1. Select the contents
Focus primarily on in-season fruits: oranges, grapefruit, apples, pears, grapes, pineapple.
Look for a variety of colors, shapes and sizes.
Include at least one kind of fruit that's out of the ordinary: Asian pear, carambola (star fruit), clementine, pomegranate, persimmon, kumquat.
If you need more variety, add cellophane bags of dried fruit: cranberries, blueberries, cherries, dates.
Add individually wrapped chocolates, whole nuts in their shells, fruit dip or small cutting board with knife for a more upscale basket.
2. Find packing materials
Decide on a color theme, such as red, green and gold for Christmas. Or stick with neutral colors such as tan, silver and gold to highlight the colors of the contents.
Purchase ribbon with wire edges in a complementary color.
If you want to wrap your basket, select clear cellophane paper or another decorative wrap.
Find a cushioning material in a coordinating color: tissue paper, cellophane shreds, paper shreds.
3. Assemble the basket
Line the bottom with wadded-up tissue paper or shreds to cushion the fruit.
Consider the weight, size and delicacy of the items you have. If you are including a pineapple, find a location where it can be supported. Add light, delicate pieces last.
Arrange larger, heavier, sturdier fruit in the bottom of the basket. Layer with medium-sized fruits in a manner that provides color variation.
Use tissue paper or shreds to cushion fruits and prevent bruising.
Tuck smaller and more delicate fruits, including grapes and berries, in the spaces left between other fruits. Fill any remaining voids with whole nuts in their shells, tissue paper or shreds.
4. Add finishing touches
Secure a large bow to the handle or side. For an extra flourish, add a seasonal floral pick (artificial pine or holly) to the bow or to the side of the basket.
If you wish to wrap the basket, crisscross two long strips of cellophane or wrapping paper. Place the basket where the papers overlap. Pull the ends of the papers up and over the basket, enclosing the basket. Gather the papers together at the top of the basket, as if they were parts of a bag holding the basket. Secure with a twist-tie. Wrap ribbon around the twist tie and add a gift tag.
Sources: Jerry Kaufman, Bag 'N Save; Jennifer LaMontia, Broadmoor Market; and Gary Wesley, No Frills Supermarkets.
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