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How do I Make a Fruit Gift Basket?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

A fruit gift basket can be a wonderful present at any time of year. Yet they may be particularly appreciated during months when fresh fruit is hard to find. Making a fruit gift basket can be either elaborate or very simple, and people are only limited by their imaginations and the fruits they can find available.

The first considerations when creating a fruit gift basket are size of basket and amount of fruit. It’s better to overfill a smaller basket than it is to use a huge basket that will make any fruit gifts look spare and paltry. Baskets can be found in many locations; import stores like Pier One® and Cost Plus® are good places to look. Don’t neglect crafts stores where there may be baskets in plenty of sizes.

A cut crenshaw melon filled with strawberries included in a fruit basket.
A cut crenshaw melon filled with strawberries included in a fruit basket.

Some consideration should be given to number of people in the household that will receive the fruit basket. A larger family should get a larger basket, but a small family, a single person or a couple, might end up with more fruit than they can eat. Consider having two to three pieces of fruit per person as a good measure when putting together a fruit basket.

Fresh apples can make a good addition to a fruit gift basket.
Fresh apples can make a good addition to a fruit gift basket.

It’s a good idea to plan to include fruit that is relatively durable. Apples and pears for instance have made companies like Harry and David’s® household names. Choose fruit without markings or bruises, and for pears, err on the side of less ripe varieties. These will ripen as they sit, but if they’re already extremely ripe, they may get mushy and be unappetizing. Other fruits that bear up well in transport can include things like lush pineapples, which can bring a taste of the tropics at any time of year. Consider a few unusual fruits too, like melons, papayas, or a basket of fresh berries.

Walnuts can be a good addition to a fruit gift basket.
Walnuts can be a good addition to a fruit gift basket.

The fruit gift basket doesn’t just have to include fresh fruit. People can create themes by adding cheese and crackers, delicious fruity wines (like port or Beaujolais Nouveau), and these baskets can include dried fruit or baked goods that feature fruit. Adding cranberry or banana bread to a few delicious fruits is sure to appreciated, as is a combination of things like apples and sharp cheddar cheese. Beautiful dried fruits like dates, pineapples, and apricots can significantly add to flavors offered in the basket, and don’t forget preserved fruit or jams and jellies are a great complement too. Simple mixes to make scones, biscuits, waffles, or muffins can make quick work of any fruit, and can be topped with featured preserves or jams too.

Jams and jellies are a common addition to gift baskets.
Jams and jellies are a common addition to gift baskets.

Another great addition to the fruit gift basket is nuts. Choose mixed nuts, lightly roasted almonds, whole pecans, walnuts or a variety of others. Work on providing different textures, tastes, and flavors to appeal to a whole group, as a way of making sure a fruit gift basket is most enjoyed.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Heavanet

Those are good tips for fruit basket making Rundocuri. I like to make holiday gift baskets with fruit that matches the colors and themes of the season. For example, I use all red fruits like strawberries, grapes, and apples for Valentine's Day, and red and green fruits like apples and pears for Christmas. These baskets with make festive, healthful gifts.

Rundocuri

I like to make custom gift baskets with a variety of fresh and dried fruits. These fruits can be purchased at any grocery store, and you can often find many types on sale. Two tips I always follow is to put the heavier fruits on the bottom of the basket, and not to make the basket more than two days before giving it so the fresh fruits stay that way.

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    • A cut crenshaw melon filled with strawberries included in a fruit basket.
      A cut crenshaw melon filled with strawberries included in a fruit basket.
    • Fresh apples can make a good addition to a fruit gift basket.
      By: tesgro
      Fresh apples can make a good addition to a fruit gift basket.
    • Walnuts can be a good addition to a fruit gift basket.
      By: dinostock
      Walnuts can be a good addition to a fruit gift basket.
    • Jams and jellies are a common addition to gift baskets.
      By: Roman Ivaschenko
      Jams and jellies are a common addition to gift baskets.
    • Unusual melons, like the casaba, can make a fruit gift basket special.
      By: robert lerich
      Unusual melons, like the casaba, can make a fruit gift basket special.
    • Bananas, which can be included in a fruit basket.
      By: Nikolai Sorokin
      Bananas, which can be included in a fruit basket.
    • Durable fruits, such as pears, are good for fruit baskets.
      By: Lana Langlois
      Durable fruits, such as pears, are good for fruit baskets.
    • Dates may be included in a fruit gift basket.
      By: Dionisvera
      Dates may be included in a fruit gift basket.
    • A variety of fruits may be featured in a fruit basket, including pears.
      By: Anna Kucherova
      A variety of fruits may be featured in a fruit basket, including pears.
    • Dried apricots and other types of preserved fruit may be part of a gift basket.
      By: Volodymyr Shevchuk
      Dried apricots and other types of preserved fruit may be part of a gift basket.
    • A variety of fruits can be used to make a fruit basket.
      By: peangdao
      A variety of fruits can be used to make a fruit basket.
    • Fruit gift baskets often include oranges.
      By: Dionisvera
      Fruit gift baskets often include oranges.