History of the Gift Basket

Gift Baskets

History of Gift Baskets

    The idea of presenting gifts in a basket has been around for a long time. Back in the day, collected items were placed in baskets to offer family, friends, and neighbors cherished food items like fruits, breads, and nuts. Even in the art world, the gift basket was illustrated in paintings or used as the subject for a sculpture piece of art. Who would have thought that today the idea of offering gifts in a basket would become so elaborate. The person that started the trend was definitely a creative individual. Gift baskets are the perfect gift that can be customized to suit any occasion.

    It seems that offering gift baskets to consumers started in New York City, in the mid 1900s, just like much of the latest trends that swept across this country. It was first mentioned in various publications like Woman's Home Journal, House Beautiful, and the New Yorker. The idea was to gather baby gift items and place them in a basket for the perfect gift. Manufacturers began advertising gift basket sets that included their items and the prices ranged from $ 1.50 up to $ 25.00. Many of the higher end gift baskets were presented as "a gift from the rich". The word spread across the country and in 1955, a California home magazine began publishing designs of gift baskets with pictures and instructions on how to create them.

    Now, gift baskets have become an art, the ultimate goal to create the perfect gift. The thought and effort put into a gift basket and the elegance overshadows the actual number on the price tag. With a gift basket, you can make a compassionate gesture to a family member, friend, or colleague without doing any extra shopping for several thoughtful gift items, which makes gift baskets unique and convenient. The pleasure on the recipient's face is excitement and pleasure, which makes the act of presenting a gift basket more rewarding than just offering a gift. Gift baskets have become the gift of choice-an ideal solution-for that special occasion.