How to Make an Unforgettable Gift Basket

Gift baskets are the–read thee–perfect gift. There are dozens of ready-made gift baskets you can find in a pinch, but there’s something special about handcrafting one. If you’re lost on how to make a care package or looking for a finishing touch, you’re in the right place.

What type of basket should I use?

Traditionally, people gift regular wicker baskets. You can find these cute baskets very easily at most home decor stores or thrift shops.

However, you don’t have to limit yourself. For convenience, you can use whatever container you have on hand. For example, you could wrap a sturdy cardboard box and stuff it with goodies or repurpose a wood crate for a more rustic vibe. The best gifts have a personal touch, so choosing a container that suits the recipient will make them feel extra appreciated.

Choosing a gift basket size

Remember, while you don’t need to limit yourself, choosing a reasonable basket size will keep you from buying too much. Make sure to use a basket, box, or container that’s big enough for all the goodies you want to gift. It’s always a thoughtful touch to pick a basket that the recipient can use to store nicknacks or take out for picnics.

Add items of all sizes to the basket. If you need to ship the container, make sure there’s enough room to lay all the items safely for packaging. If you’re making a more classic gift basket, you’ll have a lot more freedom to decorate and arrange the items.

How to make a gift basket in 3 steps

Putting your own spin on a gift basket is the best part, so we’ve got the basics covered. With this guide, you’ll be a gift basket master in no time.

1. Choose a theme

If you’re having a hard time coming up with ideas for gift basket stuffers, consider a theme. This will help to narrow it down:

• Christmas gift baskets: full of candy canes, a new ornament, and seasonal goodies
• Birthday gift baskets: candles, birthday cupcakes, and a birthday sash
• Baby shower gift baskets: reusable diapers, itty-bitty socks, and a bottle of “mommy juice”
• Tropical gift baskets: an edible arrangement of tropical fruits, a pack of tiny umbrellas, and coconut shaped glasses
• Sports gift baskets: football-shaped cookies, Gatorade, and a beanie with their team’s logo

There are all kinds of gift basket themes. You make the rules. Just put your focus on their interests and you can’t go wrong!

Even if you don’t know them all that well yet, you can always play it safe with a snack-themed basket—complete with trail mixes, cookies, and coffee.

2. Settle on a budget

Next, decide how much you want to spend. This will also help you narrow down all the gift options so you don’t run out of space. Remember, you can put together a beautiful gift basket even if you’re on a tight budget.

3. Mix homemade with store-bought

Mixing homemade goodies into your basket adds a memorable, personal touch. This is the perfect opportunity to gift something truly unique—like a batch of chocolate chip cookies made from scratch. This allows you to fill the basket without overspending or overtaxing yourself. The perfect balance.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Home Zone Dark Brown Wicker Basket (each)

Wood Slat Crates, 2.375x5.125x3.25 in. (1 each)

Unique Birthday Sash, Premium, Disney Princess, 3+ (1 each)

Balducci's Football Cookies (12 oz)

Organic French Roast Coffee (per lb)

Joanna Gaines Recipe Book, Magnolia Table (1 each)

The Crème Shop Face Mask, Kale (0.81 oz)

What should I put in a gift basket?

If you think your loved one will like it, fill the basket with whatever you want. Here’s a sprinkle of inspiration:

Snacks

A classic choice, the way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach. Some popular food gifts include:

• A jar with spiced trail mixes, nuts, and dried fruits.
• Homemade cake mixes with a hand-written instruction card.
• Packages of beef jerky and dried beef snacks.
• A small charcuterie board with different types of cheese.
• Gourmet foods, like specialty compotes or preserves.

Drinks

Drinks, especially tall bottles, make for excellent gift baskets:

• A glass container with ingredients to make barista-quality drinks at home.
• A bottle of carefully selected spirits, if your loved one drinks alcohol.
• DIY cocktail- or mocktail-making kits and books.

Home essentials

Perfect for milestone gift baskets, consider including a few home essentials if it makes sense in your gift basket:

• A cookbook for foodies who want to become better home chefs.
• A ceramic set of measuring cups and spoons.
• Artisanal candles and incense sticks.

Beauty products

Pamper your loved one with these awesome care package ideas:

• Bath bombs and mineral salts.
• Relaxing mud or sheet face masks.
• Soothing body butter and lotions.
• A manicure set and nail polish

3 tips for how to put together a gift basket

Once you’ve settled on what to include in your gift basket, use these arrangement tips to make your care package as aesthetically pleasing as possible.

1. Create height

Display tall items toward the back of the basket and shorter items closer to the front. If your items are similar in height, prop them up on a small box to create dimension.

2. Distribute weight

Create stability and prevent the basket from tipping over by spreading the weight out evenly throughout the basket.

3. Fill up empty spaces

Eliminating empty spaces creates a clean finish. Add crinkle paper to the bottom of the basket and little trinkets or extra treats to make the basket look fuller.

Create a gorgeous gift basket from the comfort of home

Planning what to include in a gift basket can be time-consuming, especially if you want to add homemade items. Save yourself the extra hassle of having to stock up on gift basket essentials and order your gifts via Instacart. Simply add what you need to your cart, leave a note for your professional shopper if needed, and choose same-day delivery or pick up at check out.

Instacart

Author

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,500 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 85,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.