Extraordinary Holiday Gift Baskets

Plenty of companies sell gourmet gift baskets. But what should you do if you are looking for something more memorable, perhaps a bit out of the ordinary? Typical holiday baskets come with fruit and gourmet edible food items. Over time these have expanded to include more variety and personal luxury items. If you're tired of the standard offering of sausage logs, here are some holiday ideas that are anything but ho-hum.

Have a friend with a good sense of humor? Then they might appreciate this edible Chocolate Zen garden from bluechopsticks.com. Mini Zen gardens have been suggested to be relaxing and therapeutic. After relaxing by creating patterns on the ground made of sugar, you can position your chocolate Buddha among the chocolate truffle rocks. This is a gift that encourages you to play with your food.

If you have a family member who loves to reminisce about the good old days, then consider sending a retro candy gift box like the 50's Decade Box Gift Basket, available at Amazon.com. I also found a similar item listed at Target.com.

If your friend or family member is a cat or dog owner, then consider sending a Pet's Christmas Stocking from GiftTree.com. Or perhaps they are a movie lover. If so, there are baskets to make any movie lover feel pampered. I found some great ones (along with other great gift ideas) at findgift.com.

For the handyman or your favorite DIY friend you could send a pre-baked gingerbread house ready for assembly from candylandcrafts.com. If their craft skills are a bit suspect, then the company also has some assembled houses available for sale.

Although fruit baskets may seem ordinary or overdone, anything with pears from Harry and David will not disappoint.

Beer and barbecue lovers would be thrilled with the combo bucket from gourmetgiftbaskets.com.

Another option to consider is buying local. In Charleston, SC the wine shop In Good Taste creates beautiful and delicious gourmet gift baskets for the holidays.

If you live near your gift recipient and are creatively inclined, you could create one of these baskets yourself. One of my personal favorite combinations for a homemade gift basket is an assortment of writing tools and note cards. Include stamps, and the recipient will have everything they need to take care of the after holiday task of sending thank you notes.

If you are tight on funds this season, check to see if you have any friends who are frequent travelers who will donate extra hotel toiletry samples to you. If so you can use some of these items to create 'guest' gift baskets for your friends. It's the perfect thing for guest rooms when company comes over.