The Basket Spot

When a special friend or loved one passes away, it’s sometimes difficult to know just what to do or say for the family staying behind. Why not express your condolences with one of many sympathy gift baskets in stores today, namely the Forever Remembered gift basket? Available in many styles and prices, what could be a better way to send your love and support to the bereaved family?

Sympathy gift baskets may contain a myriad of different items. Many times various food and beverage gifts will be included. Examples are gourmet coffee or tea packaged as individual servings, specialty cheese spreads with their own handy knife for spreading, crackers, nuts, chocolate mints, fresh or dried fruit and candies.  And exclusive item is a Calming Candle Garden!

Sympathy gifts may also include a serenity candle or small book to help in dealing with the grief. Perhaps a bottle of wine or jam might be added along with the food items. Fresh or silk flowers are always a nice addition to any sympathy gift basket. Including a few napkins to keep everyone tidy is also a thoughtful gesture.

Rather than a variety of food items, having one main item, such as cookies or brownies, or a cup of tea, with possibly some nuts or pretzels included as well, is another option. Especially if there are children involved, cookies are always a popular gift. Delivered in their own covered tin, these goodies will stay fresh for several days.

The gift basket itself is also available in a variety of sizes and styles. You may want to opt for a simple basket with a handle, an oval basket with no handle or even a picnic style basket with a cover and perhaps leather handles. These baskets can hold a large variety of food items, make a wonderful and thoughtful presentation and can be very useful in other ways, long after the food is gone.

Sometimes you may want to send flowers to the home of the bereaved, send Peace and Serenity, and a basketful of beautiful blooming plants is the perfect way to accomplish this. Live plants can be planted in a smaller plastic planter that will fit inside the basket and can continue to give months or years of comfort. What a beautiful way to express the thought that life continues, even in times of great sadness.

Although sympathy gift baskets are available on the Internet or at local flower shops and gift stores, you may want to prepare your own gift basket. Simply purchase a basket that you will then fill with a variety of fruits, candies, crackers, cheeses or other items. Many of these food items can be found at your local grocery store or gift and specialty shops. Tuck in a few silk flowers and perhaps a bow for a bit of color. The whole thing can be left open, or if you prefer, wrapped in plastic wrap designed especially for gift baskets.  The idea is for them to Relax and Recover.

Another choice you might prefer is to simply fill a lovely covered dish or tin with fresh homemade cookies, brownies or fudge. Line the tin with lacy paper doilies for a special touch. Don’t forget to add a sympathy poem of condolence and be sure it includes your name, as the deceased’s family will want to know who sent this very special gift.