Glass Basket Gifts

Glass baskets make pretty and versatile personalized gifts. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Glass Basket Gifts

Two friends who visited me earlier this year said they have been inspired to give glass baskets for Christmas this year.

Baskets have been a popular holiday gift for years, from fruit baskets to specialty hobby baskets. They’ve also been featured as a handmade quilt pattern like this vintage patchwork baskets quilt but glass baskets are different. They are not only small and pretty but quite versatile. Here are some ideas on how to make glass baskets into personalized gifts.

Besides looking at thrift and antique stores, several online retailers offer a range of glass baskets averaging $15-$25 each.

Collectible glass baskets may cost a little more depending on the manufacturer. You may find glass baskets for less at thrift stores like this footed glass basket I found for $4.

Basic glass baskets can be found at thrift stores and online suppliers. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Once you have the glass baskets, consider what the gift recipient would like in it. The simplest personalized gift is to fill the glass basket with a favorite chocolate.

Add favorite chocolates to quickly personalized a glass basket. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Another personalized option is to add a treat, in this case items for making tea: tea bags, a tea infuser and a 3 oz. jar of local honey. A nice teaspoon would be a fun addition.

For coffee lovers, try coffee sample packs and a wrapped cookie for dunking.

This is a glass basket for a tea lover including tea bags, an infuser and honey. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Last but not least, these glass baskets are perfect for adding fresh flowers. You can get bouquets at most grocery stores and flower shops. It doesn’t take much to make these glass baskets look full, this is one geranium sprig from a geranium plant wintering over, and still blooming, inside.

This, by the way, is a Fenton Glass basket, which would qualify as a collectible. There are Carnival Glass baskets and other collectible manufacturers that made some of these shapes.

A sprig of homegrown red geraniums fills this collectible glass basket. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

If you are giving this to someone who lives close by, include a card that says you will bring them fresh flowers to fill it next spring.

As someone who lives with baskets - my cats love them for naps and I use them for storage - I also keep these glass baskets with fresh flowers on my desk year around. I can attest to how enjoyable they are to have around!

Charlotte