Step 4

Preparing the Basket

Your completed basket should display the contents clearly so the recipient can see what’s inside. Many containers will need to be stuffed with “fill,” to raise your items up and show them off to best advantage. Fill also provides a cushioning “nest” for placing and securing items. And, of course, coordinating fill adds a nice splash of color to your basket.

You will also want to keep in mind the balance of the basket—some containers will require something heavy at the bottom of the container to counterbalance the weight of the items on top. A plastic bag filled with unpopped popcorn works well.

Deeper baskets will need two layers of fill: something inexpensive on the bottom, covered up by something more attractive where the fill will show on top.

Start off with a bottom layer of anything inexpensive. Professional basket companies use newsprint (this is the unprinted paper that is used to print newspapers), but you can use any kind of paper you have on hand—brown craft paper, even newspaper in a pinch. You can also use foam cut to the size of the container.
 

It is usually best to pack the first layer of fill tightly into the bottom of the basket. This will give more support for holding the weight of the items, and will prevent “sinkage” later on. If your container is smooth you may need double-sided tape to prevent the fill from sliding around.

Now you can cover the bottom layer with a second layer of pretty fill. (Or you might want to wait until you've inserted the items.)  There are many options here, including crinkle shred, wood excelsior, Easter grass, fabric, straw, raffia, crumpled tissue paper, moss, yarn, or fabric scraps. If you have access to a paper shredder, you can shred tissue or any other pretty paper to make your own decorative shred. Make sure you use enough so that the inexpensive fill doesn’t show.