How to Make a Holiday Gift Basket

A gift basket is a perfect gift to give when you have tired of the usual holiday gifts. Making a gift basket does take more effort than just picking up a holiday gift card but the thought put into it will be greatly appreciated.

If money is tight this year, a gift basket can be the right choice for you. Since you are choosing the items to put in it, you can spend as little or as much as you want.

Here are some ideas on gift baskets for any age and any budget.

The basket

Before you shop for your basket, decide on what the fillings will be. That way you will be sure to be able to fit everything into the basket.

Think outside the box. Baskets can be a traditional woven type with a handle or not, a small plastic laundry basket or even a plastic washbowl. It isn't really about the basket but what you put in it. A vanity wastebasket could be appropriate also.

Choose a theme

Know someone who loves to bake? A baking themed basket is a perfect gift. You can put baking staples in it such as flour, real vanilla flavoring and brown sugar and add a baking pan and maybe a cookbook. As with any gift basket, you can make it as elaborate as you choose.

Girlie basket

This kind of basket is perfect for a teenage girl or a friend who needs to be pampered. Scented lotion, a fluffy bathrobe, slippers, nail polishes, makeup, body spray or any pampering kind of products that you can think of would be perfect and appreciated.

Sports fan

You can buy anything from mugs to slippers with your favorite team on it. Add a box of microwave popcorn or a favorite snack food and you have a basket that any diehard sports fan will love.

Arts and crafts

Buying toys for children can be difficult. Most preschool and elementary school-aged children love to draw and color. Giving a basket that allows them tools for their creativity will be appreciated. Play-doh, paints, crayons, markers, coloring books and paper can fill up a basket and provide many hours of fun for a child.

Readers

A personalized mug, a box of tea, a book by their favorite author and maybe a small box of cookies (homemade even) makes for a nice basket for a reader.

This theme can also be used to encourage a child to read. Choose several children's classics that are age-appropriate and add a cozy fleece throw to encourage curling up with a good book.

Once you have decided on a theme, write down some ideas of items to put in your basket. Keep your list with you as you browse the stores.

When you are ready to make the baskets and have shopped and purchased the right basket, it is time to put your gift basket together.

Arrange the items in the basket. If you need to hold things in place consider using double sided tape to hold them. Make sure it won't ruin the item. Dollar stores sell shredded foil wrap that can make a decorative filler for holiday gift baskets. Use your imagination. Even balled-up holiday gift wrap can serve to secure items in the basket.

When your basket is completed, use clear film wrap to wrap your basket. Finish it off with a holiday colored bow and your personalized holiday gift basket is complete.