16 Creative & Fun Gift Basket Ideas
By Lisa Maliga, copyright 2025
Gift baskets are a fantastic way to show someone you care, and the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating a personalized, thoughtful gift. Whether you're celebrating a holiday, a special event, or simply want to brighten someone’s day, putting together a gift basket with their favorite items adds a personal touch. By considering the recipient’s tastes and interests, you can make a gift basket that’s both meaningful and memorable. Here are 16 creative ideas to inspire your next gift-giving occasion.
Two examples of gift baskets
Baby ~ Stuffed toy, blanket, booties, cap, bib, baby powder, mobile, pacifier, books, blocks, toys, bath & body items, music, and baby shop gift card.
Bath & Body ~ Soap, loofah sponge, lotion, shampoo & conditioner, bath salts, sugar scrub, body butter, aromatherapy bath oils, bubble bath, washcloth, towels, loofah, spa gift card, relaxing music, and scented candles.
Birthday ~ Balloons, candles, stickers, bubbles, toys, games, teddy bears, dolls, jewelry, books, music and gift cards, cookies, candies, and fruit.
Bon Voyage ~ Travel guides, maps, compass, travel diary, passport holder, luggage tags, travel-size toiletries, language guides, travel tumbler, journal, and gift cards.
Bridal ~ Scented candles, bath & body products, spa gift card, gourmet chocolate, flowers, lingerie, champagne, wine, engraved crystal, Mr. and Mrs. hats and/or mugs, personalized items, other gift cards.
Chocolate Lover ~ Chocolate bars, chocolate candy/bon-bons, chocolate cookies, hot chocolate mix, cocoa butter lip balm, cheesecake, chocolate scented bath & body products, chocolate candy, and gift cards.
Christmas ~ There are so many ideas but here’s a simple one: Christmas morning breakfast. Include pancake/waffle mix, mixes for a variety of favorite beverages like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, chocolate-covered spoons, candy canes/peppermint sticks, apple cider mix, and gift cards. Add a festive mug or travel tumbler.
Coffee Lover ~ Sometimes you can combine this with the Tea Lover gift basket. Varieties of coffee, honey, creamer, sweetener, coffee mugs, coffee pot, Thermos, cookies and biscotti, coffee-scented soap, coffee sugar scrub, coffee-scented candles, coffee shop gift cards.
Corporate/Executive ~ Wine, spirits, gourmet foods, imported chocolate, fine coffee/tea and mug, personalized gifts bearing the company logo, cheesecake, biscotti, fully stocked picnic basket, and gift cards.
Easter ~ Chocolate bunny rabbit, marshmallow candy, any type of egg whether candy or colorful hand-dyed eggs. Add lots of jellybeans. Personalize the Easter basket[s] by adding home baked cookies or brownies, and a plush toy bunny for the little ones.
Gourmet ~ Pancake mix, imported jams, cheesecake, candies, cookies, cheese, chocolate, condiments, teas, coffee, fruits, syrup, smoked salmon, truffles, olive oil, imported/flavored vinegars, pasta, biscotti and gift cards.
Mother’s Day ~ Perfume, gift cards, flowers, personalized gifts, jewelry, bath and body products, a new phone or eReader, wine/champagne, and chocolate.
Picnic Basket ~ You can find a variety of lidded wicker baskets online that contain the essentials such as plates, utensils, glasses/cups, and fabric napkins or tablecloths. Or consider a picnic basket filled to the brim with wine, cheese, fruit and crackers or bread.
Sports Lover ~ Sports Lovers baskets can include a variety of general sports, or specialize in one sport like golf, football, hockey, etc. Including tickets to a game, a stopwatch, popcorn, nuts, wine, beer, snacks, cheese, toys, t-shirts, baseball cap, autographed team/sport merchandise, and gift cards.
Tea Lover ~ Sometimes you can combine this with the Coffee Lover gift basket. Varieties of tea bags, teacups/mugs, honey, teapot, tea infuser, blocks of tea, tea cakes, wafers, biscotti, cookies, tea-scented soap, tea-scented candles and gift cards.
Wine & Cheese ~ Fine wine, wine glasses, champagne, napkins, cheese, cheeseballs, cheese spread, crackers, biscuits and biscotti, wine soap, and gift cards.
Ready to create the perfect gift basket? Use these ideas as a starting point and get creative—your personalized touch will make all the difference. Happy gifting!
To read more about making and presenting unique soaps for birthdays and other holidays, check out the eBook “Happy Birthday Melt and Pour Soap Recipes.” Click photo to see more.
