Inexpensive Gift Baskets for the Women in Your Life

If you want a truly unique gift basket for the most important women in your life, of course you can buy one off the shelf, but that will lack the thought and customization of something that can be done far cheaper, and very easy by yourself. Trust me, a hand done gift basket will show how much you care much more so than one you found at the store.

Choosing your theme

Does the woman in your life love movies, cooking, reading, writing, or a fun craft? Well, use that as the theme for your gift basket? Does the special woman in your life love visits to the spa, but you can't afford them? Well, a spa in a basket can be an inexpensive gift for someone.

Buy a basket

In order to make a gift basket, you will need to find the perfect container - which does not necessarily have to be a basket. We will be concentrating on themes in this article, and if an actual basket works well with your theme, then by all means by a basket (these can be bought from Wal Mart, or most craft stores at very reasonable prices. If you have a theme like "the office" or something like that, than maybe something like a wire waste paper basket would work well, or if the special woman in your life is a culinary goddess, why not a large mixing bowl or Pyrex baking dish.

The Office

Is your loved one a corporate raider who works from home a lot, and has a cold, uncomfortable office at home? Well, how about livening it up with this gift basket idea. Find a wire mesh waste basket in her favorite color, and find different office supplies that she uses often, says she always needs but can never find, or just doesn't have, and can never remember to buy. As a special thought, unwrap a package of sticky notes, and on each one, write a different way in which you love her. Repackage it as best as you can, and you have a very personal gift for your loved one's office.

The Bakery

I want to begin this section with a disclaimer: This is if the love of your life loves to cook, not as a hint to remind her to cook! Begin with your basket (a Pyrex baking dish or a large mixing bowl), add a small sandwich bag of sugar, throw some cinnamon sticks into it, and write on the front, sugar and spice and all things nice. Fill this basket with helpful and time saving tools for the kitchen. If she loves baking, add small baking gadgets, if she loves stir fry or Asian cooking, a Wok or stir fry pan as a basket is a nice touch. Pampered Chef is a great place to buy this kind of thing.

The Reader

Does that special someone in your life love to read? Well, find a basket, fill it with tissue paper (the decorative kind, not the facial wipe kind - unless she likes tear jerking romance novels, then it is cute), and add a paper back book or two by her favorite author or in her favorite genre, add a small book light, a bookmark or two, and a home made coupon book offering to take the kids to the movies or to the park so she can have some quiet reading time.

The Crafter

Does the woman in your life love a certain craft? Whether it is quilting, scrapbooking, beading, knitting, sewing, or crocheting, there are always consumables and small, neat gadgets for many crafts. Add a case or container suitable for holding things for the specific craft, and the appropriate craft's consumables to this basket. Ask for help in the craft section of the store you are in, or better yet at a craft store, and also let them know your budget.