A popular gift around our house during summer and usually for Fourth of July is the Watermelon Fruit Basket. I give it everytime I am invited to a summer Barbecue. It is a great inventive gift. I like to make a different style depending on the size of the watermelon but for this one I will advise how to make the smaller one.

It looks a lot more complicated than it actually is, you’ll keep that bit of info to yourself . First thing you do is find yourself a small round watermelon with a thick skin. Once you get it home, clean it with plain water and dry it completely. You are going to need a stencil, unless you are an artist and can freehand, to draw onto the melon. The stencil will act as a guide in carving the design into the melon.

For the design you can be as creative as you like, stencils are available at any arts and crafts store. Back to the prep:

• Peel the skin off of the watermelon, this gives you a better hold of the melon. The skin is very slick and it looks better without the skin.
• Cut the watermelon in half and scoop out the inside of it. Cut a 1″ lip around the top half of the melon and one around the bottom half of the melon. This makes the decorative edge for the two adjoining pieces of the melons.
• Now you can draw your stencil on the top half of the melon. Use a carving knife to cut the stencil completely out of the watermelon. Do a rough cutting first then you can come back and neaten it all up.
• The topper is optional, I never use it but it is made out of a turnip. You just cut it into the shape you wish, using stencils or freehand.

Anyone who sees this will be so surprised and thankful. This is the perfect gift for any outdoor event. Creative and easy to make!!

Image belongs to Temple Of Thai.