i know its early but hoiliday gift time tips

[mckimba]

Originally Posted by nerdycoupongirl

Please help me with a basket?

I've never made actual gift "baskets": I've always used gift bags. I'd like to try baskets, I think they would look nice. I know we talked about this some last year, but that was a year ago! LOL Can anyone please give me some tips? I seem to remember something about buying plastic that you can shrink with a hair dryer but that's all I can recall.

Baskets are so fun to make. I always look form deals on them, the craft stores have them and most of the time on sale and then of course a coupon !!! I use the dollar store for some too, I personally like a sturdier basket that can be reuse or sometimes my friends give the empty basket back for refilling I think...lol. I fill them with shredded paper (I also buy tissue paper in bulk and use my paper shredder (Its cheaper sometimes) In regards to the plastic..there are 2 kinds plain old cellophane or what they call shrink wrap. They also have what they call Basket Bags just slip them over and a bow and done !!! I have gotten both kinds at the dollar store too. I usually buy one big role of cellophane at the party store and usually last me all year. I need to make some in the next few weeks for a raffle I'll have to remember to take pics and post them...lol

[gastonclipper]

Originally Posted by nerdycoupongirl

Please help me with a basket?

I've never made actual gift "baskets": I've always used gift bags. I'd like to try baskets, I think they would look nice. I know we talked about this some last year, but that was a year ago! LOL Can anyone please give me some tips? I seem to remember something about buying plastic that you can shrink with a hair dryer but that's all I can recall.

You are channeling my inner Martha …. you can use shrink wrap bags that require a heat source which basically gets the plastic to shrink around the basket + contents and stick together so there’s no seam.
I have always just used cellophane wrap which you buy in rolls like wrapping paper (i.e. not saran wrap). cut a big piece gather it at the top and tie with a ribbon and use some clear tape to cover up any openings.
Basket ideas - Micheal’s will run sales at 40 or 50% off, thrift stores and yard sales - if you don’t like the color just spray paint them. but doesn't need to be a basket: use a pretty mug, a bowl, a laundry hamper, a galvanized bucket, a tool box, a kitchen utensil holder type jar, etc etc.
Attached some pic ideas for you.

[determinedtosave]

Great thread! My thoughts have been towards Christmas as well and the growing list of people to buy for!

One year, I made coffee stirrer gifts.

I bought some thick plastic spoons, chocolate squares and extracts. I melted the chocolate with the extract, took spoonfuls of the melted chocolate and put them on wax paper, put them in the fridge to harden them, wrapped the chocolate tip of the spoon and tied a bow on it. I placed the spoon inside a coffee mug with some cocoas,etc. They looked cute and were a great, cheap add on as you can get mugs at any Dollar Store.

[smo1g]

another idea...i did this last year for co-workers and they loved it!

I bought waffle cones and stuffed the waffle cones with hot cocoa in a plastic bag, above that I added mini marshmallows in a plastic bag, and then topped it off with sprinkles and chocolate chips in a plastic bag. I then wrapped it up in pastic wrap (looked like an ice cream cone) and added a little name tag that had the name of the person, and how much water/milk to use for the hot cocoa.

[mckimba]

Originally Posted by smo1g

another idea...i did this last year for co-workers and they loved it!

I bought waffle cones and stuffed the waffle cones with hot cocoa in a plastic bag, above that I added mini marshmallows in a plastic bag, and then topped it off with sprinkles and chocolate chips in a plastic bag. I then wrapped it up in pastic wrap (looked like an ice cream cone) and added a little name tag that had the name of the person, and how much water/milk to use for the hot cocoa.

LLLLLOVE this idea !!!!!!!

[nerdycoupongirl]

Wow, great ideas! Thanks, everyone. Can I buy cellophane or shrink wrap at a craft store like Michael's? How much does it usually run?

[AlInAz]

I am a big fan of giving people consumable gifts.

One year I gave a cookie-making kit to our neighbor who had just split up with his wife (the kids stayed with him.) I included some pre-baked cut-out cookies, sprinkles, a big bag of powdered sugar with instructions for icing, food coloring, a spatula, and a couple of cookie cutters. He was so thrilled he could make cookies with his daughter. My DD has also used this idea for BD gifts for friends. She added a few Dollar Store items (hot pad, rolling pin, etc.) and used a mixing bowl instead of a basket. It was a big hit. I think that would be a great teacher gift.

This year I am planning to make chocolate emergency kits and include Dove chocolates, a cocoa packet, a choc spoon, some chocolate flavored coffee beans, maybe even some chocolate-scented lotion (if I can find it).

I saw (on another website) an idea for a 4-senses gift. Sight: a book or magazine, Sound: a CD, Smell: a candle, Touch: some soft slipper socks/a robe, etc. You could definitely personalize this in many different ways.

Thanks for the post. Some GREAT ideas everyone.
Allison

[auntto4]

Last year for my teenage friends and one of my moms church friends, I did gift baskets. They cost me around $10 and included a movie ($2 at the walmart black friday sale) and lots of candy and popcorn I put it all in a popcorn tub that I bought at dollar tree.
I also made one for a secret santa where the limit was $10

My sister had a great idea of putting un-salted, un-buttered popcorn in the bottom of the bucket instead of tissue papper.
Wraped it in cellophane and a bow(also got at dollar tree), and it was a huge hit!!

[coupondiva29]

Would you mind posting pictures of your homemade gift baskets? I plan on making these this year. I want to make one with the glade/airwick candles I have plus other pampering/spa items. Thanks in advance!

[Kristinemomof3]

These are my baskets that I made last year:
Here's my gift baskets....