Give Thanks and Share Aloha: 10 Tips for Making Great Holiday Gift Baskets at Home

The holiday season is almost here, and like everything this year has tossed our way, it is sure to be a little bit different than usual. Even so, we're looking forward to spending time with 'ohana and showing gratitude with gifts of good cheer!

Use these 10 tips to create thoughtful and thankful holiday gift baskets at home for everyone on your list. From friends and family to teachers, essential workers, and more, Kauai Coffee can help you share aloha with loved ones near and far.

Pick a theme

Starting with a plan always helps reduce holiday stress and focus your creativity. Think about creating a custom gift basket your recipient can use for a specific purpose. Make a date night-themed basket with an assortment of cheese, crackers, sauces or seasoning, coffee, and dessert they can use to turn any at-home meal into a date night worthy dinner. Or, make a cozy snow day themed gift basket with an assortment of soup or chili mix, coffee, cookies, and a pair of warm mittens or slippers.

Recommendation: 100% Kauai Coffee Estate Roast, Holiday Blend and Chocolate Mistletoe

Get creative with containers

No basket on hand? No problem! You can upcycle shipping boxes or crates into crafty containers for your gifts. Don't be afraid to get creative! Coffee canisters, shoe boxes, paint cans, glass jars – almost anything can be crafted into a unique and sustainable package for your gift basket.

Recommendation: Recycle Kauai Coffee subscription and shipping boxes into holiday gift wrap and packaging.

Engage all the senses

Nothing is better than gifts that please all the senses. Create custom gift baskets that contain something to taste, smell, see, hear, and touch! Coffee, chocolates, popcorn, scented candles, and cozy socks or t-shirts should do the trick.

Recommendation: Coconut Caramel Crunch 100% Kauai Coffee

Add tasty treat

Nothing warms the heart and brings a smile better than a homemade treat! Combine Kauai Coffee with homemade cookies, bread, or cake.

Recommendation: Banana Bread and Toasty Banana Nut Cream 100% Kauai Coffee

When in doubt, add a dram

Add a cocktail kick to your DIY gift basket with a selection of mixers, liquors, and garnishes. Include a recipe for your favorite aperitif or dessert cocktail and the ingredients you need to make it.

Recommendation: Rum Barrel-Aged Kauai Coffee and Koloa Rum Kauai Coffee liquor

Stock up and save

It's been a tough year, and our list of people to thank is long. If yours is too, stock up on giftable items like Kauai Coffee to make DIY gift baskets and sharing a little aloha a breeze!

Recommendation: Buy 5 Estate Reserve bags of 100% Kauai Coffee and get the 6th FREE. No coupon code needed.

Give a gift that gives all year

Do you know what is better than showing your love with one gift basket? Showing your love with a gift basket every month! Kauai Coffee subscriptions are a great way to spread cheer all year long. Select your coffee experience and frequency, and we'll take care of the rest!

Think sustainably

Americans throw away 25% more trash during the period between Thanksgiving and New Year's than any other time of year. The extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage or about 1 million additional tons per week! That is why it is essential to keep sustainability top of mind when creating and giving DIY gifts. Try to reduce, reuse, and recycle paper and plastic packaging, and opt for more sustainably made gifts.

Recommendation: Reusable drinkware and sustainably farmed Estate Reserve and 100% Kauai Coffee.

Buy made in the USA

It's been a tough year for businesses everywhere. As you lovingly craft your gifts this holiday season, consider supporting businesses in your hometown and businesses like Kauai Coffee that support small communities. We’re proud to be the largest coffee grower in the USA and support the local economy and people on Kauai. In Hawaii 'ohana means family, and it is at the center of everything we do. We believe it is our responsibility to care for our people, the land and steward our resources in a way that makes us stronger.

Share aloha

No matter what coffee and gifts you choose to include in your DIY baskets, make sure it is made with a lot of love and aloha!