Creating Wine Gift Baskets
Wine gift baskets can be great for just about every occasion, from birthdays to weddings to housewarming parties. Handing your gift recipient or hostess a bottle of wine inside a plain bag with a single bow on it might get the job done, but placing the bottle inside a perfectly designed gift basket will get the job done right. Your friends and family will undoubtedly be impressed when you show up at the door with a brightly colored basket filled with all sorts of tasty treats, creatively wrapped in beautiful paper, ribbons, and bows.
Of course, you first need to start with choosing the right wine. Even if you know little about wine, you probably know what you like, so picking something that you personally enjoy is a good place to start. You can also consult the resident wine expert in your finer wine and spirits shops to suggest a good wine to give as a gift. You might also consider placing some bottled wines to help support your local wineries. Consider picking one red and one white to please all palates.
Next, you’ll want to choose some wine accessories to accompany your wine. A couple of nice-looking glasses, perhaps even crystal, will go nicely in your wine gift basket. Red wine glasses are usually large and round, and white wine glasses are shorter and slimmer. If you choose red and white wine for the basket, a pair of red wine glasses and white wine glasses will make the basket look extra special. You can also choose to add just a couple of standard, clear wine glasses that are appropriate for most wines.
Dress your wine glasses up with wine charms or jewelry. Wine charms can add sparkle and fun to your wine gift basket. You can find wine charms just about anywhere these days, and they come in various designs, shapes, and colors. They also serve as an easy way to distinguish which wine glass belongs to which wine drinker once the bottles are open.
Adding gourmet foods and snacks to your basket can complete your wine gift basket and turn it into something that looks good and tastes good. Cheese and wine go together like peanut butter and jelly, but since most cheeses need to be refrigerated, they might not be the best choice for your wine gift basket. Unless you know the recipient will open the gift basket in less than an hour, you might want to leave the cheese out and choose other tasty treats. Elegant crackers, gourmet popcorn, and fancy nuts are an excellent addition to any wine gift basket. Expensive gourmet chocolates are another great choice for your basket. Wine and fine chocolates go well together, and your gift recipient will certainly enjoy every delicious sip and bite. Fresh seasonal fruits are another way to add lots of color to your wine gift basket, but buy them the same day you give the gift basket to ensure freshness.
Finally, you’ll want to place all of these items inside an appropriately sized basket or other type of container. You can also use wooden boxes or other useful items like wine buckets to hold your gift basket items together. Make sure to add some pretty papers or colorful raffia to your basket to keep your items secure inside. Wrapping it all together with cellophane and tying it together with a big, beautiful bow will complete the look. Don’t be afraid to get creative; don’t worry about perfecting it. Just knowing your wine gift basket was created lovingly by you will make your gift recipients beam with joy when you hand it to them.
