social

Gift Basket Ideas


Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,298 Posts
May 25, 2018

Frugal Gift BasketMy craft tip is to stock up on any seasonal items that look versatile especially if it's 90% off or more. A little modpodge and floral paper flower accents changes the feel of the basket into spring/summer.

Advertisement

Easter basket - .39 cents, originally $3.99
Transparent giftwrap - .19 cents, originally $1.99

All the items inside the basket are items that I coupon. Estimate, I spent no more than $20 for everything when all the items inside would normally retail $85+.

Supplies:

  • Easter basket
  • transparent gift wrap
  • scrapbook paper
  • Martha Stewart stamp & punch Set
  • Modpodge
  • ribbon
  • newspaper
  • scissors
  • gifts
Frugal Gift Basket
 

Steps:

  1. I used Martha Stewart floral crafts stamp and punch set. I punched 12" inch strips.
  2. Frugal Gift Basket - punched floral strip
     
    Frugal Gift Basket - several strips
     
  3. Apply thin layer of modpodge and the floral strip. Allow to dry and add another layer of modpodge.
  4. Frugal Gift Basket - apply a layer of Mod Podge
     
    Frugal Gift Basket - apply floral strip to first coat of Mod Podge
     
    Frugal Gift Basket
     
    Advertisement

  5. As basket filler - I used newspaper inserts. Accordion fold then cut to your desire size.
  6. Frugal Gift Basket - newspaper ad section
     
    Frugal Gift Basket - accordion folded
     
    Frugal Gift Basket - cut to size
     
    Frugal Gift Basket - more pieces of filler
     
  7. Fill gift basket with the newspaper filling.
  8. Frugal Gift Basket - basket with paper filler next to it
     
    Frugal Gift Basket - added to basket
     
  9. Ready to add all your gifts in the basket and use transparent gift wrap then secure with a bow.
  10. Frugal Gift Basket - roll of transparent wrap
     
    Frugal Gift Basket - add gifts
     
    Frugal Gift Basket - wrap and tie with a ribbon bow
     
Read More Comments

22 More Solutions

This page contains the following solutions.

September 30, 2005

If you run out of excelsior (or whatever that shredded stuff is called) for a gift basket you're putting together and don't want to make a trip to the store to buy more, try this.

 
Read More...

October 29, 2004

Here's a basket for that favorite "reader" in your life:

 
Read More...

November 16, 2000

Use a basket for this one. Put in a muffin pan, a whisk, muffin mix, mixing bowl, and pot holder. Put it in a pretty jar or seal-a-meal pouch and attach directions.

 
Read More...

November 30, 2004

If there are still any end of summer sales going on snag beach buckets for kids, they make great cheer me up buckets for little ones in the hospital anytime of the year.

 
Read More...

Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

October 18, 2006

I want to make some gift baskets (not gift in a jars, I have lots of recipes for them) Any ideas? What have others used?

Sheri from Modesto, CA

Answers

October 19, 20060 found this helpful
Best Answer

I love making gift baskets! They make wonderful, frugal gifts. One year I made a gift basket for virtually everyone on our Christmas gift list.

Advertisement

The baskets are easy to find at thrift stores or yard sales, or I have used a shoebox covered with any type of gift wrap or wallpaper. To cover the basket, I usually use the large clear plastic bags you can buy at the dollar stores. Usually they come two in a package for a dollar. Also, I use shredded wastepaper to partially fill each basket, which brings the items up high enough to look pretty.

What I like best is coming up with the theme for each basket and deciding what to put in it. Here are some I have done:

Apples. For a friend who has all kinds of apple decor in her kitchen, I made an apple shaped potholder, designed an apple saying and printed it out and framed it, made a jar of apple cake mix, and even made a notepad with an apple theme.

Winter Picnic. For my nephew and his toddler son, I made a basket with all the fixings for an indoor picnic. A couple of red checked napkins, some cheese crackers, pudding cups, plastic utensils, some giant ants cut out of black construction paper, a small photo album to record photos of the picnic, and some drink boxes.

Advertisement

Heart basket. For my niece, a heart themed basket with a heart shaped handmade sachet (using fabric scraps and some potpourri), little wooden birdhouse painted with hearts, a heart shaped Sculpey pin, and some small candies in a heart shaped candy dish I found at a thrift store. I even found a pretty used heart shaped basket for this one.

Movie night. A couple of inexpensive videocassettes (or DVD's), some microwave popcorn, drink mix or drink boxes, and a bag of candy.

- - -
You can make a gift basket with any theme at all. Just think of the recipient and what they enjoy, and create the theme with that in mind.

You can have so much fun with this! In fact, I think you have inspired me to make gift baskets this year for Christmas. Good luck with your gift baskets.

Advertisement

zballoongirl

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 156 Feedbacks
October 19, 20060 found this helpful
Best Answer

I love giving and getting homemade gift baskets! If you are really tight for money use a smaller basket and it fills much quicker. I buy baskets after Christmas when they are discounted and save them for the next year. To make my baskets look more professional I use glue dots to hold items in place and I use shrink wrap that you use a hair dryer on and it shrinks the plastic around the gift. I have made spa baskets with bath soaps, oils, and candles; I have made baskets with wine, crackers, cheese spreads (there are some types that don't require refrigeration) along with some pretty wine glasses, if I know a person's musical preference I will add a CD of their favorite artist. I made a sewing basket for a friend that likes to sew, and filled it with all sorts of notions, spools of thread, and a pair of pinking shears that I knew that she had wanted.

Advertisement

If I really don't know what kind of gifts a person would like, I stick to food baskets, everyone likes food or they can share it with company during the holiday season. You could even use some of your recipes for gifts in a jar and other homemade mixes to add to the store bought snacks. I like zballongirl's idea about a movie night theme, you could buy a big "popcorn" bowl and fill it with the items instead of using a basket, and maybe add a gift certificate for a local video store if you don't know what kind of movies they like or don't want to go the added expense of buying DVDs. I hope that after you make your baskets you share some pictures with us to see your results!

 

Bronze Recipe Medal for All Time! 52 Recipes
October 26, 20060 found this helpful
Best Answer

Home Organization Basket - notepads, calendar, organizer, folders, clock, phone

* Honeymoon/Romance Basket - negligee, perfume, lotion, Throw Blanket, hot chocolate or sparkling cider with 2 mugs or glasses, picnic basket

* Gourmet/Kitchen Basket - pasta, fancy dressings, crystal pitcher, apron, hot pads, ice cream maker

* Gardening Basket - seeds, flower pot, water can, gardening gloves, garden tools, lawnchairs

* Mrs. Fix-It Basket - small tool case, scissors, sewing basket, hammer

* Homemaking Basket - laundry basket, pillows, blankets, dustbuster, air freshener

* Memory Maker Basket - photo albums, picture frames, guest book, journals

 
Answer this Question

March 19, 2008

I want an idea on some things to place in a gift basket for someone to have in there hotel room, snacks, etc.

Betty from KY

Answers

By (Guest Post)
March 19, 20080 found this helpful

Microwave popcorn, bottled water, tea bags, hot chocolate mix, coupons for hotel services, homemade cookies, refrigerator magnets with hotel logo and phone #, candles, champagne

 

Bronze Request Medal for All Time! 66 Requests
March 19, 20080 found this helpful

Coffee singles and coffee creamer. How about a full size bar of soap? Those tiny things they give you in hotels are hard to handle. Magazines and paperback books.

 
By Diana (Guest Post)
March 20, 20080 found this helpful

Mints, gum, favorite candy bar or salty snack, small bottle of wine, bubble bath, coupon to local restaurant, piece of LOCAL collectable (as a souviner)
Playing cards, travel journal, puzzle book, book they have been meaning to read, a letter from you

Depending onthe occasion--you can personalize it along that theme

 
By Bev (Guest Post)
March 20, 20080 found this helpful

Be sure to give personal items like shampoo, conditioner, lotion etc in small sample sizes. Also good are small packages of nuts, chocolate candy bars, chips or crackers. Shower caps and slippers are good too. Bottles of water go over well. Mostly these are things that are often forgotten when people pack. For the men don't forget shaving lotion and disposable shavers. And for out of towners include a copy of the daily newspaper.

 
March 21, 20080 found this helpful

My Aunt travels a lot.Often, following a whirl-wind of meetings, meals while having meetings, late night meetings, and hurry-up to make it to the meetings on time, trying to grab a taxi, that she often gets a headache, or indigestion, upset tummy, or allergies start up in a strange place.
Most usually there isnt anywhere to pick up some over-the-counter remedies. Perhaps some sample sized items for headache ,allergy, diarrhea, pepto, or tums would be appreciated. Especially those that dissolve in your mouth, and don't need water to swallow them down. You could include these with your other "goodies" Just never know.

 
By Kara (Guest Post)
May 6, 20080 found this helpful

I think a basket full of crossword puzzles, sudoko & circle-it game books are nice, along with some playing cards. A journal & nice pen for her to document her days. And a Nice lotion & bubble bath.

 
By Carol (Guest Post)
November 9, 20080 found this helpful

It's flu season - protect yourself from germs with disposable mini-covers. The covers are made of surgical mask material and act as a germ barrier. Mini-disposable covers great for home, travel and office. Use them on telephone receivers (they feel great on your ears), doorknobs, toilet flushers, beverage covers. Check out twinzings.com for additional uses. Great for holiday stocking stuffer gifts.

 
 
By Sarah (Guest Post)
February 24, 20090 found this helpful

I usually use GiftTree.com.

 
December 12, 20100 found this helpful

I found the best company out there. The Grateful Basket specializes in baskets for events and hotel gift baskets. They arrange delivery and customize the basket for your event and theme. My guests were very happy with what they found in their room.

 
Answer this Question

May 8, 2012

This page contains spring cleaning gift basket ideas. A spring cleaning gift basket can be a fun gift for a friend or neighbor.

Spring Cleaning Products

November 7, 2017

A fun gift to give a friend or family member is a personalized Family Night basket. Include a movie, games, snacks, and more. If they have young children, consider a book. This page is about family night gift basket ideas.

Family Playing Checkers by Fire

April 22, 2020

Upcycle sturdy cardboard boxes to make this pretty display gift basket. This would be perfect as a thoughtful present or as a donation to an auction.

Upcycled Cardboard Box to Gift Basket - basket ready to give with a card clothespinned on the front

March 15, 2020

Showing him your love on Valentine's Day can be a personalized gift basket. Using recycled boxes and decorating it yourself, you can fill it with things you know he likes or needs.

Valentine's Themed Gift Basket for Him - finished snack gift basket

July 9, 2019

Rather than purchase an expensive commercially packaged gift basket for a newborn make one yourself. You can choose the basket and add more personalized and thoughtfully chosen items. Follow the instructions on this page to create your own version of this DIY newborn baby gift basket.

DIY Newborn Baby Gift Basket - finished basket for a boy

March 4, 2018

Preparing a thoughtful gift basket for someone with serious health issues can bring smiles and inspiration. This page contains basket of encouragement ideas for a cancer patient.

Gift basket full of spa items.

May 18, 2017

The humble paper plate once again finds itself the star of this cute cookie basket craft. This is a page about how to make a paper plate cookie gift basket.

Paper Plate Cookie Gift Basket - cookie gift pack

February 16, 2017

A specialized gift basket is a thoughtful and useful gift to put together and give to a friend or family member. This is a page about sewing theme gift basket ideas.

A basket of thread on a background of buttons.

February 16, 2017

Make this gift basket for a couple in need of a date night. This page is about making a dinner and a movie gift basket.

A gift basket with a theme of "Dinner and a Movie".

August 14, 2013

This page contains first apartment gift basket ideas. There are many useful things you can give someone for a house warming gift.

Young woman sitting next to moving boxes.

August 14, 2013

This is a page about gift basket ideas for college students. College students need all sorts of household and goody items when they go away to school. Gift baskets are a fun way to give them some of the necessities and the fun stuff.

Pair of fun glasses sticking out of a gift basket.

March 21, 2013

Sharing your holiday spirit can be accomplished with a festive gift. This page contains St. Patrick's day gift basket ideas.

St. Patrick's Day Gift Basket

Load More
Categories
Holidays and Parties Gifts BasketsMarch 6, 2013
Pages
More
👔
Father's Day Ideas!
🌻
Gardening
🎆
Fourth of July Ideas!
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Instagram
Categories
Better LivingBudget & FinanceBusiness and LegalComputersConsumer AdviceCoronavirusCraftsEducationEntertainmentFood and RecipesHealth & BeautyHolidays and PartiesHome and GardenMake Your OwnOrganizingParentingPetsPhotosTravel and RecreationWeddings
Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2024-05-18 18:23:57 in 8 secs. ⛅️️
© 1997-2024 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/Gift-Basket-Ideas-2.html