Lifestyle Tips

Stay Active, Spread Joy with Gift Baskets

A basket isn't just for doing laundry or a place to store things. It can be the perfect package for a present. When Rosanna selects a basket, she sees a world of possibilities.

"It's not the outside of a basket that counts. It's what you put into it," explains Rosanna.

Along with a creative selection of goodies personally tailored for each recipient, Rosanna, an MS LifeLines® Ambassador, puts her heart into every gift basket she assembles for friends and family members.

"I just love it. No two baskets are the same. I may fill one with an assortment of chocolates, while another may be for a tea drinker and include some cute cups and saucers," explains Rosanna. "It all depends on the person."

Most importantly, Rosanna's passion helps her focus on her loved ones, and not her relapsing MS.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

As is the case with many popular hobbies, besides the pure enjoyment of the activity, there are benefits to basket making that can help you live well with MS. Here are just a few of the benefits that Rosanna experiences while she assembles her gift baskets.

• She is able to keep her memory sharp by staying on top of her next steps, which materials to use and which goodies to purchase.
• Because it's an indoor hobby, Rosanna can stay cool and avoid the heat and humidity outside her front door (i.e., Rosanna lives in Florida).
• On days when Rosanna is feeling achy or fatigued, working on her baskets is a positive distraction. It helps take her mind off of her relapsing MS.
• Traveling to and from various stores to gather all of her necessary materials keeps Rosanna active and engaged.

"Making baskets keeps me healthy and happy," explains Rosanna. "If you have a flare for the creative and are looking for a new way to stay active and live well with MS, maybe you should give basket making a try."

One Basket Does Not Fit All

If you think arranging baskets might be a hobby that interests you, but don't know where to begin, here are a few possibilities for you to consider:

• "Lights, Camera, Action!" Basket - Do you have a friend who is a huge movie buff? If so, this basket should fit the bill. You could include a few DVD's, a gift card to a local theater, some popcorn and maybe a movie poster or two for good measure. It's the perfect basket for that aspiring film critic in your life.
• "Spring has Sprung" Basket - Good-bye winter. Hello spring. Get that special person in your life reenergized and ready for warmer temperatures and longer days with this fun basket. You could include some fresh flowers and vegetables, a few seeds to plant, a bottle of sunscreen, and a map of walking trails in your area.
• "Play Ball" Basket - Opening Day is right around the corner. Send that superfan in your life a basket full of baseball-related items. You could include a pair of tickets to an upcoming game, a team schedule, some fun snacks (e.g., popcorn, peanuts and sunflower seeds), a team hat and a few baseball cards. You could even autograph a baseball and turn it into a creative note!
• "SuperDad" Basket - Ask any dad. Father's Day should be every day. Prepare that special dad in your life a basket full of some of his personal favorites. If he enjoys golfing, include a few balls, a glove and maybe a set of fun golf club covers. If he loves to read, you could include a gift card from his favorite book store along with a few hardcover classics. Be creative and have some fun with it!

Hopefully, these examples will get your creative juices flowing, and help you to develop your own personal gift basket ideas. Your friends and family members are sure to love them and you for thinking of them.

Of course, if basket making isn't your speed, there are an endless number of other potential hobbies out there for you to consider. Remember, no matter the hobby, what's important is that you stay active and have fun!