food gift basket
baskets of homemade food – Designed for you!
Food donations are welcome and appreciated by all parties and special occasions. It may be a Goodie Bag house or may be a more elaborate gift basket containing gourmet ingredients and a bottle of wine.
Baskets wicker are traditional containers, but many other containers that are suitable. Unbreakable containers like wooden crates, trays with an edge, basins, baths and ice buckets are good alternatives. Since the theme gift baskets are very popular, here are three of my favorite themes when making a basket food.
Cookie Lover's Theme
This is a gift for anyone who loves sweets. It's a good idea for colleagues and teachers, as well as family and friends. A box of biscuits, bowl or basket are all containers of Nice. Line container with a decorative towel, purchased shred, or tissue paper. Fill with an assortment of cookies wrapped in cellophane bags biscuits purchased mixes, chocolate chips, herbal tea, gourmet coffee, or envelopes of hot chocolate mixture. Add a wooden spoon, spatula, and recipes favorite cookie written on recipe cards. Wrap the completed gift in cellophane wrapping, tied at the top with curly ribbon. If you wish, attach a punch in a decorative ribbon and add a gift card.
BBQ Point
This is a good idea especially for men on Father's Day, birthdays or anniversaries. It is also a good gift to take if we are invited as guest at a barbecue or evening launch. Use a container that can double as a refrigerator, such as a metal or plastic basin, tub or bucket. An unbreakable tray with an edge works well, too. Includes gift items such as BBQ tools, aprons, an oven mitt, the cookbook, or citronella candles. Barbecue sauces, marinades, rubs, hot sauce, and cans of soda or beer are all elements necessary for a barbecue.
Mexican / Southwestern Theme
Anyone who enjoys spicy food would be more than happy to receive an assortment of Mexican food. The best advice I can gift you in creating this gift basket theme is to make it more spicy and colorful. Place an assortment of spices, dried beans or canned, rice, bags of chips and jars of salsa in a basket or a plate or tray using colors. Add some fresh fruit such as avocados, lemons, limes and pineapples. You may want to add a cookbook for Mexican food or drink. Line the container with soft towels and colorful top of your gift basket some fresh peppers. Remember the ingredients of margaritas.
About the Author
For assembly information, decorating tips, and unique container ideas for homemade food gift baskets, go to http://www.homemade-gift-basket-ideas.com/
tailgating theme of your gift?
I put together a tailgating themed gift basket raffle. I look for things that should be it … Here are some ideas I have. . . Football germX, plastic utensils, snacks. . . any idea? Its a charity event … wouldnt appropriate alcohol.
Place in a tailgating cookbook there are many to choose from. a set of kitchen mitts, barbecue and hot flags local teams, aprons, making shopping an ice chest, chili powder, toasted spices, salt and pepper mill shop gift certificates for groceries, tickets to a sporting event. Some suggestions from the top of my head
Basket World Direct – Gourmet Food Gift Baskets | Spa Gift
This is a list of our favorite eating places in and around Fort Collins and maybe a little further afield... Keep in mind, we don't go anywhere to eat that gets us out of our comfort zone (blue jeans, sneakers or biker leathers). There's no rating system here... if it made the list, consider it comes with the highest recommendation.
Vern's Place4120 W Cr-54G Laporte, CO 80535(970) 482-5511
In business since 1946. Rustic, mostly dead decor. Seat yourself and enjoy an ample serving of good ol' comfort food, breakfast served all day, bakery and gift shop on site, on the way to Rist Canyon, Poudre Canyon, Horsetooth Reservoir and Dam.Johnson's Corner2842 S.E. Frontage Rd Loveland, Colorado 80537(970) 667-2069http://www.johnsonscorner.com/
In business since 1952. Truck stop, gift shop and more. Home of world-famous cinnamon rolls. I-25 near Loveland, Exit 254, the Johnstown exit — halfway between Denver and Cheyenne, WY. Trust me on this, EAT before you head into Wyoming...Jose O'Shea's385 Union Blvd Lakewood, CO. 80228303-988-7333http://www.joseosheas.com/
In business since 1978. Our favorite mexican food place in the Denver area. Trust me - we tried just about all of them. We spent our first year in Denver looking for the best margarita with tolerable mexican food. This is it. Fun decor. Reasonably priced. The cream cheese chicken enchiladas are excellent, but so is everything else on the menu. The house Margaritas - yum!Raising Cane'sFort Collins, CO2108 S. College AveFort Collins, CO, 80525970-482-1812http://www.raisingcanes.com/
OK - we don't do much fast food but Raising Cane's is a regular lunch stop for us. Great chicken strips, served up fresh with an excellent dipping sauce. Plus, the background story is about dogs - we're suckers for that sort of thing.Tortilla Marissa'sNorth of the Border Cafe2635 South College Ave Fort Collins, CO 80525970-225-9222http://tortillamarissas.com/
Our favorite mexican food in Fort Collins. Cozy atmosphere. Friendly wait staff. Excellent, reasonably priced, not your run of the mill mexican food.BeauJo's Pizza1517 Miner St Idaho Springs, CO 80452303-567-4376http://www.beaujos.com/index.cfm
In business in this location since 1973. Sure, they have locations all over Colorado now (including downtown Fort Collins) but the original location is an experience you won't soon forget. The decor is rustic, mining in one of the best little towns just off I-70 in Colorado. BeauJo's is the best pizza we've ever had -- anywhere -- with a huge variety of pies to choose from. Order by the pound and you better be hungry.The Village InnLocated all over Colorado (at least in the major cities), similar to an IHOP. The food is better and more reasonably priced. BIKER ALERT - they have great coffee and scrumptious pie. Shari's666 (no kidding) North Third St Laramie, Wyoming 82072(307) 721-48131947 Dell Range Blvd Cheyenne, WY 82009307-638-47443609 E. Lincoln Way Cheyenne, WY 82001307-637-4421https://www.sharis.com/
For certain, there are a few major chain restaurants near the malls in the big (big is relative term here) cities of Wyoming (Casper and Cheyenne), but we typically avoid that sort of establishment when we ride. Shari's is a cafe-style restaurant with an open menu, serving breakfast all day, good coffee, excellent pie. Serious Texas BBQ201 West 71st Street Loveland, Colorado, 80538Hwy 287 between Loveland and Fort Collins, just north of Walmart on the west side of the road.970-667-1415FYI: Also a couple of locations in Durango, COhttp://www.serioustexasbbq.com/index.htm
Being Texans we take our BBQ seriously. Unlike many Texas-theme joints up this way, Serious Texas BBQ is not a misnomer. Huge windows give the feel of an open air pavilion while the no frills dining area is set up with picnic tables. The food is served up hot and tasty in generous portions on butcher paper. Try the pulled pork sandwich with cherry chipotle salsa. YUM! The sampler platter is plentiful enough for two (well, unless Tim is really, really hungry). Oh and the green salsa (jalapeno and pineapple) is outstanding. And yeah, they offer all the salsas in a carry-home jar.The Mason Jar Family Restuarant2925 West Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80904.719-632-4820http://www.masonjarcolorado.com/At the corner of 30th Street and Colorado Ave. (Old Colorado City)Directions: From I-25 take exit 141 (Cimarron St, US-24 W)Travel west 2 ½ miles on US 24 to 31st St Turn right on 31st, take the next right on Colorado Ave one block.
Established in 1982. We have been dining at The Mason Jar nearly that long, since the Folks discovered it (probably in 1982). No vacation to Colorado or visit to Colorado Springs is complete without dining once or twice at this wonderful home-style restaurant. They are known for their chicken fried steak, real mashed potatoes and gravy but everything on the menu (which includes catfish) is excellent. Generous helpings. Reasonably priced. Casual. Located in Old Colorado City (a fun place) just minutes from Garden of the Gods, Van Briggle Pottery, lots of museums and Manitou Springs -- right smack in the middle of all the fun stuff.Marion's of the Rockies2805 Colorado Blvd Idaho Springs, CO 80452Exit 241 A (from Denver) off I-70W303-567-2925
Nice place, cozy decor. Very clean. The service was prompt and friendly, the coffee hot and tasty and breakfast was great. Prices were reasonable. We'll stop by again sometime this summer and check out the rest of the menu... but for now - Marion's makes the cut. P.S. It's where the locals eat - always a good sign.Southwest Grill1000 Highway 50 West Pueblo, CO 81008719-544-3324http://www.southwestgrillpueblo.com/Open 6AM - 9PM 7 days a week
A pleasant start to a ride in southern Colorado. The prices were reasonable, the staff friendly and attentive, it was clean and the food (breakfast) was good. The decor was older, cafe style with blue vinyl booths and a bar up front and lots of tables in the main dining area. There are some very nice, southwest theme wall murals. Lots of locals were dining here.Tequila's1401 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur (Hwy 68) Taos, NM 87571575-758-8777
The restaurant, a short stroll from our hotel was decorated in typical southwest style, with lovely tile floors, very neat, very clean. The service was great, the happy hour margaritas were tasty and refreshing, the house margaritas (post happy hour) were outstanding, the food was delicious, well-prepared and plentiful.Mama Ree's17 N Harrison Cortez, CO 81321970-564-9229http://www.mamarees.com/
Mama Ree's (pronounced Ray's) in Cortez, CO is a pleasant surprise. Just a short walk from our hotel, this tiny eating establishment is set up in an old, rather unassuming (plain) house just a few feet off the Main drag. It was clean and decorated in cozy Italian style with grapevine and grape clusters adorning the ceiling. It was also very busy, not only with dine-in but take-out orders as well. We did not have to wait for a table. The wait staff appeared to be Mama's teen-age children. They are friendly and efficient. Mama's significant other is kitchen boss. Mama is everywhere. The meal was outstanding. While we had the spaghetti (with Mama's sauce), every plate that whizzed by our noses looked wonderful. First there was the large loaf of just-out-of-the-oven french bread served up with lots of butter. Next was an excellent salad called LaGuiseppe, finely shredded cabbage marinated in olive oil and spices and served with a red wine vinegar dressing. YUM! The spaghetti was scrumptious and plentiful. Mama Ree's offers a decent selection of wines. Wine, not being our cup of tea, it shouldn't go without saying that the Bud Light we ordered was served at the perfect temperature. A fun thing to note about this restaurant is a thing they do called the Clean Plate Club. Pictures line the walls of all the good little boys and girls (not all of them so little) who have cleaned their plate. Wonderful! We will return - hungry.The Shaft29411 W U S Highway 160, South Fork, CO 81154(719) 873-0102
Make a meal on the beer-battered onion rings! The food (we had BBQ brisket sandwiches) was great, reasonably priced and served up in generous portions. The wait staff were friendly and efficient. The decor is galvanized with some nice folk art murals...Southern Vittles200A Silver Street Lake City, CO 81235970-944-2010Owners: Kelly & Katie Elkinshttp://www.southernvittles.com/
BIKER ALERT! Best damn apple pie I've ever stuck in my pie-hole! We enjoyed our pie and ice cream and really good coffee (even in the middle of the afternoon) on the front porch. There is a cozy indoor dining area. They also serve catfish and claim the chicken fried steak is the house specialty in this Biker-Friendly establishment. We will return for the catfish and something on the menu called Texas Toothpicks (beer-battered jalapenos and onions).Colorado City Creamery2602 West Colorado AvenueOld Colorado CityColorado Springs, CO 80904719-634-1411http://www.coloradocitycreamery.com/
Homemade Ice cream - homemade waffle cones... lots of other eats - all served up quick and friendly. Small dining room but why bother? It is Colorado - eat outside! The shady patio in front has plenty of tables and benches. The creamery has been in business over 30 years - there's a single word reason for that. YUM! Oh, and there's plenty of parking round back.The Outpost Cafe1011 S MainLusk, WY 82225307-334-3085
Just about the only place we found to eat in Lusk, WY and we are glad we stopped... It's an old cafe, with cafe decor - 'nuff said. It was seat yourself. Breakfast was hot, portions were plentiful, reasonably priced and the bustling waitress kept our cups brimming with strong coffee. The place was booming with local business and travelers, including several bikers who agreed - great place for breakfast.The Jolly RestaurantHwy 287 82 EWichita Falls, TX 76307(940) 767-8536
We recently revisited the Jolly Restaurant while out on a ride with Dad during a visit to Texas. Being from that area, we've dined there many times in the distant pass. The atmosphere is still rancher/trucker (it is a Truck Stop), the service is friendly and fast and the food is served up in plentiful country-style fashion (pancakes hang off the side of a large dinner platter). You can get your chicken-fried steak deep-fried or grilled and the gravy is really good.The Pancake House640 E Pancake Blvd (no kidding!)Liberal, KS 67901-4318(620) 624-8585
What a pleasant surprise! The atmosphere was right out of a childhood memory of Sunday morning trips to the Pancake House with the folks. We had a good ol' country style breakfast with delicious buttermilk pancakes served up hot and tasty. The menu offered pancakes in dozens of different flavors. The coffee was good, the service was excellent and the prices so reasonable, we had to double check the ticket. It was busy (appears to be a favorite with locals).McBride Land & Cattle Company501 Scott StreetWichita Falls, TX 76301(940) 322-2516
Always a favorite, we revisited McBride's with the Folks on a recent trip to Texas. Of course, we arrived early before the evening rush. They specialize in steak and potatoes (dinner comes with a garden salad) so if you're looking for a gourmet experience - this isn't the place. I usually have shrimp. The atmosphere is always clean and cozy, the service is good and the prices are reasonable.New Moon Bakery & CafeOne West First StreetP. O. Box 1548Nederland, CO 80466(303) 258-3569http://www.newmoonbakery.com/
The New Moon Bakery, located next to the historic Town Hall and across from the Visitors' Center, is usually a must-stop for us when traveling the peak-to-peak highway. They offer an excellent selection of home-made pastries, muffins, scones and cookies baked fresh daily, as well as quiche and assorted other breakfast and light lunch items. Much to Tim's delight the -regular- coffee is great although they offer a full espresso bar. The giant Jackpot cookie is a scrumptious concoction of oatmeal, cranberry, and white chocolate. YUM! The cafe has a small indoor seating area, with free wireless internet as well as a cozy patio.More listings coming soon.
