When no large, single gift comes to mind for someone on your shopping list, a basket filled with favorite foods or hobby items may be the answer.
Anson Hyde, owner of The Bread Basket on Signal Mountain and East Brainerd Road, said gift baskets are a way of reminding the recipient of good times at home.
“They know that more heart and thought has gone into it than just going into a store and picking something off the shelf,” he said. “In general, it’s just a matter of going out and picking things out that make the gift very personal.”
Even if you don’t assemble the gift basket yourself, it’s possible to add a personal touch, particularly if the basket has been assembled by a business, such as those available at The Bread Basket bakery.
“During the holidays particularly, we’ll have people asking us to make gift baskets that include items they’ve brought in, like a bottle of wine. People could also add homemade jams and jellies or a good block of cheese,” Hyde said. “We even have one woman who comes in every year and sends gifts baskets to five of her friends and always has us add a CD to each basket. All it takes is just a little tweaking to personalize them.”
Heather Corley, owner of Charlotte’s Web, a store in Riverview, said monograms add a special touch to any item.
“We have a lot of people who come in asking for monogrammed wine glasses — acrylic and glass — to add to baskets,” she said.
Popular for couples is the marriage monogram, with the woman’s first initial on the right, the man’s on the left and the shared last initial larger and in the center.
“Monogrammed napkins — paper and linen — are also popular additions to a wine basket,” Corley said. “And there are, of course, all the accessories: acrylic or silver corks with initials on them or a silver bottle opener monogrammed with the family’s last name.”
For the baker: Let someone else do the baking so that the baker on your list can rest and enjoy a loaf of homemade bread, muffins or cookies. Make the baked items yourself, or buy them from a local bakery. Add a block of cheese or bottle of wine to accessorize.
For the gardener: Barn Nursery manager Sara Melton said there’s always something a gardener needs, and a new pair of gloves is often at the top of the list. Small tools and a Plant Nanny to water plants while the gardener’s away are two choices to tuck inside a colorful planter or pot. Top the basket off with a gift certificate so the recipient can use it to buy pretty flowers in the spring. “It’s really a great way to give a gift certificate, offering something tangible to go with it,” Melton said.
For the wine lover: Anne Andrews, buyer at Jax Liquors on Market Street, said wine is one of the top items to include in a gift basket. Other vino-themed ideas include wine glasses, colorful cocktail napkins and a bottle opener. Seasoned wine aficionados may already have all the necessary accoutre-ments, so you may opt to pair a slightly pricey wine with cheese and a loaf of bread or a nice decanter or decorative bottle stopper. For a utilitarian basket, pack the items in a wine tote that the recipient can use afterward.
For the artist: Create a kit in an art bin, painting box or even a portfolio. “People come in and say they have a family member who’s always wanted to paint. A gift basket makes it easy for them to get started, and it’s easy on you, too,” said Tony Mines, owner of Art Creations on Frazier Avenue. Be sure to include the tools and mediums they will need, whether it be for charcoal drawing, oil painting, watercolor painting or printmaking (silk screen). For beginners, be sure to add a how-to book.
For the golfer: Chris Harris, manager of Golf Headquarters at Hamilton Place, suggested a collection: golf balls, tees, gloves, a hat and socks. There’s also an assortment of items with college logos emblazoned on them, mainly head covers and divot tools. Wrap them up in a small golf-themed bag. Or, for an unexpected twist, visit a local golf range and ask about a used range-ball bucket. “That’s a good way to dress them up,” Harris said.