The Basket Lady

In the Good Humor Town, folks are pushing their way through an uncertain economy, a vicious flu season, and a bitterly cold January; so to brighten things up; Basket Lady came across a poem composed by an anonymous author that imparts a gentle wisdom about The Way to a Happy New Year.

To leave the old with a burst of song;

To recall the right and forgive the wrong;

To forget the things that bind you fast

To the vain regrets of the year that’s past;

To have the strength to let go your hold

Of the not worth- while of the days grown old;

To dare go forth with a purpose true,

To the unknown task of the year that’s new;

To help your neighbor along the road,

To do a kind work and lift a heavy load;

To add your gift to the world’s good cheer,

Is to have and to give a Happy New Year.

To start off the New Year, Basket Lady has a recipe for a great gift basket.

Who doesn’t love a treat-filled gift basket-especially one that’s been put together just for you? Before you start, think about the basket as an experience, not just a collection of edibles. Pick a theme like “pasta night” and fill it with noodles, your favorite sauce, and a good bottle of olive oil and other fixings all tucked into a colander. Other popular themes include movie-night munchies or a chocolate basket.

Whatever theme you choose, get the right stuff. You can go all store-bought, all homemade or both, but be sure to mix big and little items, and look for small, wallet-friendly goodies to fill empty spots.

Dollar stores can be great places to snag a deal on teas, spices, and little jars of jam, mustard, or other condiments.

Plan the arrangement so that items are staggered and for a pleasing-effect. Place larger things behind smaller ones, heavier ones beneath lighter ones.

And don’t place two breakable jars or containers next to each other. Separate them with other objects and shredded paper. Think outside the basket.

If you use baskets, avoid those big handles across the top; they can get in the way when you’re arranging. Or let the theme of your “basket” guide your choice of vessel: boxes, tins, mixing bowls, ice buckets, colanders and platters make good choices. Look for affordable ones at flea markets or Dollar stores.

To keep goodies from getting lost inside a deep container, create a false bottom: place a small, empty cardboard box or a Styrofoam block in the bottom. Cover with shredded paper, and tuck in gifts so that they are propped up and nicely displayed.

Tie a big ribbon around a large colander or enclose it with shrink wrap. To “shrink” just heat with a hair dryer.

Give your Happy New Year recipe basket to someone today and they’ll thank you very kindly.

Basket Lady’s theme is to: Get a basket-Give a basket.

We miss your kindness every day, Dot Sanchas! Until then, smile and live in the present.