Florida Sports

Posts Tagged ‘Gourmet’

Gift baskets are always popular and a great idea to give as a gift whether for Mother’s Day or any other time of the year. Moms love to receive gift baskets. Making your own gourmet ‘mom’ gift basket is cheap and easy. You can fill your gift basket with a variety of inexpensive quality items; you have lots of choices.
I’ve put together a few great tips and ideas for making ‘mom’ gift baskets, complete with instructions on how to make them. You can make inexpensive gift baskets or expensive gift baskets depending on your budget. You can easily customize each basket to your recipient.
First make a list of the mom’s hobbies and interests. List everything you can think of that might possibly pertain.
Suggestions: sports, books, television shows, in-house hobbies, outdoor recreation, camping, workshop, tools, golf, fishing, computer-related, environment friendly, golf, tennis, relaxation, food, chocolate, wine, spa, bath and body, fruit, cookie, etc. These are just a few ideas.
You can find many inexpensive items and products for use in making your gift baskets or filling your gift baskets, at ‘dollar’ stores, craft stores, party stores, discount outlets, flea markets, close-out stores and even at garage sales providing the items are new, etc.
For gift containers you can use: any type of basket, wicker basket, straw basket, bucket, laundry basket, plastic container, purse, tin, seasonal container, large tea pot, large upside-down hat, red hat or plastic storage container-put lid underneath.
Other items: extra-large coffee mug, boot, potted plant holder, wire basket, large pasta bowl, large popcorn bowl, cooking pot, clay pot, colander, skillet, antique trunk, champagne bucket, hamper, Asian-style trunk or picnic basket.
For gift basket liner you can use: tissue paper, shredded paper, shredded newspaper, tea towels, dish towels, hand towels, kitchen towels, colored towels, colored napkins, placemats, or fabric pieces.
For gift basket filler you can use: shredded colored paper, straw, Easter basket grass, crumpled newspaper comics, a bed of wrapped chocolates or other wrapped candy.
For items in the container it’ll depend on the specialty or theme of the gift basket – in this case a mom. Here is a small random sampling to give you a few good ideas:
Gift certificate for massage or spa visit, scented oils, scented massage oils, gift certificate to favorite store, gift certificate for restaurant, loofah, fragrant candle, matches to light candles, CD of nature sounds, favorite artist CD, DVD of newer release movie, how-to video or CD, handwritten poem, perfume, cologne, watch, framed photo, inspirational book, spa pillows, bath pillows, spa supplies, bath and body products, facial and body scrubs, handmade soaps, fragrant soaps, shampoos, hand and foot lotion or fluffy towel.
Flavored teas, green tea, specialty tea, herbal tea, biscotti, tea infuser, healthy snacks, fancy chocolates, boxed chocolates, chocolate bars, hot chocolate mix, specialty coffee mix, homemade cookies, homemade brownies, homemade jams, popcorn, caramel corn, giant-size boxed candy, candy canes, suckers, lollipops, apple, pear, orange, persimmon, mango, papaya, chips, pretzels, nuts, gourmet pasta, gourmet olive oil, pre-packaged food items, pancake mixes, brownie mixes, cookie mixes, wooden spoons, your best chocolate chip cookie recipe, Italian recipes, Mexican food recipes or other ethnic recipes, coffee mug, or potholders.
Garden trowel or other garden tools, garden gloves, work gloves, cold weather gloves, leather gloves, garden picks, seeds, hand lotion, flower pot , small tools, gadgets, playing cards, travel-size games, small puzzles, t-shirt, tickets to events,
small plant, disposable camera, a small book,
Computer-related items, mouse pad, yarn, painting or artist supplies, golf balls, golf tees, golf knick knacks, tennis balls, tennis knick knacks, key chains, small calendars or desk calendars, barometer, outdoor thermometer, science gadgets, electronic gadgets, health-related items, auto-related items or cinnamon sticks.
For gift basket wrapping you can use tulle netting or better yet, cellophane wrap. If you’re going to use a lot of cellophane you can purchase it in large rolls wholesale through the packaging specialty stores throughout the U.S. but should be easily found in craft stores.
Tie off the wrapped basket with ribbon. Wired fabric ribbon is best if you have it.
For bows: You can use pre-packaged bows but making your own bow is easy and a better presentation if you can do it. Use a huge beautiful bow.
Assemble all your gift basket items, the tools you need, etc. Now line your selected gift container. Then stuff the selected filler into the gift basket to give added height to your items. Place, layer and arrange your selected items on the filler in the gift container. Put the larger items in the back, the smaller items in front.
Fill in the holes or prop up with more filler (shredded paper, Easter basket grass, wrapped chocolates, napkins or holiday napkins etc.)
Also you can use ‘picks’ of artificial flowers to fill in small open spots.
Place your cellophane or other wrap under the gift basket. Center the gift basket on the wrap. Bring the cellophane or other wrap over the top of the gift basket and tie it with ribbon and/or a beautiful bow! Use ribbon and bows to match your theme colors.
Tuck a personalized card in the ribbon and that’s it!
General tips: You can find fabric or wired ribbon cheaply at Costco — especially in the fall prior to Christmas or around holidays but often throughout the year in most stores. You can shred colored paper in a paper shredder.
Try to use non-perishable items except, of course, when making fruit baskets. Use freshly packaged food items; packaged crackers and cookies can go stale in a couple of months.
You can find filler flower ‘picks’ at garage sales cheaply. If you buy ‘picks’ wholesale they are usually around a dollar each.
Try not to mix chocolate or other food fragrant items with non-food fragrant items in the same basket.
Also there’s nothing like learning how to make gift baskets from a video or DVD for making cheap and easy gift baskets. You can view it over and over again and share it with your children, other family members and friends. You can even charge for classes with your new-found knowledge and/or start a home based business if you so desire. In any event, making a gourmet mom gift basket can be cheap and easy.

Giving holiday gift baskets is a great way of letting your relatives, friends, or neighbors have a sample of different varieties of goodies and sweets. A gift basket is a perfect gift idea if you do not have enough time to shop for individual items, wrap them in special paper, and post them with cards. If you have several individuals to give presents to, preparing gift baskets will save you the hassle of having to think up of gifts for each one of your loved ones. If you want to give away holiday gift baskets, you are presented with two options. The first one is to make the basket of goodies by your self. You can buy the contents that you want to fill inside the basket. Your second option is to buy the gift baskets.
Buy Holiday Gift Baskets Online
Giving away holiday gift baskets is perfect because you can save yourself the hassle of having to shop for gifts and going through long hours of wrapping them individually. If you do not know how to make gift baskets or what to put inside the basket, you can always choose to buy baskets of goodies. Your local malls or supermarkets have these baskets ready for you, especially during holiday seasons. However, shopping is easier if you do it on the Internet. There are several sites on the web that offers holiday gift baskets. Some of these online sites sell a wide assortment of goodies, aside from their baskets of foods. On the other hand, there are also some sites that concentrate on providing their customers with different kinds of holiday gift baskets.
Gift Baskets with Sweet Treats
One of the most common kinds of holiday gift baskets is one that is filled with sweet treats. This is a safe gift basket option if you do not know the specific kinds of goodies to give a person. This is due to the fact that almost everyone loves sweets, whether these are chocolates, candies, or fruits that are covered with caramel or chocolate sauce. Gift baskets that are filled with sweet treats contain a broad selection of sweets. However, some of the most common are chocolate pretzels, peppermint candies, chocolate-covered nuts, candied fruits, butter cups, butter creams, and chocolate fudge. There are also some holiday gift baskets that contain baked goodies such as cookies, brownies, and pralines.
Gourmet Foods-Filled Holiday Gift Baskets
Not all individuals are into sweets, which is why there are holiday gift baskets that contain an assortment of goodies. These baskets are filled with gourmet items such as canned soup or soup packages, gourmet crackers, cookies, chocolate peanuts, brownies, roasted or plain peanuts, and spreads. There are some gourmet holiday gift baskets that also contain bottled wines. Some online sites let you choose your own assortment of items within the basket. However, the substitution of goodies depends on what it available on the site. There are also some websites that let you choose from themed baskets, wherein the contents are based on certain motifs.
Whether you want to shop for gourmet or sweets-filled gift baskets, online sites offer more selections. One site where you can find these basket goodies is Tanner’s Pecans and Candies.

If you ever wonder what to send to your clients, friends or loved ones, send a gourmet gift basket.  Gourmet baskets are the most versatile gifts that are appropriate for any occasion. Who would not want to receive an elegant basket filled with gourmet treats?  Indeed, it is not unusual for recipients to keep the beautiful basket intact for a while so they can admire their present longer.  There are many types of gourmet baskets to choose from.  This article provides an overview of different types of gourmet gift baskets available and tips for sending these gifts.

Gourmet baskets come in many different themes.  They can be used for providing a romantic dinner for two to serving as extravagant office treats.  Gourmet baskets can be sent for birthday, anniversary, housewarming, thank you, sympathy, or congratulations. They can be sent as corporate gifts to your clients and business referrals, or to your friends and loved ones.

Popular gourmet baskets usually contain generous assortment of fine gourmet treats, such as fine chocolates, cheeses, fruits and nuts mix, gourmet cookies, crackers, gourmet coffee, and other savory snacks. For food connoisseurs, you may want to send a gourmet food basket filled with lobster pate, tomato basil cheese, Romano cheese sticks, Pimento stuffed olives, herb salami, rosemary herb baquette breadsticks, double chocolate mocha truffles, water crackers, Kasilof smoke salmon, pistachios and a wood style cutting board for serving all these items on.

Italian gift baskets are another type of popular gourmet gifts. They deliver everything you need for a grand Italian dinner,including pasta sauce, thin spaghetti, penna pasta, Italian bread sticks, Haute Cuisine Italian cookies, vinaigrette, Parmesan Bruschetta bag, artichoke hearts, double chocolate truffles, Pimento stuffed olives, Salmon fillets, extra virgin olive oil, and cream filled pastry cookies. These gourmet food baskets are great corporate gifts, or for birthday, congratulations or thank you.

For your wife’s birthday, or your anniversary, you may want to send a breakfast basket, which is associated with warmth, comfort and good taste. Imagine her delight when she receives a beautiful cloth lined muffin and bread basket filled with fantastic breakfast favorites, including classic buttermilk pancake mix, New England maple syrup, Belgian waffles, cinnamon nut coffee, Perugina chocolates, and cappucino rolled wafer cookies. If you prefer ready to eat breakfast, then you can send a scrumptious selection of fresh baked goodness in a wicker basket.  Packed with moist, rich pound cake, chocolate chip blondies, and brownies with walnuts, this basket offers a great way to start the day of your loved one.

Coffee gift basket is a dream present for coffee connoisseurs. In addition to premium coffee, the container is filled with shortbread cookies, chocolate chip cookies, capuccio caramels, creamy coffee candies.  Some coffee baskets come with coffee mugs or a CD of classical music, and are ideal for sending your sincerest wishes to friends and co-workers.  Similarly, tea gift basket can be sent to tea lovers.

Chocolates are favorites for most people, especially women. The chocolate gift basket may be the perfect present for your girl friend, mom, or female boss. You can send a box of chocolate truffles, or a basket filled with premium chocolate bars, chocolate covered pretzels, Italian chocolate espresso cake, chocolate biscotti chunks, chocolate popcorns, brownies, and cookies. The chocolate gift basket will provide the most delightful chocolate experience.  It is the perfect present for you to make friends, make amends, or say I love you. 

Meat and cheese gifts are men’s favorites.  For male recipients, you can send a tray filled with delicious Heart of Wisconsin cheeses, mustards, sausages and crackers. The wooden tray will come in handy for serving the gourmet meat and cheese.    Gourmet baskets for individuals with dietary restriction are also available. You can send gifts that are sugar free, Kosher, or heart healthy, according to your recipient’s needs.  Special theme gourmet baskets are also available.  For example, for the bookworm in your life, you can send a book lover chest which comes in a book end chest filled with gourmet treats and coffee to enjoy during reading time. For recipients who are always on the go, you can send a travelling gourmet tower, which consists of 3 faux leather suitcases for a treat on the go. The suitcases are filled with savory treats such as tomato basil crackers, vanilla cream cocoa, sliced beef salami, honey sweet peanuts, chocolate chip cookies, assorted chocolates, buttery almond toffee, garlic cheese spread, vanilla caramels, cheddar cheese pretzel sticks, and gourmet roast coffee. The 3 suitcases will be great for travelers for years to come.

In conclusion, gourmet baskets are the most versatile gifts that are great for any occasion. There are many themes to choose from, including gourmet food, breakfast, coffee, tea, Italian, chocolate, sugar free, meat and cheese.  No matter whether it is for your clients, friends, or loved ones, you can sure leave a lasting impression with a gourmet gift basket.