Do you have someone on your gift list that is hard to buy for? Maybe they are somewhat fussy about colors or scents? A fruit basket is sure to please them as well as everyone else on your list.

Do It Yourself

To make a fruit basket for a gift, first you need a basket. One idea is to shop at the second hand store for good used baskets and then paint them in a suitable color. Of course red or green is suitable for Christmas, and white is always appropriate. Inside the basket, lay some shredded paper or colored "Easter grass." A pretty new dishtowel makes a nice liner, too.

A pineapple makes a striking central fruit for your arrangement in the fruit basket, but is your recipient likely to use it? Considering how tricky it is to cut and serve, it might be best to skip the pineapple and choose a nice melon if you can find one in season.

Otherwise, skip the large central fruit and simply arrange other seasonal fruits. Try to find the nicest fruits you can. Don't think of a fruit basket as an economy gift. Plan to splurge a little on the contents, and scrimp on the basket itself, if need be.

To choose a really juicy citrus fruit for the fruit basket, look for a shiny, moist-looking peel. An orange or lemon with a smooth peel that feels soft is almost always juicier and sweeter than a rough textured one that feels hard. If in doubt at all, peel and sample one of the batch you intend to use.

Sometimes a fruit can look luscious but be dry and flavorless inside. As for apples, red delicious are great when they are crisp and firm, but can be soft and mealy. Again, check one of the batch to be sure. The smaller Jonathans are more consistent, as are golden delicious. For the best effect, fill the fruit basket with a variety of colors and tartnesses.

Bananas are always enjoyed and are quite nutritious. Look for those at the peak of ripeness. Pears and peaches are nice to add to the fruit basket as well. Some nuts in the shell would be a nice addition, or you might like to add a small can or jar of shelled roasted nuts.

Pistacios and cashews are a treat for many people since they tend to be a little bit expensive. Perhaps your recipient would enjoy some packets of hot cocoa, flavored coffee mix, or microwave popcorn added to the fruit basket. For a special touch, add a fresh flower or two.

Finally, pull off a long sheet of colored plastic wrap or cellophane. Pull off another and lay it centered and perpendicular on top of the first. Set the filled fruit basket down in the center of the two sheets and gather it all up around the basket. Tie a piece of curling ribbon around the plastic wrap and create a bow. Trim the wrap if necessary to make a pretty pouf of plastic wrap on the top of the fruit basket.