Still looking for a simple and affordable holiday gift idea?  Nothing beats a festive holiday basket!  You can give them to friends, acquaintances, co-workers or someone you love.  I created this basket to give as a holiday gift.  I thought it would be nice to share the secrets of how I made this little holiday beauty.

First  purchase a beautiful, holiday wicker basket.  Of course, you could purchase a regular wicker basket, spray paint it and then dust with glitter while the paint is still wet.  However, I lucked-out and found this one pre-done at a nearby store.  Next, purchase items such as a holiday glass container, individually wrapped holiday chocolates, poinsettia & holly leaf shaped candles, bows, candy canes, holiday kitchen towels, potpourri,  gold foil sheets and gold foil shreds.

 I also purchased Christmas ornaments for every member of the family that  I was preparing the basket for, and personalized them with a permanent gold-paint pen. 

Next,  place  styrofoam packing peanuts on the bottom of the basket. This raises the level of the items placed inside if the basket is deep. Then  lay gold foil sheets down to cover them and top with gold foil shreds.  After  placeing the kitchen towels down as a base,  add the potpourri, glass container filled with chocolates, and decorated with candy canes in the center.  Next,  add the candles and the ornaments on either side of the center items, and tie a holiday bow on both sides of the basket. 

Optional Item Idea: You could add your favorite holiday CD  or coffee mug to the basket in place of any of the center-placed items.

Give this special gift to someone you know.
 It is sure to make them smile!

To read more articles written by Coleen Lou click here.