Homemade Gift Baskets

Ever have a person who's hard to buy for? Just can't find that perfect gift? I think we all have one or more of those in our lives. You, too, can make easy gift baskets that are fun to assemble and a treat for those who receive them.

I have an easy way to create the perfect present that your recipient will love. Make a personalized gift basket. Gifts can be specifically tailored to your giftee.

For Christmas, I made my husband a "Snack Basket." He doesn't have much of an opportunity to eat at work so when he gets home he's starving - even after dinner!

I bought an inexpensive woven basket (about 10 x 18 x 3) that could be repurposed later for something else. Whenever I went shopping, I looked for snack items I knew he liked. At one store, I bought kettle-cooked chips, beef jerky and chocolate/peanut butter candies. At another I purchased more chocolate, taffy and a pecan roll. Included also were soft peppermints, caramel covered popcorn and home-made coated oyster crackers.

He loved it!

Just a Few Basket ideas:

Movie Night - Gift bag or popcorn basket filled with microwave popcorn packages, large chocolate bar and/or other movie-sized candies and free movie rental or the movie itself.

Taste of Italy - A pretty colander (strainer) filled with a fun pasta, sauce, cheese and garlic bread.

New Homeowner - A toolbag or box filled with a hammer, flat head screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, picture hangers, measuring tape, flashlight.

New Mom - Diaper bag with baby wipes, burp towel, anti-gas drops, acetaminiphen, etc.

New Job - Drawer caddy with paper and binder clips, pens, pencils, tape and tape dispenser, correction tape, scissors, sticky notes, staples and stapler.

Teen Girl - Purse with yummy-smelling hand sanitizer, pocket-sized tissues, lipstick/gloss, nail file.

Teen Boy - Backpack with headphones, gum, magazine, cap, comb, wallet.

Romantic Basket - Picnic basket with a bottle of wine, cheese, crackers, wine glasses, fancy napkins, tablecloth or blanket.

Hospital Stay - Basket with hand lotion, magazine, favorite paperback, crossword or suduku puzzle book, fun pen or pencil, book of inspirational quotes, personal get well note.

These are just a few ideas on how to make easy gift baskets. The possibilities are endless!