Gift Baskets, Anyone's Pleasure

By: Thomas Bronson


Discerning folks would just have to wonder�what is it about gift baskets that make them such a popular form of gift-giving today? What fun could there possibly be in receiving a gift without the requisite anticipation and suspense that comes from tearing open layers of wrapping paper before running smack into the actual present itself? For although gift baskets are nearly always prettily packaged, surely there is not much to be said for gift items that are so openly strutting their stuff for all and sundry to see!

Baskets were made of suitable materials that could be acquired easily in the olden times. Among the uses of the baskets were for collecting fruit and other food, and hunters used the basket to store their catch of the day. This is probably why baskets are used as one of the ways to present gifts today, as they had been used in the past to give organic gifts such as fruit, flowers as well as perishables.

Another legend has it that the concept dates back to the Biblical account of three-month old baby Moses hidden among the reeds by the riverbank in a basket made of bulrushes. This theory could be one way of explaining the advent of baby gift baskets. And these in turn, have spawned various other types of gift baskets.

Giving out these baskets on holidays or special occasions has become a norm, therefore there is a wide range of gift baskets to choose from, be it for Easter, Fathers� Day, Mothers� Day, baby showers, weddings, anniversaries or even a sympathy basket to help ease the loss of a loved one. This industry really can provide for all the moments you can think of from the beginning of life right to the end!

More choices of gift baskets are available if you prefer to look for the ones that are based on the differences in content. There are baskets filled with the highest quality fruits from the vine for the wine expert, baskets containing pate foie gras, caviar and orange blossom honey for the fine food lover, and whatever your favorite dish or cuisine might be, there certainly will be a basket for you. Anything or everything is possible nowadays � be it Italian food products to junk food and cheesecakes. Everyday occasions might also warrant for various basket contents, which is why the breakfast baskets, barbecues baskets and even baskets holding a selection of designer tea and cookies are readily available nowadays.

However do remember that gift baskets do not have to consist of products that can only be eaten. There are some that combines the element of nature such as flowers together with food while others can consist of pretty much anything and everything that can fit into a basket, such as books, massage oils, toys, toiletries and aromatherapy products.

Besides individuals, gift baskets are also a huge hit with corporations. Impressing a very big client with a customized basket done by professionals would do a company good more than you will ever know. Thank you gift baskets are perfect when the need to show some appreciation arises after a successful project is accomplished or when a deal is secured. Delighting staffs with baskets of seasonal goodies when festive seasons such as Christmas are approaching are also something companies are known to do.

A great plus point of gift baskets is that most service providers offer free delivery as well. Who can resist the thought of opening the door to find a beautiful and bountiful basket right on the steps! Better yet, arrangements can be made to deliver to the workplace too. Surely every wife in the midst of midmorning madness at the office would be pleasantly surprised to receive a birthday gift basket full of flowers and her favorite brand of chocolates.

Following up with a more private gift, such as jewelry, when the wife gets home would be an intelligent move on the husband�s part. No matter how pretty they are, baskets could never carry out the message of a personal gift, as they are always thought of as a very public display of generosity. It is better to stick to the traditional ways of taking your own sweet time in choosing a gift, wrapping it nicely, only to be opened as and when the receiver is ready, to let her enjoy the gift.

If you want a gift for your business acquaintances, or if you want your gift to attract attention, or if you simply cannot determine on what could best please your landlady, gift baskets are perfect for these situations. However, if you would like a gift for that very special someone in your life, nothing beats a subtle gift which you would have lovingly picked out yourself, and have it wrapped with as much affection as you could muster. In such cases, it wouldn�t have mattered if your bow distinctively mismatched your wrapping paper.

Some people just enjoy dramas in their lives to keep things fun, which might explain why the industry is still making money. Perhaps you just have to know the person�s personality in order to get something suitable or appropriate for that person. Take into consideration the little details such as whether that person is friendly and loud, or quiet and discreet, and maybe this will help you in your decision making. However if it still doesn�t, just remember, it�s the thought that counts, and hopefully the receiver will feel the same way too!


Thomas Bronson is the owner of GiftBasketsAffair.com, an ecommerce website offering the largest range of high quality gift baskets for all occasions and holiday celebrations, specializing in gourmet gift baskets, holiday gift baskets and so on.