Christmas Baskets Sharing the Love with Creative Christmas Gifts

A Short Story by Shirley Bass

It arrived shortly after I got home from work. I heard the sputtering of a big truck in the driveway. As I peeked out the window, I saw a courier leaving a large box on my door stoop. Woo hoo, Christmas is here!

I ran to see what it was. Removing the label, the words ‘Gift Message’ caught my eye. When I opened it, it read, “May your holiday be filled with all you love . . . all year long. Love, Sis

It was from my sister! I felt the lovable hugs coming . . .

“Yum,” I thought. She always gives me the most creative Christmas gifts and something yummy to munch on, during this time of year. She is full of thoughtful gift ideas!

And, I couldn’t wait ‘til Christmas!

I had to open it right then!

Inside the box was a beautiful Christmas basket and it was filled to overflowing with sweet and savory goodies and treats. I felt like I did, when we were growing up . . . when the stockings were hung by the chimney with . . .

I didn’t have to worry about stocking my pantry with holiday goodies. I could enjoy these mouthwatering treats at my leisure. And, I might even share it with … him …

Maybe!

Well, it took about a half second for me to giggle and turn that thought into a, “Yes, I will share!”

Who was I kidding, not me . . . I was in love with this guy.

He was just as anxious to see me, as I was him. On the phone, he said he had something he wanted to ask me. Of course, I was thrilled, as well as anxious . . .  Because I had been anticipating the big question to come popping out of nowhere.

In a festive mood, I turned the lights down low. I was looking good in my new red dress. And my Christmas basket, that I was going to share, was sitting under the tree glimmering in the flickering lights.

The home fires were burning and I was as happy as I could be.

When the doorbell rang, I rushed to open it and there stood a giant plush polar bear with a red ribbon tied around his neck. The ribbon held a gift message that said, “Open Now!”

Reading the message aloud, I heard myself saying, “I love you with all my heart and promise to take care of you and love you the rest of my life. Will you marry me, Stacey?”

Daniel peered from behind the teddy bear, his smile meeting mine. He was so excited for the answer that he couldn’t wait for me to say, “Yes!”  He let go of the plush bear making its mark in the fresh fallen snow. He swooped me into his arms, as I began saying,

“Yes, yes, yes!”

As we walked through the front door, everything seemed brighter. The crackling fire, twinkling lights and a beautiful Christmas basket, that was waiting for me to share.
.

It’s fun. It’s easy. Christmas baskets are a delicious way of sending your holiday greetings to family and friends. Honor those you treasure today at http://www.GiftBasketJewels.com!

Holiday Baskets the Loveable Hugs of Seasonal Sweet Baskets

Grand Gourmet Holiday Basket

Aha, holiday baskets may be the answer to your question, “What will I send the family this year?” How about a sweet basket that suffices as a Christmas stocking? As Victor Borge would always say . . . laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

While holiday baskets aren't something to laugh about, they often bring laughter amongst family and friends. Any time you mix food and loveable people together, you are going to get an interesting mixture of huggable things to talk about. Chances are there will be a giggle or two in the mix.

Why is it, that holiday food gifts makes you want to jump for joy? I think it has to do with ‘who’ sent you the mouthwatering morsels. I, also, think that that special person is something to rave about. And it seems that they also arrive with the gift.

I think that it makes you want to celebrate, as though they were standing right there with you. I know this was true for me, when my daughter sent a mouthwatering, dripping in chocolate gift basket. The sweets were more delicious than usual. The smooth silky heavenly tastes was melting in my mouth and making me want for more . . .

The satisfied feeling of having a part of her with me on that day was scrumptious, too. My mind was flooded with happy memories of her. And with each distinctive taste, I had time to reflect on how much she meant to me.

What do you think is so special about receiving holiday food gifts from those you just love to pieces? Aw, possibly it is the:

• thought of them and what they mean to you
• their darling personality
• their thoughtfulness

Sweet baskets are a way of showing those you love how huggable they are to you. And what would the holidays be without tasting the seasonal goodies? Holiday baskets are a pleasing way to send your seasonal greetings, while the outcome is delightful.

Be sure to send your cheer and laughter in gift baskets this year, while giving your recipients a variety of attention-getting morsels -- filled with enjoyment.

Enjoy the season to the fullest!

Honoring All Occasions & the Jewels in your Life at GiftBasketJewels.com

A Halloween Gift Basket Ghosts Pumpkins and Halloween Gifts

The Haunted Mansion

“Boo,” said the little ghost, as she peeked around the corner. That morning a Halloween gift basket had arrived for her from Aunt Ginger. And it was overflowing with Halloween gifts and treats, just for her!

Being doted over made her day a whole lot better, since she had broken her arm early that morning. Smiling she sunk her teeth into a chocolate taffy bar. Yum, she thought, as the chocolaty gooey taffy swirled ‘round in her mouth.

Mom had said that she shouldn’t go out trick or treating that evening, because of her broken arm. It was a good thing, because she was a bit nervous about falling again.

Pulling her ghost costume over her head, she dropped it on the floor. She had a plan of action that would make her day even better. Emptying out the wonderful gifts from her Halloween gift basket, she began filling it with the treats she and her mom had made for trick or treats. She would open the door and one-handedly hold out the gifts for each spooktacular guest to grab a handful.

Then something unusual happened, as she bit down on her taffy bar, her upper front tooth . . . just POPPED out, sticking to the uneaten taffy bar.

“Mom,” she cried, “My tooth is gone!” 

Mom came running to see what the commotion was about and there she saw her little girl sitting in the floor with Halloween gifts surrounding her. “Sweetie, what is wrong?” asked mom.  When Tiffany looked up, mom could see that the strange occurrence was a shock to her daughter.

“You’re growing up, Tiffany,” mom exclaimed.  “Remember, we talked about Dad pulling your tooth out, well, now it is all over! You don’t have anything to worry about, sweetie. Just enjoy your Halloween gift basket and the kids who are coming to trick or treat this evening.”

Being toothless gave mom an idea. She swooped up Tiffany’s ghost costume, that she had made out of an old sheet, grabbed the red and yellow food coloring, vinegar, a spatula and a bucket of hot water.

Swirling the fabric round and round, Tiffany could see how this was going to work. Mom wrung the sheet out hung it outside for to dry.

Once dry, mom painted a toothless smile on the pumpkin, cut some armholes out and had Tiffany slip it on over her head. Adding the final touches, she stuffed it with wadded up newspaper to make it look big and plump.

The doorbell rang and Tiffany jumped up to grab her Halloween gift basket, holding the treats out with one hand, she smiled, wishing the kids a fun night out.

~ Honoring All Occasions ~

Shirley Bass invites you to visit GiftBasketJewels.com where you will find an array of Halloween gifts for the kids you love. We honor all occasions and the people you care about with deliciously creative gift baskets. Send your treats today!

Bath and Spa Gift Baskets the Gifts for Women that Help Her Let Go

The Spa Experience

If you would have asked me, several years ago, what bath and spa gift baskets meant to me, I would have looked at you and admitted that I would have to think about that . . . As busy as I was then, a quick shower, towel dry and out the door would have been on my mind.

Now, if a friend or loved one is ill, in the hospital, having a birthday or a baby, the little jewels that bring us pleasure in a series of gift basket for women are the first to come to mind.

And today, a tub of warm water means bath and spa gift baskets to me. It means a gentle scrub and a moist body. It means peace, quiet and kindness.

Warm comforting water and a variety of bath products:

Gives you bubbles
Brings you tranquility
Calmness
Composure
And makes you smile

Refreshes
Delights
Soothes
While you bathe in silky waters

Are kind to the mind
And delicious to the heart
Harmonious
And complete

It gives you time to daydream
Recline
Find serenity in soothing sounds
And relaxes you from head to toe

Means comfort
Pleasure
Happiness
And, “Aw . . . this is so nice”

It means a restful night sleep for me
Relief
Indulgence
And a refreshing day

It means smooth, silky skin
Lavender
Vanilla
Chocolates
Candles
And a glass of wine or tea

Bath gift baskets give you the opportunity to pamper a good friend, even if that friend is you, with multiple gifts for women, that make you/her feel great from head to toe.

It also gives her the chance to relax, enjoy her time, and let go . . .

You can honor those you care about at GiftBasketJewels.com with a variety of gift baskets for women, men, kids and newborns.  And for many women, all themed gift baskets are part of their lives. Send your gift of relaxation today!

~ Honoring All Occasions ~

Holiday Baskets Embracing the Season with Gourmet Holiday Food Gifts

Perhaps many of you embrace the holiday season with a sense of warmth, love and joy. On the other hand, it is possible that you have family and friends living a distance away. This can bring a feeling of sadness and loneliness, which can cause distress. It can make you wish that the festive season would quietly go away.

One way that might combat the fatigue that often comes with sadness is to involve yourself in something worthy and fun for the people you love. A simple change in thought can do wonders for you and for those you care about.

Sharing holiday gift baskets is certainly charming, especially; if you realize that, your recipients can enjoy and utilize the entire package of holiday food gifts, including the container.  What is more sought after than food gifts, during the most wonderful time of the year?

Embrace the season by sending holiday gift baskets, because

• holiday food gifts are dripping with gourmet goodness for those you love

• many of the exceptional tastes are limited to this time of the year and who would want to miss any of that

• food gifts make wonderful memories to talk about year after year

• they bring a smile to both you and your recipients

• they are easy to send, they save you time and you get to enjoy the results

Just imagine them when they open their holiday gift basket and see food gifts overflowing with gourmet delights. The edibles are scrumptious to eat, while uplifting spirits and setting the mood for a cheerful time of the year.

So, whether you are far or near to those you care about, you can embrace the season with something good in mind. Treat yourself to something good, while sending your love in a basket of goodies that shows you care.

At GiftBasketJewels.com you will find an array of holiday baskets that bring a smile, delighting those you care about and enthralling you with the anticipation of its arrival. Have a wonderful holiday season!

~ Honoring All Occasions ~

Halloween Gift Baskets the Spooktacular Trick or Treat Gifts

Lights dimmed, I peeked from behind the drape to satisfy my curiosity. The chilly autumn evening was filled with Spooktacular events. I could make out funny and scary images of ghosts, goblins, ballerinas and butterflies lining the streets and alleys.

Their pumpkins were filled to the brim with Halloween treats and goodies. Reaching into my Halloween gift basket, I pulled out a Munster Gummy Pop, hoping it would last awhile.

Next door, ghostly sounds shook the neighbor’s house. I could hear screams and laughter coming from within the haunted house. It was sounding as though a mild earthquake had made its way through the neighborhood. The streets were alive with people milling about, knocking on every door.

Still spying, I reached into my Halloween gift basket, peeling back the paper of a chocolate bar. I was hoping to find the Fruit flavored Test Tube brains, but my fingers failed me.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. What was this?

I had my lights off!

I didn’t want to share any of my Halloween gifts.

My sister must have known I would do this. I’m sure that’s why she wrote on the gift message,

“Share!”

Um, the bell would not stop ringing.

Must I answer the door?

Then I heard a shrill voice say, “Trick or Treat.”

I clasped my Halloween gift basket tightly to my chest and pulled the door slightly ajar. Through the crack, I could see two little butterflies, teeth chattering from the cold and another person standing in the background.

I looked at them and then back at my creative gift basket of treats and goodies. Um, this was hard for me. . .

Then I remembered something else my sister had said in her gift message, when I received my Halloween gift from her. She said, “Enjoy the trick or treaters and SHARE, because the next holiday is Thanksgiving and that’s the day we give thanks to all the little ghosts, goblins, ballerinas and butterflies for making an autumn day spooktacular!

I smile to myself and opened that door. When I had the butterflies in full view, I couldn’t help but notice their tiny little hands, as I held my gift out to them. I saw the fruit flavored Test Tube brains and fingers go from my basket into their pumpkins, landing right in the middle of a heap of candy.

I just knew that they would run home pouring their candy out on the floor, counting every piece, while tasting this and that. Just the same way I did, when I received my Halloween gift basket from Sis.

While this story has been fabricated, the autumn festivity and the Halloween gift baskets are real. It is a fun time of year for big and little kids alike. If you know someone you would love to treat, instead of trick be sure to remember the themed goodies at GiftBasketJewels.com. And be sure to Share!

~Honoring All Occasions ~

A Get Well Basket Filled with Special Gifts for a Speedy Recovery Wish

Have you ever heard something disturbing about a friend – through the grapevine -- so to speak? Maybe you heard that a friend is not feeling well, that they have lost their job or are going through a divorce. Whatever the news, you feel somewhat shocked and your concern becomes a dominate feeling within you.

When someone you love, appreciate or have high regards for has had a stroke of bad luck, maybe it’s time to honor them with a lucky charm. Perhaps, one that brings a smile. In fact, you might consider sending lighthearted and delicious gift baskets, which are a pleasure to give and a treasure to receive.

For instance, a get well basket is a perfect way of sending speedy recovery wishes to man, woman or child. And if you’re the recipient, what better way to 'feel better' than to know that you’re highly thought of and in someone’s prayers?

And a get well basket can be filled to the brim with fun things to do and eat. Whether your friend is at home or in the hospital, gift baskets are a source of relief from the boredom that is often associated with the recovery period.

Sometimes, a creative basket full of goodies is just the thing to bring out the best feeling of the day. Imagine him/her when he/she opens her get well basket and sees a cache of treats and gifts that are fit for a better day … any day, as a matter of fact.

Inside their get well basket, they may find crossword or word search puzzles to contemplate. And along with that, they may find Oreos, Tootsie Rolls, more puzzles, note cards and other goodies to play with and munch on.

The bottom line is that your friend somehow feels better and knows that your heart is there with them, isn’t it? That ‘feel better feeling’ comes from a surprise gift basket that you contemplated and settled upon.

It’s the nice thing to do and wouldn’t it feel good to know that someone is thinking of you and cares about your welfare? It would feel grand, because I’ve been there and it did feel, that wonderful!


by Shirley Bass

http://www.GiftBasketJewel.com invites you to visit our online store and discover for yourself the gifts that are available to honor those you care about on any occasion.