Gift Baskets - History And Today

Although we think of gift baskets as a modern way to give gifts, they have actually been around throughout history spanning several cultures. It may be impossible to determine who actually gave the first gift basket but there are a lot of fascinating stories that have been told over the years. One of the earliest stores that had a sacred connotation, is the story of Moses. In the Old Testament, Moses' mother placed him as an infant into a wicker basket that she hid in the reeds on the Nile river's edge to protect him from the Egyptian soldiers, and then the daughter of the Egyptian royal family found him and considered him a gift and took him into her care and protection. Even the first chariots were more like riding in a basket on wheels, not like the chariots that we've seen in the movies like Ben Hur.

Here are a few quotes from some famous people in history concerning baskets. Benjamin Franklin said “It is far better to give a gift basket than receive one” . Vincent van Gogh stated “I have a terrible need of – dare I say the word? - religion. Then I go out at night to paint the stars and send everyone I know a gift basket.” and Albert Einstein said “Creativity is more important than intelligence. Sending a gift basket is both creative and intelligent”

Baskets have been used for more than just gift giving for many years. They were used to carry everything from eggs and harvested vegetables from the garden to carrying supplies on the backs of mules and donkeys, and even in some cases, people. Long before your local grocery store would ask if you wanted “paper or plastic”, baskets were the major way people transported their goods.

Traditionally, basket makers gathered and prepared their own materials, and today most baskets are still made by hand. Even now, in this industrial age that we are living, it's almost impossible to make them using machinery. They require the same hand crafting that has been used throughout time. Some cultures have turned basket-making into an art form, such as many Native American groups who are famous for their basket-making artistry. Even in Taiwan, they are still handmade, as it is not easy to mass produce them with molds, electric saws or sanders. It's hard to improve on the most basic techniques of basket weaving. .

Because most baskets are still made by hand, they have a special meaning when given as a gift. You can find anything from some unique and colorful baskets to the basic reed like basket in just about any size and shape. There are so many reasons to give a gift basket, such as baby gift baskets with diapers, blankets or clothes, or Holiday Gift Baskets with that special holiday candy or decoration that someone may love and not want to buy on their own for Easter, Christmas, New Years and any other holiday you can think of, or a house warming gift basket that could contain anything from soap, towels, to wine, anything to say congratulations on your new home. What makes gift baskets the perfect gift is that they are very easy to personalize for that someone special, with wrap, ribbon and bows selected to their favorite colors.

By: Lanette

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Lanette Herrmann is co-founder of Something and More Hand Crafted Gifts, www.somethingandmore.com, and has enjoyed woodcrafting and other types of crafts for many years. She started out learning how to braid rugs with her grandmother. She got her love of hand stitching and weaving rugs from her mother. She also enjoys quilting, using the scroll saw and many other woodworking tools. When she isn't working at her full time job, Lynn's favorite pastime is spending time with her family.