Gift basket Ideas

Breakfast basket: container of maple syrup, package of smoked bacon, ham or sausage from a local butcher shop (this is the best way to buy gourmet w/out the high cost), bag of pancake/biscuit mix (you can buy something gourmet, or put some Bisquick or jiffy mix in a clear bag and tie a pretty piece of material around it with a tag including directions on how to mix up), some tea and/or coffee and/or some juice boxes or bottles, jam/jelly/preserves, and small jar of honey. You could wrap this all in a cast iron frying pan instead of a basket, too. For a Christmas present a cute basket lined with a new dish towel; inside I placed some very cute shapes for cooking eggs and pancakes in (I found these at a specialty kitchen store for under $5); a bottle or two of flavored pancake syrups, a boxed or bagged pancake mix.
Pamper yourself gift basket (I often give these at baby showers for the mother especially if the shower is before the baby comes), candle or candles, bubble bath, pretty bath soaps, body spray, small box of chocolates, some decaf tea bags or coffee, vitamin E cream or cocoa butter (good for stretch marks), a loofah or pretty bath sponge, and a little note that says to pamper yourself because you won't have much time for yourself when that baby comes. I found a nice bath set marked down at Kroger's cosmetics counter. In it was a tube of shower gel and one of those wooden roller-massage things in a pretty little straw basket. The original price was $14.99 but it was marked down to $4.99, so I bought it for my "kit." Then I went to Big Lots, where I found a pretty ceramic mug ($1.49), a box of gourmet tea ($1.99), a good looking lead crystal votive holder (50 cents) and a scented votive candle (50 cents). Since the shower gel was peach-colored, I selected the mug and votive candle in coordinating colors, so everything had a nice unified look. I wrapped all these items up in tissue paper, then put them in a matching gift bag with a tag that read "The New Mom's Stress Reduction Kit. Enjoy!" It was the only gift the new mom received at the shower that was just for her. to include more stuff, you could maybe add a back scrubber brush, parenting magazines, cologne or perfume, nail polish, etc
Dinner and a movie: box of pasta (this looks really nice if you buy the colorful pasta and put it in a mason jar, put a small piece of material over the top with a ribbon on the lid), jar of sauce, a jar of shaker cheese, could also include a clove of garlic or a shaker of Italian seasoning, a pasta spoon or wooden spoon with a ribbon tied on the handle, a pair of candles for romantic lighting, two cupcakes or a bag of gourmet cookies, and a gift certificate from the local movie rental place. This is also nice for new parents, as they won't be going out much in the next few months.
Expecting: This is one you would only send to a friend that has a sense of humor: Pumice stone, toe separator, toenail polish, nail file, foot lotion/cream, toe ring, and a funny note that "If he's going to make you barefoot & pregnant, at least make him paint your toenails so your feet will look nice". I sent this to a friend and she thought it was funny.
In cold weather for a couple: two mugs, hot cocoa mix, two spoons, and a light blanket or throw, nice note to cuddle up together on those chilly winter nights.
Baskets with everyday necessity type items and food are great for older people that don't really need any more knick-knacks. Our grandparents have received gift baskets with these items, coffee, dried fruits, favorite fruit juice in a can, mints, candy, soap, socks, razor, shaving cream, laundry soap, cans of their favorite soups or food that you have canned yourself, mini loaves of bread or muffins that you make, a small homemade cake, gourmet things they like but don't often buy for themselves, like specialty coffees or teas, soup mixes, noodle mixes, pasta, bag of their favorite chips.

Ice Cream Sundae" gift basket. You can make this very frugally or extravagantly. Just place sundae or ice cream bowls (can easily be found at 1$ stores), some spoons, an ice cream scoop, sprinkles, ice cream sauces (home-made or store bought) and napkins (paper or cloth) on a basket and bring to a shower, birthday party or housewarming. I plan on giving this to my brother for a wedding present along with an ice cream maker and an ice cream cookbook.

received as a teacher a large basket filled with fun things from Wal-Mart and a teacher store such as bulletin board borders, cute notepads and stickers, bottles of glue, glue sticks, erasers, and pencils.