Glance through any grocer store ad to view beautiful fruit baskets priced from $2.50 to $3.23 per pound. That's a lot to spend on mostly apples, oranges and bananas! To make your own for a fraction of the cost:
- Stop by the Dollar Tree for baskets, gift basket wrap (or 2-ct bags), colored tissue paper and ribbon.
- View this week's "Holiday Food Stock Up List" for best prices on fresh fruit.
- With in a couple of days of distributing fruit, head to the grocery store(s) for apples, bananas, clementines, grapefruit, oranges and/or kiwi. (Add more expensive fruit in limited quantities for more variety).
At home, create an assembly line, if you are making multiple baskets.
- Set empty basket on cut sheet of gift basket wrap or in bag.
- Place tissue paper in bottom of basket (shred if desired).
- Carefully arrange hearty fruit in bottom of basket.
- Top with additional fruit, tucking in odd shaped items (like bananas) to support structure.
- Pull wrap (or bag) over fruit.
- Secure with ribbon.
- Add a bow if desired.
- Store in cool, dry location until ready to deliver.
