I’m feeling mighty creative after Melanie’s DIY post, and since it’s snowing here in Bend today it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas! I may have sung that last line as I typed it too, or maybe I didn’t, you’ll never know.
I’ve had gift baskets on my mind ever since I discovered that my Goodwill has seemingly taken hold of ALL the gift baskets nationwide. If you’re not able to find at any your thrift store, you’ll know why. Have you ever seen so many in one place? Is there a basket manufacturing company here in Bend that I’m not aware of? Wow!
Ok moving on, I love gift baskets. I love giving them, receiving them, repurposing them, they’re just so much fun! My favorite part is that they can make for the most frugal and thoughtful gifts around. It’s very easy to put together a very nice gift basket for under $10 even for a large family! The one I put together up top was less than $10 including the basket and let me tell you I’d LOVE to receive that as a gift! If someone made that for me they would clearly know my heart, coffee and coupons. <3
So I’m curious…what are some of your favorite gift basket themes to both give and receive?
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 3:37 pm
primp & pamper pack. nail polish, clippers, polish remover, cotton balls, candle, lotions and fun trial size stuff.
FaithEReed@HotMail.com November 18, 2011 at 3:37 pm
What about school supplies or a craft baset. Movie stuff would be good microwave popcorn, candy a family movie. What about yarn, knitting needles and a how to book. One more ice cream party basket different ice cream toppings, nuts, sprinkles and a ice cream scoop.
Anouk Michaud Scott via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Ooh! I hope you do a post with all the ideas b/c I’m bad at doing gift baskets! I need all the help I can get!
The Frugal Find via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 3:53 pm
That’s my plan!
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Manly Man Pack. Axe Body Wash & Deodrent, Razor, Tylenol Precise, Tire Gauge pressure thingy
Michele Murphy November 18, 2011 at 4:01 pm
1) Perpetual Margarita Basket: Small, live lime tree, tequila, salt, turbino sugar etc.
2) Perpetual Mojito Basket: See above but add fresh mint plants and switch tequila for rum.
3) Movie Night: A couple of classics like Casablanca or Vertigo, popcorn, Movie Candy.
4) Cupcakes: Silicone cupcake tray (or metal…but most people have that already), cute cupcake papers, Bag of Sugar, Bag of Flour, unsweetened chocolate, vanilla, various colored sprinkles, and some printed cupcake recipes/decoration ideas.
5) Cocoa: Nice hot cocoa mix, or cocoa powder, sugar, mugs, marshmallows, cinnamon (and a bottle of either peppermint or butterscotch schnaapps).
I also love having a “guest room” basket handy for when we have overnight visitors… a basket in the room: Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, a couple bottles of water, box or packet of kleenex, a couple of disposable razors, small hand cream and I add a couple of area ‘points of interest’ maps incase they want to see what’s in the area.
Anonymous November 16, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Wow… I am coming to stay at your place.
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Teen/Tween Nail Polish, Hair brush, Girly Magazine, candle, Hair Products, makeup.
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Teen/Tween Nail Polish, Hair brush, Girly Magazine, candle, Hair Products, makeup.
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:04 pm
Teen/Tween Nail Polish, Hair brush, Girly Magazine, candle, Hair Products, makeup.
The Frugal Find via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:06 pm
You’re on a roll Melissa, love these ideas!
The Frugal Find via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:06 pm
You’re on a roll Melissa, love these ideas!
The Frugal Find via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:06 pm
You’re on a roll Melissa, love these ideas!
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Movie Night- Blackbuster/Redbox codes or cheap DVDs, PopCorn, Soda, Candy, Silly Straws.
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Movie Night- Blackbuster/Redbox codes or cheap DVDs, PopCorn, Soda, Candy, Silly Straws.
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:07 pm
Movie Night- Blackbuster/Redbox codes or cheap DVDs, PopCorn, Soda, Candy, Silly Straws.
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:08 pm
I’ve been keeping lists in my head since last Christmas
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:08 pm
I’ve been keeping lists in my head since last Christmas
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:08 pm
I’ve been keeping lists in my head since last Christmas
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Chef/Cook- Cheap Kitchen Gadgets (Pier1 clearance!), Cookbook, Homemade Cooking Oil w.fun wine cork. (check out this months ALLYou for recipe SO EASY!)
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Chef/Cook- Cheap Kitchen Gadgets (Pier1 clearance!), Cookbook, Homemade Cooking Oil w.fun wine cork. (check out this months ALLYou for recipe SO EASY!)
Melissa Raab via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Chef/Cook- Cheap Kitchen Gadgets (Pier1 clearance!), Cookbook, Homemade Cooking Oil w.fun wine cork. (check out this months ALLYou for recipe SO EASY!)
Belinda Barnes via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I just went to a wedding for a friend of mine who is just starting our in her own home, so I put together a homemade cookbook of my very best recipes, ranging from easy, crockpot, a little hard, etc…that way she didn’t feel too overwhelmed. I put it in a 3 ring binder in sheet protectors (because we are all messy in the kitchen sometimes!) and paired it with bottles of spices, marinades, etc.
Melissa Aivaliklis via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 5:02 pm
My favorites are movie night (popcorn, candy, sodas, and a Blockbuster gift card) and ice cream (a cute personalized bowl, favorite toppings, ice cream scooper, and gift card to buy ice cream). I also like plush fuzzy socks, fancy teas, and a novel by a favorite author. I love gift baskets…they are so fun!
Amanda Richards via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 5:18 pm
We give out apertif baskets, fav. liquor, mixer, condiment, stir sticks, glass charms, and all their fav. snacks to go with (esp. my homemade truffles, turtles and toffee).
Amanda Richards via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 5:19 pm
I also make up baskets with our homemade goodies, different jams/jellies/butters that we’ve put up all year, homemade goat milk soap.
Whitney Flores via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 6:11 pm
I LOVE receiving anything homemade!
Nina Dyba via Facebook November 18, 2011 at 7:27 pm
I love movie night baskets…you can get DVD’s for pretty cheap I throw one or two family friendly movies and go to the dollar store and buy the movie type boxes of candy, throw in some hot coco pouches in winter or iced tea packets (or soda bottles) and microwave popcorn (one or two bags) and viola a great family gift…if you know how crochet or knit a handmade blanket goes well for the family to cuddle up under..
Anonymous November 19, 2011 at 4:10 am
Sushi baskets, spa, tea, gardening, paella basket with skillet etc…, breakfast basket…
Anonymous December 22, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Sushi basket?
Marie Kundysek November 19, 2011 at 9:13 am
I like the homemade ideas, I’ve recently been into making homemade spaghetti sauce, apple sauce and breads. Maybe a basket with a colander with a package of noodles and homemade spaghetti sauce and a homemade loaf of bread.
Ashley Fitzgerald November 19, 2011 at 9:50 am
I once did a “date night in” themed gift for a bridal shower, but it would be lovely for Christmas too! A bottle of wine, a pizza pan, a pizza cutter, and homemade pizza sauce. It was fun and useful!
Kayla November 19, 2011 at 2:35 pm
1. Picnic basket for family with young kids: Bottle of homemade strawberry jam, peanut butter, loaf of bread (homemade if you are feeling ambious), box of Capri-Suns, and box of fruit snacks, or box of granula bars, or some other snack item.
2. Basket for married couple: Bottle of wine, homemade fudge or box of chocolates, KY jelly, hand massager
3. Basket for single, or college student: (you can use big or trail size on these) Bottle of shampoo, conditioner, shave gel, disposable razor, bottle of lotion, wash cloth, nail files
4. Get Well Basket: Box of Kleenex, bag of cough drops, box of Lipton tea- whatever brand you like, OR replace with hot chocolate mix, can of chicken noodle soup, and perhaps a box of brownie mix
5. For that annoying time of the month basket: Homemade fudge or box of chocolates, box of brownie mix, heat pack – or heat strips, box of tampoons or pads, maybe add gift card for pizza or other order-out food
6. Cookie Sampler basket: Wrap various homemade cookies in different bags with embellishments and labels to include in basket
7. Craft lover’s basket: Craft glue, small sticker foam shapes, package of fake feathers, small foam boards, beads, and any other items you can find at the Dollar Store
8. Puzzle lover’s basket: Get a large piece of felt and cut into square. Save the cardboard from your paper towel roll and use that to make a homemade puzzle board, take puzzle from Dollar store- throw away pieces of puzzle- YES I said throw them away, and get a ziplock bag of sawbust to replace the pieces. Tape box close and put a new label on the puzzle that says it is for EXPERTS ONLY. This should get a good laugh out of whoever you give it to. Include a real puzzle too.
9. Harry Potter Fan Basket (this can be modified for any movie): small pack of Harry Potter Legos, a copy of one of the books, Harry Potter board game, clothes from the movies (or that look similiar), copy of one or all of the DVDs, box of any flavor jelly beans
***Please note that most of the items in my baskets are things that have been on sale in the past month or so and I have on hand because of couponing… I will list more basket ideas later.
Kristi November 20, 2011 at 10:34 pm
I saw an idea in an issue of Disney Family Fun Magazine for a bathtime theme kit…sponges cut into fun shapes like fish, measuring cups, funnels, a loofah, homemade bathtub paints (the recipe is on their website), all put in a basket with holes or a collander. Or, a Fingerpaint basket (they also have a homemade recipe for this) with paints, brushes, a roller, sponges, a roll of paper, and hand wipes. Also, a frame decorating kit, with unfinished wood frames, paints, brushes, embellishments, flitter glue.
Kristi November 20, 2011 at 10:35 pm
*glitter glue
Shirley George Frazier November 21, 2011 at 7:16 am
Wow, what a selection of baskets at your local Goodwill. As a long-time gift basket expert, I often suggest that new gift basket designers check out such facilities, and your photo confirms why.
Your gift basket photo is so very pretty. My favorite to give and receive is anything in the pamper/spa category, which includes soaps, scrubs, moisturizers (especially for the hands), loofah, candles, slippers, and room spray.
So glad that you shared this photos. I’m going to check out Goodwill in my area to see if their stash compares with the one in your area.
Brandy April 2, 2012 at 11:27 am
I have made graduation baskets for many years. I take a small laundry basket, and fill it with things they need in the dorm room in small sizes. I include a set of bathroom towels, dish soap and a set of kitchen towels for washing and drying, laundry detergent and fabric softener, clorex and windex wipes for cleaning, an air freshner, and snacks things like popcorn, candy, oreos, etc. You can add anything you want that they may need. I have also added dishes and silverware from walmart. A smaller version could be done for cleaning only in a shower caddy. I have often been told that this is the only laundry basket they receive. I really like the soft sided baskets from walmart, they are a good size but can be smashed in a closed when needed. They are also easy to carry up and down stairs (or across campus) and only cost $5.
Chantel August 9, 2012 at 9:57 pm
Wow…these are all great ideas everyone!!!! I especially like the “EXPERT ONLY” puzzle idea…too funny:-) Here’s some neat ones that I’ve come across:
Pet Basket – Chews, Treats, Cute Collar, matching food/water bowls, stuffed toy (hint: garage sale stuffed animals are alot cheaper than at the pet store…just make sure they’re stuffed with stuffing and not the little beans/balls!!!), and of course some squeeky tennis balls.
Wedding Shower Wash/Ironing Basket – It was one of my favorite shower gifts….an ironing board, cute cover, an iron, clothesline, clothespins, lingerie bag, laundry detergent, Static Guard, scrub brush, fabric softener, spot remover, bleach, & my favorite part….a handpainted mason jar for “Chantel’s Red Corvette Fund” to put all the $ in that I find doing laundry:-)
Medicine Cabinet Basket – Band-aids, neosporin, calamine lotion, benadryl, tums, cough drops, Nyquil, Q-Tips, aloe vera, alcohol, witch hazel, peroxide, cotton pads, gauze, medical tape, baby powder, ace bandages, thermometer, ice pack, heating pad, q-tips, Sunblock, Aspirin, Lotion….the list can go on & on. Perfect for someone that’s getting their 1st place.
Margarita Basket – Flavored Mixes, Fancy glasses, bottle of Tequila, salt, umbrellas, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” sign, 2 lemons & 2 limes…wrap it all up in a sombrero instead of a basket. If you’re lucky while thrift store shopping, you may find a mexican blanket or pullover that you can cut the fabric in order to line the sombrero.
Spice Basket – I especially love Tastefully Simple spices, but that can get expensive. I usually fill the basket with less expensive spices & put a few TS spices in. I also add a cute apron & a cookbook.
Thanks again for all your great ideas!!!! I love giving gift baskets, especially if I can somewhat personlize them for the recipient:-)