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Make A Gift Basket
Just in Time for the Holidays

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Just in time for holiday giving...
A Decorated Gift Basket

Gift baskets are very popular this time of year. Here is an easy way to brighten up a simple basket with dried flowers for giving as a holiday gift. The colorful flowers nestled into a bed of green moss transform the basket into an attractive container. Whether filled with treasures or completely empty, these baskets are a real hit.

Any size basket can be used along with almost any size and type of dried flower. Keep the size of the basket in mind when selecting dried flowers. Even though only the flower heads are used scale is important to the overall appearance.

MATERIALS

You will need a basket, craft glue, sheet moss, dried flowers of your choice, a flat stick, and scrap paper. Work on a protective surface such as a few layers of newspaper.

	1. Pour a generous amount of craft glue onto a piece of cardboard or folded scrap paper. This is easiest done by removing the entire cap from the glue container. 2. Using a flat stick, spread craft glue along the rim of the basket. Let the glue drip slightly down the inside and outside of the basket. These drips will hold material and will be concealed when finished. (Wipe up excessive drips before they dry with a damp sponge or paper towel.)
	3. Firmly press pieces of sheet moss to the glued area. Squeeze the moss tightly against the basket. Continue until the rim is completely covered with moss. If any pieces of moss flap around loosely, lift them gently and spread more glue beneath them using the stick. Let dry or, as long as the moss stays in place, you may continue while the glue is drying.
	4. Begin with a small, light dried flower such as gypsophila. Pinch off several small clusters of flowers from the main stem. These clusters should be 1/2 to 1 inch tall depending on the size of your basket. Be sure to leave at least 1/4 inch of stem on the small clusters to be inserted into the moss. Dip each stem into the glue and carefully insert it into the moss.
	5. Continue gluing the base flowers, one at a time, into the moss around the rim of the basket. 6. Pinch off the flowers of other dried flowers of your choice. Dip each stem into the glue and insert the flower into the moss, covering as densely as you wish. Add a bow if desired.

You do not have to cover the entire surface with all of the flowers you choose to include. On our basket, only gypsophila covers the entire rim, while a petite cluster of Sea Lavender, African Daisy, Yarrow, and Globe Amaranth appears to grow along the left side of the handle.

Some Dried Flowers That Work Particularly Well
These can be purchased from craft stores or florists, but many of them can be grown and dried right at home. Plan for it next summer!