As holidays roll around, it can be hard to figure out what to get someone—especially that person that is consistently hard to shop for. Think about those family members who insist they don’t need anything (looking at you, Mom) or the coworker whose name you drew for Secret Santa you don’t know much about. These people can be hard to shop for. 

But do you want to know a great gift that never goes out of style? Champagne. 

Champagne is the classic go-to celebratory drink from the cellars of France that even the people who claim they don’t drink will partake in at weddings or other special family celebrations. It truly does bring a whole group together. 

One of the best ways to give the gift of Champagne is in the form of a gift basket. Wine gift baskets are a great way to personalize the Champagne and deliver it in a fun way. Unlike beer gift baskets or snack-based baskets, Champagne gift baskets bring a level of elegance not often seen in a gift. 

The best part is, gift baskets are easier to make than you think, even though Champagne gift ideas make it seem like you put in a ton of effort. 

Here are our top tips, tricks, and ideas to create your very own Champagne gift basket and show your generosity for any occasion. 

Pick a Theme 

It may seem like an unnecessary step, but picking a theme is the best place to start when crafting a gift basket from scratch. 

Figure out if the Champagne gift basket is for a specific event like a birthday, a holiday, a wedding, or even a company party. Finding this information out will help you narrow down a price point for your basket and help aid in decorations.

For example, suppose your gift basket is going to a Christmas office party and you decorate it with “Happy Birthday” ribbons or delicate white flowers like you would find at a wedding. In that case, it may not be appropriate for the event. 

The theme doesn't need to be anything huge; just a simple holiday or a color palette is a great place to start when you begin planning. 

Building Your Basket: The Basics

When building your basket, it is important to choose everything else based on the Champagne. You can, of course, go with a sparkling wine from Italy like prosecco or Sekt from Germany, but none are so classic as Champagne. 

Champagnes come in various sweetnesses, so note how sweet your choice will be. You should also pay attention to the bouquet of the Champagne you choose—if there are notes of oranges, apricot, and strawberry on the nose, include foods that pair well with those fruits. If it’s ripe with vanilla and citrus fruit scents, consider gourmet foods like specialty cookies for your gift recipient to enjoy. 

The key to a good basket is balance. You want Champagne to be the star, but you need other small bite options to really make that Champagne shine. Most gift baskets with Champagne also have a variety of snack foods that pair well with the Champagne highlighted. 

While many food pairings go well with Champagne, you need to be extra specific when creating a gift basket. You want to include foods that the recipient will enjoy, as well as elegant treats that match the feel of the basket overall. 

Here are our recommendations for food pairings depending on the Champagne you pick for your gift basket. 

If you pick a Brut Champagne, we recommend you pair it with: 

• Fruit-based tarts or any other kind of honeyed desserts 
• Shortbread cookies 
• Buttered popcorn
• Hard Salami and other meats
  
  

If you opt for a Rosé Champagne here’s the best gourmet fare to pair it with: 

• Chocolates 
• Raspberries
• Any chocolate-covered fruit, like cherries 
• Sweet breads and cookies
  
  

If you go the untraditional route and include a pack of Ohza Mimosas in your gift basket, here’s what we recommend pairing them with: 

• Dried fruits 
• Hard cheeses with crackers
• Nut medleys
• Graham crackers 
  
  

If the person you are buying the gift basket for has a sweet tooth, Rose is the best choice for them. If you are unsure of the person's palate preferences, opting for a Brut or Extra Brut Champagne is a good idea. The possibilities are endless, but it's a good idea to shoot for simplicity when it comes to the foods in your baskets. 

Also, you don't have to spend lots of money to make it worthwhile! Focus the majority of your budget on the Champagne itself, and then add some small things here and there to round it off. 

Organizing Your Basket

Now that you’ve got everything decided, it's time to pack it all in. Organizing your basket may be a little unconventional at first, but there are a few easy ways that you can fit everything in and still wrap up easily and aesthetically. 

Start with the heaviest items on the bottom or near the back, and then layer upwards. Build up and around your basket in an aesthetic way to feature the Champagne and add that extra touch that any gift receiver will love.

Keep your items and food pairings to around 5-15 items so as not to overwhelm your gift receiver or the basket itself. 

Speaking of baskets, choosing the right one for your event is just as important as the items that go in it. You may want to avoid a small pail or ice bucket for this gift, even though it seems like a good idea. Opt for a big wicker basket that can easily hold your Champagne and all your goodies. If you’re feeling fancy, opt for a wicker tote.

By putting extra care into the setup and design of your Champagne basket, your gift receiver will appreciate the effort you put into it. 

Wrapping the Basket

Believe it or not, there are easy ways to gift wrap your own baskets, just like the ones you find in grocery stores or boutiques. You don’t have to jump through hoops or spend hundreds of dollars to wrap up your gift basket. Here’s what you need:

• Shrink wrap bags
• A bow
• A hairdryer 
  
  

It’s super easy to do, so here’s how it’s done. 

Using shrink wrap is actually your best option because it reduces the chance of heat or other damage to your product. Plus, the shrink wrap, when used properly, has a smooth finish. Wrap the bag over the basket and cut a piece of cardboard to secure the bottom half.

Next, apply heat to the shrink wrap using a hairdryer in slow, sweeping motions. These motions ensure that no heat damage comes to the bag from holding it too close or moving the hairdryer too fast. 

Pro tip: Heat the edges of the wrap first and work your way up the basket. 

This is a super easy and affordable way to wrap your gift basket at home. It is an extra little touch of class and professionalism that whoever is receiving this gift basket will be truly flattered by. When it comes to gift-giving, it never hurts to add personal touches. 

Finish the basket off by adding your favorite bow. Voila! You’ve just made a professional quality gift basket using things you most likely already had around the house. It’s fair to say that you just won the holiday gift exchange for years to come. 

Gift That Keeps on Giving

Like mentioned previously, a Champagne gift basket is a personal gift that your gift receiver will remember for years to come. You can personalize it as much as you would like with the type of wine, snacks, and decorations you include. It is a thoughtful and intentional way to give someone a gift that they will use and enjoy, even if they are not someone that you know super well. 

If nothing else, the receiver will remember the effort and time you put into making their Champagne gift basket one of a kind. Whether it’s for relatives, a good coworker or boss, or any of the other important people in your life, they’re sure to appreciate this thoughtful gift. It’s simple, fun, and aesthetically pleasing, and it’s a better way to show you care. 

Next time you are stumped on what to bring to a White Elephant exchange or a housewarming party, consider making a Champagne gift basket that will set you and your gift aside from the rest. And if you really want to take it to the next level, including a Mango Mimosa or a Classic Bellini will wow any recipient. 

Sources: 

How to Make a Gift Basket (+ Our Best Gift Basket Ideas) | Taste of Home 

Champagne and Sparkling Wine Food Pairings | The Spruce Eats

How To Make a Gift Basket -- Instructions for PTO & PTA Leaders | PTO Today