Frugal Friday--Holiday Gift Baskets

Christmas is just around the corner(I think we are down to 111 days!!!), so it is time for me to start thinking about gifts and what I am going to do to bring holiday cheer to extended family members and neighbors.

One thing I do each year for Christmas, I do up gift baskets for my extended family members. Being the oldest of eight children, it seems that my extended family is forever growing! I found that doing these baskets is fun and economical. I also like doing them because my munchkins can help me think of items to put in them and help put them together. The other thing that I like about doing these kinds of baskets is how versatile they can be. You don't have to just give them at Christmas time but you can use them for other occasions as well! I have been known to give the "baby basket" at a baby shower. The "kitchen basket" makes a good home warming gift or bridal shower gift.

To make them economical I usually will visit my local Dollar Stores! We have a few different ones in my area. The other thing is to make the items yourself that you place in the baskets.
Here is a list of ones that I have done.

Kitchen gift basket:
--magnetic grocery list pad
--dish towel or cloth(usually line the basket with it)
--scented candle or two
--kitchen utensil or two

--dry ingredients of a spice mix or bread or cookies

Holiday gift basket:
--holiday table runner
--holiday dish towel or cloth or hotpad
--holiday scented candles
--tree ornament(handmade or store bought)
--small box of chocolates or fudge
--Christmas music CD

Baby gift basket:
--hooded towel
--wash cloth
--rubber ducky
--baby shampoo(trial size)
--baby powder(trial size)
--baby lotion(trial size)
--terri sleeper

Cookie gift basket:
--cookie mix(gift in a jar type thing)
--cookie recipes
--cookie cutters

Rainy day/sick day gift basket:
--soup mix(gift in a jar type thing)
--hot chocolate or tea
--mug/tea cup
--deck of cards

Kid coloring gift basket:
--coloring book
--a pad of paper(construction or drawing)
--box of 24 ct. crayons
--pencils
--washable markers
--stickers

Stationary/Letter Writing Gift basket:
--different kinds of stationary and envelopes
--pens
--postage stamps
--address book
--letter opener

"Night in" gift basket:(this basket is a little more expensive but a nice one for a couple)
--movie rental gift certificate
--bag of popcorn
--couple bottles of IBC rootbeer or sparkling grape juice


Here is some websites that have some more ideas for homemade gift baskets...

Homemade Gift Baskets

Christmas Gifts baskets

Pioneer Thinking-Gift baskets

Themed Gift baskets

Gift Ideas by Hobby

For other frugal tips, recipes, or resources, Biblical Womanhood! Today Crystal is explaining why they are raising their grocery budget for this "life season" they are going thru as a family! Congratulations to the Paine family!!