Fall gift baskets are appreciated for their warm sentimentality and cozy vibes. While it’s easy to order a pre-made fall basket with all sorts of treats and treasures, it’s often more fun — and sometimes more cost-effective — to design your own.
Building the ideal fall gift basket involves a little bit of planning and research. If you’re including food items, for example, consider shelf-stable options for practical reasons. Gift baskets for one person may include fewer items or smaller servings, whereas those intended for households should contain enough treats for everyone to enjoy. And of course, you’ll need to decide how to adorn the fall basket — whether it’s with ribbon, raffia or artificial flowers.
Gift baskets usually contain a diverse assortment of items that revolve around a central theme, such as scent, flavor, color or occasion. Some gift baskets contain half a dozen pieces, while others have as many as a couple dozen treats and treasures. There are also some gift baskets that contain a single big-ticket item with a few small complementary accessories.
Food: Gift baskets often contain shelf-stable foods, such as candy, snacks, fruit, nuts and chocolate. There are some meal-focused gift baskets as well, which contain soups, cured meats, bread and dessert items.
Beauty: Beauty gift baskets typically include self-care products like lotion, facial masks, hair treatments, bath products or spa and beauty tools. Most of the beauty products in these baskets share the same fragrance profile as a central theme.
Holiday: Holiday-themed gift baskets, including Halloween and Thanksgiving baskets, often include in-season delights. These range from candy corn to gourmet mixed nuts to fruit. They may include autumn-themed kitchen tools as well, like spatulas or cookie cutters.
Family: Family gift baskets include enough items for all members of a household to enjoy. These baskets generally have a greater amount of food items. Some of these baskets may include entire cakes or large cookie and candy assortments.
Wicker remains a favorite option for fall gift baskets, though it's not the only choice. As far as natural materials are concerned, cotton rope baskets remain popular for their durability and reusability potential. Metal baskets are appreciated for their rustic, versatile designs. Plastic baskets are also worth considering because they’re lightweight, affordable and durable.
Besides gift items, there are a few other gift basket essentials you may need to buy. Basket filler is often used to fill out the spaces between gift items, while basket bags help bundle and secure the contents in transit. Some gift baskets are lined with cut-to-size foam to minimize shock and stabilize items.
Decorating a gift basket is the finishing touch that ties together the entire gift. The most common adornments include ribbons and bows. More ornate designs, which often involve hot glue guns or craft wire, feature artificial flowers, fruit or raffia. Another option is to attach a small, woodland-themed plush critter to the basket, such as a fox or owl.
On average, you can expect to spend anywhere from $25-$250 creating a fall gift basket. This includes the cost of gift items as well as assembly essentials and decorative items. If you intend to send your gift basket, be prepared to pay anywhere between $20-$60 for shipping.
Stash Fall for Autumn Tea Sampler
As cooler weather rolls in, tea emerges as a preferred fall beverage. The Stash Fall for Autumn tea sampler includes six seasonal varieties with rich, distinct flavors.
Sold by: Amazon
Yankee Candle Macintosh Large Jar Candle
Candles are gifts that keep on giving, and when you invest in this 22-ounce jar candle, it lasts a whopping 150 hours. The macintosh-scented candle is made with high-quality paraffin wax that delivers a consistent, clear burn.
Maison d' Hermine Potiron Tea Towels
Autumn-inspired tea towels add an upscale touch to any kitchen or gourmet fall gift basket. This absorbent cotton set features three designs with pumpkins, leaves and harvest-themed prints.
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Butternut Mountain Farm Pure Vermont Maple Syrup
Maple syrup always seems to hit the spot, whether it’s poured on waffles or baked beans. This Grade A maple syrup hails from Vermont and is non-GMO verified and free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
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Tervis Fiesta Butterscotch Fall Leaves Tumbler
From pumpkin spice coffee to apple cider, this insulated tumbler keeps beverages warmer longer this fall. The 16-ounce tumbler, which comes with a lid, is both microwave- and dishwasher-safe.
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Dash Mini Pumpkin Waffle Maker
This mini waffle maker creates pumpkin-shaped waffles, biscuits or hashbrowns. The space-savvy design is equipped with a 4-inch nonstick cooking surface and has a cool-touch handle.
Sold by: Amazon
Tiptree Black Currant Preserve
A flavorful addition to any fall gift basket, this popular preserve is made with English-grown black currants. The preserve is made in small batches to maintain the highest flavor and quality standards.
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Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
This bestselling Peter Thomas Roth pumpkin mask resurfaces and exfoliates with alpha hydroxy acid and aluminum oxide. It leaves skin feeling smooth, refreshed and radiant.
Sold by: Amazon, Ulta and Sephora
Kirkland Signature Praline Pecans
Praline pecans are a favorite fall staple for cooking, baking or snacking. These sweet pralines come in a 40-ounce resealable tub that locks in freshness and flavor.
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Beekeeper's Naturals Wildflower Honey
Honey finds its way into many fall beverages and comfort foods, from tea to cookies. This raw wildflower honey imported from Canada has a light sweetness with floral undertones. It also features notes of mint, lavender and other herbs.
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Most fall gift baskets contain at least one comfort food, such as these Archway iced molasses cookies. They have a soft, chewy texture that lends itself to dunking in tea or coffee.
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Sian Babish writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
