Presenting

a relaxing bath. Also included in Blue's Mother's Day basket—which can be perfect for a birthday as well— are various chocolates and a bottle of favorite wine or other beverage. In addition, Blue suggests using towels, washcloths or a robe as the basket's base and filler— and remember to save room for a vase of beautiful flowers as the finishing touch. "e great thing about this gift basket is that it's a perfect template," Blue states. " You can replace any of the items with other favorite products, colors and more, to customize it for any client or occasion." Also commenting on products that have proved successful for Mother's Day gift baskets, Ray says, "Gift baskets with fresh flowers, a greeting card, bath salts, a candle and chocolate always do well." Regarding gift baskets for events and occasions other than Mother's Day, Ray reports, "I have found success with gift baskets that incorporate plush animals, organic items, chocolates and candles, and I always include fresh flowers—either a single stem or a bouquet." Tips for Creating Perfect Gift Baskets When special occasions approach, a search for the perfect gift begins. But when consumers can't find the perfect gift in a store or online, we can help by asking questions like, "What does she like to eat?" "What is her favorite color?" and "What does she like to do when she goes out?" With a little attention paid to details, creating a personalized gift basket for any occasion can be easy. The following tips can help you get any gift basket started. Theme: This is the most important thing to remember when making a gift basket. A recipient may like movies and ice cream, but you wouldn't typically put both in the same gift basket. Focus a theme on a specific personality trait of the recipient. Type of container: The container doesn't always have to be a wicker basket. Consider choosing a wire basket with a liner or a useful ceramic bowl, bucket or decorative box. You can also create your own unique containers, possibly using an item that corresponds with the theme, such as a coiled garden hose for a gardening enthusiast. Organizing the gifts: Consider the sizes of the gift items intended for the basket. Arrange them in some kind of order, to make the gift more appealing. Place taller gifts in the back and center of the basket, followed by medium-sized items in front of the taller ones, and smaller ones in front. Remember to evenly distribute the weight within the basket. Wrapping the gift basket: If you use cellophane, select a color and/or pattern that will complement the basket's colors, theme and/or occasion. You can also get creative with wrappings; for example, wrap a basket for a new arrival in a baby blanket. Gift baskets for local delivery do not always have to be wrapped (as long as the products within are secure and steady), but remember: People like to "unwrap" gifts. Photo courtesy of happyhappynester.com

• Cover