Several years ago I began creating gift baskets for different occassions. It seemed more personal and was better received than something I just ordered online and had delivered.
Depending on the occassion and the age of the recipient I choose many different containers for my gifts.
For housewarming gifts I usually find a picnic basket to fill with wine, bread, a recipe for something I know they love and the dry ingredients to cook it with. You can vary it in so many different ways, if the recipient has children I usually include a cake or cookies and juice boxes. Be creative, let your imagination go wild and see what happens.
For a childs birthday I use sand pails, lunch boxes and cute baskets. I find you can not go wrong with simple things as jump ropes, trucks, Barbie dolls, Barbie clothes, crayons and coloring books and be sure to throw in a tasty little treat. Having 8 grand children I learned long ago that the simpler it is the better they love it. I can not tell you how much money I wasted on huge elaborate gifts only to find it sat in a closet or a garage unplayed with. Wrap the basket or container with recyclable paper and tie with hemp or other natural sources. You may choose different options these are personal options for myself.
Friends birthdays are totally dependent on the friend. With most friends you know what they like, put some thought into it. I see things all through the year that I know someone would love, I buy it and put it away for their birthday.
When I am giving a gift to someone that loves to cook I always add one of my own recipes. As I love kitchen gadgets I know my friends that share my love of cooking will love them too. You can't go wrong with a simple kitchen gift. You can also place the dry ingredients in seperate bottles for the recipe you placed in the gift basket. Basting brushes, measuring spoons and cups sets, bottles with pour spouts for their cooking oils, cake pans, muffin pans, trifle bowls, dessert bowls, ramekins, etc. make great gifts. I also add some bamboo spoons and skewers to the gift basket, that is one thing I always replacing in my kitchen.
For the envirionmentalist make sure your containers are earth friendly, I take many steps in living green which I also have a blog about, it is not expensive as everyone believes to give green gifts. It is easier than ever to find bamboo containers, bowls, spoons and rugs, there is also sea grass, natural cleaning and beauty products which you can buy in stores or online. Soy candles are great gifts for the candle lover that is environmentally conscious. They burn clean, smell great and are long lasting. As with anything a little research and creativity goes a long way.
Christmas is a great time for the personal touch and I go all out with homemade cookies, cakes, candies and other tasty treats. I always add the recipe and maybe a can of cocoa, chocolate chips, vanilla, sugar, flour or other things that are needed to make the recipe. Cookie cutters and molds are great ideas for these baskets also. I love the smell of baking, especially at Christmas as the spices are so very sweet and delectable smelling. My home smells of cooking and baking each day of the year but at Christmas time it just smells better. There is nothing better than getting a gift basket of great foods at Christmas.
Living on a budget makes it hard to give gifts to everyone you wish to but with homemade gifts it is much simpler and affordable. Don't bust your budget, create your own gifts. If you sew make tablecloths, table runners, aprons, throws for beds and sofas or throw pillows. There is not a gift mentioned I would not love to receive. I have seen friends and family regift and sell things in garage sales, they tell me it is because the gift giver did not consider what they wanted but what the gift giver their self liked.
As I said earlier, you know your friends and family, you know what they like, think about it and make a hit with a personal gift basket. For those you do not know so well, ask someone that does.
Cheryl C McNeil
Depending on the occassion and the age of the recipient I choose many different containers for my gifts.
For housewarming gifts I usually find a picnic basket to fill with wine, bread, a recipe for something I know they love and the dry ingredients to cook it with. You can vary it in so many different ways, if the recipient has children I usually include a cake or cookies and juice boxes. Be creative, let your imagination go wild and see what happens.
For a childs birthday I use sand pails, lunch boxes and cute baskets. I find you can not go wrong with simple things as jump ropes, trucks, Barbie dolls, Barbie clothes, crayons and coloring books and be sure to throw in a tasty little treat. Having 8 grand children I learned long ago that the simpler it is the better they love it. I can not tell you how much money I wasted on huge elaborate gifts only to find it sat in a closet or a garage unplayed with. Wrap the basket or container with recyclable paper and tie with hemp or other natural sources. You may choose different options these are personal options for myself.
Friends birthdays are totally dependent on the friend. With most friends you know what they like, put some thought into it. I see things all through the year that I know someone would love, I buy it and put it away for their birthday.
When I am giving a gift to someone that loves to cook I always add one of my own recipes. As I love kitchen gadgets I know my friends that share my love of cooking will love them too. You can't go wrong with a simple kitchen gift. You can also place the dry ingredients in seperate bottles for the recipe you placed in the gift basket. Basting brushes, measuring spoons and cups sets, bottles with pour spouts for their cooking oils, cake pans, muffin pans, trifle bowls, dessert bowls, ramekins, etc. make great gifts. I also add some bamboo spoons and skewers to the gift basket, that is one thing I always replacing in my kitchen.
For the envirionmentalist make sure your containers are earth friendly, I take many steps in living green which I also have a blog about, it is not expensive as everyone believes to give green gifts. It is easier than ever to find bamboo containers, bowls, spoons and rugs, there is also sea grass, natural cleaning and beauty products which you can buy in stores or online. Soy candles are great gifts for the candle lover that is environmentally conscious. They burn clean, smell great and are long lasting. As with anything a little research and creativity goes a long way.
Christmas is a great time for the personal touch and I go all out with homemade cookies, cakes, candies and other tasty treats. I always add the recipe and maybe a can of cocoa, chocolate chips, vanilla, sugar, flour or other things that are needed to make the recipe. Cookie cutters and molds are great ideas for these baskets also. I love the smell of baking, especially at Christmas as the spices are so very sweet and delectable smelling. My home smells of cooking and baking each day of the year but at Christmas time it just smells better. There is nothing better than getting a gift basket of great foods at Christmas.
Living on a budget makes it hard to give gifts to everyone you wish to but with homemade gifts it is much simpler and affordable. Don't bust your budget, create your own gifts. If you sew make tablecloths, table runners, aprons, throws for beds and sofas or throw pillows. There is not a gift mentioned I would not love to receive. I have seen friends and family regift and sell things in garage sales, they tell me it is because the gift giver did not consider what they wanted but what the gift giver their self liked.
As I said earlier, you know your friends and family, you know what they like, think about it and make a hit with a personal gift basket. For those you do not know so well, ask someone that does.
Cheryl C McNeil
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