Whether you are shopping for a gift for that little-known co-worker or for your best buddy, a themed gift basket can be the perfect choice. A themed gift basket is one that you create yourself, as opposed to a “gourmet” one you order from a company. Not only is this often a more affordable option, but it provides the opportunity to tailor the gift to any occasion or person. It transforms a potentially generic gift into one that is special and personalized.

Ever have a loved one or co-worker that’s sick or injured, maybe stuck in bed, or (heaven forbid!) in the hospital? How about a Get Well gift basket? Try some puzzle books or their favorite entertainment CDs or DVDs. Or how about a great novel so that they can escape from their aches and pains? Tuck in some magazines on their favorite activities so they’re ready to get back in the swing of things when they’re better. If your “patient” is female, maybe some nice hand lotions and manicure supplies so they can take care of their nails while they otherwise might not be feeling very pretty!

To create a “thank you” gift basket, you can relate the contents to the incident or occasion for which you are thanking the recipient. For example, if you are thanking a friend for inviting you to a barbecue, tuck in a bottle of specialty barbecue sauce or a barbecue-themed notebook for them to keep track of their favorite recipes. Alternatively, most people will appreciate some chocolates or a homemade item from your kitchen. Again, tailor the contents to the tastes of the recipient. Be sure to include a thank you note and, perhaps, some pictures of the event if appropriate.

A sympathy gift can be one of the hardest gifts to buy. Creating a gift basket that incorporates the tastes of the recipient can be particularly helpful in this situation. Think about what you know about the person. What makes her happy? What does she do to de-stress? What activities, scents, flavors and images does she find comforting. General types of items to include might be scented candles, bath salts, or a small plant. Homemade comfort foods can be particularly comforting to those in mourning. Again, a personalized letter or memories or a photo collage may be most appreciated.

In happier times, you might want to get someone a Happy Birthday gift basket! Keep in mind that the “basket” doesn’t have to be a basket at all! If they’re outdoorsy and like to hike or camp, how about a “gift backpack” filled with energy bars and camping supplies? Give your favorite movie lover a popcorn bowl stocked with DVDs and movie tickets. The scrapbooker in your life would be thrilled with a plastic storage box filled with colorful papers, stickers and ribbon. If the birthday boy or girl has a hobby, their gift basket will be a breeze to fill. Just make sure you get a big enough container to hold all your great gift ideas!

Housewarming gift baskets provide an excellent opportunity to incorporate a variety of different items. You should try to include something that will help the family feel more welcome in their new home. Some examples of this are centering your basket around richly-scented candles, a bottle of wine, or some small picture frames to give their home a personal touch. You might even include something personalized for the new family such as coasters, a blanket, or a wall hanging.

These ideas are just a springboard for you to get your own creative juices flowing. Gift baskets can be anything you need them to be! Gourmet food may have been what helped us all get familiar with the idea of gift baskets, but they are by no means the only way to go! Gift baskets can be designed within any budget and customized to thrill any recipient. Old or young, if you take the time to really think about what your lucky gift receiver loves, you’ll find it’s easy to create the perfect present!

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