BUSHELS OF GIFTS FROM THE HEART MIX AND MATCH FOR A CUSTOMIZED BASKET THAT'S SURE TO PLEASE.

Byline: Natalie Haughton Food Editor

Gifts from the kitchen always seem to have that personal touch. If you're still searching for gift ideas, why not put together a basket?

Gift a favorite aunt with a soup and bread basket, a teacher with an appetizer or meal-kit basket, a good friend with a chocolate lover's basket or a favorite family with a movie basket this holiday season.

``Gifts of food are always appreciated,'' says Diane Phillips of San Diego, who started making gift baskets more than 20 years ago, when her two children were young and she didn't have much disposable income. ``Whether it's a basket of homemade cookies or a bundt pan filled with cake mixes, a food gift is sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone who receives it.

``Whether you have a few dollars to spend or can afford a lot more, baskets are gifts to give from your heart and home, and they reflect that you have given some thought, time and effort to show the recipients how much you appreciate them,'' she says.

Making and giving gifts baskets is still part of Phillips' life. So much so, in fact, that she has updated and expanded her book, ``The Perfect Basket,'' originally published in 1994. The new, recently released edition, ``The Perfect Basket, How to Make a Fabulous Gift Basket for Any Occasion'' (Harvard Common Press; $17.95), features more than 60 themed, special-occasion baskets (most nonfood) and 30 food baskets along with color photos of many of them and more than 100 recipes.

``Today, (store-bought) gift baskets are a $2.8 billion industry - a pretty staggering figure if you know how much each item in a basket is typically worth,'' notes Phillips.

At Fancifull Gift Baskets in Hollywood, co-owners Terry and Wally August, who started the company 18 years ago, make and sell more than 20,000 gift baskets (ranging from $40 to $4,000) a year. More than 5,000 are sold during the holiday season.

If you make your own baskets, though, ``you can save between 40 and 50 percent, depending on where you shop and the quality of the items going into the basket,'' points out Phillips.

When making your own baskets, ``get one or two fine things, to make a great impact,'' advises Terry. ``Don't cut corners,'' adds Wally.

``If you only have a $20 budget, send a great box of chocolate or a tin of cookies,'' adds Terry. For $30, the shop offers an afternoon snack gift, and for $75 a photo storage box filled with ready-to-eat gourmet food - good chocolates, cheese, bruschetta in a jar, oatmeal cookies and olives. ``Our baskets tend to have a little bit of everything - starting with appetizers and moving through to dessert,'' says Terry.

Gift baskets can be creative and easy, even for novices. Start by tailoring your baskets to the recipients' food likes.

Feel free to use all store-bought food items or mix and match homemade items you bake or make, dry mixes you stir up and prepared ready-to-eat foods you buy. Combine them with anything that strikes your fancy, like a CD or DVD of the season. Dry mixes, gifted with recipes attached for using them, are a good option if you don't have time to do any cooking.

``If you're doing something very personal for friends, make something you do well - like cookies or scones. That sets your gift apart from the store-bought ones,'' advises Terry. ``Picking a theme is a good idea because it gives you a place to start. If someone loves Italy, give them an Italian basket.''

Another idea is to give someone a moment - a tea basket with tea, a mug and a book or magazine - so they can brew the tea, put their feet up and read for a few minutes.

Candles are popular in baskets, but if you're placing them in a food basket, make sure they are unscented.

``Chocolate baskets and film and movie baskets are popular this year,'' adds Wally. Last year, it was martini baskets.

A junk-food or guilty-pleasures basket - filled with Snickers, Butterfingers, Moon Pies, frosted animal cookies and such - also has numerous takers.

Cheese is another big food item this year, adds Terry. Give a cheese plate or cutting board with a pecorino or Fontina and a bottle of prosecco - or give some great American cheeses. Spanish foodstuffs - like Iberico and manchego cheeses, wine, marcona almonds and olives - are also in demand.

``For containers, we use everything under the sun,'' says Terry. ``Besides baskets, we are doing a lot of chests, trunks and trays.'' Hat boxes, gold chargers, fancy ceramic containers, cake pans, woks and such are other options.

Use cellophane and wired ribbon for a finished, professional look.

``Be careful not to go overboard - or you won't save a lot of money,'' points out Phillips, who gives 25 baskets during the holidays. Give yourself a target or budget for each basket.

Phillips advocates baking and freezing bar cookies and preparing assorted mixes (spice, soup, etc.) in advance. Then, the week of Christmas, she assembles and delivers three or four baskets a day.

Natalie Haughton, [phone]

natalie.haughton(at)dailynews.com

FIESTA HERB BLEND

1/4 cup chili powder

1/4 cup ground cumin 

2 tablespoons garlic salt

2 tablespoons dried oregano 

2 tablespoons dried minced onions

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container and label with a 6-month expiration date. Use to make Fiesta Herb Dip or Fiesta Herb Dressing or to rub on fish, chicken or other meats before grilling or broiling. Makes about 1 cup.

FIESTA HERB DIP: In a large bowl, stir together 2 cups sour cream, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup finely shredded mild Cheddar cheese and 3 tablespoons Fiesta Herb Blend (above). Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 3 days. Serve with fresh vegetables and tortilla chips. Makes about 3 1/4 cups.

FIESTA HERB DRESSING: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (lowfat is OK), 1/2 cup milk and 2 tablespoons Fiesta Herb Blend (above). Pour into a bottle and refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 3 days. Makes about 2 cups.

From ``The Perfect Basket: How to Make a Fabulous Gift Basket for Any Occasion,'' by Diane Phillips.

SPICY LENTIL SOUP MIX

A little cayenne spices up this comforting soup.

2 cups lentils

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon garlic powder

4 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules OR 4 chicken bouillon cubes, crumbled

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container and label with a 3-month expiration date. Use to make Spicy Lentil Soup. Makes about 2 1/4 cups.

SPICY LENTIL SOUP: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Add 1 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped carrot, 1/2 cup sliced celery and 1/2 pound kielbasa OR other smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds, and saute until vegetables soften and sausage renders some of its fat. Remove any excess fat from pan and add 1 package Spicy Lentil Soup Mix (above). Stirring, cook spices 1 minute. Add 8 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, cover and simmer about 1 1/2 hours, until lentils are tender. Remove bay leaf and serve immediately. Makes 6 servings.

From ``The Perfect Basket: How to Make a Fabulous Gift Basket for Any Occasion,'' by Diane Phillips.

CITRUS SPICED TEA MIX

1/2 cup black tea leaves

12 whole cloves

1 teaspoon dried orange peel

1/2 teaspoon dried lemon peel

6 whole allspice berries

3 (1/2-inch) cinnamon sticks, crushed

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in an airtight container and label with a 3-month expiration date. Use to make Citrus Spiced Tea. Makes about 3/4 cup.

CITRUS SPICED TEA: Place 1 tablespoon Citrus Spiced Tea Mix in a teapot and add 4 cups boiling water. Let steep 5 minutes, strain, and serve hot, garnished with orange or lemon slices. To serve cold, let mixture steep, then strain and let cool to room temperature. Refrigerate and serve over ice. Makes 2 to 4 servings.

From ``The Perfect Basket: How to Make a Fabulous Gift Basket for Any Occasion,'' by Diane Phillips.

MILK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER SAUCE

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1/4 cup chunky peanut butter

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 

3/4 cup chopped milk chocolate

In a small heavy saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and corn syrup over medium heat. When butter is melted, whisk in peanut butter and cream and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted. Transfer to an airtight container and let cool completely. The sauce will keep in the refrigerator 2 weeks. Sauce should be reheated before serving. Serve over ice cream or cake slices. Makes about 1 3/4 cups.

From ``The Perfect Basket: How to Make a Fabulous Gift Basket for Any Occasion,'' by Diane Phillips.

NATALIE'S PEANUT BUTTER PRETZEL CANDIES

1 cup chunky peanut butter

3 tablespoons butter

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 cup crushed (thin) pretzel sticks

1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

2 to 3 teaspoons vegetable oil

In a 1-quart glass measure, combine peanut butter and butter. Heat in a microwave oven on high power about 30 to 40 seconds until butter melts. Stir with a fork until well-blended. Stir in powdered sugar until well-mixed, then stir in in pretzels until incorporated.

Using a small automatic-release scoop (about 1-inch diameter), shape into balls (about 26). Place on a jelly-roll pan lined with nonstick foil and refrigerate at least 1 hour (cover with foil if refrigerating longer).

To dip candies, in a 2-cup glass measure, combine chocolate and oil. Heat in a microwave oven on 50 percent power about 1 to 2 minutes or until melted and smooth when stirred.

Using a fork, dip balls, one at a time, in melted chocolate, shaking off any excess. Place on a nonstick foil lined jelly-roll pan. Refrigerate until set. Remove and store, covered, in plastic container in refrigerator. Makes about 26 candies.

Recipe developed by Natalie Haughton.

PEPPERMINT BARK

1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips

1 (10-ounce) package white chocolate baking chips

6 red and white peppermint candy canes, crushed between sheets of waxed paper with a meat mallet 

Line an 11x7-inch baking pan with foil (do not grease). In a 1-quart glass measuring cup, melt semisweet chocolate chips in a microwave oven on high power about 1 1/2 minutes, until melted and smooth when stirred. Spread evenly in foil-lined pan. Refrigerate 5 minutes (you do not want chocolate to firm up).

Meanwhile, in another 1-quart glass measuring cup, melt white chips in a microwave oven on 50 percent power (NOT high) about 3 1/2 minutes or longer, until melted and smooth when stirred. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Drizzle or drop blobs of melted white chocolate over semisweet chocolate in pan and then spread evenly, being very careful. Sprinkle top with crushed candy canes, pressing in gently with fingertips. Refrigerate until firm. When firm, remove candy from pan and cut into irregular shapes with sharp knife. Makes 1 pan of bark.

VARIATIONS: Make peanut butter cup, English toffee or other flavors of candy bark. Delete crushed peppermint candy. Sprinkle top (white layer) with 4 to 6 chopped candy bars of your choice. Press candy in gently with fingertips and proceed as directed in recipe. You can also delete the white chocolate and double the amount of semisweet chocolate, melting it all together and spreading in pan, then sprinkling with chopped candy of choice.

Recipe developed by Natalie Haughton.

The perfect gift basket

A few basket-making hints shared by experts.

--Fill gift baskets with quality food items. A few excellent-tasting items are better than lots of cheap, not-so-good ones. Remember, you want to be proud of the end result.

--Branch out beyond baskets. Gifts can be packaged in all sorts of containers. Trays, a piece of cookware such as a wok, bundt pan or stockpot, serving pieces such as a soup tureen or a wooden cheese board, hat boxes, picnic hampers, canvas tote bags, pasta bowls, serving platters and such are just a few of the possibilities. Be on the lookout for fun containers - and scour stores year-round. Good places to look are HomeGoods, Target, Cost Plus World Market, Pier 1 Imports, Michael's, the Container Store, even supermarkets and drug stores. Also pick up things like dish and vintage towels and other attractive items to include in baskets when you travel.

--There are basket ideas for any budget. If you have a lean budget, make cookies, muffins, a hot chocolate mix, some seasoning or soup mixes, etc. If including mixes, tie on directions/recipes for using them. Also label foods with storage time limits, if applicable. Make sure you tell recipients if items are perishable and require refrigeration.

--To give height when packaging, fill the container/basket as necessary with crumpled paper, then crinkled or shredded colored paper pieces. You can also use colored tissues, cloth napkins, dish towels and such to line baskets (atop crumpled paper). Avoid excelsior - it is dusty.

--For ease and the most appealing look, wrap baskets in cellophane (it comes in various-size rolls), either clear or clear printed with a holiday or snowflake design. Colored cellophane detracts.

Double-wrap any exposed foods like cookies or candies with food-safe plastic wrap or place in food-safe cellophane bags and tie with ribbons prior to placing in the basket/container.

--For tying packages, keep it simple and use wide (2-inch) wire ribbon (available at a floral supply store, Michael's, Joanne's, Costco, etc.). Or use premade velvet bows available at party shops.

Raffia (plain, colored or a combination) also works well, with a shoelace bow, for a rustic look.

Attach a wooden spoon, a whisk, a sprig of dried herbs, pinecones, silk flowers or vines to the ribbons, if desired.

--Be creative and imaginative. Make themed baskets or mix and match items - store-bought and homemade - as desired. You can even tuck in nonfood gifts such as a book, journal, magazine, gift card to a bookstore or other shop - or even a food store.

--Attach a card for the final touch.

- N.H.

CAPTION(S):

10 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) Holiday greetings

Create special baskets for everyone on your gift list

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer

(2 -- color) Martini Basket

(3 -- color) Chocoholic's Basket

(4 -- color) Soup Basket

(5 -- color) Salad Basket

(6) no caption (pretzel)

(7) no caption (soup basket)

(8) CITRUS SPICED TEA MIX

(9) MILK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER SAUCE

(10) no caption (candy canes)

Box:

The perfect gift basket (see text)