You don't have to be close to someone to give them a cookie gift basket, so it makes a great present to show your gratitude to your children's teachers, your hair stylist, the mailman, or the newspaper carrier. But it's easy to personalize a cookie basket for a friend or relative by getting just the right cookies and wrapping them up with a personal touch. Both approaches are certain to bring a smile to the recipient's face.

You want the cookies to be as fresh as possible. If you're handy in the kitchen, you can bake them yourself. Otherwise, visit a local bakery or gourmet cookie shop. Of course, there's a huge selection of flavors and varieties to choose from to fill your cookie gift basket, and this will be the hard part. If you're giving it to a casual acquaintance, your best bet is to choose an assortment. For the cookie lover who you know well, it will be easier to pick out their favorites.

Choose an attractive basket or cookie tin and arrange your goodies decoratively. Use pretty cellophane or a gift basket bag to wrap your gift, and then tie it up with a large, colorful bow. Attach a card with a personal message. These little touches will show you care.

When packaging your cookie basket, you should consider having a theme. A birthday basket calls for vibrant colors and maybe some birthday candles scattered among the cookies. For Christmas, you'll want to use reds and greens, with velvet or satin bows. If you're giving a basket of Halloween pumpkins or Valentine's hearts, your wrapping should reflect the season.

Likewise, you can pick the flavor of your cookie according to the occasion. Cinnamon and ginger are perfect for Christmas cookies. Pumpkin is a good choice for Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Some people have special dietary requirements and can't eat a sugary treat or anything containing gluten or wheat products. Look for a supplier that has cookies that are suitable for people with diabetes or other needs. Or you can find a recipe that fits the requirements and make your own. There are sugar substitutes available that can be used in baking just like sugar.

With all the types of cookies available and fun ideas for packaging, making up a cookie gift basket is sure to be a pleasure for you. Not to mention a real treat for the person on the receiving end.