There are many ways to do gourmet Christmas gift baskets. You can focus on a theme, add cooking utensils and books, or make it a basket of gourmet and unusual foods. The choice is entirely up to you.

When you are creating or choosing your basket always keep in mind the interests and likes of the person you are buying for. Stick with items you know he or she will like, and then add in a few unique items that may be unknown by the recipient. You won't need a lot of items, necessarily. If a basket is too full it looks messy. Strive for a generous basket that looks clean and organized. If you are buying a ready made gift basket choose one that looks full without looking messy.

A basket with food items will work best if there is also something to keep. For example, a basket with and assortment of gourmet cheese would be great with a vintage cheese plate added to it. It makes the gift long lasting and memorable. Each time the cheese plate is used the recipient will be reminded of you. Here are a variety of ideas for Gourmet Christmas Gift Baskets.

Creating a chocolate gift basket it lots of fun. You can add chocolate candy as well as a variety of chocolate pastries and other ingredients. If you like a sweet dessert wine, maybe sparkling with a little citrus flavor would go very well here. But don't leave it at that.

Other things to put into a chocolate gift basket are:

• Chocolate sprinkles
• Cocoa Nibs
• Chocolate scented candle
• Hot chocolate
• Antique chocolate set
• Chocolate scented perfume
• A chocolate cookbook
• Tickets to Hershey if you live in the area

Someone who likes to cook may love a gourmet gift basket with ingredients like white truffle oil or several varieties of vanilla beans. To make one of these baskets you will want to utilize the Internet. You can find unusual spices and ingredients that will pique any armchair chef's imagination. From smoked paprika to Fleur de Sel you can fill the basket with items that allow the budding chef to experiment with flavor to his or her heart's content.

Add a special salt cellar, cookbook, or gadget that will be used with thanks over and over again. Some items to consider for this basket are:

• Fleur de Sel
• Vietnamese Cinnamon
• White or black truffle oil
• Aged balsamic vinegar
• Saffron
• Hickory smoke sea salt
• Flavored sugars
• Imported honey
• FInishing salts
  

There are many interesting and helpful gadgets out there that a cook would love to get his or her hands on. A good set of chef's knives, for example, is always a great item to have. From aprons and oven mitts to mortar and pestle, there is sure to be a variety of interesting items to put in any basket. Some things to consider are:

• Timer
• Instant read digital food thermometer
• Garlic slicer
• Immersion blender
• Pot-holders

You can also buy ready made gourmet Christmas gift baskets. These are convenient but often the items in them are highly over priced so choose carefully. A nice traditional Christmas gift basket that would be appropriate for almost anyone is a gourmet fruit basket.

Creating a gift basket it a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday as well as the unique characteristics and interests of someone you love.