Developing a Theme

Decorations

Obviously the more baskets you have, the better. Centerpieces can be baskets, but each table can have something different in its basket. For instance, one table could have a basket with a flower arrangement, while the next table could have a basket with food items, and another table could have a basket with toiletry items. Giveaways could be mini-baskets filled with items that would be a splurge to most women (fragrances, special soaps, gift cards, chocolates, etc.). One idea is to have a picnic basket theme: use red and white gingham for tablecloths, and the nametags could be cut-out ants. Another general decoration idea would be to use brown, woven placemats.

Refreshments

Serve the food using different kinds of baskets, such as a picnic basket that has bread or bags of chips, a flower basket that holds the silverware, and a laundry basket that holds drinks, etc.

Games/Icebreaker

If you knew of someone who actually did basket weaving, you could invite them to do a demonstration or have a corner where ladies could learn how to weave a small basket. The green, pliable strips could be used instead of the harder, dry foliage. A fun game of finding socks and then matching them would be hilarious, especially if you set it up initially like an egg hunt except it is a sock hunt. The second part of the team has to match the socks.

Another game for more active but smaller groups would be tossing items in a basket. You have several baskets—some with big openings and some with smaller openings. Ladies score points based on how many objects they get in the baskets.

Devotional

If you use a mother’s or grandmother’s sewing basket, take each item and explain the contents.

• A pattern must be followed much like a map.
• Thread holds the pieces together like faith can hold our lives together.
• Stitching—We don’t see the stitching, but everything would fall apart without it.
• Scissors are used for the cutting away of what’s not necessary or what’s faulty.

If you use a laundry basket, you could encourage mothers to be more vigilant in their praying. I know of mothers who pray for the child as they fold that child’s clothing. Mothers fold clothes, not because they love the chore, but because they love the kids those clothes cover. On that same note, we use softener, like a mom can soften a blow a child may receive when he hears bad news, or we need soft hearts towards God and others.

Another direction for a devotional would be to deal with the opposite of the good things a basket does and talk about how women should not be “basket cases” in the home.

The following comparisons may also give you some thoughts for a devotional:

• Picnic Basket—learn to make time for fun in your family.
• Laundry Basket—learn how to discipline your children correctly (dealing with “dirty laundry”)
• Grocery Basket—learning to care for your family’s needs
• Bread Basket—learning to come to God’s Word daily
• Flower Basket—learning to be hospitable