One thing I love about Valentine’s Day is that it is the perfect opportunity to show our loved ones that we care. Whether it is a significant other, a best friend, or anyone you want to appreciate, Valentine’s Day and the season of love are a great time to do so. So, if you were planning on coming up with the perfect gift for someone special this February, you’re in luck! With a recent rise in gift-basket trends such as the popular “Boo-Basket” or “Burr-Basket,” simple and affordable ways to create meaningful gifts have become the recent craze. Thus, here are the steps on how to create a Valentine’s Day basket sure to touch the heart of the person you gift it:
Step 1: Picking out the perfect basket
Although this may seem like an unnecessary detail, putting in that little bit of extra effort to get a nice basket to hold the gifts inside ultimately makes all the difference. Start your gift by finding a cute and functional basket that emphasizes your attention to detail. If you have a specific color scheme you are sticking to for the gift, have your basket complement that!
Step 2: Choose snacks or candy that they love
It wouldn’t be a Valentine’s Day gift without a sweet treat, would it? Select one or more of your special someone’s favorite snacks/candies and include them in your basket. If you know their dietary preferences, make sure you accommodate them (if they are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc). It is the thought that truly counts, and if someone realizes you remembered their favorite brand of chips from that one random conversation you had, they will be able to see how much you care.
Step 3: Find a stuffed animal to become a cuddly buddy
Plushies and stuffed animals are perfect for a sweet and thoughtful basket. Popular brands such as Jellycats and Squishmallows are favorites for a reason – their adorable exterior and soft, huggable character. According to Casey Cho (12), “Inspirations Gift Shop carries adorable Jellycats and is a local business.” By adding a stuffed animal to your basket, you provide a lasting keepsake that your loved one can always hug and remember you with.
Step 4: Include some beauty/self-care products
Girls and guys alike can appreciate a trusty self-care product. By possibly including a buttery hand cream, nail polish, or small perfume, you do your gift receiver a huge favor in saving them the time and effort to go and buy it themself! Pay attention to certain products your person may often use, or rave about how much they love them.
Step 5: Add some flowers!
What says Valentine’s Day more than flowers? Whether you are making a basket for a Valentine or a galentine, everyone always appreciates a floral gesture. It is always sweet to provide flowers that might be your person’s favorite color or favorite flower. Another way that you can make this addition extra meaningful is by getting crafty and making flowers that never die! There are many ways to DIY flowers, such as using pipe cleaners or paper, that are out there, with simple tutorials on YouTube and TikTok. LEGO flowers are also great gifts that provide a fun pastime and beautiful end product, if you aren’t exactly the most crafty.
Step 6: Don’t forget your personal touch!
While the steps above provide some good, baseline ideas, at the end of the day, you know the person you care about the best. Use this basket as a chance to show your person that you care about them and pay attention to their interests. There is no right or wrong way to create a gift for someone, and once again, it really is the thought that counts. Some extra fun ideas to make your basket all the more meaningful could be creating a handwritten card, a handmade coupon book, a nice picture of the two of you framed, gift cards to their favorite places, or drawing/painting you make! There are so many creative ideas out there, so feel free to explore the internet and find what works best for you and them! According to Natalia Soto (12), “a well-thought-out gift is the best way to show someone you care about them. Thinking deeply about someone is priceless, and that’s what Valentine’s Day is truly about.”
