Traditional Baskets

• The traditional basket shape can be made in many styles, such as scalloping the sides to create more visual interest. There can be a handle that goes over the top of the basket, either longways or sideways. For a heart basket, use some of the rind to cut out a heart and use toothpicks to attach it to the top of the basket. You can even use some of the watermelon flesh to cut out heart shapes and put them on the rind for more decoration. If you feel up to the challenge, make a ribbon handle on the basket, which looks especially lovely once the basket is filled with fruit.

Animal Baskets

• Animals are a popular choice when carving a watermelon basket, and a cat is an easy one to attempt. Round watermelons, rather than oblong ones, work best in this case. To create the cat basket, you will cutting away more than just the top of the watermelon. You will have to do the outline of the ears and face by cutting away the top green layer of the rind to show off the white rind.

Unique Uses

• You don't always have to put fruit in a watermelon basket. Using a round watermelon, you can cut off the top and hollow out the middle flesh. Cut out pieces of the white rind from the part that you have cut off and use a toothpick to attach them to the outside of the watermelon. Put a bouquet of fresh summer flowers in the watermelon vase. This will create a unique bouquet to make the centerpiece of your dinner table. Summer salsa also looks gorgeous in a watermelon bowl. All you have to do is hollow out a watermelon and fill it with salsa. You can even make a summer salsa out of watermelon pieces, green peppers and onion. Serve tortilla chips with the salsa and serve it at your next southwestern- or Mexican-themed party.