Gift Basket Ideas for Newlyweds

Today, selecting a wedding gift for friends or family can be difficult. If a couple already lives together, it is hard to know what they need, and what they all ready have. If you want to give a thoughtful and creative gift, try making a homemade gift basket. You can create a customized basket that will reflect the interests of the bride and groom. Here are a few ideas for gift basket for various interests and themes, perfect for newlyweds.

The Cooking Gift Basket

If the wedding couple enjoys cooking, try a gift basket filled with cooking utensils, kitchen accessories and cookbooks. Line the basket with a cloth apron, and add silicone oven mitts, rubber spatulas, and a whisk. Add a cookbook with quick dinner ideas, such as Rachel Rays 30 Minute Meals 365 No Repeats. The couple will be able to select from a huge variety of dinner options that are quick and easy to make. Add some hand towels and washcloths that will match their kitchen décor. For an even more personal touch, add some recipe cards all ready filled out with recipes from your own kitchen. A gingham bow provides the finishing touch.

The Great Outdoors Gift Basket

If the bride and groom are avid campers, hikers, or just outdoorsy, this gift basket will come in handy during their next trip. Line a basket with shredded brown packing paper. Pack cellophane gift bags with trail mix (homemade or bought) granola, and nuts. Tie each bag with a raffia bow. Add some granola bars, reusable water bottles, and a colorful tin, filled with beef jerky. Bug spray and sunscreen become fun accessories when wrapped with gingham or raffia bows. Add a travel book, preferably to a place the newlyweds would like to visit some day. Thru Hikers Guide to America: 25 Incredible Trails you can Hike in One Eight Weeks by E. Schlimmer is a good choice. Lastly, place a few maps and travel brochures of camping and hiking destinations near the couples home, to help them plan a fun day trip.

The Gardening Gift Basket

If the newlyweds already own their own home, this wonderful gift basket keeps on giving long after the wedding. Instead of basket, you could use an oversized plastic planter. To dress it up a bit, spray paint the planter in a color that compliments the newlywed's house. Line the planter with grass green tissue paper. Add packets of flower bulbs and seeds. Tie a floral ribbon around the handles of trowel and spade, for added color. Tuck in some matching his and her gardening gloves. If the bride and groom are novice gardeners, it is a good idea to include a book on gardening, such as Gardening for Dummies by Mike MacCaskey. Add a gift certificate to a local nursery for a finishing touch. This makes a great housewarming gift as well.

The Honeymoon Send Off Gift Basket

This is a great idea I got from a wedding reception I catered, many years ago. The maid-of-honor had a deluxe chocolate gift basket delivered to the honeymoon suite as a surprise for the bride and groom. She included chocolate truffles, a bottle of their favorite wine, and beautiful wine goblets. There was also chocolate body butter (it was their honeymoon, after all) and strawberries dipped in chocolate. What better way to begin married life?

Welcome Home Dinner Gift Basket

A bride and grooms first day back from their honeymoon can be hectic, with unpacking, catching up on mail, opening wedding gifts, and getting ready to go back to work. A thoughtful gift to give is a basket containing all the essentials for the first meal at home. You can arrange to place the gift basket in the fridge, the day before they arrive home, so it is ready and waiting for the happy couple. Line a basket with four dinner napkins. Place a casserole dish (they can keep) filled with an easy to reheat dinner. Add a loaf of crusty French bread, a bottle of their favorite wine, and something sweet for dessert. Place candles and matches in the gift basket as well, to help keep the honeymoon mood. Be sure not to forget the directions for reheating the casserole.

Newlyweds will certainly appreciate the thoughtfulness you put into their gift basket.