Christmas Gift Baskets – Chocolate on a Budget

How to Make the Best Custom Baskets, Simple and Delicious

Nov 13, 2009 Janice Benoit

Anyone can customize a holiday, chocolate gift basket for your friends, your work colleages, or your kids' teachers.

Once the gift giver has decided on the type of holiday chocolate gift basket to purchase, he or she should head to the internet or to the local shopping mall. Some great internet options include Godiva, Mrs. Fields Cookies, and DesignItYourself. But one can also find gift baskets at discount stores like Walmart or even the grocery store. When one is evaluating which basket to select, look at the quantity of goodies by comparing weights. For instance one basket may have three separate chocolate items, but the total weight is minimal. A competing basket may fewer items, but a greater total weight.

Realize that a shopper will pay a premium for extravagant wrappings, festive knick knacks, and the type of container used. It will be the gift giver's decision as to whether or not to spend the budget on the edible portion of the gift basket or on the decorative elements. There is no single right answer. The choice depends on the situation.

How to Make a Chocolate Gift Basket

To get more bang for the buck, the crafty gift-giver can create their own holiday chocolate gift baskets. This is a remarkably simple venture, and it is a lot of fun! Scour the local stores for sales items on holiday items, such as Christmas tree mini-ornaments, tiny nutcrackers, and holiday floral picks. Also check out the supply of holiday-themed baskets and trays at your local dollar stores. At a recent trip to Big Lots, colorful, Christmas-themed paper trays in a variety of sizes were available at less than $1 apiece. Remember to grab some clear cellophane bags or rolls and wired ribbon in a holiday motif.

Once the gift giver has assembled the fundamentals for the baskets, add in the food, chocolate and candy items. During October and November, all the grocery stores and discount stores have a fabulous supply of special holiday chocolates and candies. Be creative in selecting the candies and remember that the gift giver is creating the holiday gift basket that is perfectly suited to the recipient.

• If the recipient loves caramels, create a chocolate gift basket that includes a variety of chocolate covered caramels, including the super popular treat known as salt caramels. This treat combines the taste of sweet and salty with caramel for a flavor sensation!
• If the recipient loves citrus and ginger flavors, include chocolate covered candied ginger, dried pineapple dipped in chocolate, and orange-flavored chocolate slices, such as the confection made by Terry’s.

Finish off the custom holiday chocolate gift basket by gathering clear cellophane over it and securing it with a floppy bow made from wired ribbon.

HOL101

The copyright of the article Christmas Gift Baskets – Chocolate on a Budget in Entertaining is owned by Janice Benoit. Permission to republish Christmas Gift Baskets – Chocolate on a Budget in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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