Gift Idea: Basket Filled With Goodies

Project designed by Juanita Lewis

Materials and Tools:

six to 10 items for basket
medium-handled basket
brown kraft paper or two to three brown shopping bags
one roll of 24" or 30" clear cellophane
8" scissors
24" length of 3/8" curling ribbon
2" clear packing tape
holiday greenery or floral picks
red and hunter green ribbon for bow

Steps:

1. Crumple up kraft paper or paper bags inside the basket. Stuff firmly to 1" below the rim of the basket. Packing peanuts can be used as substitute for paper.
2. Place a layer of excelsior on top of paper foundation, forming a "bill" in the center.
3. Place items in basket starting with the tallest items toward the back rim forming a "wall." Place medium-sized items leaning against the "wall" items, all facing forward. Smallest items will fit along the front rim of the basket.
4. Enhance the basket design with floral picks or holiday greenery in between spaces.
5. Determine proper width of the cellophane (24" or 30"). It should be half the width of the basket plus 4" to 6" extra.
6. Measure and trim cellophane around the top, sides and bottom of the basket adding 12" extra on the front and back section.
7. Gather cellophane on the back side covering part of the sides. Gather up the front side of the cellophane, overlapping the sides toward the back. Using 12" curling ribbon, tie up cellophane firmly, double-knotting on front side of the basket. Don't trim the curling ribbon. Tape the overlapping sides downward under the basket.
8. Attach the 24" tail of the bow with curling ribbon on the front side of the basket. Trim the curling ribbon.
9. Make a poinsettia bow and attach it to the front of the basket.
10. Make a two-loop bow with long tails for the back of the basket. Attach it with curling ribbon. Trim the curling ribbon or use scissors edge to curl.

Resources

• Guests

  • Juanita Lewis
    Gift Basket Professional
    c/o Picture Perfect Productions
    Phone: 310-838-5624
    Website: www.craftassoc.com/makebows.html