| If you know someone who is about to or has | | | | traveling the world, or becoming a master chef. |
| just undergone surgery, you may know how | | | | Creating a mind map is easy. Just sit down with a |
| they are probably feeling. Post-op surgery patients | | | | pen and a large, blank sheet of paper. Start |
| generally feel a bit disoriented and are often in | | | | writing down individual ideas for your gift basket. |
| more than a little pain. Even for those who have | | | | Then, as you notice relationships or linkages |
| come through the experience fairly unscathed, | | | | between the various ideas, just circle each idea |
| the sheer boredom and even loneliness that can | | | | and connect them together with like ideas, |
| ensure during recovery can be hard to get | | | | thereby grouping them into themes automatically. |
| through. | | | | What you will end up with a series of themes. |
| A great way to cheer up someone you know or | | | | Now, choose one! |
| care about who is in this situation is with a gift | | | | 2. Write Down Objects That Represent Each |
| basket after surgery. Gift baskets are a great | | | | Theme: |
| gift idea because they are so versatile. A basket | | | | Now that you have chosen a theme, make a list |
| can come in any shape or size, and it can contain | | | | of as many objects as you can that represent |
| just about anything your mind can conceive. | | | | that theme. For example, if the theme you chose |
| That's right: gift baskets are no longer limited to | | | | is "race car driving," you might write down: |
| fruit or wine and cheese: they can be just about | | | | helmet, Formula One car, engine, motor oil, racing |
| anything you can imagine. | | | | flags, racing DVDs, racing books, racing fans, etc. |
| Of course, the secret to putting together a great | | | | 3. Choose 5-10 Items For Your Basket: |
| basket is creativity. The whole process is only | | | | Now, depending upon your budget and each item's |
| limited by your imagination. | | | | availability, choose 5 - 10 of the items from your |
| If you are considering a gift basket after surgery, | | | | list for your basket. Obviously, if you chose |
| here are 3 steps to a building dream basket: | | | | "engine" in the example above, you will not be |
| 1. Mind Map What They Love: | | | | able to buy a real engine for your gift basket! Still, |
| It is important to start by mind-mapping what the | | | | this is where you can get creative. Think: |
| person loves to do or to dream about doing. It | | | | Matchbox car engine, for example! |
| might be in the world of their actual experience, | | | | Your gift basket for after surgery is only limited |
| such as golfing, romance, or mystery novels. Or, | | | | by your imagination. Whether you choose to |
| it could be something from their dreams and | | | | make or buy a gift, start by taking a few |
| aspirations, such as playing baseball professionally, | | | | minutes to put together your ideal basket first. |