busy we may become gift giving occasions and holidays will not simply go away. Nor, would we want them to. It is because of this same reasoning that another very popular and fast-growing service industry has emerged. The business of personal shopping. We are not only too busy to go out and purchase gifts, wrap them, as well as package and mail them, we are also too busy to shop for food, clothing and items for ourselves and our homes!

The main reason that gift baskets will stay popular is because they are simple for the gift giver to purchase and the gift receiver loves getting them. Maybe because the gift is actually one gift that is made up of several gifts. These "mini-gifts" have all been specifically chosen either by you or by someone else to go together beautifully in order to be the perfect fit for that person or client that you are hoping to please. Because of this versatility, a gift basket can make any statement that you wish to make. The possibilities are only limited by the imagination.

There is not one occasion, holiday or celebration where an assortment of appropriate gifts, all aesthetically arranged, would not be treasured. The possibilities are endless. To underscore this point, let's look at some of the gift basket ideas that there are and when they would be appropriate.

One of the oldest and most popular gift baskets is a baby's layette gift basket. These can be filled with anything that parents will need after a newborn's arrival from diaper rash ointment and other pharmaceutical needs to clothing, food and toys. The beauty in giving this type of gift is in not having to worry about giving them anything that they may have already received because all of these items are things that new parents will need lots and lots of.

Another very popular occasion to give a gift basket is as a wedding gift. First of all, they will have a beautiful basket that the newly married couple can use in numerous ways. Along with the basket include items such as miscellaneous small appliances, gift certificates, picture frames, candles, small photo albums or a small bottle of champagne and snacks.

Holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, housewarmings, and graduations; these are just some of the other occasions where a gift basket is a perfect solution to gift giving. Other reasons to give a gift basket could include giving one as a thank you gift to someone in order to express your gratitude in a very exceptional and personal manner or give one as a get-well sentiment to someone who is ill or going through a difficult time.

Gift baskets are even appropriate as a gift to a surviving spouse or family after they have experienced a death. A sympathetic gift basket comprised of comforting and healing books and literature along with delicious and gorgeous fresh fruit, elegant snacks and gift certificates to local restaurants can be a compassionate way of offering solace and encouragement to someone who has experienced a loss.

Since gift baskets are really a gift that is comprised of many smaller gifts, you can create any theme for your gift that you wish. Does someone that you need to shop for adore football? Then a gift basket of items such as their favorite NFL or college team's hat, clothing or paraphernalia will go over huge. If their favorite team is nearby, you could include tickets in order for them to attend a future game. If you really want to make a splash, include a certificate from their cable or satellite provider that proclaims the purchase of additional, seasonal sports programming! You'll become the new favorite person in their life. Or, do you know someone who could use a little pampering? Spa, resort or golf course certificates are lovely ideas. On a smaller scale, you could fill the basket with luxurious beauty or shaving products, restaurant, movie or babysitting certificates and their favorite sweets.

And finally, don't be afraid to think out of the box, or in this case, the basket. Gift baskets do not necessarily need to have everything arranged in a wicker basket. Baby gifts can be in a baby diaper pail or bathtub. Gifts for men can be arranged in a fishing tackle box, toolbox or even a 5-gallon paint bucket. Children's gift baskets can be grouped in a small toy chest or storage container or even on a child-sized chair.

These ideas and the countless of thousands of other ideas are the reasons why gift baskets are still a popular idea and why giving them as gifts will never go out of style.