Empty Nest Syndrome?

If you're anything like me, with the new school year approaching you may be suffering from a small case of "Empty Nest Syndrome". While your child is away at school enjoying their new found independence, you're worried that they're safe! You're just itching to call them every day to check up but you don't want them to feel smothered and resent you. For most, this is a tough balancing act, but I've found the solution that will have THEM calling YOU! I send my daughter an ultimate care package gift basket. It's a subtle way of saying "I'm thinking of you, and I love you". The gift basket is filled with goodies and games that will last them for week's, so every time they open a treat or play one of the games, it's a subtle reminder that you exist and "It's been a few day since I've called my dad". Call it bribery, call it buying love, call it deceitful, but I call it peace of mind.

Back to School Gift Baskets

There are good things about college dorms (no curfew, hot suite mates), and there are bad (concrete walls, hallway bathrooms). But while you can't do much about the prison cell decor, you can at least make that awful trek to the basement laundry room a little more bearable by giving one of these cute gift baskets as a Back to Schoolgift.

The sturdy totes come in pretty pastel colors with bubble designs, so they're almost like decoration. But they're also sturdy and durable enough to keep her unmentionables safe on that trip downstairs. Now if only she can get that whole whites and darks thing down. Check out our dorm checklist for other college-bound essentials.

You Can Make Your Own Great Gift Basket

If you are perplexed for a present for that "Person Who Has Everything" then a Gift Basket is for you!.

Gift Baskets are a joy to create and very simple to assemble. No more are the days of saying… oh I'm not original enough to make a expert looking basket. Anyone can make a professional looking basket, as long as you have some imagination and the willingness to give it a whirl.

First you have to decide on a theme, and if you aren't sure then write down the interests of the recipient ie. bowling or tennis, movies, and so on. You could even base it around a coming event or holiday. Once you have made the list, work your way through it until you find something that stands out that would fit into your Gift Basket "theme".

For today's basket lets say your friend loves to entertain and one of her favorite meals is "Italian".

First off, you have to decide on the basket .....
You could choose a assortment of baskets for this theme. Today we will use a large pasta bowl as our "basket" or a large cooking pot. Our basket needs to be big enough to house the treats that we are going to buy so that we can then turn this into a Professional Looking "Gift Basket". If none of these ideas appeal to you, let your imagination take over and pick something that fits into your theme selection.
Next, go to the local market or deli who specialize in fine foods. Set a budget as to what you want to spend and then go about buying non-perishable items to put in the basket. Speak to the guy at the counter to ensure that the items you are buying fit into your theme. Buy different colors and kinds of pasta to give variety of color and shape to your basket.

Once you have gotten these items, your ready to begin to assemble your gift basket.
When you’re done, wrap the Gift Basket with cellophane paper and a pretty bow to give it the final touch. Use shredded paper inside the basket to hold the items in place. Tie a witty gift tag with a message for that extra touch. Make an appealing tag that looks a tomato or something along your theme!