When you're struggling for a great gift idea - whether for a birthday, anniversary, Christmas or just because - gift baskets are almost always a sure bet. Sooner or later in life, everyone needs to buy a gift. But not everyone can come up with unique, cool, or even practical gift ideas. So when you're not sure what kind of gift to buy, gift baskets are a safe and sensible choice. The beauty of gift baskets is their universal appeal. Gift baskets can be given to men, women and children. In fact, they could well be the closest thing to the perfect gift, because they can be completely designed to suit the giver, recipient, occasion, time, and place.

When it comes to gift basket giving, keeping it traditional is often better. Your goal is to give gifts that someone wants or needs, right? Now imagine giving someone a whole basket full of gifts that they have no use for. Not only is this embarrassing for you - if and when you do find out - but it's extremely disappointing for the recipient.

So fuss and specialty aside, here's some traditional gift basket ideas that are sure to be hits:

Gourmet Gift Basket: The gourmet basket is the poster child of the gift basket industry. A gourmet gift basket typically includes chocolates, cookies, cheese, crackers, hard candies, nut mixes, and snacks - all presented in a beautiful wicker or reed basket. They come in various sizes, usually small to jumbo, and can range in price from thirty dollars to several hundred.

Fruit Basket: Who wouldn't want to receive a handsome wicker basket overflowing with luscious fruits such as Tangelos, Bartlett and Star Crimson pears, Fuji and Royal Gala apples, Bing cherries and more? Fruit excites the palate and warms the heart. And you can send a smorgasbord of premium fruit for under a hundred dollars.

Candle Basket: It's hard to go wrong with candles. The soothing glow and refreshing aroma of a lit candle has cast a spell. In fact, according to USA Today, consumers spent more than $8.4 million dollars last year on candles and home fragrances. That's a lot of wax! Mesmerizing, candles are indeed one of life's little luxuries and a top gift basket pick. One note of caution: gift basket retailers like to pair up candles with spa products and home decor. So, if you're looking for a candle-only basket, try visiting a candle speciality shop, and creating your own candle gift basket from scratch.

If you're struggling to find the perfect gift or just plain lost for time, a traditional gift basket is the ideal solution. They are the perfect way to say, "Happy Birthday, Congratulations, Thanks or Just Because."

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