The winter holidays are coming up and will probably be here before we know it, so it’s a good idea to start planning now. That’s especially true if you have a big family, or a lot of friends and/or clients to buy for. It’s also important if, like me, you have a significant other who is hard to please. Over the years I discovered that cookie gift baskets do the trick for him. He gets a nice assortment of things and I get to give a spectacular-looking gift that’s affordable. And I don’t even have to leave the house to get it, so we’re both happy. Because of my experience, I’m now a real fan of gift baskets. People have pretty much come to expect that’s what they’ll get from me when I give them a gift. And they tell me they really like them, so that confirms I’m on the right track.

The great thing about giving gift baskets is that there are so many “flavors”. When I want to welcome people to their new homes, I normally order wine and cheese gift baskets. Those also work well as elegant thank you gifts or when someone has finished remodeling a home. Still, there are occasions when the perfect type of gift basket doesn’t leap right out at me, so I just do a search by gender. Doing a Web search for “gift baskets for men” or the opposite usually produces a large selection of varied baskets that range from items that appeal to Baby Boomers to wine to desserts. So I usually find something I wouldn’t have thought to look for.

The only problem I have with shopping for gift baskets on the Internet is that normally I can’t get away from the site without buying something for myself! But I’ve made some great purchases that way. In fact, My friends and I are still drinking some West Coast wines I purchased in a gift basket last month. I guess I’d better finish those bottles soon. I’m going to begin my Christmas shopping any day and I’ll be I will be buying more for myself!

It’s difficult to know when you are expected to come bearing gifts.  Don’t fret dude!  This is made just for you.

You show up at the party empty handed.  If you’re like me, you didn’t even think of an offering until you arrive at the party.  How can this be?

It is very important that when you attend a get-together such as a dinner party, housewarming, or holiday event, you show the party giver that you are thankful for the time, effort, and money that went into the event.  One of the most appropriate to make the party giver feel special is to bring a gift.  Beverages are the first choice for many.  Wine is a sophisticated choice, but if the hosts are not drinkers (or worse, alchies), you could be in danger. Unless your guest’s have health problems, or have religious beliefs against it, coffee is a wonderful gift.  You can purchase excellent gourmet coffees online that are fresh roasted and reasonably priced (avoid stale stuff from the supermarket.  You can always go the route of the local, exotic, alcohol free, fruit drink.  If you’re still in thinking about finding the perfect drink gift, you may want to consider fruit teas.  Fruit teas, are a sure fire bull’s eye.  They are filled with antioxidants, sweet, but not sugary and they have almost no caffeine.  Right now, Constant Comment Raspberry is making it’s way into every batch of iced tea that I make.

By now you’re probably thinking, “what’s up with all the drink ideas?”  So for you, we move on.  The healthy choice is a vegetable meddle with a creamy dipping sauce.  Don’t just bring everything in a sack.  Think artistic presentation!  You can get a colorful, plastic platter, for just about nothing.  It will make all the difference in the world.  It’s nice to think ahead and get them on sale and keep a few on hand to give to a host.  It’s always a good idea to give a thank you card with a note saying “please keep the tray.”

Finally, if you don’t want to bring consumables, then choose an item the couple, or family can enjoy all at once.  A vase of of flowers, a set of handmade cards, custom made pottery, picture frame, or a set of wine glasses, are a few relatively simple gifts that can all be purchased for less than .00.  Unless you know the party giver would really like it, avoid bringing gifts such as hard liquor, or firearms.  Remember, no gift is complete without your personalized, and lovingly autographed card.  Not only is it a good idea, but it cements the idea that you did bring something!

If you’re still at a loss for what to bring to an event, then may I suggest that you consider http://www.NectarOfLife.com for a coffee gift basket?  You can’t go wrong with Nectar of Life.  Not only are they a gourmet coffee roaster and artisan, but they specialize in organic Fair Trade coffee.