Homemade Gift Baskets

Large balloon

Yarn (preferably two colors)

Glue

Large Bowl

Water

1. Blow up the balloon and tie it off. Blow the balloon all of the way up and tie it off at the end. The knot at the end will give you something to hold onto as you are wrapping the balloon.

2. Mix the glue and water. Pour the glue into the large bowl. Mix in about 1/10 part water. You want the glue to be a consistency that will soak into the yarn but still be thick enough that when it dries it is stiff.

3. Soak the yarn. Soak the yarn in the glue mixture. Allow it to sit until the yarn is completely saturated.

4. Wrap the balloon with yarn. Wrap the bottom part of the balloon (the fat part) while holding on to the tied knot. Continue wrapping the bottom part of the balloon until it is completely wrapped in the shape of the bottom of a basket. With the second color of yarn (continue with the first color if you don't have a second) tie to the end of the first color and continue wrapping on top of what you have already wrapped. Zig-zagging the yarn as you wrap and going in different directions will look beautiful when the basket dries.

5. Wrap the handle. Now add the handle. Wrap one color of yarn around the entire balloon in the shape of a handle. The handle should wrap all the way up and cover then tied knot.

6. Allow to dry. Allow the basket to completely dry. The balloon should sit at least overnight in a warm area. If you would like the basket to dry quicker you can put it in front of a fan or dry it with a hair dryer on a setting with no heat.

7. Pop the balloon. After the basket has completely dried pop the balloon and remove it from the basket. It is very important that you don't pop the balloon before the yarn has completely dried.

8. Wrap the handle. Wrap the handle with yarn that has not been soaked in glue and tie it off at the ends.

Now your basket is complete and ready to be filled. This is the fun and creative part. In the bottom of the basket you can put a filler such as shredded paper (colored if possible) or paper easter grass. Now you can fill it with gifts.

What's the occasion? For a baby shower you can fill it with baby bottles, bibs, baby washcloths, rattles, onesies, or anything else you can fit into the basket. Maybe you're just making a gift to let a friend know you care. You can add a fancy little diary and a cute pen and some candy. Is it a basket for a little girl? Some hand made jewelry and hair accessories should really make her day.

The possibilities are endless. You can make a truly unique gift that will be perfect for anyone and any occasion.