Build a Kitchen Gift Basket That Anyone Will Appreciate
For a workplace gift swap or a food-loving friend, a basket stocked with kitchen goods can be a reliable choice. The range of edible and practical items to include is wide.
By Casey Campbell
You can put together an appealing kitchen-themed gift basket.
When you're picking a present for someone, there's one universal truth: everyone eats. This makes a kitchen gift basket a fitting choice for anyone from a close friend to an unknown colleague in a holiday gift exchange. A basket packed with tasty foods, handy kitchen tools, or both tends to please most recipients — and you might even be able to shop for it during a regular grocery run.
Choose a Theme for Your Kitchen Gift Basket
Exploring ideas for a cooking gift basket quickly reveals how many directions you can take. Picking a theme can help you focus.
If you know the recipient's food preferences well — a spouse, for instance — the theme could be as straightforward as "all of recipient's favorite foods." Alternatively, you might pick a general angle such as "gourmet treats" or "stylish and practical kitchen tools." If you're assembling a gift for someone you don't know well, or for an occasion like a White Elephant party where the recipient is unknown, choosing entirely non-food items is probably your safest bet because of dietary restrictions.
Colors, designs, or even a specific recipe can also serve as themes. For example, a lemon theme might include upscale lemon curd, tea towels printed with lemons, and lemon-scented hand soap. Or you could fill a basket with all the ingredients and gadgets needed to make a particular recipe, along with a handwritten recipe card.
Begin with a Basket or Bowl
The first step in assembling any gift basket is finding a suitable basket or other sturdy container. Ideally, it should be something the recipients can actually use in or around the kitchen. A collapsible market basket or a reusable grocery tote with some style are both solid options. Alternatively, choose a large pot or bowl as the base. Just keep in mind the size and number of items you plan to put inside when selecting your vessel.
If you haven't settled on a theme yet, shopping for the container might spark ideas. For instance, seeing an interesting cookie jar could lead you to create a cookie-themed basket filled with cookie cutters and fancy decorating supplies. Or finding a beautiful wooden salad bowl at a thrift store might inspire a salad bowl gift basket filled with items for making delicious salads. (One caution: make sure the recipients actually enjoy salads before putting together a salad bowl gift basket, or the gift might come across as a coded hint about their diet!)
Shop for Fillers
Buying items to go into your kitchen gift basket is the enjoyable part. Your budget, theme, and the size of your container will determine how many items you add, and there's no fixed rule about the "right" number — you might choose anywhere from three to 10 or more items.
Aim for variety as you shop. If you're assembling a basket of gourmet foods, include some sweet, some salty, and some tart selections. If you're making a basket of kitchen tools, mix basic essentials (simple whisks, spatulas, etc.) with a few more playful items like kitchen towels with punny sayings or corn on the cob holders.
If your budget permits, pick at least one "extra" item to round out the gift, such as a new cookbook, a handy gadget, or a special local treat. For example, a salad bowl gift basket might include a pair of carved wooden salad tongs made by a local artist or a miniature salad spinner.
Wrap It Up
Arrange everything in your gift basket. If needed, use a base of crumpled tissue paper to make the basket look full. To keep items from shifting during transport, wrap the basket in a sheet of cellophane tied with a ribbon. Or, conceal the contents — and add another element to the gift — by wrapping the filled basket in a printed tablecloth.
