Looking for ideas for making a homemade gift basket for the holidays or any other occasion? We’ve got you covered with ideas for everyone. With over a dozen ideas, we have put the lists together for you, including where to shop for the items.
Buying premade gift baskets can be more expensive than making them yourself. Homemade baskets are more personal, not to mention that you can pick items that will actually get used.
We have received beautiful premade baskets, but there is usually at least one product we don’t use or don’t like. That is why we make baskets for gift giving.
And making homemade baskets doesn’t take much time to put together. We can usually make a few baskets in one evening when we are organized.
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What Is Needed To Make Gift Baskets?
There are a few items you will need to make the baskets that will be used for almost every basket. The essentials are:
- Tape. Clear tape to hold items in place.
- Ribbon. Different colours and sizes of ribbon to tie the basket cellophane closed.
- Bows.
- Gift tags. These can be homemade as well.
- Basket filling. This item is optional and not usually something we put in the baskets. It can add colour, but we prefer to use something reusable like towels or small blankets.
Gift Basket Ideas
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all basket. Everyone is different when it comes to their tastes and interests. That is why we’ve put together some ideas for just about everyone.
These are the most used ideas we have for making homemade gift baskets:
Spa Inspired Basket
This is possibly one of the most popular baskets that people purchase every year. And, there are so many items you can put in this type of basket.
For spa baskets, we like to start by lining the basket with a small towel instead of basket filler. Then we fill it with bubble baths, soaps, lotions, a shower pouf or loofa, and candles.
This type of basket can also have a wine glass and a small bottle of wine. We also like to add a small dark chocolate bar as a treat.
We have a page dedicated to our favourite products to add to a spa basket on our Amazon pages. You can also find some of the items at the dollar store for less. We shop at Dollarama and Dollar Tree for poufs, eye masks, and hair bands because they are less expensive.
Snack Basket
If you have a snack lover on your list, why not put together a basket filled with all their favourite snacks?
We make these types of baskets for our kids every Christmas. And each one is different because they all have their own favourites.
For these baskets, we use flat baskets or cardboard flats to place all their favourite snacks together.
- Chocolate bars.
- Potato chips and pretzels.
- Popcorn and seasoning.
- Beef jerky.
- Candies like Starburst, Skittles, or Sour Patch Kids.
- Bottles or cans of pop. Our kids’ favourites are Pop Shoppe.
These baskets are one of our favourites to make because we can tailor them to each of the kids, filling the basket with their favourite snacks.
Movie Night Basket
Movie nights are great fun for families. If you have a family on your list who loves movie night, this type of basket makes a great gift.
Fill a large bowl with bags of popcorn, containers of popcorn seasoning, chips, licorice, and chocolates. Basically, any of the theatre snacks are perfect for these types of baskets.
Another great addition is a gift card for Disney+, Netflix, or another streaming service.
Book Lover
Sometimes it might seem like a book lover is hard to buy for, especially if you aren’t sure what kind of books they enjoy. This type of basket works for all book lovers.
Line a basket with a small blanket and fill it with a mug, some tea or coffee, a candle, a bookmark, a reading light, and warm, fluffy socks. We have an idea list on our Amazon page that is filled with ideas for the book lover.
The Gamer
Do you have a gamer on your list? Not sure what to buy them? Look no further, we’ve gathered the items most used by our family, who love video games of all kinds.
A gaming basket can include controllers, gift cards for their favourite console, skins for their controllers, chargers, and snacks. See our Amazon Idea List for all our favourite gaming accessories and games.
BBQ and Smoker-Inspired Baskets
BBQ is one of our favourite ways to cook, and it is Mike’s passion. We spend a lot of time cooking outdoors using BBQs, smokers, and more. So if you have a BBQ enthusiast on your list, a basket filled with BBQ goodies is the perfect gift.
For this type of basket, fill a caddy with all kinds of BBQ tools. Some of the most used items for BBQ are tongs and spatulas, but some items are overlooked. These include a thermometer, basting brushes, and cleaning tools.
Some other items to add: cutting boards, beer can chicken holders, and spices and seasonings. We like to add our own BBQ blends into baskets. One of our most requested items is our Apple Pie BBQ Rub, which we make in large batches and package in small mason jars with handwritten labels. This adds a personal touch.
Baker’s Basket
Our other passion is baking. And baskets filled with baking essentials make great gifts for anyone who is just starting to learn to bake.
Fill a large mixing bowl with tea towels, oven mitts, or pot holders and top with basic baking tools. Measuring spoons and cups, whisks, parchment paper, spatulas, and muffin papers.
To make the baskets more specific, you can add the tools you need for specific recipes, like cookie cutters and sprinkles for a cookie lover. Include a copy of the recipe in the basket; handwritten recipes make it more personal.
To make a bread baker’s gift basket, start with a proofing basket and fill it with bread-making accessories and ingredients.
Beer and Snacks
This is another one of our favourite baskets to make for friends. Everyone is different and has a favourite type of beer, so making these is always a fun time, because we get to pick out beers and snacks for these baskets.
These baskets are filled with 2-4 cans or bottles of beer, along with peanuts, corn chips, and other snacks that complement the flavours of the chosen beer.
We add beer glasses, bottle openers, cozies for cans or bottles and usually a joke gift that ties into the gift. We add all these items to a metal tub that can be used as a cooler for ice.
Charcuterie Boards
We love making these because who doesn’t love a good charcuterie board? These baskets aren’t made in advance because we add a few perishables.
For these baskets, we start with a cutting board that is the base and add small boxes of crackers, mini jams, cheese knives, cheese labels, and a package of cocktail napkins.
Just before gifting this basket, we add cheeses like Boursin, brie, or camembert and deli sausages to the basket. Then bundle it up and deliver it.
Expectant Parents Baskets- Perfect for Baby Showers
Do you have a family member or friend expecting a baby? If you want to put together a gift that is for them and the baby, then why not build a custom basket that covers both? This basket makes a great baby shower gift.
Use a baby blanket to line the bottom of a small wicker basket that can be reused as a toy basket or hamper for the baby. Include a stuffed animal, a book, and a onesie for the baby.
For parents, include a package of coffee or tea with mom and dad mugs. Add a gift card for the parents’ favourite restaurant, or a gift card for Skip The Dishes or Door Dash for the days when the new parents just need a night out or away from cooking.
For this type of basket, we have added a subscription to a grocery delivery app, like PC Express or Walmart Delivery Plus. These come in handy for parents who are busy and sometimes don’t feel like going out to shop.
The Camper
If you have an avid camper on your list, this type of basket is the perfect gift. Fill it with items they can use at a campground.
- Camping Cookbook.
- Ingredients for S’mores.
- Bug repellent.
- A gift card to their favourite campgrounds or for a camping store.
- A survival kit.
- A headlight band or small flashlight.
- A camping journal.
The Dorm Room Basket
If you have a college student who resides on campus, a gift basket of items to make their dorm feel like home makes a great gift. Fill it with their favourites from home.
Some of the items that can be added to the basket are a cozy blanket, phone chargers, snacks, slippers or flip-flops: anything they can use to make life easier while away from home.
Add in some homemade treats, like their favourite cookies or cupcakes, then they can enjoy some tastes from home.
Other Ideas For Gift Baskets
There are more ideas to add to baskets than what we have covered here. One thing that can be added to just about any gift basket is a gift card for a favourite store, food delivery service, or restaurant.
You can find more ideas in our Amazon shops, where we share our favourite products. And we will be updating this list with more ideas throughout the holidays.
So, if you’re looking for more ideas, check out our Amazon Pages in Canada and the U.S. and check back here for updated information.
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