Author Archives: Ruth Wright

Cocktail Gift Basket

A cocktail gift basket is a great idea for someone who likes to get their drink on. They’re simple to put together and can be personalized to the recipient’s personal taste, regardless if it’s gin or whiskey.

You can give the basket a theme, such as a basket centered around creating all flavors of margaritas.

Baskets filled with liquor, snacks, and bar accessories are perfect for the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or any special occasion. The options are endless and here are some to get you going.

Building Your Basket

To start, pick two or three signature cocktails that use the same base liquor (brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, or whiskey). Next, put in the necessary liquors and mixers (e.g., juices, syrups, etc.) for those drinks. The aim is to make fun and easy baskets that all will enjoy.

Things to Put in the Basket

Add any of these to provide the ultimate cocktail experience:

Two Martini glasses with bartender tools

Recipe cards or a cocktail book, because you don’t know if they know what to do with all this stuff. For recipe cards, write them out by hand or print them out in a cute design.

Rimming salts or sugars are festive additions, specifically for margaritas or other sweet drinks.

Garnishes like maraschino cherries, uncut citrus fruits, and olives.

Cocktail picks are fabulous since there’s a need for something to skewer those olives and other garnishes.

Coasters with funky designs and cocktail napkins should be included.

Cocktail shakers are always a hoot.

Other important bar tools they might not have, like a jigger, bar spoon, or Hawthorne strainer. Other non-essential tools will be very useful and fun too.

Glassware finishes the basket and is still useful after the last cocktail is drunk.

Don’t forget to include some snacks! Standard bar goodies such as mixed nuts, crackers, cheese, peanuts or popcorn. Try your hand at making some homemade desserts or cookies.

Sangria Gift Basket

Homemade red wine sangria

When you don’t have a gift idea for a friend or family member, a DIY sangria gift basket is a great idea which we guarantee all will love.

Sangria is one of the best tasting and satisfying drinks that you can make. Everyone loves them and make them for any occasion and reason.

A pitcher of sangria gets the party started. Red wine, white wine, citrus fruits, sweet fruits, fruity liqueurs and anything else you like.

The notion of the sangria gift is to get together all you need to make sangria and make it look gorgeous. For this gift you need to have all the ingredients for sangria. Pick citrus fruits like oranges and lemons as these last way longer than pineapple.

Gift Basket Materials and Ingredients

  • A big drink dispenser
  • Red wine
  • Brandy
  • Lemon, lime and orange
  • Wooden spoon
  • Ribbon

Wrapping the Sangria Gift Basket

To make this gift, you just need to fill the drink dispenser with the sangria ingredients

First, put the bottle of wine in.

Then, put the brandy in the dispenser. Next, put the lemons, limes and oranges in with the wine and brandy.

At this point you can place some lemon or orange leaves/branches inside the dispenser for a fresh feel. Or you can put some berries on the bottom of the dispenser.

Once you have gotten all the ingredients inside the dispenser, close the lid. Now attach the wooden spoon to the dispenser with a ribbon, wrapping it around for a stylish touch.

If you want to go a step further, you can create a label to thread or attach to the ribbon. Write a nice message for the gift recipient or write out a sangria recipe.

This is a very simple present to create and will have your friend, co-worker, or family member asking for more.

Kwanzaa Gift Basket Ideas

Kwanzaa is a special African American celebration which concentrates on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious. Moreover, it is a misconception it is a substitute for Christmas. It is just a time of celebrating African-American people, their ancestors and culture.

An accurate Kwanzaa gift (or Zawadi) should be reasonable, enriching and of an artistic or educational nature, all of which are essentially a definition of Ta-Ka-Radi.

Kwanzaa (“first fruits of harvest”) in the African language Kiswahili, has gained incredible acceptance and is observed by over 20 million people worldwide.

Here are some amazing gift ideas to put in your Kwanzaa gift basket.

Hometown love

Get an original print that will be a reminder of the special city or town in their heart. Pick from an assortment of colors and choose where you want the heart situated.

African map

Gift a handmade print that looks like an old-world map of Africa. Include a vintage frame for an old-fashioned like home decoration.

Elephant tidbit holders

A set of four brightly colored sculptures made of African soapstone come made with love all the way from Kenya. These elephants are the ideal holders for flameless tea lights or small trinkets. You can buy them online at https://www.swahiliwholesale.com/soapstone-animals.

Mini soapstone giraffes

Mini soapstone giraffe

Also, at https://www.swahiliwholesale.com/soapstone-animals, get a set of delightful mini giraffes. Made with the same African soapstone, these giraffes make the ideal gift or accent decoration for any home.

Safari animal ornaments

Try to buy animal ornaments make from African wood. There are several places online. Get a set that have a variety of animals like elephants, cheetahs, zebras, or giraffes.

African wax-print apron

With African-print materials, no two aprons are alike. You can choose from many different colors, patterns, and styles at etsy.com.

Pasta Gift Basket Ideas

Create an Italy-inspired gourmet gift basket that has everything anyone needs to enjoy a real Italian pasta dinner. Pick artisan-crafted ingredients—the aim is to have a basket brimming with gourmet delights and specialty items finds that your recipient doesn’t usually treat themselves to but would like to taste. Regardless if you would like to create a well-edited, small basket or create a big bounty, use these Italian gift basket ideas and shopping sources to help guide you. Don’t forget to check out discount and specialty and shops.

Different types of pasta in wicker basket

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

A good bottle of extra virgin olive oil will last far after the linguine is gone, so treat your special friend to a fine one. Several gourmet shops have olive oil tasting bars, so taste many and choose one that tickles your fancy. And don’t feel limited to Italian oils. There are amazing olive oils from Spain Greece, Israel, California, Australia, and more.​

Grissini

Don’t forget skinny grissini, so there will be something fun to eat while the pasta cooks. A good one: Tenuta Castello makes its Rubata Grissini in little batches from family-grown grains and extra-virgin olive oil. The classic Piedmontese-style breadsticks come in rosemary and plain, and rice flour.

Artisan Pasta

You probably think of dry pasta as a busy night go-to meal. Therefore, a handmade pasta in a unique shape or made from a rare flour can be a real treat. As a bonus, artisan pastas are frequently magnificently packaged and brings visual appeal to your basket.

Gourmet Tomato Sauce

There are numerous jarred pasta sauces on the market, but only very few can boast incredible homemade flavor and texture. Get an all-natural sauce made with simple ingredients—tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, onions, garlic, basil. Avoid the ones made with corn syrup, inferior oils, or lots of sugar. Dell’Amore is a great choice.

Healthy Gift Baskets Ideas

Some folks may say that they don’t like healthy food because it tastes awful. Well, it’s time to prove how wrong they are. You may have noticed that most gift baskets contain gourmet products, meaning the best tasting foods available. Healthy gift baskets are filled with the yummiest gifts that just so happen to be healthy.

Healthy Gift Basket Classic

Keep them fit with a classic healthy gift basket! Inside the traditional woven basket, you will see a variety of wisely picked foods that are delicious and wholesome. There is flavorful, wholesome trail mix, wheat crackers, pretzel twists, and other gourmet treats, this gift basket is one you can feel good about sending.

Gluten Free Gift Basket Classic

A classic gluten free gift basket is filled with only the finest of foods. There is a wide diverse selection of GF products that are sure to be enjoyed in this gift basket. You can once again enjoy such treats as GF chocolate chip cookies, trail mix, fruit bars, chips and much more.

All Fruit Gift Basket

Regardless the occasion, this wonderful arrangement is sure to please. Inside a classic basket, you will get a group of tantalizingly fresh fruits that are hand-picked from some of the best orchards. Filled with juicy oranges and crisp apples, this classy gift is sure to please.

Fruit & Healthy Snacks Gift Basket

There is nothing more crucial than health, so what could be better than giving the gift of healthy snacks? That’s why there is a fruit & healthy snacks gift basket, which includes many fresh fruits like green and red apples, oranges and pears, and some sort of candy like pomegranate clusters. This gift basket also has delicious snacks like kettle corn, peanuts, and almonds, making this a basket that anyone would enjoy.

Housewarming Gift Baskets Ideas

There’s truly no place quite like home. But home doesn’t exactly craft itself. After moving to a new place, it takes time for those spaces to feel like yours. But, with a little assistance, a new house can swiftly become where the heart is. This is where the gift basket comes in. Fill housewarming gift baskets with nice welcoming treats to make their new home like nowhere else. Besides a housewarming one, there are other types of gift baskets that will warm the heart.

Housewarming Gift Basket

A welcoming gift!

A new house is filled with many firsts and a gourmet breakfast thanks to you can be one of them. Inside the basket, your recipient will find items like gourmet coffees, pepper bacon, and fresh blueberry pomegranate jam to fill their eating area with good scents that make any house feel like a home.

Wine Lover’s Trio

Please your favorite wine lover with this spread of refined tastes. Inside the basket, you’ll discover a wonderful Sangiovese, and a smooth-textured Chardonnay, a velvety Mencia Roble which are bordered by a collection of pleasant gourmet foods. There are also classic cheddar cheese, artisan crackers, and luscious French truffles. This lavish arrangement makes the ideal gift for housewarming or any special event.

Housewarming Gift Italian Style

Moving into a new home means the making of new memories and a gourmet meal can be one of them. This wonderful gift basket is filled with first-class foods such as tasty crunchy biscotti, rich basil pesto, artisan pasta letting your recipient quickly cook a real Italian meal. There could also be a colander and spaghetti server as well. These delicious foods and accessories make an impeccable gift that’s ideal for making them feel warm and welcomed.

If you know someone who is moving to their first apartment or house, this makes a nice present!

Cool Gift Ideas for Recent Grads

Those graduating college are expecting quite the celebration. After all, some universities are downright grueling.

Unfortunately, as young adults, college students are also challenging to buy gifts. They are older than they were in high school, but not yet experienced to feel like an average “grown up”.

Before you wind up including a gift certificate from a local Tampa tree service, below are some practical, and cool, gift ideas that they will surely love.

Know Their Interests

Millennials today are looking for old ways to save money daily. Whether that has prompted them to take up crocheting, fishing, or even making their own organic soaps, today’s college grads are more frugal than previous generations.

If you know ahead of time what sorts of hobbies that they enjoy, you can always cater to those interests. You can buy a set of new sewing patterns, professional baking tools, even books on the subject.

Box Subscriptions

Subscription boxes are all the rage right now, especially those that get geared towards learning rather than collecting stuff. In fact, today’s college grads are turning to learning how to cook over eating meals out.

Even those who have never operated a stove before are putting together meals with the help of subscription boxes. Best of all, most provide a free trial to see if they enjoy it.

A Hand-Me-Down Book

No, I don’t mean your old Harry Potter set. If there was a particularly influential book that you found helpful when you graduated, providing them with the same copy or even your own can add a ton of sentimental value.

That is especially true if you wrote notes in the margins or highlighted specific passages. By handing them the same words that helped you, it can give them an added boost of confidence.

A Plane Ticket

Although gift cards are usually impersonal, is there anything better than handing a recent grad a plane ticket to anywhere? When someone is ready to start discovering who they are, a trip anywhere they want is sure to please.

Even if you only gift them with enough to help cover the ticket costs can create lasting memories. Many airlines offer gift cards that can be used to purchase tickets, all without costing them out of pocket.

Anniversary Gift Baskets Ideas

Anniversaries are really extraordinary. They only occur every 12 months. It isn’t just a commemoration of love, but of understanding, dedication, and compromise. Getting to an anniversary is hard work and should therefore be commended with a gift that doesn’t fall short of extraordinary. Anniversary gift baskets are designed to do just that. Regardless how many years you’re celebrating, you can easily find the perfect anniversary gift basket that shows how special the event is.

Dessert/Wine Gift Basket

Classy and generous, this spectacular design is abundant in sophisticated tastes. Artfully arranged in a specially designed basket, your recipient can get dessert wines, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Chardonnay, not to mention the flavorful foods to go along with them. Enjoy handmade summer sausage, wafer cookies, and gourmet cheese. This delightful gift is guaranteed to impress no matter the occasion.

Champagne & Truffles Gift Basket

No matter what is being celebrated, this exquisite gift basket is sure to impress. Inside an elegant basket, your recipient will have choices of exquisite sparkling wines nestled among a collection of sophisticated treats. Include sinful French truffles, dark chocolate squares, wafer cookies. This arrangement makes a wonderful gift that’s totally unforgettable.

Chocolate Gift Basket Premium

Make a good impression at any occasion with a chocolate gift basket. Inside a gift basket, your recipient will get a tempting array of gourmet foods like smooth chocolates, tasty cookies, chocolate wafers, and chocolate covered cherries. This incredible gift is absolutely irresistible.

Wine Party Picnic Gift Basket

This generous basket gracefully complements any anniversary celebration. Inside the basket, your recipient will find a complex Cabernet Sauvignon and a crisp Chardonnay, and a variety of classic gourmet treats like wine wafers, aged cheddar cheese, and summer sausage. This gift basket is the perfect present for any celebration.

 

Make a lasting impression at any occasion with this premium chocolate gift basket. Inside one of our signature woven baskets, your recipient will discover a tempting collection of gourmet foods that includes sophisticated treats and silky chocolates. Complete with a variety of decadent cookies, chocolate drenched cherries, and delectable chocolate wafers, this exquisite gift is completely irresistible.

Make a lasting impression at any occasion with this premium chocolate gift basket. Inside one of our signature woven baskets, your recipient will discover a tempting collection of gourmet foods that includes sophisticated treats and silky chocolates. Complete with a variety of decadent cookies, chocolate drenched cherries, and delectable chocolate wafers, this exquisite gift is completely irresistible.

Make a lasting impression at any occasion with this premium chocolate gift basket. Inside one of our signature woven baskets, your recipient will discover a tempting collection of gourmet foods that includes sophisticated treats and silky chocolates. Complete with a variety of decadent cookies, chocolate drenched cherries, and delectable chocolate wafers, this exquisite gift is completely irresistible.

Make a lasting impression at any occasion with this premium chocolate gift basket. Inside one of our signature woven baskets, your recipient will discover a tempting collection of gourmet foods that includes sophisticated treats and silky chocolates. Complete with a variety of decadent cookies, chocolate drenched cherries, and delectable chocolate wafers, this exquisite gift is completely irresistible.

Make a lasting impression at any occasion with this premium chocolate gift basket. Inside one of our signature woven baskets, your recipient will discover a tempting collection of gourmet foods that includes sophisticated treats and silky chocolates. Complete with a variety of decadent cookies, chocolate drenched cherries, and delectable chocolate wafers, this exquisite gift is completely irresistible.

Make a lasting impression at any occasion with this premium chocolate gift basket. Inside one of our signature woven baskets, your recipient will discover a tempting collection of gourmet foods that includes sophisticated treats and silky chocolates. Complete with a variety of decadent cookies, chocolate drenched cherries, and delectable chocolate wafers, this exquisite gift is completely irresistible.

Make a lasting impression at any occasion with this premium chocolate gift basket. Inside one of our signature woven baskets, your recipient will discover a tempting collection of gourmet foods that includes sophisticated treats and silky chocolates. Complete with a variety of decadent cookies, chocolate drenched cherries, and delectable chocolate wafers, this exquisite gift is completely irresistible.

Make a lasting impression at any occasion with this premium chocolate gift basket. Inside one of our signature woven baskets, your recipient will discover a tempting collection of gourmet foods that includes sophisticated treats and silky chocolates. Complete with a variety of decadent cookies, chocolate drenched cherries, and delectable chocolate wafers, this exquisite gift is completely irresistible.

Make a lasting impression at any occasion with this premium chocolate gift basket. Inside one of our signature woven baskets, your recipient will discover a tempting collection of gourmet foods that includes sophisticated treats and silky chocolates. Complete with a variety of decadent cookies, chocolate drenched cherries, and delectable chocolate wafers, this exquisite gift is completely irresistible.

Make a lasting impression at any occasion with this premium chocolate gift basket. Inside one of our signature woven baskets, your recipient will discover a tempting collection of gourmet foods that includes sophisticated treats and silky chocolates. Complete with a variety of decadent cookies, chocolate drenched cherries, and delectable chocolate wafers, this exquisite gift is completely irresistible.

Thinking of You Gift Baskets Ideas

There are times that people just cross our minds. It might be because we haven’t talked to them in a minute, or we miss them, or we just thought of something hilarious they said once. But no matter why, you should always let them know that you were thinking of them. A thinking of you gift basket is the perfect way to do just that. With delicate gourmet chocolates, fine wines, and luscious baked goods, any of these gifts is the ideal way to let them know you care.

Wine Lover’s Trio

Please your favorite wine lover with this spread of cultured tastes! Inside a gorgeous basket, they’ll discover a Sangiovese, a Mencia Roble, and a Chardonnay, which is bordered by a collection of gourmet foods. Include artisan crackers, classic cheddar cheese, and decadent French truffles. This one makes the ideal gift basket.

Ultimate Dom Perignon Gift

Leave friends in awe with this stunning basket of elegance, sophistication, and style. Who doesn’t know what Dom Perignon is? The crème de la crème. Inside the basket, your recipient will find Dom Perignon’s revered 2006 vintage, which is matched with a sensibly chosen collection of enticing gourmet foods, like an ultra-sharp cheddar cheese, irresistibly crisp hors d’oeuvre crackers, and a host of other artisan treats, this charming gift is certain to impress.

Coffee Break Gift Basket

Thinking about a coffee aficionado? For them, any time of the day is a good to enjoy coffee! That’s the reason for a coffee break gift basket, which lets your favorite coffee lover enjoy a cup of joe any time they want. Inside this beautiful basket, put packets of instant coffees and gourmet grounds with a variety of decadent treats, making any coffee break flawless. Make sure to mix the coffee flavors up and include all their favs!

Thanksgiving Gift Baskets Ideas

Exhibiting you’re thankful as pumpkin pie! Joyful gift baskets for Thanksgiving are loaded with gourmet treats such as decadent desserts, fresh fruits, and wines, offering the ideal accompaniment to any celebration. These gift basket ideas also make a good impression after Thanksgiving dinner as well.

Pumpkin Cake

Not a gift basket, but a gift all the same. Pumpkin spice is everywhere at this time of the year, so why not bake or buy a pumpkin cake. Do a spiced pumpkin cake with sweet cream cheese frosting top and in between layered with homemade cinnamon buttercream frosting. This is a fall inspired dessert that’s bound to be a new favorite.

Orchard’s Abundance – Fruit Gift Basket

With something for all, it’s no surprise that this delightful gift basket idea is very popular. Inside a basket are artfully arranged oranges, apples, and juicy pears along with a variety of delicious gourmet foods such as premium peanuts, salted caramel dip, and Vermont cheddar cheese. This gift basket is perfect for any Thanksgiving.

Classic Champagne Gift Basket

Make any Thanksgiving a real rejuvenation with this generous gift basket. Inside the basket, your recipient will find a crisp La Marca bubbly that pleases with gentle effervescence. This is paired with a variety of gourmet snacks. Include hors d’oeuvre crackers, chocolate wafer cookies, and aged cheddar cheese. This stunning basket will impress at any time.

Snack & Chocolate Gift Basket – Deluxe

Generous and impressive, this snack & chocolate gift basket is ensured to please on Thanksgiving or after. Inside the basket, your recipient will find slow-melting chocolates and matchless selection of gourmet snacks. Don’t forget gourmet graham crackers, toffee-drenched peanuts, artisan crackers and cheese, and toffee-drenched peanuts. This elegant gift basket provides an assortment of treats that are impossible for anyone to resist.