The popularity of fruit and gourmet gift baskets has increased substantially over the past several years, and more and more full-service florists are offering wide selections of gifts to complement their fresh flowers. It used to be that a simple basket full of apples, oranges, grapes and the like was the most interesting fruit basket choice available. But supply and variety have happily increased to meet demand such that, today, gift baskets can be custom-created in any theme you can imagine…..and these gourmet baskets deliver so much more than just fruit.

Choosing The Right Gift Basket

• Coffee-lovers

For the caffeine-lover in your life, send a coffee gift basket, brimming with interesting and exotic coffees and condiments, aromatic whole beans and an electric grinder, a pair of special mugs, fancy napkins, some delicate cookies, and a CD featuring music of the coffee-growing regions of the world.

• Day At The Spa

Pamper someone who is in need of a little luxury with an at-home “Day at the Spa” collection of bath and body products. These gift baskets can include scented bath oils or bubble bath, handmade soaps, skin lotions, a loofah sponge and body sprays. Add an aromatherapy candle to heighten the sense of relaxation.

• New Baby Gift Basket

For the parents of a newborn child, send a bassinet basket of baby gifts. Tuck in a rattle, some tiny socks or booties, a spoon and a bib, a miniature T-shirt, baby powder and lotion, a bottle of aspirin for Mom, and for Dad, some bubble-gum cigars. Don’t forget a cuddly, plush teddy bear for the newborn. Have a congratulatory balloon tied on to add buoyancy to the celebration.

• Dog Lovers

Is one of your canine friends feeling blue? Send a dog-themed gift basket of yummy treats, a new collar and leash, a cute squeaky-toy and a chew bone, all wrapped up in a big, new dog food dish. Trends forecasters say that, with declining birth rates in the U.S. and the increase of single-person households, pets are the “new children.” (I wonder what happened to the old ones.) Surely, you know someone who is especially fond of their pet.

• Gourmet Gift Basket

Gourmet assortments of imported jams and jellies, pungent cheeses and creamy pates have become almost commonplace. But not every fruit or food basket needs to be filled with gourmet items. Surprise your favorite sports fanatic with a gift basket overflowing with junk food snacks like potato chips, pork rinds and pretzels. Toss in some bite-size Snickers bars, a can of squeeze cheese and saltine crackers, and let the snack-fest and games begin! Don’t forget to include the antacid tablets!

• Seasonal Gift Baskets

Seasonal gift baskets are always popular choices, with selections tailored for a specific time of year or upcoming holiday. A gardener‘s trug containing gardening hand tools, gloves, seeds, knee pads and sunscreen makes a useful and thoughtful gift in spring. Summer might suggest a day at the beach, with a collection of beach toys, a beach towel, a bottle of sun tan lotion, and a couple of pulpy paperback books all delivered in a large plastic pail. Autumn evokes the gustatory pleasures of the harvest season…..grapes, apples and other fruits, nuts, cider mixes, a fresh-baked pie or loaf of herb bread. A Christmas-time basket could include a special Christmas tree ornament, candy canes, a tin of holiday cookies, a scented candle or potpourri, a CD of carols….even a pair of festive mittens!

• Graduation Celebration

Now is the perfect time to honor a recent graduate with a ‘Congrats #1 Grad’ gift basket! A professional florist can help you create a customized array of unique and practical gifts that a high school or college grad will enjoy. Fill a ‘Class of 2004’ keepsake mug with Jolly Rancher candies or bubble gum and nestle it in a basket loaded with munchies like microwave popcorn, sunflower seeds and Pop-Tarts. Personalize your congratulations basket even further by adding a prepaid phone or gasoline card, book of stamps or pens and pencils. Just right for memorable snapshots with class buddies in caps and gowns or ‘best summer ever’ photos are disposable cameras, mini photo albums or mini picture frames. Have your local florist assemble the gifts into a re-usable basket, all tied up with ribbon in school/college colors, and deliver it to a graduate that’s in a class all of their own!

You are sure to get rave reviews for creativity when you surprise a friend or loved one with a brightly-packaged basket chock-full of all his/her favorites! Remember, next time an occasion arises call your professional full-service florist for an extra-special delivery of fresh flowers, along with a fruit or gourmet gift basket.