Scrapbooking, Quilting, Needlework, Arts & Crafts

Making Gift Baskets

With so many gift-giving occasions throughout the year, knowing the art of making gift baskets can be a valuable skill indeed ...

Christmas, birthday, baby showers, going away to college – the events that people are expected to buy presents for are endless.  I know some people that buy a gift for their children’s teachers every Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and at the end of the school year.  Can you imagine how much that costs?  There is no doubt that gift buying can wreak havoc on your wallet.  Making gift baskets can ease the burden and be fun at the same time.

Gift baskets do not need to be intricate and expensive and time consuming. In fact, the simpler they are the more appreciated they are usually.  Simply put, a basket, some attractive wrapping paper and liner for the basket, maybe a little ribbon, and some useful products can help making gift baskets a simple way of becoming a thoughtful and unique gift giver.

When you are making gift baskets, you’ll want to consider who the basket is for and for what occasion and what type of basket would be most appreciated by them.  For instance, someone that is having a baby will need all sorts of little odds and ends that are often overlooked in favor of the bigger presents.  Fill up a basket with onesies, face clothes, baby shampoo, a set of baby booties and a baby cap.  Wrap it all up in several soft flannel baby towels with some ribbon, attach a rattle to the ribbon and present it in a yellow (or another gender neutral color) basket and you have a gift that she’ll appreciate.  It will also be a gift she can make immediate use of.  The cost was minimal, she’ll know you put some thought into it, and your creativity will be admired by all.  Once you get the hang of it, making gift baskets will seem more natural than going out and buying one big expensive item as a gift.

If you decide you are going to be making gift baskets on a regular basis, you can save even more money by watching for sales.  Often you can find items on sale if you buy them in multiples.  For example, notebooks are something that people of all ages use.  Kids use them for drawing and doodling in and adults use them for making lists and such.  Almost every woman I know carries a small notebook in her purse.  When you buy a set of notebooks in a package, their price will be much lower than if you buy individual notebooks.  When you are making gift baskets on a regular basis, you’ll soon start to notice ways that you can find items at lower costs than you would normally buy them.  Making gift baskets is fun, economical, and practical.  And if you find that you really enjoy it you can open up your own business making gift baskets for other people!

For more articles and information about making gifts and gift-making supplies, please see our "resources" section, or go to articles about gift-making ideas.