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How to Create a Beautiful Gift Basket
By Dana Sonia
From the April 2006
Issue of Applaud Magazine
Step 1
Create a "theme" for your gift.
Choosing your theme will help you choose your products that will be going into the basket Your theme could be as specific as a “Foot care basket" or as general as a "Pamper basket" and develop into a specific theme as you shop for products.For our example here, we chose a "Total body spa basket" using organic products. We complimented the products with an Organic cotton face cloth, hand towel and beautiful woven basket as the container. We added herbal teas from Harvest Thyme Tea, also from NH, a hand poured candle, chocolates and a soothing eye mask.
Step 2
Once you choose your theme, make a list of products that you think you would like to include. For example, with this spa basket we wanted to create an experience to pamper the entire body, we used products for your hands, your body, your face and your feet. We also added gourmet tea, chocolates and a candle to add to the experience. You could also include reading material such as a book of quotes or a relaxation CD depending on your budget.Step 3
Choose your enhancements. Try to choose enhancements that compliment your products and theme. For this example, we used silk flowers in matching colors. The hand and face cloths are also in "earthy" tones to continue the natural theme.CREATING YOUR DESIGN
Step 1
Fill the bottom of your chosen container with crumpled packing paper. This gives you a base to build your design.Step 2
Cover your packing material with a thin layer of shred in a complimentary color to match your products and theme.
Begin by placing your products starting in the center and working towards the outside. This will help balance your design.Step 3
After you have placed your products, you can begin placing your enhancements. Remember that these items are enhancements, they should ADD to your design, not overpower it. Choose complimentary colors and items.Step 4
You can wrap your design in cellophane, tulle, or leave unwrapped if you desire. This is your design you can do whatever you feel would add to the beauty of the finished gift.
If you choose to use cellophane or tulle, gather the product at the top of the container, above the design and tie together with a bow or ribbon.Above all, have fun, be creative and enjoy yourself.
Supplies You Will Need:
All of the above can be purchased at a craft store of your choice. Organic spa products used for our featured design were purchased from Elayne’s Garden of Danville, NH. All other supplies were purchased at various supply companies.
Note: Elayne’s Garden is New Hampshire’s exclusive certified organic soap company.” Her products can be purchased at: www.Elaynesgarden.com.Dana Sonia is the owner of “Gift Baskets By Your Design” a full service gift company in Chichester NH. Dana’s designs have brought her national recognition as an award winning designer and her company was recently named to the “Top 100” gift basket companies in the United States by Gift Basket Review Magazine, a leading trade magazine for the gift industry. You can reach Dana via her website at www.NHGIftBaskets.com, via telephone 603-365-6101,
or by email DKSonia@nhgiftbaskets.com
