Valentine's Day Gift Baskets for Your Mom

Valentines Day is right around the corner and love is in the air. Many people find it hard to locate the right Valentine's Day gift for that special someone. For lover's its easy to make a romantic dinner or buy sexy lingerie for each other but what do you get for your mom, best friend, or coworker? I know a lot of people who like to spread the Valentine's Day love and it can sometimes be hard to find something personal, yet platonic. If you're looking for ways to get your cupid on then you're in the right place, because I have an idea: gift baskets. I can assure you, I'm not suggesting you go out and buy the generic fruit and cheese basket you get at five star hotels. I'm referring to the fun and sometimes remarkable new baskets that have recently been introduced to the market. Here are some great gift basket ideas for Valentine's Day:

Edible "flower" arrangements

Everyone thinks of flowers and chocolate when they think of V-Day. I shudder when I think of how many roses have to die each February so that we can show each other how much we care. The sad part is that those flowers do die and then you have to throw them away; I know that I'm always sad to see them go. A fun and playful twist to the fruit basket is the edible arrangement. At Edible Arrangements you can pick and send a bouquet of freshly cut fruits. Ranging in price from $34-$229 you can decide the fruits, the arrangement, and the vase or basket the fruit will be displayed in. They even offer to dip the fruit in chocolate for you (for a small price.) Your friends will love the healthy alternative to the Valentines Day staple, the box of chocolates. Another perk, you're not sad to see them go; you're sad to see their gone.

Wine baskets

For the wine lover in your life wine country baskets offers a plethora of baskets ranging in price from $30-$500. The standard basket includes at least one bottle of wine, crackers, cheese spread and a cheese knife, nuts, chocolates, and varying pastries like biscotti and pita chips. I purchased the bottom of the barrel $29.99 basket for my boyfriend and me to share. The wine was good and the snacks complemented the flavor perfectly. We ended up getting silly and feeding each other chocolates from the basket. Next time we want to try the Chateau Ste. Michelle basket. It includes three wines, English toffee, chocolate covered almonds and cashews, biscotti, crackers, olive oil, pickled asparagus, herbs, cheese, a cutting board, a cheese knife, and more. It's about $100 but it's perfect for sharing at the get-togethers we have with our friends.

Chocolate debauchery ensues

Of course you can't have a valentines day without at least a little chocolate...or a lot of chocolate. I found the Sweet Decadence gift basket at gourmet gift baskets. For $70 the lucky recipient will receive caramel/chocolate coated popcorn, chocolate covered cherries, brownie cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate covered cereal snack mix, dipping pretzels with chocolate dipping sauce (can also be used as chocolate syrup in milk or on ice cream), butter almond toffee and a solid 3oz bar of signature dark chocolate. That's enough goodness for even the most die-hard chocoholics. The baskets on this site range from $50-$250 and can be filled with everything from seafood to candy.

Whatever you decide make sure to personalize your Valentines Day gift. If you know someone who adores knitting look online for a knitting basket. If you can't find what you're looking for then you can put together a basket yourself. In this case you can go to your local craft store and browse the yarn selection, pick up a few patterns, and a set of needles. You can put everything in a nice basket, you don't have to buy a new one just use what you have, and then wrap gift basket cellophane over the basket and blow dry. This cellophane is available at most craft stores and is the best wrapping option I've ever seen. Ask the store clerk to help you find the kind that shrink-wraps when heated with a blow-dryer. This inexpensive trick can help you create dozens of fabulous baskets that look like you spent a fortune on them at the store. Happy Valentine's Day!