Adult Gift Baskets with a Twist!

When it comes to “Adult Gift Baskets” and “Date Night for Adults” we usually think of Saturday evening with no kids...a little beer...a little wine. We always think in terms of going out, as in “leaving” the house. Rarely do we think in terms of comics or popcorn at the movies, but when romance is in the air, any night of the week works, any type of activity and/or snack works, and staying in can be even more fun than going out.

Below see some gift basket ideas for Adult Gift Baskets and/or Adult Date Night—Monday through Friday. For these gift baskets, it doesn’t matter which of you is the giver or the receiver—both are sure to enjoy the evening together.

Monday Night Gift Baskets: “Movies All Night Long”

Container: a special popcorn bowl made from an old album

1. 3 or 4 “favorite” movies such as The Horse Whisperer and The Interpreter
2. Unshelled peanuts (and a packet of microwave popcorn for variety)
3. Coupon to Subway, or ingredients to make two subs
4. 6-pack of beer

Dump unshelled peanuts into the bowl and nestle items inside the peanuts. Then cover in shrink-wrap or plastic wrap so the peanuts don’t spill out. And don’t forget to add a huge bow to the mix. (Try and match the color of the bow to something inside the bowl. A red label on the beer? Use a red bow. Etc.)

Tuesday Night Gift Baskets: “Tuesdays for Two”

Container: one of your leftover Christmas gift baskets or any kind of unique gift basket

1. Romantic movies such as The Lake House and Just Like Heaven
2. Pair of men’s jammies (top for her, bottoms for him)
3. Champagne or wine
4. Two glasses
5. Hors d'oeuvres (shrimp and celery cocktails come to mind…)

A heart-shaped basket would be a neat unique gift basket, but don’t knock yourself out. Any basket will do. When romance is in the air, adults really don’t care about the shape of the basket—it’s the thought that counts. Tie a simple ribbon around the basket handle for decoration. (FYI: tonight would be a good night to break out that tube of red lipstick…)

Wednesday Night Gift Baskets: “Runaway Wednesday”

Container: cardboard suitcase

1. Bathing suits (or not)
2. Towels
3. Cheese and pretzels (unless you enjoy soggy food, keep the snacks far away from the water and all that splashing that’s bound to be going on)
4. Two bottles of wine or champagne (why bother with glasses…drink from the bottle…and for a festive look, tie a ribbon around the top of each bottle)

Obviously this gift basket would work best if you have a pool or hot tub. However, there’s something to be said about using your own bathtub for special evenings…just make sure you’ve got lots of towels to catch the overflow.

Thursday Night Gift Basket: “Retro Thursday”

Container: Use a “character” lunch pail

1. Two favorite “hard-to-come-by” comics (one for each of you)
2. Two small bottles of Coke or Welch’s Grape Soda (the old “small” bottles)
3. Bag of penny candy
4. Box of Bazooka gum

Be kids again, if only for one evening! Roll each comic up and tie with a ribbon. If the comics don’t fit into the lunch pail, roll them up anyway, and shove them through the handle. You can spend the night sharing comics and candy, and then see who can make the biggest bubble. (I’d suggest salted peanuts, too, but I’ve never been a fan of putting peanuts into my Coke bottle. Still…if it works for you, bring along a package of salted peanuts, too.) Make the evening complete with a 45-record player and a handful of your favorite oldies.

Friday Night Gift Basket: “Dinner and Drinks on the Back Porch”

Container: Large kettle

1. Ingredients needed for spicy chili
2. Two soup bowls and spoons
3. Half gallon of milk (to neutralize the spice) and two glasses
4. Crackers or a loaf of French bread
5. Citronella or scented candle (depending on the season and location)
6. Margarita “makings”
7. Nice big floral arrangement and a vase
8. Dessert (your choice)
9. Two sombreros

Plan this in advance—that way you’ll both be prepared. And make it a festive “hot” night! As soon as you get home from work, take the phone off the hook, shower, and put something comfortable on…then step into the kitchen. Just for fun, don a sombrero. Once you have the chili in the pot, sit on the back porch and relax with a cold margarita and watch the sun set. Later, light the candle and enjoy hot chili (with milk) and your equally hot partner. After dinner, as the fireflies flit to and fro, enjoy dessert together. Treat this evening as a time to rejuvenate your relationship. Enjoy a little small talk. Chitchat about nothing and everything. Enjoy each other’s company with no interruptions.

TIPS for a nice evening alone—just the two of you:

1.         Unplug the phone and the cell phone
2.         Focus on your partner
3.         Listen to your partner
4.         Be positive
5.         Expect to have a great time

Remember...

This is about adults remembering their fun side. This is about having a night that is free of kids, and yet is at home. It’s about enjoying some time together with a little popcorn and a handful of movies, a time to enjoy one another’s company without the worry of dress-up hassles, parking fees and tipping waiters. I mean really...who wouldn’t enjoy unwinding with a couple of comics and a glass of wine?

~Helen Kay Polaski

Helen Kay Polaski is addicted to giving! She began surprising neighbors with unique and personally tailored gift baskets when her children were still young. Twenty-five years later “gift basket giving” is a family tradition. When it comes to creating the perfect gift basket, Helen knows her stuff!