Ideas for a Thanksgiving Gift Basket

Show how much you care this Thanksgiving holiday by giving a gift basket to the special people in your life. Gift baskets are a great way to say, "I appreciate you and I am thankful for you."

The "basket" can actually be any type of container. You can use a traditional wicker basket or horn of plenty. An autumn or Thanksgiving themed serving tray or serving bowl is a great alternative. Many stores sell gift bags with the holiday theme. Whatever container you choose to use, make sure it is big enough to hold all of the goodies that you are going to put inside.

As to what you fill your basket with, items usually found in a Thanksgiving gift basket include fresh fruit, mixed nuts, chocolates and candy. You can also add jellies and jams, a variety of coffees or teas, or homemade treats, such as cookies or brownies.

For a unique, personal touch, add items that can be used for the receiver's favorite hobby. For instance, if he or she is a writer, you could include a journal, a pen set or perhaps a pocket dictionary and thesaurus. For a bookworm, you might like to add a bookmark or two, a book light and a small afghan he or she can use when curling up with a favorite book. A person who loves to cook would appreciate an assortment of spices, a cookbook or a blank recipe book where he or she can jot down favorite recipes.

You can also add items that reflect the receiver's lifestyle. An eco-friendly person would appreciate reusable shopping bags, a reusable container for water or some organic treats. A busy mother might enjoy items that would allow her to pamper herself, such as bath salts or aromatherapy oils. A person of faith might like a prayer book or rosary.

Other ideas to make your gift basket personal and unique include:

Tickets to a sporting event or concert
Personalized stationary with envelopes
A certificate showing a donation to the recipient's favorite charity
A mass to be said in the recipient's name
A CD with the recipient's favorite songs

The basket can be left unwrapped, or if you choose to wrap it, you can use fabric or tissue paper instead of the traditional plastic (especially if the gift is for someone who is eco-friendly).

For the finishing touch, add a hand written note expressing how much he or she means to you and how thankful to have him or her in your life.