Everyone loves a gift basket filled with food, drinks and surprises. Buying them online can make them very pricey and limits what you can send, based on the shipping and profit margins of the sellers.
To make sure anyone who gets one of your gift baskets receives a fun, personalized present filled with goodies, make your own. It’s easier than you think, and a lot less expensive.
You’ll be able to make the perfect basket for each friend or family member by starting with a list of the people who will receive them. Make some notes about items you’ll want to include. Is someone a health nut? Is your friend a pet owner? What about a movie fanatic? Tailor your baskets with items that appeal to each individual.
Visit a mix of Big Box retailers and dollar stores to find baskets and straw, as well as lots of inexpensive but welcome items to fill baskets with. Once you start walking the aisles of a dollar store, you’ll be amazed at all of the fun goodies you find on shelves that literally jump out at you.
Big Box stores usually have rows of low-priced foods, treats and other gifts items. Depending on how much money you want to spend, you can include one main gift with your basket.
Healthy Gift Baskets
•Organic energy, protein or granola bars
•Mixed nuts
•Organic candies
•Healthy bottled and canned drinks
•Dried and fresh fruit
•Herbal teas
•Healthy, vegan or vegetarian cookbook
•Gift certificate to local health food store or farmer’s market
•Subscription to a healthy lifestyle magazine
Fun Foods Gift Baskets
•Wrapped sausage
•Individual cheeses
•Upscale crackers
•Bottle of dark mustard
•Canned sardines
•Packet of fine pasta and jar of pesto sauce
•Dark chocolate
•Airline bottle(s) of wine
•Two glasses (from a dollar store)
•Craft beer
Health & Beauty Gift Baskets
•Special bath soaps
•Small shampoos, conditioner, lotions
•Loofa bar
•Moisturizer
•Essential oil
•Body wash
•Hand lotion
•Aromatherapy candles
•Incense
•Sunblock
•Massage gift certificate
Check your bathroom for all the bottles and bars you’ve taken home from hotels!
Movie Night Gift Baskets
•Microwave popcorn packs
•Traditional theater candies
•Sodas or fruit juices
•Honey roast nuts
•Movie DVD (pick one or more at the dollar store)
•3D glasses
•Gift certificate to local pizzeria
•Gift certificate to local theater
Gift Baskets for Kids
•Fun-size candy bars
•Fresh and dried fruit
•Juice boxes
•Inexpensive toys (e.g., cars, bracelets)
•Coloring book and crayons or markers
•Microwave popcorn
•Child’s book
•Kid movie (DVD)
Check with parents to make sure a child has no food restrictions and parents are OK with your book, DVD or toy.
Gift Baskets for Sports Nuts
•Sport towel
•Water bottle
•Wrist/head band
•Energy bars/gels/drinks
•Golf tees and marker
•Tennis balls
•Sport socks
•Private lesson/personal trainer gift certificate
•Heart rate monitor
•Resistance bands
•One-day pass to a gym
Did you know you can start your own gift basket business?