3 minute read
Build-a-basket
t’s the thought that counts. And gift baskets are some of the most thoughtful presents one can receive.
Recipients of all ages will appreciate a cornucopia of goodies bundled with love. Expressing gratitude with a personalized gift basket allows them to enjoy an assortment of useful items.
Gift givers also benefit from crafting customized packages because they can be budget-friendly. The gift also provides a pressure-free platform to share some of your favorite things with your favorite people.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a perfect present for the special people in your life.
1. Find a base.
The first step is to find an appropriately-sized base. Baskets made with wicker or wire, cardboard or wooden boxes, plastic bins and fabric tote bags each make an excellent and affordable base. Or think outside the traditional basket, box, bin or bag, and find an alternative base that offers some additional appeal to the recipient. Consider coolers as a base for an outdoor enthusiast. Coffee mugs for coworkers or flower pots for gardeners. A musician might appreciate an appropriately-sized milk crate to organize their carefully curated vinyl collection. 2. Select a variety of goodies.
Shopping for items to construct a customized gift is the most important part. It also happens to be the most fun. There are no rules for designing a gift basket, so explore all your options. Here are some ideas for filler items that you can find locally to support small, independent businesses in Durango.
Snack baskets sure to please most. Fill the basket with local flavors including chocolate confections, chips and salsa, jams and jellies, sauces and marinades and much more. Don’t forget about locally crafted beverages, including soda, beer and spirits. For those who love to cook as much as they enjoy eating, items like hand towels, oven mitts, kitchen utensils and reusable dish covers are fun and useful additions to any gift basket. recommended stores: Animas Chocolate Company, Dietz Market, Durango Artisan Foods, Durango Farmers Market, Durango Natural Foods Co-op, Honeyville, Urban Market, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Outdoor gear and accessories are ideal gifts for
many residents in our region. Find some basic tools needed for an epic adventure, including apparel, a water bottle, headlamp, fire starter, pocket knife, solar charger, sunscreen and insect repellent. Larger items such as a camping stove or travel hammock can also be thoughtful additions to any adventure kit. by HUNTER HARRELL
recommended stores: 2nd Ave Sports, 4Corners Riversports, Backcountry Experience, Brown’s Sport Shoe and Brown’s Shoe Fit, Durango Cyclery, Duranglers, Gardenswartz, Goods for the Woods, Mountain Bike Specialists, Pedal the Peaks, Pine Needle Mountaineering and Pine Needle Dry Goods, Ski Barn, The Boarding Haus
Self-care is essential for well-being, so treat your
loved one and splurge for a self-care package. It could include health and beauty products such as cosmetics, face masks, moisturizers, a shaving kit, a manicure set, soaps, sunscreen, conditioner and shampoo. Don’t forget the after shave or beard oil for men. Throw in some scented candles, essential oils and CBD products. Add a soft bathrobe or towel set, and top it off with some natural bath bombs and Epsom salts. recommended stores: Aesthetics and Wellness of Durango, DermaDaisy, Dispensaries, Durango Dermatology, Four Corners Aesthetics and Women’s Health, Sophie’s Aesthetics, The Woodhouse Day Spa, We Fill 3. Organize the items.
Once you have selected a variety of goodies for a personalized gift basket, line the basket with shredded paper or a decorative cloth, scarf or towel. Wrap fragile items in cloth or tissue to prevent breaking. Position the various labels on the gifts outward, and organize items from tallest in the center, using the other items to fill in the space around it. This ensures the recipient can see the gifts without removing the items individually. 4. Wrap it up.
Presentation is part of the allure of receiving a gift. Use cellophane to wrap the basket. Then add some razzle dazzle with a gift label and a ribbon. 5. Deliver the present to its recipient.
And watch their eyes light up as their heart is filled with delight. d
