Stylish Six: Custom Gift Baskets

Filed under: Best Of, Shop — StyleGuide @ 8:35 pm

Gift basket prices always seem inflated for just a bunch of stuff packed in wicker.  Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your own.

First, try unique local fillers:

1.  Galco’s Soda Pop Stop:  Family owned and operated since forever, Galco’s carries 400 different sodas, plus unique beers from around the world and a collection of old-fashioned candy.  Last year we filled a cooler with a ton of “nostalgic” pop from the Highland Park landmark — it made a fun gift for an office. 

2.  San Antonio Winery:  Yes, Virginia, there is an L.A. wine country.  Established in 1917, San Antonio is the city’s only producing winery, still in its original location near downtown.  Bottles run $6 and up.

3.  Gust Picolas Nut Company:  It’s not much to look at (see photo), but inside the factory store at this downtown L.A. packaging facility is an affordable selection of nuts and dried fruit (including neat stuff like dried strawberries). Get buzzed in at the front door, then choose generous packages of smoked almonds for $4.25 or peanut brittle for $3.25.

4.  A1 Imported Groceries:  Fill your basket with Italian imports like tapenade and salami, sold at this San Pedro gem at low low prices.  Read more about how much I love A1 here.

5.  Papa Cristo’s:  An institution near downtown sells imported goods perfect for gift baskets, but I’d go for the bakery’s wide selection of rich, sweet, flaky baklava.

6.  Fruit from The Farmer’s Market:  Hit the stands at Third and Fairfax for beautiful and unique fresh fruit. 

Honorable Mention

Ross:  As a mega chain, they can’t crack the top six, but this is a great place for inexpensive baskets.  Find piles of them — usually at the back of the store.

Second, assemble your basket with these three tricks:  a.) Gifts don’t actually go inside the basket — fill the basket to the top with stuffing and set the gifts so they seem to hover above the basket, b.) choose a smaller basket, and pack in the gifts, and c.) wrap with that crinkly cellophane they sell at the drug store.

A more personal, handmade gift basket on the cheap — and you don’t need a crafty bone in your body.

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