How Do You Make Gift Baskets?

I love gift baskets. I love to give the personal homemade touch to people that I really care about. There is something fullfilling about making it myself. I use the word "basket" for lack of a better word. I use all kinds of things to put my gift in. I have used bowls, baskets, baking dishes, clothes baskets, totes,buckets..the possibilites are endless.

A mixing bowl with a wire whip,measuring cup set, measuring spoons and several mixes in a jar for cookies are great together.

A loaf pan with QUICK MIX and recipe book (homemade with the recipes printed onto small index cards with a hole punced in the top corner and a large ring (key ring or one purchased at office supply store)

These are just a couple ideas. How do you make yours?

Do you use food in your basket or something else?

Share your ideas so we can all get ready for gift giving time.

I am thinking about making a index list to the mixes, mixes in a jar, recipes for use with each mix.. with links to each one in an article...what do you think?? ..It would be time consuming so if you are not going to use it, I wont do it. Tell me what you think in the comment area.

Comments: 12

Shel B. Aug 30, 2006, 11:57pm EDT

A couple of years ago I found some books that gave me the recipes for cookies, soups, and other desserts in a jar and one year that is what I gave to some of the people the deal with like my nailist, and groomer. I was thinking about shipping a couple but decided that that might not be the best thing as everything would settle too much.

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Shel B. Aug 31, 2006, 12:04am EDT

One time for a wedding, on the outside of the box I took a tea towel and a couple of wooden spoons and tied it with ribbon. It looked really cool.

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Sonia M. Aug 31, 2006, 12:44am EDT

Connie, we make gift baskets every year. Like you, I sometimes use other containers besides baskets.

I like to collects kitchen towels and colorful table linens. I also make large napkins (22 inch square after hemming) out of tropical printed fabrics and usually put two in each gift basket.

A colorful colandar, pasta and a jar of my roasted tomato sauce with a couple of napkins is something I did last year, but I also like to add cookies and other things I bake.

This year I'm preparing homemade vanilla as part of the contents of the gift baskets.

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Sonia M. Aug 31, 2006, 12:45am EDT

Sorry, I meant colander!!!

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sheryl r. Aug 31, 2006, 5:34am EDT

my sister is the creative one. she gave me a small cookie sheet, cookie cutters,different recipes she has used,a canning jar decorated with a cookie mix and a nice spatula and a book about cookies.
another year she put all types of foods that she knew we liked.from breakfast pancakes and syrups to fancy cookies and candies. she put in something that she thought each of us would like.
I usually go with a theme for the adults and the kids get toys. one year for the families i gave them a ice cream maker with the rock salt and some recipes for different ice creams as well as the mixes and a gift card for a store that sells ice and the heavy cream.
I try to think of what they need and put alot of thought into each gift.
now,my sister and her family are in north carolina and we are in connecticut. it will be fun trying to think of things and to get them out in the mail before the rush.

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Laura B. Aug 31, 2006, 8:13am EDT

I'm working on a couple different baskets for fund raising efforts. Right now I am looking for a large basket for one and I'm thinking like a snack bowl for the other one.

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Michelle W. Aug 31, 2006, 8:43am EDT

For a wedding everyone always gives the bride and groom large items, electric can openers, etc. but never the little stuff. I put together a gift basket with dish rags and towels, dish soap, large spoons, spatulas, a couple of candles, and a bunch of other little kitchen items. It was a huge hit!

I have also done a lot of baby gift baskets with all the little items that no one thinks to buy. I also include a homemade fleece blanket if it is family or close friends.

I am trying to start a business with a friend of mine doing gift baskets, etc. as well. Wish me luck!

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Homebody E. Aug 31, 2006, 9:36am EDT

I've made household supplies baskets - I once got one of the smaller oval laundry baskets (wicker) and filled it with cleaners, sponges, wipes, etc. Only problem was that I had to get one of the big shrinkwrap bags from the dollar store to wrap it so everything stayed inside!

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