How to Make Christmas Gift Baskets

This Christmas show your family and friends that you put thought into their gift by giving them each a personalized gift basket. Christmas gift baskets are fun to make and the whole family can join in on the activity. The recipients will be touched by your thoughtfulness and you can have fun putting them together.

Items you will need:

Baskets - you can pick these up at any craft store or even your local thrift store.

Ribbon for bows - ribbon can be expensive, look for sales and check your local thrift store; occasionally you can find remnants big enough to make bows.

Hot glue gun and glue sticks for putting the ribbon on the basket.

Filler - filler can be anything that you put into the basket to reduce the empty space at the bottom. Shredded colored paper works well and is cost effective as well.

Basket wrap - shrinkable gift basket wrap is available at craft stores and can also be found in many discount stores. Using a hair dryer you can shrink the plastic wrap to the basket and create a professional looking gift.

Items for the basket, these will vary depending on the recipient and the theme of the basket.

Ideas for gift baskets:

Men's baskets:

Golfer's Gift - this basket can be filled with items relating to golf. A sleeve of golf balls, golf tees, divots, golf towel, small pencils for score cards, and other gadgets related to golfing. You could also include golf ball shaped candy and a handmade 'golf day' pass - this is particularly cute if the basket is for a spouse. Depending on your budget you can add a gift certificate for the local golf course.

Car Care Basket - the perfect gift for the man who cherishes his ride. Fill the basket with car care supplies such as a shammy, car wash soaps and sponges, leather cleaner, and window cleaning wipes. Get really creative and use a bucket instead of a basket.

Grooming Guru - for the man who is always aware of his appearance. Fill a travel bag with men's facial creams, nail clippers, shaving gels and lotions, body sprays and his favorite cologne. Add a gift certificate for a facial and manicure and you have a friend for life.

The Avid Reader - for the well-read man. Fill a basket with book marks, highlighters, a novel or non-fiction book , some chocolates and a bottle of wine to set him up for an evening of reading and relaxing.

Women's Baskets

The Gardner - perfect for the lady in your family with the green thumb. Use a pretty watering can instead of a basket and add to it items for the garden. A pair of gardening gloves, a spade and a pair of flower shears, some flower seeds and she is ready to plant a new flower bed.

Ready for Relaxation - give this basket to the lady in your family who is always on the go and needs to relax. Choose a pretty basket and use pastel colored filling. Add candles in varying shapes and scents, a candle snuffer and a candle lighter. You can also add to this either a good book for her to relax with or a large bottle of bubble bath she can use in her candle lit bathroom.

Bubbling Beauty - this basket is filled with all the necessities for primping and pampering. Start with bubble baths and soaps for the bath and shower gel for the shower, add in nail care products and luxurious moisturizing lotions. To complete this spa day basket add in a bath pillow and loofah sponge.

Creating gift baskets for the people on your gift list is as simple as using your imagination and pulling together items that relate to the recipient. Have fun and involve your children by letting them brainstorm ideas. They can also help put them in the baskets as you organize them and hold the hair dryer to shrink the plastic wrap against the basket.