Christmas Candy Gift Basket

Christmas Candy gift baskets make a great Christmas gifts. They can be as elaborate or as simple as you like and you can individualize them to make them fit your budget.  One of the really great things about these baskets is that they can be made any size you need, depending on the situation.  You can make a huge basket of mixed fudge, chocolate, and nuts for that special person in your life and make a smaller basket (or even fill a festive coffee mug) for co-workers, teachers, and other people that you want to give gifts to.

Containers

Gift baskets can be made from real baskets or about any other item that works as a container. Some possibilities are:

• Coffee mugs
• Christmas stockings
• Bowls
• Hat boxes
• Casserole dish
• Vintage candy jar

Really, the options are limitless

You will need to decide if you will be making your own candy, buying candy or a combination of the two for your gift basket.

Easy Homemade Candy Recipes

If you want to make candy, stick with easy types unless you are very experienced at candy making. Fudge, melt and pour chocolates, and brittles are some of the easiest candies to make. Here are some recipes you might want to look at:

Cranberry Nut Bark

Fudge

Classic Bourbon Balls

Rudolph's Antlers

Orange Gumdrops

Pralines

Where to Buy Candy

If you want to buy candy you can certainly do it locally but it is fun to look on the Internet for unique types of candy. Some websites have candies from decades past that would be an especially well received gift; imagine giving someone their favorite candy from childhood.

Here are some sites to check out:

CandyDotCom

Candy.com has all kinds of candies in bulk, many of which you probably haven't see before. Get M &M's in holiday colors for the classic approach or try some of these candies in your basket.

• Organic
• Razzles
• Turkish Taffy
• Chunky
• Taffy of all kinds
• Sugar free

Candy Warehouse

Candy Warehouse carries every kind of candy that you can imagine. There are wonderful choices for baskets or if you are planning to make a gingerbread house.

• Jelly Beans
• Candy Rocks
• Candy Buttons
• Necco Conversation Hearts any time of the year
• Cracker Jack in bulk

Old Time Candy

Old Time Candy has a huge selection of nostalgic favorites from the 1950s through the 1980s.

• Jawbreakers
• Oh Henry! Bars
• Charm Pops
• Black Jack Gum
• Sugar Daddy
• Teaberry Gum

You will need to put a piece of Styrofoam in the bottom of your container to lift the contents up to the top. This will make it look lush and full and it will give you the ability to wire some of the items to hold them in place.

Be sure to add more than candy. A coffee mug or vintage tea cup makes a nice addition, as does a vintage candy dish. Think of the recipient's interests when you choose the other items you want in the basket.

Cover the Styrofoam with shredded paper and place the largest items in the basket first. Arrange them in the way you like best. Secure with floral wire if desired.

Once you have the largest pieces in you will want to arrange the smaller items in a pleasing manner.  Cover the container with cellophane and secure it with tape at the top. Cover the tape with a ribbon.

Keep the supplies handy for making these so that you can have a gift at a moment's notice. A Christmas candy gift basket is a welcome gift for anyone with a sweet tooth.