How To Select A Wine Gift Basket

Are you anticipating a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion that requires gift giving? Then consider a wine gift basket. They make elegant gifts for anyone who enjoys wine and the frequently include additional treats besides wine. They can also include such gourmet treats as cheese, chocolates, fruit, nuts and wine accessories like corkscrews and bottle openers, drip stoppers, foil cutters or whatever else you decide to add to the basket. You can buy them already assembled or you can make your own for a very special gift-giving touch. All you need to know is the type of wine the recipient enjoys, or you can create a surprise basket.

Buying Prepared Baskets

If you’d rather buy a wine gift basket pre-packaged, stop into your local liquor store to see if they have a selection available. Good liquor stores often sell gift baskets, especially during the holiday season. You should be able to choose which wine you’d like to include in the basket and then add accompanying products.

Shop Online

The internet is the first place to search for customizable gift baskets. You can start by ordering one or more bottles of wine of your choice, then begin adding complementary products from the wide range available. Products that you could include would be caviar and smoked salmon, cheese or other savory crackers, artisan cheeses, cheese knives, nuts, exclusive mustards or honeys … there’s no limit to what you can add to them.

The online business will then deliver the packaged gift basket to you or to the gift recipient. This is an easy option if you are choosing a corporate gift or to thank a staff member.

Create Your Own Gift Baskets

Creating your own wine gift basket gives allows you to add that additional personal touch. Begin by buying an attractive basket. A simple and inexpensive basket will do the job because you can decorate it with fabric or colored tissue paper. Buy your wine of choice or choose champagne for a special celebration, add some additional products depending on the preferences of the gift recipient. For example, it’s not necessary to limit your basket to wine and wine-themed gifts. You could include handicrafts for someone interested in arts and crafts, or a book about wine for a wine lover who is also interested in the history or the making of wine. Add some quality food products to accompany the wine, pack everything into your decorated basket and wrap the whole thing in clear cellophane.

Personally deliver the gift basket to the recipient if you are able to so that you can share their joy when they receive it. If you’re lucky he or she might even share the bottle of wine with you.

For non-wine drinkers you can still assemble some stunning gift baskets. You could try a coffee-themed gift basket for a coffee lover that could include coffee mugs, freshly roasted coffee beans from different coffee-growing regions of the world, gourmet cookies, toffees and nuts. A tea drinker would appreciate a selection of teas from different regions, a teapot and strainer and a fine china teacup. A tea or coffee gift basket could, in fact, be packed onto a decorated tray rather that a basket. Again, wrap the entire package in clear cellophane and tie a ribbon around it.

The contents of your gourmet gift basket are only limited by your imagination.

How long should a coffee percolator be left boiling?

I just got a percolator, the kind of coffee maker where you put it on the stove like a kettle and the water goes up through the metal basket when it boils. I know you have to boil it for a few minutes but I forget exactly. I only drink one cup of coffee in the morning but it has to be strong enough to win in a fistfight.

Proper perculating is eight minutes after the boil, lower your temperature and let perc. Also if you want stronger or weaker coffee you adjust the the timing of the perc after the boil.