Once a theme is settled upon, keep it consistent. For example my mother likes reading financial books, so for Christmas, one year, I bought her a small bookshelf, flipped it on it's side and filled it with several books, a book light, a magazine subscription, a custom bookmark and several gourmet snacks. I then holidayed it with a little ribbon. She loved it.

A gift for a young child could start off with a red wagon filled with more toys themed for kids "on the go". A football buff could receive a cooler with his favorite team's team logo on it. Then stuff it with jerseys, tickets, maybe an autographed football; really just let your imagination go.

If you're not sure about themed gift baskets, try it with a friend's gift first, to build up your confidence. After you see their positive reaction you will really find themed gift basket giving very appealing.

Maybe you'll get the gift basket bug and decide that the rest of the world should bear the fruits of your passion by starting your own gift basket business. Now that would make for a nice Christmas!

Heather writes for Schmeg.com. She operates All Gift Baskets & Chestnut Creek Gift Baskets