HOW TO CREATE A GIFT BASKET FOR ANY HOLIDAY!
Gift-giving is totally one of my love languages. I really enjoy the thrill of hunting down the perfect present and giving it to someone that I know will appreciate it. I love it so much that I shop for quirky, cute, and cheap little trinkets all year long, so I can quickly throw a basket together whenever I have a special event coming up (as a mom of two, I love anything that can be done quickly!).
I also love the process of arranging a beautiful basket full of little gifts intentionally selected for someone I care about. The joy on their faces brings me so much happiness – it makes me excited for the next basket I’ll create!
Gift Basket Ideas for Every Occasion
Here’s what I do to help myself create a thoughtful gift basket in practically no time at all. I use them for all sorts of occasions like baby showers, birthdays, housewarming, etc. and sometimes I put them together right before I head out the door (don’t tell!) – that’s how quick and easy this gift idea is.
I call them “gift baskets,” but you can use all sorts of larger containers. Personally, I really like these metal baskets from Target. They have big and sturdy ones with handles and cute, smaller ones for (literally) every occasion. They’re a great price, considering how large the biggest one is, and they come in a few different sizes, so you’ll always have the right one on hand. But, honestly, I’ve used glass mixing bowls, casserole dishes, closet storage items, and more!
What to Put in a Gift Basket
I love the versatility of gift baskets. There really aren’t any “rules” as to what you can and can’t include! I always try to add a good variety of practical, meaningful, and silly items.
Here’s what I keep my eye out for while I’m shopping:
Jewelry
Quirky office supplies
Kitchen accessories & tea towels (I always grab a bunch of tea towels whenever they’reon sale! Everyone will use them and they’re a great filler item)
Baby toys & blankets
Clothing (especially cozy pajamas or a robe!)
Personal care items, like hand soap & lip balm
Hair clips
Gift cards
Their favorite drink/snack
I also try to add a handmade item. I think handmade gifts are so special, no matter how small and simple they are. It really means a lot to people when they open something that you spent time creating with them in mind. I usually add a homemade essential oil roller, room spray, or a DIY dry shampoo. You could also make a kitchen & bathroom spray (I use Thieves by Young Living), a mason jar dry pantry recipe, a small candle… there are so many possibilities!
Pictures always make great gifts, too. Next time you’re at Target, stop at the photo kiosk and print off a few pictures of you and your friends. I try to do this a few times a year, so I always have a stack of photos ready to go! I think people really appreciateseeing a physical copy of their memory frozen in time. You can frame the photo, leave it as is, or print off a few and slide them into a photo album – that’s like two gifts in one!
How to Arrange a Gift Basket
You can arrange the gift basket items however you see fit! Here are a few tips I’ve picked up over the years. These little touches take any gift basket to the next level!
Unpackage everything.
I just don’t like the way store packaging looks, so I always remove items from those little cellophane baggies that pretty much everything comes in these days (but I will leave the tags on). I will also roll up any soft items, like towels, socks, or blankets, and use ribbon or twine to hold them together.
Add ribbon to (almost) everything.
I think a little ribbon makes everything look even more beautiful and intentional!
Add greenery.
You don’t have to use real flowers and foliage – faux is fine! Greenery just fills out the basket so beautifully. I usually stock up on fake flowers at Ikea and Homegoods.
Use tissue paper or basket filler.
This will add height and cushion, which is important when assembling the baskets to prop up smaller items and create a cohesive aesthetic.
Start with large items.
Work around those, adding medium items and tissue paper to fill in holes. Finish with the smallest and most delicate items, card, photos, and perfectly- placed greenery.
Things to Keep in Mind
I wish I had someone to tell me these little nuggets of gift basket wisdom when I first started creating these years ago!
Have a Theme
The theme could be around the person’s interests, the occasion, the season, or even a color! I’ve done 30th birthday baskets for my girlfriends with all their favorite things and more, a gardening basket for my mom’s birthday that had a cilantro plant in a gardening bag with a few tools and bags of seeds, a house-warming basket that had a few “new home” items, like a fresh pair of slippers, a mini bottle of champagne, and a gift card to Homegoods.
Keep Cards Out of Envelopes
I don’t know about you, but I buy cards because of the image on the outside and the writing on the inside, not the envelope! I always throw those suckers away and put my signed card right in the basket. I love the splash of color it adds to the basket and how it breaks up all the other items.
Shop Clearance
Like I said before, I shop year-round for basket items, and I especially keep my eye out for clearance and sale items! A basket full of goodies can add up quickly. However, if you keep your eye open throughout the year instead of the week before you need something it can really help you save money. I also like to shop end-of-year sales for tissue paper, festive ribbons, and holiday items too. They’ll still be good next year!
