• A gift basket is a lovely way to show someone you care. It provides a personal touch to an otherwise generic collection of goodies. A dinner and a movie gift basket can create an instant evening out of just a few simple ingredients. It makes an excellent housewarming gift, and it's a great and unconventional present for new parents.
  
  

The Food

• Food in a dinner-and-a-movie basket should provide a complete meal using non-perishable items. Dried pasta is a good option; it keeps for a long time and can serve as an entrée quite readily. Add sauce in a glass jar, parmesan cheese and perhaps a wooden spoon. Freeze dried vegetables for the side dishes should be included. Chili ingredients can be purchased in cans, along with instructions on how to assemble them.
  
  Dessert options can include cookie mixes, cake mixes or similar Betty Crocker-style goodies. You can even bake a few cookies of your own if you're inclined; they keep for quite a while.
  
  

The Movie

• The movie itself can vary, depending on the size of the gift basket and the needs of your recipients. If you think they'd like to go out, purchase two gift certificates from a nearby theater. If they aren't in a position to go out, get them a free movie rental from a nearby video store. If you know the recipients well enough, purchase a DVD for them to keep.
  
  

Accessories

• Accessories can include a bottle of wine, a couple of table candles, a package of microwave popcorn and movie-style candy such as Goobers or M&Ms. Napkins make a good accoutrement, as well as plastic plates and utensils (if the basket has room).
  
  Add a few personal touches, such as a list of good movies they could rent, a review of the movie you've included in the basket and recipes using the food in the basket. Don't forget a card with your wishes to the recipient.