Valentine's Gift Baskets
Wicker Valentine's Gift Baskets
From Picnic Baskets for two to Wine Bottle Carriers or Hampers, our specially selected Valentine’s Day Wicker Hampers are a sustainable way of gifting that can always be reused or repurposed after the event. Made by hand from quick-growing Autumn Willow, our Valentine’s Gift Baskets are made from fibres that have grown over most of Asia and are always in supply. At Northern Willow, our gift packaging is part of the gift itself.
Below, we outline how to make a Valentine’s gift basket and what items you could add to make them more personal for the receiver, as well as answering your FAQs.
Valentine's Basket FAQs
All Valentine's baskets should be ordered no later than February 7th, so we have ample time to ship everything before the 14th of February. Any shrink-wrapped items can be ready within minutes after applying the wrap.
To wrap your Valentine's gift basket, Northern Willow arranges all the items inside and lines the basket, simplifying the process for you. Simply wrap the hamper in cellophane or clear wrapping paper, ensuring a snug fit, and secure it with a ribbon or decorative tape if desired.
Below, we will outline a few ways in which you can use some of our products to prepare a gift for someone this Valentine’s Day.
- A Packing Tray can be paired with a Shrinkable Bag and Woodwool to create hampers created by you, filled with their favourite jams, chocolates, drinks or sweets. Simply fill your basket with around 75g of wood wool and then nest other items around, ensuring they are positioned together to avoid too much movement in transit and all labels are facing forward.
- Then, carefully place the Valentine's gift basket into the shrink-wrap and tie it at the top with ribbon, string or wire. Once happy with the position of your items, carefully blow-dry the outer wrapper with a hair dryer. We recommend starting on medium heat at first on the lower half of the basket as the larger gap above your items is the most susceptible to scorching.
- Once your shrink-wrap has adhered to your basket enough to secure it in place, you are done!
As we detail in our blog post, wicker baskets are a beautiful way to present gifts for the people you love. Suitable for both him or her, wicker isn't something you open and then throw away, it is an addition to the gift itself. A box of cigars or a bottle of single malt are heightened when presented in our Oak Effect Wooden Box or a smaller box for cigars.
At Northern Willow, we understand that buying gifts for people can be a difficult task. Do you commit to one big item? Can you get away with an assortment of smaller gifts, without a main gift to accompany them? One of our Valentine’s Day Gift Baskets allows you to pack many smaller ideas under one ‘handmade by you’ selection, creating a single ‘hamper’ as a result. It’s the best of both worlds!
With that in mind, here are a few tips we’ve found over the years that have helped us in getting things right on the big day:
For Him:
For special occasions, men like to receive things that they wouldn't normally go out and buy themselves. Traditionally, men have received bespoke spirits, cigars or wine as part of a hamper, with items such as chocolates (especially chocolate liqueurs) or other fancy snacks making up the spaces in between.
Perhaps a more modern approach would not contain fewer preserves and more items intended to preserve instead. Moisturisers, hair products, aftershaves and perfumes are all warmly received by men who take care of their appearance.
Hobbies are also a fantastic route to follow if you are looking to find suitable items to give to the men in your life. Any hobby or special craft has a wide range of stocking-filler-style items that could be added to a hamper, such as golf balls, a new fishing lure or even a new game!
For Her:
Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to show love to that special person in your life. Here at Northern Willow, we think that anything designed and made by you personally makes any gift given that extra bit more special. A bespoke gift basket has traditionally been filled with jams, chocolates, chutneys or other indulgences; however, we think Valentine's Day might be better suited to a few other special additions.
Local cheeses, kinds of honey and chutneys could be found at your local farmers market, butchers or bakers. In addition, any local tourist attraction in your area would likely stock a regional variety of confectionery which can be reminiscent of childhood and would be extra appreciated.
Alternatively, a decent bottle of wine would fit into one of our packing trays with ease, paired with toiletries such as perfumes or moisturisers and day or night creams, depending on your partner's preference of course. Any hobby your partner has is also a great route to follow.
For more inspiration about how to create a Valentine's basket for your loved one, take a look at our article, ‘Valentine's Day Gift Ideas To Spread The Love’.