Harvesting Happiness: Your Fall Gift Basket Guide

     1). Choose your theme - Any amazing gift basket is sure to have a theme, and fall makes it so simple to choose a good one. Perhaps you are a purveyor of pumpkins, obsessed with apples, or a total fungi fanatic (mushroom & Sroom lovers unite!) - cutesy fall themes are abundant. Capture the essence of all your favourite fall things in one bundle. You could focus on a colour theme, too. Orange accents with gingham patterned ribbons makes for a charming display. Maybe you want to go for a spookier look? Make it a Halloween theme! Ghosts, ghouls, zombies, bats, maybe even a Mutant Graveyard of Doom motif! Show them you care while giving them a scare!

     2). Make it cosy - Cosiness…isn’t that what everyone wants in a fall gift basket? Including a pair of fuzzy socks helps to elevate the cosy vibes. Take it a step further by adding a scented fall candle - bonus points if it has a wood wick. The wood wick will allow the candle to crackle like a real campfire and take longer to burn down. Find a mug with a cute picture, a lighthearted fall pun, or just a monogram on it. Along with the mug, include some aromatic relaxing teas, or freshly ground coffee. Include a short story, or a copy of the latest Neopian Times. This bundle will be the epitome of cosy relaxation!

     3). Make it comforting - You can’t have the cosiness without the comfort. Here are some things you can do to maximize comfort. Include some packets of soups and broths. There is nothing more healing than a piping bowl of soup on a brisk fall day. Throw in a soft blanket or a plush toy, and a journal. The journal can be used to keep track of a to-do list and feel relief when you check items off. Along with writing down some positive affirmations, this routine will bring stability and comfort to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You can also include a self-care item, like a face mask, or an apple cider scented hand lotion.

     4). Make it sweet - Sweeten up your gift basket with honey, jam, and chocolate! This time of the year is perfect for gathering up some homegrown Buzz honey from Meri Acres Farm. Grab an organic jar of their famous honey today - you’ll want to snag an extra one for yourself too, I promise! You can gather the freshest berries from Pick Your Own, and take them home to make a delicious jar of jam. You can conjure up a tasty jam out of any fruit, but blueberry and blackberry jam are my favourites. Include a recipe card and write down your newly famous jam recipe for all to enjoy. For an extra sweet addition, be sure to purchase some chocolate from the Chocolate Factory! Choose from milk, dark, white, mint, or even a silky orange chocolate - the perfect festive fall treat.

     5). Brighten it up - Colour your gift basket with some fresh fall flowers. Sunflowers are bright and lovely this time of the year, and can add a vibrant burst of colour to your craft. Marigolds would be marvellous, or even some amazing Mums, which come in an assortment of colours - choose from yellow, orange, and red for that perfect fall flair, or a stunning mix of all three! If you don’t have time to cut your own fresh florals, include a packet of seeds and a garden trowel with a mini watering can. A mini DIY garden is so chic and unique.

     6). Garnish it - Make it classy and fancy! Tie a big bow with ribbon for some added pizzazz. Try twine or burlap if you want a more rustic look. Use a fun flannel pattern for a wilderness look you will adore. Sprinkle in some potpourri for a fragrant fall aroma. Garnish your gift basket with cinnamon sticks or cloves to give it some more of that comforting fall smell. Decorate it with mini pumpkins, little gourds and an adorable garden gnome. Place tiny faux pinecones all around for the ultimate autumnal aesthetic.

     7). Personalize it - Make your gift memorable by adding a personal touch. Insert a lovely handwritten card to surprise your Neofriends. Include a stationary set, along with a sheet of stamps, and a fun pumpkin-scented pen. Don’t forget to package one of their favourite treats - a bag of caramel-drizzled popcorn, or a container of sweet and salty trail mix.

     8). Be the “hostess with the mostest” - If you are hosting a gathering this season, assemble some mini gift baskets for your Neofriends to take home as their goodie bags! Everyone will love to leave with a thoughtful parting gift.

     Most importantly, have fun while you make your gift baskets. Enjoy the process, and don’t worry about striving for perfection. Gifts come from the heart, and it will be evident that you put your whole heart into making it! Welcome fall with all things comfy, cosy, sweet, scary, and pumpkin-y. Whether you’re gifting your friends, or hosting a book club meeting, these baskets will surely be a memorable addition. Autumnal aesthetics, comforting snacks, notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and amber - along with your own personal touch, will make these special gifts the warmest of all.