| When you have a large family creating gift baskets | | | | dishcloths, incense, decorative containers for cooking |
| are a wonderful way to give everyone a gift without | | | | oil or dish-soap, decorative soaps, ink pens, pencils, |
| breaking the bank. Making your own gift baskets is | | | | gifts in a jar items, note pads, the list goes on and |
| easy and economical. Each one you create can be | | | | on. Useful everyday items can be great fillers. |
| individualized in any way you want. If you are really | | | | Bags to put the gift basket in are another item that |
| on a tight budget and want to present an impressive | | | | you can get a good deal on after the holidays. |
| gift to someone, a homemade gift basket is the way | | | | Christmas and Easter seem to be the best after |
| to go. Something that is hand selected and put | | | | holiday sales for this item. They can also be found at |
| together by you often means more to the recipient. | | | | some of the dollar stores. There are decorated ones |
| Buy numerous items on clearance racks, dollar sales, | | | | and plain ones, some that shrink to fit with a little |
| etc. Keep them stored where you can easily get to | | | | heat from a blow dryer. Simply tie them closed with |
| them when a gift is needed. After the holidays is a | | | | a pretty ribbon (which can be found on those holiday |
| great time to find deals for items for the following | | | | clearance racks, too). |
| years gifts. There are several different things you | | | | Of course, gift baskets can be used for a number of |
| can use as your "basket" to hold all the goodies... | | | | events. Just adjust the items to the event. For |
| wicker baskets, large plastic bowls, large decorator | | | | example, you have a wedding shower to go to and |
| platters, decorated bags, etc. I have used large | | | | the new bride is setting up housekeeping for the first |
| plastic containers in a red or green color. After the | | | | time. What fun! A laundry basket filled with measuring |
| gifts are all removed it serves as a popcorn bowl, | | | | cups, spoons, can opener, spatulas, wooden spoons, |
| fruit bowl, mixing bowl, etc. I have used wicker | | | | aluminum foil, plastic wrap, plastic zipper bags, |
| baskets which can double as a small trash can or a | | | | dishcloths, dishtowels, maybe a duplicate of a |
| planter. Plates or platters will have another use | | | | particular item you have found indispensable in your |
| afterwards. The list can be endless. | | | | home, etc. And then there's the baby shower.... a |
| Here are some ideas of items I have put in my | | | | diaper bag filled with powder, lotions, baby wipes, |
| Christmas baskets: Hot chocolate mix packets, | | | | disposable diapers, rattles, bottles, etc, etc. |
| candies, coffee mugs, embroidered fingertip towels, | | | | When you put a gift basket together, let your |
| calendars (full size and pocket), decorative and | | | | imagination be your guide. Have fun doing it! |
| scented candles, flavored coffees, flavored coffee | | | | You decide how much you want to spend on a |
| creamers, ornaments for the tree, coloring books and | | | | basket. If you collect items all through the year, it is |
| crayons (when the family has smaller children), bubble | | | | much easier on your wallet come time to make up |
| bath, flavored crackers, mints, potpourri, decorative | | | | the gift. |
| knic knacs, coasters, pot-holders, dishtowels, | | | | .~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~. |