Gift baskets are a great gift to pamper the people on a birthday or Christmas gift list. Store bought gift baskets can be expensive, though. It is easy to make gift baskets at home for less, though, and it can be fun!
Getting Started
The average home-made gift basket will cost around ten dollars, making it a really perfect gift to give for the budget conscious.
The first item required for making gift baskets it the basket, of course. The conscious shopper can find some really nice baskets at thrift stores for as little as 50 cents a piece. Shoppers should make sure that the basket is well made, clean, and has no loose pieces.
While at the thrift store, the shopper should look for ribbon. Many thrift stores have a craft section with rolls of nice ribbon for around 10 cents.
Next, the shopper should take a trip to the local dollar store. Many dollar stores or just-a-buck stores have tons of items for really interesting and personalized baskets.
Gift Basket Item Ideas
Here is a list of things for a shopper to look for when making a basket for that special someone:
A Little Girl
- Baby Doll Bottles
- Doll Clothes
- Bubbles and Wands
- Hair Bows, Ties, and Bands
- Coloring Books
- Crayons
- Jump Rope
- Gingerbread man
A Little Boy
- Solder Men
- Coloring Books
- Crayons
- Toy Cars
- Bubbles and Wands
- Police and Sheriff Badges
- Balloons
- Crazy Straws
- Santa doll
Teen
- Nail Polish
- Lip Gloss
- Funky Socks
- Crystal Body Art
- Cute Stationary
- A Nice Pen
- Bath Salts and Beads
- Fruit Scented Body Sprays
New Mom (Also Good For New Grandmas)
- Baby Bottle Brush
- Gift Jars (Read How to Make Gift Jars for more information.)
- Bath Salts and Beads
- Baby Shoes Filled with Sugar Free Candies and Chocolates
- Scented Lotions
- Baby Socks
- Baby Themed Picture Frames
- Purse Sized Picture Album
- Stationary Appropriate for Thank You Letters
Men’s Basket
- Jumbo Candy Bars
- Auto Gadgets (Sunglasses holder, compass that sticks to the dash, new-car-smell spray, etc.
- Collectable Statues
- Remote Control Holder
When the crafter has gathered their dollar goodies, they should remember to get a bag of shredded decorative paper for the bottom of the basket.
Finishing the Basket
Once all of the supplies are ready, it is time to assemble the basket. The gift giver should take all the products out of their wrappers, unless it will make a mess if the wrappers are taken off. The shredded paper should be put into the bottom of the basket so that the basket is half full. The tallest items should be arranged at the back of the basket, with the smaller, more attractive items at the front. A bow should be added to the top and the gift basket is done!
For more ideas on making homemade holiday craft, read this Three of the Best Free Holiday Decorations article.
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