How to Create a Farmers Market Gift Basket
The Neighborhood Farmers Markets is also offering pre-made gift baskets this year!
Special thanks to our Director of Marketing Sarah Schu for sharing her gift basket inspiration!
If you’re anything like us this year, your holiday gifting and #jollifying is happening on a budget. One great way to get creative and add a personal flair to your giving, without breaking the bank, is by making farmers market gift baskets! It’s easy to save by getting shelf stable products in bulk at your local market, and dividing them into multiple gifts. Read on to learn our tips and tricks for creating lovely market gift baskets.
First things first, set the mood! Grab yourself a warm, (or stiff), beverage, and throw on some tunes. Does anyone else have A Charlie Brown Christmas on repeat this time of year?
Next, gather all your your packing supplies. This can include baskets or boxes, jars, baggies, and festive embellishments like candy canes or rosemary sprigs. Also be sure you have paper, scissors, string or ribbon, and markers or pens. Inexpensive baskets, jars, and other supplies can be found at your local GoodWill, or Daiso!
Once all your supplies are ready, source your gift items. Go for variety, think sweet and savory, edible and not, and if sending long distance, keep shelf-stability in mind. Also curate variety in kitchen staples and special treats; market fresh flour goes a long way, while a chocolate bar can be enjoyed in a sweet moment.
Available at the University District, West Seattle and Capitol Hill farmers markets.
For gift basket-ing on a budget, buy items in bulk and divide among multiple gifts. You can find dried peppers at Tonnemakers, flour at Oh Yeah Farm, and this time of year, variety packs from several processors like Salt Blade Meats and many of our honey vendors. Items like these can be easily split into smaller jars or bags to stretch across multiple baskets.
Totes and aprons available at your market info booth.
Make your basket even more personal by adding market totes or aprons from your neighborhood farmers market! Items like these are cute and useful, and your loved one will think of you whenever they use them.
Cards available from Olympia based artist Nikki McClure.
This is also a great opportunity to support local artists! Write your well wishes in a card designed by a Seattle creative. We’re all for supporting local farmers, local food artisans, and local artists!
Packing the basket:
Step 1: Create a base so all the goodies sit near the top. Use leftover brown paper, tissue paper, or whatever you have on hand! In a pinch, shredded newspaper or shredded paper bags make a sweet looking nest.
Pictured here: Salt Blade Meats salami, Steel Wheel Farm honey, Holmquist Hazelnuts split into two containers I had on hand, Patty Pan Cooperative chocolate, Marzipankartoffeln from Kaffeeklatsch, and teas from Harbor Herbalist. Basket sourced from Goodwill.
Step 2: Using your string and paper, create tags for each of your jars so folks know whats inside and how to use it. Be sure to list the farms and makers, instructions for use, and any other info you think would be fun to include! (Location of farm, favorite ways to use the product, etc…) The more detail you provide, the more narrative and personal the gift becomes.
Step 3: Play around with arrangements! Half the fun of a gift basket is looking inside and seeing all these beautiful items on display. How can you get creative with arrangements?
Step 4: Add your greeting card to the basket and slip in a festive little embellishment! It can be as simple as tying a sprig of rosemary to a candy cane.
Remember, your gift basket or box can be as complex or simple as you like! You can add seven or two items, all will be appreciated and make someone’s day this holiday season.