Tips for Making Perfect Gift Baskets

1. •REALLY know the gift recipient so you can pick a theme to match his/her interests
   

2. •Include at least one unique item the recipient would NEVER buy him/herself
   

3. •Include something for each of the senses: taste, smell, touch, sight, sound
   

4. •Never put foods in the same basket with strongly scented candles or bath products
   

5. •Pick one main color and two complementary accent colors and use them throughout
   

6. •Layer the gift items, with taller ones in the back, so everything can be seen readily
   

7. •Put weighty items in the center or distribute weight evenly so the basket doesn't tip
   

8. •If using pine cones or other outdoor decorations, bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes first to kill any bugs
   

9. •Seal the basket and contents in clear or printed cellophane wrap/bag or shrink wrap
   

10. •Finish off with a special decoration, like a fancy bow or spray of dried/silk flowers

Recipe for a Mystery Lover's Gift Basket

Color scheme: black, red, and white/gray

Container: black-painted basket, bucket or box, with a lid or handle sticking up, from which you hang some spider webbing

Stuffing: dried Spanish moss or red-dyed tissue paper, shreds, or wood shavings

Contents:

1. •A Real Basket Case mystery book
   

2. •CD of eerie music such as Mystery Movie Scores or Mystery Sound Effects
   

3. •Pocket-sized mystery party game or travel Clue game
   

4. •Movie DVD: Clue, Mousetrap, Alfred Hitchcock or Sherlock Holmes movie, or movie collection (Mystery Classics: 50 Movie Pack)
   

5. •Chocolate/bubble gum coins or other mystery-related chocolate shapes such as blood drops, knives, or guns (see www.chocolatepen.com for a sample vendor)
   

And an assortment from:

1. •Magnifying glass
   

2. •Pair of play handcuffs and/or sheriff's badge
   

3. •Rubber knife
   

4. •Glasses, nose, mustache disguise
   

5. •Spy Gear toys from http://shopwildplanet.com/product-category/shop-by-brand/spy-gear/
   

6. •Skull-shaped/logo item: tea-light candle holder, squeeze ball, notepad, drinking cup (see www.orientaltrading.com)
   

7. •Bottle of stage blood from Halloween/theatre costume/makeup supply store or make your own (see chemistry.about.com/cs/howtos/ht/fakeblood.htm)