How to Make a Self-Care Basket Special

Gift items on a marble surface with tea, chocolate, honey and a Turkish towel.

How to Make A Self-Care Basket Special

What is a self-care basket?

We consider ourselves experts at all things gift baskets — after all, we’ve been at it since 2006. A gift basket is a classic, go-to gift with a significant impact. And they’re perfect as self-care gifts since a gift basket is all about enjoyment and (well-deserved!) indulgence.

Looking for self-care basket ideas? We’ve outlined a few different situations when a self-care basket could make a perfect gift, some suggestions on what to include, and a few key considerations to remember when putting together or choosing your perfect gift basket. That way, you can gift an incredible self-care basket to whoever needs it.

Why do self-care baskets make great gifts?

A self-care basket invites you to slow down, unwind, and care for yourself. It comes packed with thoughtful goodies and treats and is adaptable—whether it’s for new parents who need a break or a care package for a sick friend, there are plenty of occasions where a gift basket can be just the thing.

Gift baskets also make exceptional gifts because they can be customized, but they also remove a lot of the guesswork and stress that can come with gift-giving. Instead of the pressure of picking out that one perfect, unique item, you can give a range of small items that suit the person’s interests and situation. Plus, who doesn’t love unpacking and discovering all the goodies in a gift basket?

Gift items on a table with tea, honey, chocolate and soap.

How to create the perfect self-care basket

If you’re putting together your self-care basket from scratch, you’ll want to take a few moments to think through a few things before you start. Once you decide on the direction you want to take, you can get to the fun part — picking out all of the great things you want to include!

1. Customize with a theme

Not all self-care gift baskets are created equal — and they shouldn’t be! The most impactful gift basket is one that feels personal and special. The first step to creating the perfect gift basket is to consider who it’s for. What are their hobbies? Is there anything you know they love? Do they have any other preferences to keep in mind?

Choosing a theme that fits with them and what they love can be a great approach. If you know they love relaxing with a good movie, you could gift them a movie night-themed gift basket. Or, if they can’t get their hands on enough chocolate, you could opt for a chocolate theme and pack a gift basket full of a selection of tasty chocolate bites.

Bringing these personal elements into your self-care gift basket can help make it feel unique and genuinely meaningful.

2. Establish a budget

One of the top things to be aware of is your budget. Thinking it through in advance can help make the whole gift basket-making process much easier. To help simplify your shopping, consider the total budget and how much you want to spend on each item in your self-care basket.

If your budget is low, know that it’s entirely possible to put together an impactful gift basket on a budget! From homemade treats to a thoughtful card, don’t be swayed by a low budget — sometimes it just takes a dose of creativity to create something unique.

3. Add a personal touch

Beyond the items in the gift basket, adding a personal note can go a long way. A thoughtful handwritten message makes a big difference—write your best wishes or whatever other sentiment feels right and appropriate.

If it makes sense, you could even consider adding a photo to accompany it if your gift basket is a friend; an old photo of both of you attached to a handwritten note is a great way to warm their spirits.

Spa gift items that include candle, bath salts, eye mask, tea, and chocolate.

What to Put in a Self-Care Basket

If you’re looking for ideas of what to include, we’ve compiled a short list to inspire you. But remember that the best gift feels right for the person you’re gifting it to — consider what you know they like and would appreciate. Any personal touches that you can add may make an impact!

Self-care basket for a friend or (a sick friend)

Have a friend who needs a bit of extra care and consideration? Whether they’re sick at home or need something to cheer them up, there are plenty of options for self-care basket ideas.

Consider cozy options like a bath bomb, a mug, a candle, or a blanket. If your friend is stuck at home, making a few small changes to make it a cozier setting can go a long way.

When looking at food options, keep in mind any dietary preferences and that a friend might be looking for something particularly healthy if they’re not feeling well — like a nutritious snack, some herbal tea, or some local honey. If you know they might be low on groceries, you could even include a gift card to a grocery delivery service or stop and pick up a few basics you know they’ll enjoy.

Baby gift items that include baby shoes, toys, a book, baby care items, and snacks for parents.

Self-care basket for new parents

It’s no secret — new parents are busy. And, it couldn’t be easier for them to let their own self-care fall by the wayside (understandably!). A self-care basket for a new parent could include time savers to make their lives easier. Consider including some pre-made pasta sauces, jams, and spreads for breakfast or a bag of locally roasted coffee beans to fuel them on busy mornings. Even though these might not be as exciting, they truly can be acts of care by giving the gift of time.

Or, you could offer new parents a spa gift basket featuring a selection of items to enjoy the next time they have a moment to spare. Maybe it’s some bubble bath, a quality chocolate bar, or an issue of a magazine you know they love — whatever you choose, think about what’ll make them feel the most relaxed and restored.

Self-care basket for employees and clients

Your employees and clients work hard, and a self-care basket can be a great gift to encourage relaxation and taking a little (well-deserved!) work break. When gifting a self-care basket for employees and clients, keep it professional and stick to tried-and-true classics. Consider adding a blanket, some tea, and a cozy mug to encourage a relaxing evening at home. You could also add a few treats for them to snack on — a bar of dark chocolate, some crackers, or tortilla chips. When gifting food, keep in mind any possible dietary restrictions to help ensure that they can enjoy the gift basket fully.

Gift and home items on a marble surface, including tea, soap, honey, a candle, a scrub brush, and a Turkish.

Our Self-Care Baskets

At Saul Good Gift Co., we specialize in gift baskets, including self-care baskets. We’ve invested time in sourcing some of the best-made and thoughtful goods from across Canada to create incredible gift baskets—the kind that people can’t wait to open and really savour.

Our selection includes food-focused gift baskets, like the Local Gourmand — filled with the kind of treats that make a long day just a bit sweeter.

Staycation gift basket with chocolate, tea, honey, a candle, and sustainable gift packaging.

Our Staycation gift basket is packed with self-care goodies, such as a blue lavender latte blend, small-batch honey, a scented candle, and more. Or, take it up a notch with the No Place Like Home gift basket, which features hand-picked home essentials like a throw blanket, tea, a cheeseboard, and more.

Our Mama and Me gift basket is a thoughtful gesture for new parents. It includes a few nourishing snacks, a book to read together, and more, carefully chosen to help jumpstart their next chapter.

All our gift baskets feature locally sourced items, each hand-picked by our team based on our values. We’re also proud to offer sustainable packaging in all of our gift baskets made from 100% recycled cardboard — to create more care for our communities and our planet.