Making Your Own Gift Baskets
By Susan Sanders-Kinzel
Gift baskets are a great way to make a personal gift for family or friends. You can also use up some things around the house.
The Recipient
What do they like? What are their hobbies? What do they need? What do they like to eat?
Containers
The container or "basket" doesn't have to be expensive. Pick a theme (see below) and find a container that goes with the theme that can hold some items or can be attached to it. You want the container and the items to go together somehow and for everything to be usable or consumable and practical. (This is not to say that a few fun things can't be thrown in too.)
You can use any of the items in the list below but any other containers you can think of please feel free to add the list.
Baskets of all shapes and sizes
Bowls
Flower pots
Watering can
Fishing
creel
Canvas bag
Day pack
Waste basket
Bucket - ice, plastic or garden
Colander
Plastic container
Storage box
Platter
Tin
Ideas for Themes
The themes are endless but the list below is just to get you brainstorming. Do not feel that you have to put everything on the list into the basket.
College Student Gift Basket
Use a basket or usable container
Pens and Pencils
Printer paper and supplies
Mouse pad
Washcloth and
hand towel
Yummy healthy snacks
Phone Card
Gift certificate for a CD
Nail Clippers
Book light
Bath Gift Basket
Use a nice basket
Gel eye-pack
Epsom salts or bubble bath
Aroma therapy oils
Scented
candles and holders
Pumice stone
Washcloths, scrubber or loofa sponge
Back cleaning brush
Relaxing music on CD or cassette
Rubber ducky
Kids Coloring Gift Basket
Use a rubber/plastic storage box
Assorted papers, coloring books
Crayons or colored pencils
Nontoxic markers
Assorted stickers
Paint box and brushes
Safe scissors
Photographer's Gift Basket
Use a basket or a camera bag
Film
Coupons for picture developing
Camera Filters
Lens cleaner
Lens cloth
Photo print paper
Picture frame and matte
Picture Album
Letter Writer's Gift Basket
Use a square basket or plastic box
Note paper or cards
Envelopes (choose a variety of sizes)
Letter opener
Pen or pencil
Personalized seal
Sealing wax
Return address labels
Rubber stamps to decorate envelopes
Stamps
Crafters Gift Basket
Use a rubber storage container
Glue gun and glue sticks
Acrylic paints
Assorted brushes
Craft knife
Craft supplies (this will depend on the craft they do.)
Craft patterns or
how-to books
Craft papers
Scissors
Pasta Lover Gift Basket
Use a colander or bowl
Package of gourmet pasta
Tongs or pasta grabber
Package of sun-dried tomatoes
Extra-virgin olive oil
Fancy olives
Spices: oregano, basil, garlic powder
Collection of your favorite pasta recipes hand-printed on recipe cards
Pasta
cookbook
Jar of gourmet sauce
Gardener's Gift Basket
Use a clay plant pot, bucket or watering can
Gardening gloves
Hand tools
Vegetable, flower seeds
Liquid fertilizer
Kneeling pad
Gardening book
Subscription for a gardening magazine
Plant
markers
Heavy Duty Hand Lotion
Cat Lover Gift Basket
Use a cat bowl or pet bed
Catnip Mouse or other cat toy
Hair ball paste
Cat treats
Cat Brush
Scratching post
Gourmet cat food
Dog Lover Gift Basket
Use a dog bowl or pet bed
Rawhide bone
Dog biscuits
Squeaky toy
Dog shampoo
Brush
Collar
and/or leash
Dogs come in all sizes so make sure you are buying for the right size dog. Also if it is for a puppy, chewy stuff is the best.
New Home Owner Gift Basket
Use a tool box or tool tray
Screw drivers - Slot and Phillips
Wrench, Pliers or Vice Grip Pliers
Hammer
Assorted nails, tacks, screws, washers
Gift certificate for the local
hardware store
Do-it-yourself Home Repair book
Other assorted odds and ends like:
super glue
light switch covers
light bulbs
duct tape
paint brushes
knobs and handles
Guitar Player's Gift Basket
Use a basket or gig bag
Assorted guitar picks
Tuning pipe or electronic tuner
Sheet music
CDs or cassettes of great guitar players
Guitar strings
Capo
Polishing
rag
Guitar polish
Chord or lesson books
Skier or Snowboarder's Gift Basket
Use a small pack or canvas bag
Gloves, mittens and/or warm hat
Hot packs
Sunscreen
Lip balm
Moisturizer
Pass to the local ski hill
Hot chocolate
Ski, snowboard
or sled waxes
Grandparent Gift Basket
Use a basket or reusable container
Scrapbook
Children's artwork
Gifts made by the kids
Framed family
pictures
Videos of the family
Long-distance calling card
Candy, coffee,
or tea
Handmade Christmas ornaments
Polar fleece lap blanket
Wine Lover's Basket
Use a wine cooling bucket
Wine Glasses
Cheese and Crackers
Cork screw
Bottle of wine
Holiday Entertainment Basket
Use a nice holiday basket
Holiday Napkins
Holiday Plates
Holiday Cups
Whole Mixed Nuts
Nutcracker
Cookies or baked goods
Holiday floral picks or ornaments for decorating
Cheese
ball or Sausage stick and crackers
Fillers
Once you have obtained your items here are some fillers to put around them.
Piece of fabric
Shredded paper, newspaper or colored paper
Straw
Easter
basket grass
Tissue paper or newspaper comics
Raffia
Colored towels or
cloth napkins
Cedar shavings
Extra Items
For Christmas Baskets add:
Candy canes
Candles - scented or unscented, votive, tea lights or tapers
Pine cones
Cinnamon sticks tied with red ribbon
Greenery - spruce, pine, cedar,
holly
Christmas ornaments
For any occasion add:
Potpourri
Hot cider, special tea bags, special coffee or cocoa mixes
Mandarin
oranges, tangerines, oranges or apples
Unshelled nuts or packets of roasted nuts
Wrapped candy or baked goods
Small toys or puzzles
Sample hand creams
Lip
gloss or Chapstick
Finishing
If you buy colored cellophane you can cover the entire container with it disguising what is inside. Tie a ribbon around the whole thing or paste a ribbon on top. Have fun!
Be sure to let us know if you have more ideas for themes and items!
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About the author:
Susan Sanders-Kinzel is the editor of The ThriftyFun News and Daily Thrifty Tip. ThriftyFun publishes information about thrifty living.
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