The loss of a loved one is a difficult experience that can happen to anyone. Going through this sad period needs the care and support of family and friends. Visits, kind words, prayers, and condolence messages can all bring some comfort. If you want to take your support a step further, consider giving a physical gift. Sympathy gift baskets are the perfect way to express support to the bereaved.

In this article, we talk about creating sympathy gift baskets:

  • What is a sympathy gift basket?
  • Why should you consider creating your own basket?
  • Sympathy gift basket ideas

What Is a Sympathy Gift Basket?

Gift baskets have been around for a long time. They come in different shapes and sizes. They can also cover different themes and apply to different events of life. One of the best things about Gift baskets is that they contain many different elements and treats. These gifts are easy to find in a store or online, but creating them from scratch is also a viable option that we discuss in the next section.

During a time of loss, there are no words of sympathy than can lift the pain completely. All the same, the grieving need the presence, love, and support of their community. There are different sympathy gifts than can be given. Flowers, candles, keepsakes, and garden stones are just some of many unique options. Sympathy gift baskets make great gifts during this time because they are loaded with different items and are a tangible and practical gift.

Just like other gift basket, sympathy gift baskets can take on a particular theme. They can be filled with fruit or food items. They can contain a mixture of items. Think of them as a care package for the bereaved. The recipients always appreciate them.

Why Should You Consider Creating Your Own Basket?

As already mentioned, it’s not difficult to find a sympathy gift basket. You can pick up or order a ready to go fruit basket or other sympathy basket. Online ordering options may also allow you to customize what goes into the basket. Similarly, creating a gift basket on your own is much easier to do than you might think. All you need is a sturdy basket and a range of useful items to fill it with.

Why should you take the extra time and effort to create a gift basket from scratch? That’s a fair question. Creating the basket allows you to decide what goes in and what stays out. When you are giving the gift basket to someone you know closely, be it a family member or friend, you are privy to their tastes and interests. You can personalize their gift in a way that no retailer could ever do. If you know that they are particularly fond of a certain brand of chocolate, you can include that. If you know which fruits they can’t stand, you can leave those out if you are including fruits in the basket. There’s just something about a hand-crafted gift and the detail that goes with it that speaks love and care. If you have the time to make one, a personalized, perfectly curated sympathy gift basket could be the perfect give to lift their spirits.

Sympathy Gift Baskets Ideas

We’ve talked a lot about what sympathy gift baskets are and why you might want to create them. Now, let’s get into the details of where you can start and what you can put into it. There really is no perfect gift basket. You can center it around anything and include whatever you deem fit. Because you know the intended recipient personally, you can carefully craft a gift basket that they are sure to love.

Our goal is to give you some ideas and a starting point for creating a personalized gift basket. Below are some ideas of items you can add to the basket of treats. Remember that a person in a time of grieving can be so overwhelmed by their loss that they may neglect to eat properly and keep themselves energized. They can forget about their needs and daily upkeep. This is where you can step in with a considerate gift and help take care of some of these issues. Your love is sure to be appreciated.

  • Food items- Adding food and snack items to sympathy gift baskets is very common and with good reason. There is no more practical means to take care of someone who is facing this sad season of life. Think about the kind of food and snacks the person enjoys eating. Pre-packaged items are great to include because other food items can go bad without anyone paying attention to them. The bereaved may not have much of an appetite, but they are probably going to have many people around them who could also benefit from these food items.
  • Spa and cosmetics- Help the bereaved relax and take care of them by including some spa items. Scented candles, sleep aids, essential oil, and bath salts can all help them to relax in what can be a very stressful time.
  • Memorial gift- Besides all the food and spa items, think about including something that endures. A traditional memorial gift is a great addition that outlasts the rest of the items in a typical sympathy gift basket. There are lots of options here. You can give a plaque, an ornament, a photo frame, garden stones or chimes, just to name a few. If possible, you can even have these inscribed.

You can also think about including a condolences card with your gift. Once you are done with putting all the items together, you just need a sturdy basket and a covered for the basket. There are many places to find a good basket. Find one in a subtle color, which is large enough to carry all the items you have picked.

Giving sympathy gift baskets is a great way to provide a range of practical gifts for someone in a period of mourning. While you can buy these from many places, you can also tailor-make them for the specific person you want to give.