All these simple Christmas gift ideas are based on a basket, cello wrap and lots of ribbon and a card and a bit of imagination. The size and colour is your choice as is the contents such as fresh fruit, nuts, beverages, toys, home baking or preserving, etc – almost endless variations on a theme. Easy to do yourself, simply add your own personal touches with gifts you know the recipient enjoys. These are all excellent, any occasion gift ideas – here’s a few to stimulate your imagination. Have fun!
Gift Basket #1 – The ever popular fruit basket
- This is always a winner and impressive no matter what size
- Fruit should be slightly “under” ripe
- Heaviest or largest fruit at the bottom of the basket
- The List should include a wide variety of fruit including local apples
#2 – A Fruit and Nut basket
- Include a few fruits as well as
- Nuts such as cashews, peanuts, walnuts in shell, pistachios or macadamian nuts
- Watch for allergies here
#3 – Crackers, Juice & Cheese Snack Pack
The title says it all :
- Crackers – read sugar ingredients on label
- Small bottle champagnes or a favourite beverage
- A couple of glasses or mugs
- Cheeses – white such as brie and a jar of homemade (honey) jam
#4 – A Grocery Basket
- Keep healthy with this one e.g limit processed foods and those with added sugars
- Buy suggestions in link below
#5 – Homemade Preserves and Baking
- If you have the time – this is very special
- Home preserved jams, chutney, pickles or your personal “specialty” item
- A loaf of fresh homemade bread … a treat is homemade Rye
- A tea (sweet) bread such as raisin or spice bread
#6 – A Picnic or Beach Basket Hamper
- Small tablecloth and placemats – cloth is a nice touch but also fancy paper serviettes
- Set of picnic utensils (recycled preferred over plastic)
- Include BBQ items or utensils
#7 – A Coffee & Tea basket
- Small packets of special teas and coffees
- A glass mug, china tea cup, or two
- Perhaps a couple of candles – here’s how to make your own beexwax candles
#8 – A Special Occasion Basket
- At this time of year – if there is a special anniversary, a proposal, a Christmas Day birthday, a change of careers; all an opportunity to give a piece of jewellery, watch, or ?
#9 – The Toy Basket
This is a fun gift for nieces or nephews – all age appropriate
- Small stuffed toys
- Lego sets, charades, etc
- A kids sized jig saw puzzle
- A flag, a kite
- A kids version of Scrabble
- Winter mitts, hats, toques
- Books and games galore
- Sky is the limit on this one
And here’s three more basket ideas to make an even dozen suggestions :
#10 For the book lover
- A basket of books
- A magazine subscription
- Library membership
#11 The Hobby Basket
This one is for the gardener, but switch to golfer, skier, cyclist, and you’re a winner
- Small gardening tool set
- Seed catalogue
- Packets of seeds
- Garden gloves
- Plant stakes
- A gardening book
- A gift certificate or a living plant !
#12 For the car repair person
- Car repair manual
- Mechanics gloves
- Socket wrench set, “all in one” screwdriver
- Hand cleaner
- LED battery powered trouble light, and more
- All wrapped up in a new oil pan in cello wrap!
There you have it! Combine basket contents to suit your budget and make up several gift baskets for family, friends or employees. No two baskets ever look the same ~ add items you know will be well received. Have fun with this – and Merry Christmas and always remember . . .
Best wishes, Liz
Notes
- Before filling a basket, line the bottom with a tablecloth, colourful tissue, or fake straw
- A small gift basket is always a well received hostess gift
- An additional idea is to add a Gift Certificate to a grocery store, flower shop, etc
- Another item(s) to add could be a non alcoholic sparkling wine or juice; a beverage with two crystal glasses for a Happy New Year basket (look out for high added sugar content)
- If you prefer not to go the Cello Bag Route – there’s always the Big Bag and wrap all the gifts inside
It does not need to be an expensive gift basket ~
it really is the thought (but more importantly the following action) that counts!
Links
- Mum’s homemade chocolate rum balls – a no bake once a year treat
- Many more ideas for the Christmas holiday Season
- Here’s Dr Unwin’s “Endorsed Sugar Equivalence Infographics” Pass it on …
“I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart”
Words to Feliz Navidad
Note: Partially updated December, 2019
