The Ultimate Gift Basket Guide – What to Include (And What to Skip)

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but throwing random snacks into a basket and calling it a “gift” isn’t fooling anyone.

Whether you’re trying to impress your in-laws, your work bestie, or that one friend who already owns everything, there’s a right (and wrong) way to build the perfect gift basket — and I’m spilling all the secrets.

How to Build the Perfect Gift Basket – Step by Step

I’ve made my fair share of gift baskets. Some were Pinterest-worthy. Others…well, they tried their best.

Here’s the foolproof way I’ve learned to make a gift basket that people actually love.

Step 1 – Pick a Theme

The theme makes everything easier.

Think:

Spa day for your bestie who always forgets to relax
Movie night for your Netflix-obsessed cousin
Baby shower for the mom-to-be who already has 12 onesies

Pro tip: A strong theme stops you from throwing in random junk.

Step 2 – Choose a Base

You don’t need a fancy basket.

I’ve used:

Cute boxes
Reusable totes
Big bowls (great for snack baskets)
Even a beach bag once – huge hit

The goal: Something that fits the vibe but won’t end up in the trash.

Step 3 – Start with One Big Item

This is your main character.

Some ideas:

Theme	Big Item Example
Spa Day	Luxe bathrobe or candle
Movie Night	Cozy blanket
New Mom	Comfy slippers or giant water bottle
Coffee Lover	Fancy coffee mug
Beach Day	Cute beach towel

Why it works: It anchors everything else.

Step 4 – Add Smaller Extras

This is where it gets fun.

Fill in with:

Snacks
Self-care items
Fun little gadgets
Mini games or puzzles
Gift cards (because we love a Starbucks run)

Tip: Stick to your theme so it doesn’t feel random.

Step 5 – Personal Touches

This is what turns “cute basket” into “omg you know me so well”.

Personal touch ideas:

Handwritten note (even if your handwriting is chaos)
Inside joke item (my friend once got me a basket with socks that said ‘nap queen’ – still my fave)
Their favorite candy, snack, or drink

The goal: Make it feel like you actually thought about them, not just grabbed stuff at the store.

Step 6 – Wrap it Up

You do NOT have to be a pro at this part.

Options:

Clear gift wrap + ribbon = classic
Cute tissue paper tucked in = easy
No wrap at all if the basket itself is cute enough

Pro tip: If it looks too perfect, they’ll know you didn’t make it yourself (and where’s the fun in that)

What to Include (and What to Skip)

I’ve made a lot of gift baskets. Some were hits. Some were disasters.

Here’s the cheat sheet I wish I had when I started.

What Works Every Time

There’s a reason some baskets feel fancy and others feel… sad.

These are the must-haves for a basket that looks expensive (even if it’s not):

A Theme – Without one, it’s just random stuff in a basket.
One Fancy Item – The thing that makes people go “Ooooh!”
Fun Extras – Little things that fill space but are still useful.
A Personal Touch – Something that feels like you thought about them.
Decent Packaging – Wrapping counts. It’s the difference between a gift and a grocery bag.

Example: Spa Gift Basket Must-Haves

Item	Why It Works
Fuzzy Robe	Main character moment
Fancy Candle	Adds instant luxury
Bath Bombs	Because bubbles
Face Mask Set	Relaxation in a packet
Cute Headband	Makes it Instagrammable
Handwritten Note	Personal = priceless

What to Skip

I’ve made these mistakes so you don’t have to.

Here’s what NOT to throw in a basket unless you want it to scream “last minute”:

Weird Dollar Store Items – If you wouldn’t want it, they won’t either.
Too Much Filler – Crinkle paper is cute until there’s more paper than gift.
Super Personal Stuff – Unless you know them really well (nobody wants random perfume).
Food That Might Go Bad – Chocolate melts. Cheese sweats. Enough said.
Things That Break in Shipping – Glass jars = disaster waiting to happen.

Example: What NOT to Put in a Birthday Basket

Item	Why It’s a No
Expired Candy	Just rude
Socks with Holes	Accident or insult?
Random Perfume	Scent roulette is risky
Super Fragile Mug	Unless you’re hand-delivering
Dollar Store Toys	Unless they asked for irony