The Different Types of Gift Baskets

Gifts are necessary for every occasion, event or holiday. However, buying something for different personalities can be extremely daunting. While some may love a nice bottle of wine others might be more inclined towards gardening and healthy living. The best way to go about pleasing everyone on the list is to send them customized gift baskets.

Here are some of the most popular gift baskets:

Spa Gift Baskets:

Spa gift baskets come laden with a collection of bar soaps, body lotions, moisturizers, shower gels, aroma candles, potpourri, and other accessories. Some of these containers may also contain candy and snacks that the receiver can enjoy during the bath. These baskets are certainly made for relaxation and melting away stress.

Sports gift baskets:

Customized sports gift baskets make the best gift for a sports fan. These containers can make any game day special. The baskets come with, wine bottles, beverage napkins, chocolate chip cookies, cappacino mix, biscotti cookie, beer cans, shot glass measure and themed rock glasses. Goodies can also be customized according to the tastes of the receiver.

Any sports fan will relish the edibles that he/she can savor during and after the big game.

Gardening gift baskets:

Gift baskets for gardeners can include a variety of gourmet treats with garden related gears. The containers can be stocked with handy tools and tasty snacks that can be munched on when the receiver is out in the garden tending plants. Other goodies include dips, pretzels, potato snacks, key lime cookies, red licorice bites, parmesan biscuits, roasted snack mix, and the like.

Fruit Baskets:

Fruit baskets are a great gift for someone who likes to eat healthy. Most companies that offer such baskets handpick fruits from the finest orchards. The gourmet fruit baskets are laden with the freshest high quality products that make them perfect for almost any occasion.

After choosing the sweetest crisp apples and juiciest pears, the experts gently put them inside beautiful containers, snuggled among an array of other delicious treats.  Boasting of fresh fruits, these generous, artistically arranged gifts are apt for any occasion.

Gluten Free Gift Basket:

Some people have to live with allergies. For such people there is a range of gluten free baskets full of scrumptious treats that are healthy and safe. From potato sticks to coconut bars, multigrain chips, chocolate chip cookies, and fresh fruits, gluten free gift baskets give people with food allergies a reason to smile!

Thank you gift baskets:

Thank you gift baskets help express a person’s sentiments in a way that they will actually be grateful for. Inside these containers they’ll find a variety of trail mixes, amazing pretzel dip, delicious apple chips, honey wheat pretzels, organic coconut bar, organic crackers, baked potato stix, blueberry jams, roasted peanuts, dried fruits, and a lot more.

Love and Romance gift baskets:

Romantic gift baskets are great for those heading on the road of love. With luxury gourmet chocolates and delicious fine wines, these containers will help convey a lover’s feelings with elegance. The baskets can include, dark chocolate bars, milk chocolate orange sticks, roasted peanuts, and a variety of crackers. Senders can also get them customized as per their liking and preferences.

Graduation Gift Baskets:

Graduation is certainly a big deal. All those endless nights of living on coffee, cramming for important exams and waking up every day for boring 9AM classes- graduating must be awarded with a gift! That’s why so many people choose graduation gift baskets complete with almost everything the graduate will like to have on the big day.

Help your loved ones usher in a beautiful occasion with a basket full of goodies- perfect to celebrate a relationship or an event. There are several gift basket makers in California that customize these containers as per the client’s needs.

The Unwritten Rules of Gift-Giving

The rules of gift-giving are seldom acknowledged and hardly ever discussed. They determine what is given, how much is given, and to whom it’s given. The problem is, “unwritten” means those gift-giving rules that may be subject to interpretation—both when dealing with others and also in our minds. It's common to see, even in a single family unit, members with drastically different ideas of "the rules" of gift-giving.

Why is it so important to understand the rules before making a gift list?

Here are a few reasons why it’s so important to understand the unwritten rules:

• Firstly, following just one version can create conflict with loved ones, who might hold a dissimilar view.
• A lot of children take on debt to gift their parents things they will neither require nor use. A determined crafter feels let down when a handmade gift is unwrapped to a dull response from the receiver. Neither of the parties understands the real conflict till they realize the main reason: their difference in opinion about the act of giving.

How to interpret the unwritten gift-giving rules?

Here are the most common rules and their interpretation:

•     Exchanging of gifts must be reciprocal
•     The value of the gift exchanged must be equal
•     Once established, gift exchanges should not change
•     Exchanges should extend to each member of a relationship category

Exchanging of gifts must be reciprocal

Reciprocity is certainly fair, but if applied to all cases, it can get overbearing. We must know where our limits lie when it comes to reciprocity, and get ready accordingly. If we believe in the idea of reciprocating, keeping a few “just in case” gifts aside to be ready for the unavoidable surprise presents is a good idea.

In case reciprocating doesn’t bother us so much, we must keep our focus on our response. It is more likely to bring happiness to the gift giver. The neighbor will leave the house with a smile when we welcome his present with heartfelt thanks.

The value of the gift exchanged must be equal

The concept that gift exchanges should have equal value has several interpretations.  If our version of the rule is that presents should be of equal value, how do we decide what “value” really means? The retail price or the real amount spent? Also, for homemade gifts, should the cost of materials be considered or the amount of time spent in creating the presents?

Once we have analyzed our own thoughts about this rule, we can easily decide what to give.  

Once established, gift exchanges should not change

We must examine our own feelings about the longevity in exchanges. If we feel that the exchanges should continue once established then it’s best to think twice about starting new ones.

We must make sure these exchanges are made only between relationships that are sincere.

Exchanges should extend to each member

Coming up with 30 gifts every year can wreck our budget and mess up our brain. For most people, the act of giving to every member is important. In case reducing the number of gifts or gifting selectively feels wrong, we must think of setting cost limits to lessen the burden.

Ultimately, when it comes down to the rules of gift-giving, there is just one main thing to consider: our own feelings. We must take a hard, long look at our belief system, which will empower us to give consciously and in harmony with our own values. By knowing our stand on such issues, we will be able to address any conflicts with our receivers in a patient, loving way.