Natural Gift Baskets by Karyn Siegel-Maier                             

Originally published in Better Nutrition Magazine

It’s that wonderful time of year again; time for celebrating the “dark” part of the year in anticipation of a rebirth in spring.  It would be heavenly if we could just relax and enjoy the festivities, but, for most of us, the season to be jolly equates to the season to be hectic, and last minute gift buying that can quickly lead to a stressed budget and nerves.  Even if you take pride in your extraordinary organizational skills, there always seems to be one or two folks on your list that you just can’t figure out what to give for the holidays.  Or worse, there’s the one that “has it all” that makes finding the perfect gift more of a holiday chore than a joy.  Fortunately, your natural products store is a haven for finding unique items appreciated by those of every age and personality.  And, presenting small items in a gift basket appeals to everyone.  So, before you impulsively buy another tie or gift pen set this year, consider creating a personalized natural gift basket for your favorite people instead.  

The nice thing about giving natural gift baskets is that they are easy and inexpensive to assemble and their composition can be adapted to make a perfect fit for your hard-to-buy-for recipient.  As an added bonus, the basket will come in handy long after the gift has been opened. Just line a nice basket with straw or tissue paper, place the items inside, and tie it all up with a bow of ribbon or raffia and you’ve got a gift that will make anyone feel special. 

Need some ideas to get you started?  Here are some sure-fired gift themes that are bound to please even the most difficult person to buy for.  See if one of these natural gift baskets would cheer someone on your list. 

Just Between Us – For women, you’ll find an array of herbal lotions and creams, bath salts, scented soaps and candles.  Guys need pampering too, so you can fill their baskets with natural after shave lotion and cologne.   Add some romance with an assortment of scented massage oils, candles and a “certificate” good for a massage or foot rub from the one who admires them most – you.  Fill your basket:  Natural Cosmetics   Massage Oils

The Co-Worker - Whether it’s for your boss or your secretary, you’ll find some great gift ideas at your natural products store that will tell them how much you appreciate them.  If your office mate is a coffee lover, a coffee mug sporting a tidbit of humor or wisdom and a bag of organic coffee beans will thrill them.  Consider adding aromatherapy oils or candles that promote relaxation and energizing to the basket, such as those scented with chamomile, lavender or ginger.  Include a soothing music selection or a book on office Feng Shui and you’ll be seeing some happy people around the water cooler after the holidays!  Fill your basket:  Natural Foods & Organic Coffees

The Chocoholic – We all know at least one of these, don’t we?  Fill this persons basket with organic chocolate cookies, biscotti, snack bars, shakes and organic chocolate-flavored coffees and hot chocolate mixes.  (Hint:  Buy enough for you too so you won’t be tempted to pinch any goodies from the basket!)  Fill your basket:  Organic Foods

The Gardening Enthusiast – All avid gardeners are busy during the winter months planning for next year’s garden.  For these people, giving a few gardening catalogs and some ergonomic tools will carry them through until the next growing season begins.  Why not add some seeds for growing herbs and one or two small planters?  Don’t forget to cruise the book section of your natural products store for books on organic gardening and pest control.  Fill your basket:  Plants & Organic Gardening Supplies

The New Mother (or Father) – New parents need some time out!  This basket can be filled with an assortment of relaxing aromatherapy products, such as candles and oils, and perhaps a journal and box of thank you notes.  A nice touch is to add a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant or a “note” for an evening or afternoon of your babysitting services.  You can also add some products for the baby, such as natural lotions, powders and organic cotton diapers.  Fill your basket:  Natural Baby Products   Books on Natural Birthing & Parenting

The Gourmet Sampler – Have someone on your list that likes to cook or just appreciates fine food?  For this person, you could fill a basket of organic foods.  How about an all-natural breakfast with organic pancake mixes, honey, coffee and fruit preserves?  Or, give some items to help create an exotic evening meal, such as organic Thai noodles, canned organic bean soup and a desert of organic cookies or cake.  Don’t forget to spice it all up with an assortment of organic spices and sauces.  Fill your basket:  Organic Foods

Teenagers – This group can sometimes be very difficult to please, but they’ll smile when they see a basket brimming with a variety of natural personal care products, including those formulated to keep troubled skin looking and feeling healthy.  How about some healthy snacks?  They’ll get a real kick out of eating blue corn chips!  And, if they think the leading brand of nacho chips is all the rage, wait until they try some picante-flavored organic chips from your health food store!  Fill your basket:  Organic Foods    Posters for Teens

The Sport & Fitness Nut – Whether your gift is intended for someone wielding a bar bell or a television remote, here are some ideas for this theme.  Fill this basket with a copy of their favorite sport, fitness or nutrition magazine (like this one) and an assortment of energy-giving snacks, drinks and health bars.  (Note: If your nut works out with a television remote, you may be able to find organic beer in your health food store too.)  Fill your basket:  Organic Foods   Fitness & Sports Magazines    Natural Vitamins & Supplements

The House Warming – Has someone you know just moved or purchased a new home?  What better way to say welcome than to give a gift basket full of decorating magazines or books and some organic snacks to nosh on while the boxes are being unpacked?  Include some natural cleaning products and an herbal wreath for the front door and your friends will soon feel at home in their new abode.  Fill your basket:  Natural Home Products   Decorating Magazines

The Animal Lover – Know someone with a pet?  Please this person and their furry friend with an assortment of organic pet foods and treats and products like natural pet shampoo, powders and sprays.  Instead of using a basket to give this gift, consider wrapping everything up in a pet bed made of organic cotton.  Fill your basket:  Natural Pet Care Supplies

Tropical Paradise – Is someone on your list planning a vacation this year, or just longing to escape to a sandy beach?  Well, even if they don’t own a single piece of luggage, you can give them a taste of the tropics this season with this basket theme.  Fill a large basket with an assortment of goodies from your health food store, such as organic salsa, fruit teas, and tropical-flavored drinks.  Throw in a brightly colored towel and a gift certificate to a tanning salon. (Note: If giving the latter it would be a good idea to include a bottle of natural sunscreen as well.)  Fill your basket: Organic Foods   Travel Magazines

The Club – Do you belong to an organization or group that meets on a regular basis?  Why not give a group gift of a basket filled with organic teas, coffees, muffins and other tasty treats to be shared at your next get-together?  Taking time out to share this basket with the group may make brainstorming on a project soar and the basket can always be used later to store correspondence, project materials or may even be used in your next community raffle.  This gift can go even farther if you ask each recipient to pledge an item of clothing or a monetary donation to a local charity or children’s shelter.  Fill your basket: Organic Foods

The Far Out Basket – Does someone with ethereal interests travel in your circle?  This person would enjoy a basket of essential oils, candles and incense scented for harmonizing and grounding.  Add an unusual candleholder or ceramic incense burner and perhaps a personal aromatherapy stone or vial to be carried or worn as jewelry.   A mediation CD, pack of tarot cards or a book on communing with spirit guides or angels would make this theme complete.  Fill your basket:  New Age Art, Incense, Books and a lot more.

From Kids to Mom & Dad – Your parents do so much for you throughout the year that you’d like to show them how much you care, right?  Even a modest budget can provide some joy when shopping at your natural health food store.  Often, you can buy inexpensive samples of many different types of products that you can add to their gift basket.  Best of all, give the gift of yourself by placing a hand-written certificate promising that you’ll clean the garage or attic.  If you don’t have a basket handy, you might be able to find one at a craft store or second hand store for less than a dollar or two.  But, who says a gift basket has to be made in a basket?  You could use a small box, bag or even a flowerpot instead.  Just fill it, tie a ribbon around it, and give with love.