My husband and I were married 23 years ago. One special happy was a romantic gift basket we received. You can DIY this gift basket for newlyweds and lovers on your Christmas gift giving list. Perfect for any holiday giving. The DIY lovers gift basket need not be expensive. Hit those holiday sales and clearance racks at TJ Maxx, Pier One Imports, Target, Barnes and Noble and local bookstores. Perfect for followers of any holiday tradition: Christmas, Hanukkah, secular, Diwali, Kwanzaa. Lovers come in all shapes, sizes and creeds. Here’s my recipe for holiday gift giving for lovers. Give this gift basket to your lover as well.
Basket: I opt for a pretty, earthy basket with a linen liner that can do duty for storage in the home or apartment. Another option is to tweak the basket and use an insulated cooler instead.
Bottle of wine: I’m breaking my rule about not giving alcohol as a holiday present, but seriously, what gift basket for lovers is complete without a bottle of wine. For wine enthusiasts, choose a nice pinot noir, Shiraz, merlot or Cabernet. For lightweights, a Riesling, Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio is nice. Champagne is an option, although I personally do not care for champagne. Good moderately priced brands: Toad Hollow, Robert Mondavi, Seven Deadly Zins, Clos du Bois, Red Bicyclette and Funky Llama.
Two attractive,sturdy wine glasses: Opt for sturdy over pretty. Choose any size, but match it to the style of wine you will give. If you are giving a robust red, choose the full bowl burgundy glass. For champagne or white, tall fluted stemware is your glass of choice.
Candle in holder. Or better still, a dozen tea lights or votive candles in holders. There is nothing quite so enchanting as a candles to bring on the mood for romance.
Matching linen napkins: Again, TJ Maxx has fabulous prices on elegant linens.
Gourmet Sweets: I love to wander TJ Maxx just to see what nifty little foreign goodies I can find. Marzipan, Belgian chocolates, German maple candies, Italian anisette cookies.
Gourmet snacks: pate de foie gras, cheese, mixed nuts, summer sausage, crackers, olives: This holiday gift basket is totally whimsical and fun. There should be no work involved. Toss in a set of hors d’oeuvres forks, snack plates, a cutting board and snack slicer.
Fresh fruit: White grapes are available year round. And no fruit is sexier and more romantic than grapes. You might include some pretty bananas or crisp, sweet apples.
Fuzzy polar fleece blanket. Doubles as a fun festive picnic blanket for dining and a cuddly comforter to wrap up in bedside the campfire. Look for larger sized blankets, or purchase two to three yards of polar fleece, micro fiber or soft faux fur, hem it and create your own cozy blanket.
For more holiday tips, gifts and goodies, visit me at www.thechristmasseason.blogspot.com and www.giftgivingguides.blogspot.com . For more on romance and keeping that spark aglow, visit me at www.onintimacy.blogspot.com . Happy Holidays.
