In the Kitchen

In the Kitchen: Perfect Kitchen Gift Baskets

Story & photos by Lisa Marie Blair

Gift baskets make the perfect gift because they can be customized to each person’s individual style and taste. I can’t imagine anyone not loving a basket of goodies put together just for them.

Do you have a foodie friend on your list that loves hosting parties? A charcuterie board themed basket makes an excellent gift. A simple basket with a cutting board, cheese knife and some snacks will help them get started on making their own yummy platters. The Platters and Boards book is a great addition to this basket because it shows how to make beautiful, casual spreads for every occasion. A bottle of wine is a nice added touch for the holiday season.

With colder weather upon us, I can’t think of a better time than now to gift someone a chili lovers themed basket. Whenever possible, try to make the basket a functional piece of your themed gift. In this case, the Le Creuset pot for making chili in doubles as the basket. Fill it with the fixings to make a delicious chili and cornbread dinner. The colorful napkins are a nice addition that are both pretty and useful.

Gift basket options for the bakers in your life are so easy to put together and the filling options are endless. Dutch ovens and mixing bowls are great options to use as a basket. You can easily create a theme using a boxed mix and some toppings. Adding in everyday kitchen necessities like sea salt and vanilla extract will be appreciated by the recipient. Tossing in items like spoons, spatulas, oven mitts, and tea towels are a great way to add some color and texture to a themed basket.

Crinkle cut paper shreds in the bottom of every gift basket helps prop items up and display them properly. To make the gift basket more festive you can wrap the basket in clear cellophane and tie it up with a pretty bow.

PLUM’S TOP FIVE TIPS FOR GIFT BASKETS

1. Make the container count – choose a container for your basket that is unique and has a dual purpose. Put your container to work by having it be an essential part of the gift. A few examples from Plum’s Cooking Company would be a Dutch oven, mixing bowl, stock pot or bundt cake pan.

2. Themes are more fun! Choose a theme that you think your recipient would like and run with it. Who doesn’t want to receive all the essentials for pasta-making or grilling?

3. To budget or not to budget? If you’re worried about price, be sure to pick a smaller container to keep your item count down but remember to make every item count. You want to be very precise with each item you choose to make the gift feel special.

4. Shop Small – There’s nothing quite like finding that unique item that makes your gift basket truly special. Shopping small businesses is the best way to support the local economy and give a gift that is set apart from the rest.

5. Don’t Stress – There are so many local shops in Sioux Falls that have premade baskets ready for you to purchase. Don’t stress about the details and leave the rest to them! n

PLUM’S TOP FIVE FAVORITE GIFT BASKETS

1. Popcorn Lovers Gift Basket 2. Charcuterie Basics Gift Basket 3. Olivelle Sampler Gift Basket 4. Cocktail Connoisseur Gift Basket 5. Coffee Lovers Gift Basket

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