Gift Giving Made Easy: A Guide to Gift Baskets

Gift giving can be extremely difficult, especially when you are shopping for someone that seems to have everything. Sometimes it can be tricky to pick out just the right gift. In many cases a gift basket filled with goodies put together especially for the recipient can make the perfect gift for anyone, and they are very easy to put together. Here is a guide to putting together gift baskets for a variety of different occasions.

First of all, when putting together a gift basket, try to think outside of the basket. Gifts don't always have to be in a basket. They can really be in anything, including bowls, buckets, or other objects suitable for holding gifts.

You can also use tissue paper to help fill up the basket and keep items in place. Choose paper in the recipient's favorite color or to match the basket. Also add a fun card appropriate for the occasion.

Entertainment Baskets

These are great for people who love movies, games, and entertainment in general.
Here's what you can include:

DVDs
Popcorn
Candy
Favorite Beverages
Hand Held Games (Don't Forget the Batteries)
Magazine Subscriptions
Tickets to Upcoming Events
Gift Cards to Entertainment stores (Ex: Blockbuster, Best Buy)
A great basket for these types of items would be a bowl or container designed like a popcorn bucket.

Book Lovers

Book lovers can be very difficult to buy for. Here are a few things that any book worm will surely love:

Books (For Obvious Reasons)
Book Marks
Small Book Lights (Don't Forget the Batteries)
Book Ends
Warm Blanket (For them to cuddle up in as they are captivated in a good read)
Gift Card to Recipient's Favorite Book Store

Pampering Basket for Women

What woman doesn't love to be pampered? Here are some great things that will work great in this basket. Sometimes these kinds of things are hard to pick out. So, if you're having trouble, choose a couple of small items so she has a couple to choose from, and more than likely, she will like at least one!

Lotion
Scented Candles (Aromatherapy Candles are a Great Choice)
Candle Holders
Eye Masks (The Gel Type are Great)
Bubble Bath
Shower Gel
Plush Robe with Matching Slippers
Good Book
Gift Card to her Favorite Store

Men usually don't like to be pampered this way, but if you know one that does, these same items designed for men will make a great Men's Basket. Other items to put in a Men's Basket include:

Sporting Event Tickets
Favorite Snacks
Favorite Beverages (Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic)
Sports Jersey
Sports Movies
Sports Memorabilia (Balls, Pucks, Autographs, etc.)

Animal Lovers

You know who these people are. The ones who have lots of pets and want to rescue every stray they see. These are the people who like animals more than they like people. Here are some great things to include in their gift basket:

Animal Themed Photo Frames (To put all of the pictures of their furry friends)
Stuffed Animals
Animal Statues
Books about Animals
Gift Card to the Zoo or other Animal Related Place
Movies about Animals
Donation in Recipients Name to ASPCA, Humane Society, etc.

These are just some ideas to get you started. Take into consideration what the recipient really likes and you should be able to create a unique gift that they will love.