Start with a wicker basket. Check your paint supply and see if you have any orange or black spray paint. If not a quick run to the local home decor or paint store is in order. Buy a color it to match Halloween, which basically is orange or black. That little extra touch will go a long way!

Also, instead of a basket, you can also use one of those plastic orange pumpkins that children use for trick or treating. They even come with a handle already attached.

Line the bottom with some shredded orange or black paper. Use the opposite color if the container so it stands out. You can also use tissue paper or a Halloween napkin.

Spend a little time in your local discount store and pick up some Halloween or Fall theme accessories such as pens, pencils, erasers, notepads, key chains, mouse pads, earrings, pins and mugs to name just a few. Think about the person you’re giving it to and what they will use.

Check out your nearest bakery, or the bakery section of your supermarket for baked goods. If you have an bakery outlet near you, all the better! Look for pumpkin flavored muffins, cookies or any other baked goods that they might have.

Last, but definitely not least…CANDY!! What’s Halloween without some yummy candy! Pick up some traditional favorites like candy corn and chocolate shaped ghosts. There is so much of a variety in Halloween candy, it would be hard for you not to find something. Don’t forget to get some non-traditional Hallowen candy if you know the recipient likes it. Maybe they like a certain brand of candy bar or a particular flavor of gum. By all means, include some in their basket!

Halloween is a fun time of the year! Your gift should be fun also!

Waste paper basket
Cooking pots
Colander
Picnic Basket
Hat
Wagon
Bucket
Lunch box
Large mug
Flower pot
Salad bowl
Ice cooler
Laundry basket
Tackle box
Tool box
Goldfish bowl
Pet food dish
Watering can

Anna Jarvis, who was born in Virgina in 1864, began her crusade to create a day to honor mothers, after her own mother passed away. On the second anniversary of her mothers death, she dedicated a small tribute to her at her church. From there, the custom caught on and eventually spread to 45 states. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother’s Day, as a day for American citizens to show the flag in honor of those mothers whose sons had died in war. Nine years later, commercialization of the day became so widespread that Anna Jarvis herself became a major opponent of what the holiday had become.

This year, instead of mindlessly picking something up in the store or paying a florist to deliver flowers that you didn’t pick out yourself, take some time and create something thats personalized for HER.

Start with a pad and pen and write down all the interests she has. Include any hobbies she has or sports she’s interested in. Does she have a favorite type of movie or food? For each interest that you listed, think of some small to medium sized items that you can make or buy and start collecting them. Also begin thinking of what type of basket or container you want to use. You don’t have to buy an actual basket. For instance, if you’re going to create a gardening basket, use a flower pot as the ‘basket”.

Homemade gift baskets are always appreciated and with a little thought and some creativity, you’ll create a one of a kind gift for a one of a kind person.

Start shopping early for baskets and other containers. Flea markets and second hand shops are a great place to find new and like-new baskets. You can use green or red napkins as liners for the bottom to pretty it up. Baskets are not the only container you can use. Use a collander for a cooking basket. Use a waste paper pail for a teacher or college student’s basket.

As you look for items to fill the basket up, think about the person you are giving the gift to. What do they enjoy doing? Do they have a favorite food or movie? Also, look for items that reflect the holiday. A few candy canes or Christmas ornaments tucked in will make an all occasion gift basket look more Christmasy.

Here’s a short list of people that would appreciate a small gift basket during the holiday season:

Child’s Teacher
Girl/Boy Scout Troop Leader
Your babysitter
The instructor at your gym
Your favorite hair stylist
Neighbors on your block

Think about all the people you come into contact with on a daily or weekly basis. All of them would love a thoughtful gift such as a gift basket.

There are tons of themes you can use to create your basket around. Here are just a few to get you started.

Baking
Pizza
Nature
Beach
Angels
Fruit
Boats

There are so many themes you can create a basket around. The possibilities are endless.

Christmas only comes once a year so make it extra special for the people in your life by giving them a thoughtful gift that they’ll use and love. Use the ideas on this site to get you started and let your imagination run wild.

If you would prefer to purchase a gift basket, click the banner below for a wide variety of baskets for everyone on your Christmas list!

New Years Eve Gift Basket:

wall or desk calendar, champagne and glasses, party hats, noise makers, sparklers, confetti, balloons, journal and fancy pen, trial gym membership, exercise video or book. Try using one of those plastic party hats that have the new year printed on it, to hold all the goodies.

Valentines Day Gift Basket:

heart shaped jewelry, romantic books, music or movies, bath and body items, scented candles, heart shaped candy and cookies, movie theater gift certificate, massage certificate, pink or red candy and cookies, coupon for a free back rub,  bubble bath, a bottle of massage oil, a ”Do Not Disturb” door sign, book about the life of St. Valentine. Try wrapping a foot basin in tulle as a container. After they open it, run a foot bath for them using some of the bath oils.   

St. Patricks Day Gift Basket:

green candy of any kind, green cookies, shamrock jewelry, book on the life of St. Patrick, Irish coffe or liquors, book on learning to speak Irish.

Easter/Spring Gift Basket:

Easter candy, cheese and crackers, gourmet snacks, jelly or jam, Easter cookies, bunny shaped treats, seeds, gardening supplies, bird seed and feeder, plants.  If the recipient is a gardner, you can pack it in a large Easter flower pot. 

4th Of July Gift Basket:

sparklers, red, white and blue cookies or candy, American flag decals,  American flag pins or other jewelry.

Halloween Gift Basket:

candy corn, pumpkin seeds, horror movies, and books, Halloween mugs, Halloween jewelery.

Thanksgiving Gift Basket:

cheese and crackers, gourmet snacks, journal for writing daily gratitude lists, fruit. 

Christmas/Winter Gift Basket:

holiday mug, reindeer food, popcorn, holiday recipes, fudge, pine scented candle, holiday  music, candy canes, hot apple cider mix,  red or green mittens, hat or scarf, mistletoe, nativity set, thick socks, hot chocolate.

Check out our tips on creating Valentines gift baskets!