Several basket themes lend themselves perfectly to gifts for women, though many men would also appreciate their own variations.
Pampering:
Items to consider would be soaps, bath salts, essential oils, body lotions. There may be an inflatable bath pillow, back brush, loofah sponge, natural sponge, and maybe an exfoliating mitt. For men, of course, choose muskier scents, and consider after shaves, shaving gel and such.
Aromatherapy candles are popular additions as the candlelight and the scent of candles will add to the soothing atmosphere of a warm bath.
A CD of soothing music or natural sounds such as breaking waves, adds yet another dimension.
Other ideas are a pair of cozy slippers, a luxurious towel, a fluffy robe and a bottle of Perrier for after the bath. Guys like warm slippers and robes, too - and the candle can be pine or another woodland scent.
Extra items to consider including would be -
Foot care: Pedicure sets or accessories, pumice stone, foot scrub, moisturizer, wooden foot massager, spa slippers.
Hand care: Manicure set or accessories, nails and cuticle cream, hand cream, nail treatment, nail scrub brush.
Facials: A luxurious face cloth, facial cleanser, exfoliant, moisturizer, complexion brush, lip moisturizer, relaxing eye mask.
Mix and match items to suit both taste and budget. If you know the favorite scent of the person you are preparing the basket for, by all means, choose items with this fragrance, and build from there. If not, generally vanilla, rose or "rain" are both easy to find, and popular with many women.
Musk, patchouli, pine and bergamot are generally pleasing to men.
Lavender can work for both, though it is typically thought of as a scent for women.
Luxury items to consider would be a natural sponge, natural bristle bath brush and hair brush, and handmade soap.
House them in decorative rope or wicker baskets, or in a hamper-style picnic basket. Line with holiday fabric (deep red and green plaid with a little white and gold would be perfect for men or women), and you've got a great Christmas gift basket idea!
One more thing: add a rose in pink, red or white as appropriate, and a small bud vase attached to the outside of the package.
Chocolate!!
Everybody loves chocolate! You can't go wrong if you get creative and find several delectables to add. Here are some unique additions that are great Christmas gift basket ideas:
Some favorites available at this time of year are chocolate covered cranberries, blueberries, cherries, and sunflower seeds.
Truffles and gourmet or homemade chocolate chip cookies are a great addition, too. Add chocolate covered almonds, mint chocolates, chocolate fudge, hot chocolate and chocolate stir sticks.
Novelty chocolates such as foil wrapped coins, footballs, baseballs, or such would be great for a sports fan, male or female.
You can also make your own, either by melting chocolate and using candy molds, or even by buying dried fruits and dipping them. Dried figs or bananas, and most candied fruits like cherries or citron are great for this.
I wouldn't do chocolate covered strawberries unless you can make them the morning you intend to give them, and have a way of keeping them cold from creation to ingestion.
For a special twist on the stir stick idea, get some plastic or metal teaspoons, and dip them in your own melted chocolate!
Dip part way up the handle, and let sit on waxed paper to dry. Then dip again. Package in cellophane bags made for lolli-pops that you can find at any craft.
(In fact, these make great stand alone gifts for a hostess or neighbor!)
Perfect containers are often in the form of unique, hand decorated wooden or papier mache boxes such as treasure chests that can be used long after the holidays are over.
If you are trying to be romantic, remember that chocolate contains phenylethylamine, the same chemical produced in the brain when a person is in love.
Coffee goes really well with chocolate. Why not incorporate a little gourmet coffee with a mug?
Be sure to include a single rose and vase with this one, too!
Many Blessings,
GrannySue
PS: Be sure to add your own ideas and suggestions to the comments section!!!
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