dsc05550Christmas is just over 3 months away, and you may start to wonder what to give families and friends as gifts. Making your own gift basket/hampers is a great idea. If you give someone a box of chocolate, it is just a plain gift but when you present the same person with a gift basket consisting of the chocolate surround by a box of English breakfast tea, freshly ground coffee, biscuit and a nice mug, your recipient will be very happy and excited with their gift. This is what separates presenting a gift basket from the mere act of giving a present.I made a Bath/Pampering gift basket for my Aunt on her 50th Birthday consisting of moisturising gel & lotion, bath salt sachets, sponge, loofah, candles, bath pillow and CD with soothing music. My Aunty did not open the gift basket for months putting it as a show piece on her bathroom shelf for the creation was too exquisite to distort.dsc02572To create a gift basket, all you need is a container like a basket or gift box, Cellophane basket bags, a pull bow and some paper shred or you can also buy “all in one” DIY hamper KITS from JEMPAK UK to complete your project. The items to put in your gift basket can be purchased from major supermarkets. Do get top brand name products if you really want to impress your receiver this Christmas. However, the amount of items you put into the gift basket will depend on your budget.dsc05542The most popular gift baskets are snack baskets because the contents can be opened and eaten immediately giving the recipient instant gratification. The most popular snacks are chocolates, cookies, popcorn, nuts, crackers, cheese, jam tea coffee and cocoa drink. Not all baskets are made solely with snacks. There are many other fun and thoughtful keepsake items that are also perfect for gift baskets for example candles, soaps, lotions, potpourri, soft toys, plant seeds, gardening items, books of poems, deck of cards puzzle books, CDs to mention a few.The theme of gift baskets you create will depend on the special occasion, likes and hobbies of your recipient. If you want to add dazzle to your gift basket use decorations and embellishments like curly ting ting, dry flowers, star spray, onion grass and any other small decorative items that you can find at your local craft shop.The excitement of receiving a gift basket is more significant than the content. What is really important is that receiver loves what you have created. So why don’t you give it a try this Christmas?