Willow & Bloom custom gift baskets send a perfect, personal holiday message

If you're like me, then you've got gifts on the brain this month. But perhaps like me, you're also surprised that even though you live in a city with so many gift options, it can be difficult to find one that sends the perfect, personal message. Cue the one-of-a-kind gift baskets from Willow & Bloom.

Offering custom gift baskets seemed like a natural step for Miya Ferguson, the owner of the Fremont floral and gift boutique, who wanted to "elevate the concept of gift baskets and make it personal."

Wanting the gift baskets ($100 and up) to express that Willow & Bloom is dedicated to quality, style and beauty, Ferguson decided to house them in found containers like keepsake-worthy vintage hat boxes, planters or magazine totes. She ensures that the gift basket is a perfect fit by discovering everything she can about the recipient -- "their lifestyle, their likes."

Ferguson, who often personally shops for gift-basket items at local shops, recently created a romantic basket that included champagne, a fresh flower arrangement, Theo chocolates and a necklace from Tiffany & Co. For men, she has combined smoked salmon and cigars with tickets to a Mariners game.

Baskets might also combine fresh flowers with a bottle of CMS wine ($125), or a blend of Caffѐ Umbria coffee, treats from Theo Chocolate, a bottle of Columbia Winery wine and a selection from Remedy Teas ($150).

If you're looking to create an undeniably seasonal gift basket, Ferguson can cull festive treats like hot cocoa mix, eggnog latte candles or pumpkin spice-flavored chocolates or cookies.

However, with a rich offering of gifts like Papaya notebooks ($7.50-$20) and jewelry from local artist Christa Hope ($50-$500), you may decide that you don't have to look outside Willow & Bloom when creating the perfect, personal gift for the person that's on your mind.

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