Throughout the years, Halloween has evolved. At one time, it was all about sweet treats given to kids visiting your door, but now it encompasses so many other things. Today, an increasingly popular way to celebrate this spooky time of year is to give Halloween gift baskets which contain ghoulish goodies and items perfect for trick and treat sessions.

There are all sorts of choices when it comes to Halloween gift baskets. They can include a selection of fruit in dark colors, chocolates with a ghoulish theme, a few scary books, and even spooky stationary. You can use a picnic basket or hamper and fill it up with a selection of gourmet foods that have a Halloween theme. Or you might create a movie-night basket which contains a selection of scary movies.

You can stick with the Halloween theme and include only orange and black items, if you like. Or you can mix it up a bit, particularly if it's for someone really special to you, and include some of their favorite things. CDs, candles, homemade treats, special soap or bath products, fruit (oranges are perfect), or even a pair of mittens or gloves for the upcoming colder weather.

If the gift basket is for a child, you can find lots of stuffed toys appropriate to this ghostly season that will give an added touch to your Halloween gift basket. For kids who aren't interested in cuddling, give them an action figure that came from a Halloween movie. For a personal touch, make sure to include an appropriate card addressed to the person you are giving the basket to. A cute one could read "Open at Your Own Peril!"

If you don't have time to make your own Halloween gift baskets this year, you can find lots of them for sale already made up. They're available at many stores in your neighborhood, and you can also buy them online with fast delivery. They range in price from under $25 to more than $100, so you'll be sure to find something that fits your budget.