Do You Have Any Creative Gift Basket Ideas?
Stephanie, a reader, emailed with this question:
“Do you know of any great ideas for packaging all of these great deals to give as gifts? I’ve been hoarding some miscellaneous products that I think are “”fancy” or things that my extended family would enjoy in hopes of giving baskets for Christmas this year.”
I would love to hear any creative ideas you all may have! Making gift baskets is a great way to show others you care–while still keeping your budget in check. I posted about making the above pictured gift basket previously. I wrapped up toothbrushes, toothpaste, cleaning supplies, air fresheners and much more. It might seem odd, but I personally think it’s a unique and very thoughtful gift! Plus, it’s nice to know that your giving others items they will actually use–unlike some gifts!
I put together a cooler full of my “free” coupon bargains for my brother as a Christmas gift one year. He has 5 kids and had actually asked for a cooler. I put in TP and toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shampoo etc. The whole family loved it and it really helped out their January budget. It all depends on the person… My brother has always said his favorite gift was a huge Sam’s club size set of TP!
I have a fallen in love with a microwave Smores maker on Amazon.com. My son LOVES them and I love that it is easy and goes in the dishwasher. I bought several on a deal a few months ago and plan to do Smores baskets for some family friends that have kids – the smores maker, grahams, marshmallows and a big chocolate bar. I think each one will end up around $20 but that is not alot for a great family gift! Plus I’ve started early so it’s not a big deal.
As for our freebies, we sue a lot of them to Operation Christmas Child boxes at my son’s preschool. Check it out – it’s a wonderful program!
Great ideas!
I got the Save-a-lot coupon book today too and was wondering the same thing about using it at other stores!
Last Christmas my mom & father in law were both laid off – I know they are too proud to ask for things even though they know we have plenty so I bought reusable shopping bags (cute ones like a Simpsons one for my mom) and filled them to the brim with anything and everything I could think of from toilet paper to razors to cleaning products (I didn’t wrap anything) and gave them as “gifts” (we don’t technically do adult gifts for our families – we all have agreed to focus on the kids).
I can’t find the bookmark I had, but I saw an idea on another blog. The gal would choose a color for the basket, and group together things of that color. So, the items might not really go together, but it still looks nice because it coordinates!
I forgot to mention – I save up all the Bath & Body Works items I get with the great coupons you post and give those items to the “hard to buy for” family members. We also are able to make a considerable donation at least once a year to the local Veterans hospital – they have a hard time getting things like toothpaste and shampoo (although they are not allowed personal razors) and my son’s Young Marines unit makes up bags and delivers them to each patient with a “thanks for your service” in full uniform – it’s quite a sight and they appreciate a new toothbrush more than you could ever know.
I used the $2 off coupons to buy some classic movies (Uncle Buck) and will be putting them in a basket with popcorn and popcorn holders that I got on clearance for 25 cents from the Target dollar area!
I love the 12 days of Christmas basket!! I’m going to do that for my Mom this year.
All of these things make great (& practical) stocking stuffers too! I have so many of the Johnson’s Buddies bars of soap that I am going to put them in the party favor bags for my Daughter’s next birthday party!
I Love Love Love making gift baskets it’s so fun. But, everyone literally, in my family does coupons. But my church takes baskets to the hospital with personal care items and snacks in them. It’s a great and fun way to get together with friends and give bag! Have fun makin baskets this year everyone!
In a pinch, I have used Reynolds Turkey Oven Bags for wrapping up smaller gift baskets. Throw a little curling ribbon and it’s not too bad!
This is my sons first year of school (pre-k) and I was thinking of making up baskets for his teachers, filled with all sorts of toiletries, candles, etc to give to them at the holiday time.
I am hoping this is a good idea, because money is very tight here. I guess if they don’t like it, they can give it away.
When my hubby and I first moved out – we got a house warming gift that was a tote full of housing essentials (laundry detergent, soap, dish washer soap, tp, etc, etc). I LOVED IT.
When we were getting married, at my bridal shower someone got me a “things I’ll need for my honeymoon” basket. We were going to mexico, so it had sunscreen, a spanish dictionary, immodium, tums, asprin, etc… loved that too!
I love themed baskets. Movie night and game night filled with popcorn and candy are my favorite too.
I’ve done “Italian dinner” baskets with jars of spaghetti sauce, boxes of pasta, olives, olive oil, french bread, a bottle of wine and then something for dessert – that’s always a favorite.
I’ve done breakfast baskets with waffle/pancake mix, yummy syrup, pancake topping (like strawberry syrup), jam, english muffins, peanut butter and then even like a waffle maker that I find at a black friday sale.
I LOVE baskets! 🙂
I love giving gift baskets. For the grandparents who tend to be hard to shop for in our family I do Winter Survival baskets with cold medicine, hand sanitizer, cough drops, eye drops, and whatever else I get free that works.
Family Fun Night baskets are great too. Then you can give them as a gift to a whole family. I put in games, books, snacks, movies, playdoh, whatever, depending on the ages of the kids in the family.
If you want to make your baskets of toiletries look a little fancier (so someone doesn’t get offended that it is charity or something) if you go with a color theme, like all the toiletries are lilac and white or you go with a specific brand like Dove it makes them look a little fancier and more like an expensive gift then charity 🙂
I get all of my baskets at yard sales for about .25 I use a lot of the free makeup for my mom and sister and the mens products such as razors are great for a mens basket. rite aid and walgreens sometimes clearence out mens slippers and other novelty items great for the guys.
Also, I am using a lot of the glade candles this year in baskets!
I like to use boxes. I get chipwood boxes from craft stores, or hat boxes from decorating stores. Tie off a plain brown box with a gold satin ribbon and it looks very elegant.
Adorable gift basket idea indeed.thanks for sharing.
Cheers!!
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I love jam! So my daughter gave me a lovely basket with enough jam and jelly to last a whole year! I’m sure she used coupons where she could, because that’s how I raised her, but this gift will never be forgotten as those bathsalts and tea towel will!
Tailoring your baskets to the person receiving them shows thoughtfulness and love….go for it!
I have been making gift baskets for my 10 neices and nephews for Christmas. If I can get anything they would use, want, need for under $1.00. I stock up and it goes in. The college kids are making out the best so far with laundry detergent, toothpaste, floss, shampoo, soap, feminine needs, candles. But the younger kids have hair accesssories and Agent Blue mouthwash. I just want to make it fun.
This is a great idea! We just moved to a new state and my step son and in-laws are coming down for Christmas. Then I found out that two extra people are coming as well. I wouldn’t feel right unless i had something for them to open on Christmas. This is a great idea, do you have any ideas on a inexpensive way to do a kids basket as well?