This is the third post in the Christmas series at From this Kitchen Table. (Find all the posts here.) Be sure to come back over the next few weeks to read more thoughts, get some new recipes, and receive gift ideas. You can follow us on Facebook or subscribe by e-mail to be sure you don’t miss out!
It’s December. Parties and dinners to attend. Presents or hostess gifts might be required. Every year I find myself brainstorming ideas for my church staff party and for family.
I’ve assembled some ideas that I’ve seen, received, or made. Make them simple (and super affordable) or add the optional ideas to jazz them up a bit. You could even combine a few baskets into one – Popcorn/Movie Basket and the Hot Chocolate one go together pretty well.
1. Hot Chocolate Basket
- Hot Chocolate: Purchase hot chocolate or make your own mix and package it in a small mason jar. You could also do hot chocolate balls or hot chocolate spoons
- Toppings: (place this in small jars from Hobby Lobby or little food bags)
Marshmallows (If you feel up to it you can even make them! These look yummy or check out this recipe for peppermint marshmallows. This recipe is made with honey)
Mini Chocolate Chips
Sprinkles
Carton of Heavy Whipping Cream (optional) - A mug or two (completely optional)
- Packaging:
Find a basket or tin (Hobby Lobby has a great selection of both you can buy on sale) or even a gift bag and arrange all the goodies!
You can also put everything inside of the mug as packaging if you’re going to give it to a single person. Tie cellophane around it with a bow or ribbon to complete the packaging.
2. Tea Basket
I love tea but it’s not often that I splurge on a fun new flavor.
- Tea Bags Some brands to consider:
Yogi has some amazing flavors (Egyptian Licorice is fabulous, but it’s not recommended when nursing or pregnant)
Tazo
Twinings
Traditional Medicinals (choose this or one of the next two if you want the cleanest tea)
Numi
Rishi
Celestial Seasons is an option available at your local store. - Small Jar of Honey (Optional) Buy a small glass jar and put honey in it or buy a honey sampler already packaged.
- Packaging A basket or you may put a bow on a single box or tape several boxes together and tie it with ribbon.
OR
- Loose Leaf Tea
- Stainless Tea Mesh Tea Ball
- Small Jar of Honey (Optional) Buy a small glass jar and put honey in it or buy a honey sampler already packaged.
- Packaging Leave it in it’s original packaging and tie the tea ball on with a bow or move the tea into a canister or glass jar and arranged in a small basket.
3. Ice Cream Sundae Kit
- Toppings: (Put the sauces in mason jars and place the other topping in small jars from Hobby Lobby or little food bags)
Chopped nuts
Hot Fudge Sauce (This recipe is super easy with sweetened condensed milk or try this one to make it from scratch)
Caramel Sauce (Here are a couple of recipes)
Chopped candy bars, cookies, sprinkles or whatever else you feel
Carton of Heavy Whipping Cream (Optional) - Ice Cream Scoop (optional)
- Ice Cream Bowls or Cones (optional)
- Packaging:
Find a basket or tin (Hobby Lobby has a both selection of both you can buy on sale) or even just a gift bag works great and arrange all the goodies!
4. Cheese & Crackers Basket
- Assorted Cheeses (personal favorites are Havarti and Smoked Gouda)
- Crackers (a box or two)
- Summer Sausage (optional)
- Specialty Jellies (optional)
- Small cutting board and knife (optional)
- Packaging:
If you are using the cutting board you could place everything on top of it, wrap it in cellophane, and tie a bow around it. Otherwise the basket or gift bag route is a simple way to go.
5. Nuts and Dried Fruits (Healthy Snacks) Basket
This would be another one that I would love! These are all things I enjoy snacking on but don’t always have the budget to purchase.
- Snack Ideas:
Almonds
Walnuts
Pecans
Cashews
Dates
Apricots
Raisins
Craisins
Other dried fruits or nuts - If you want something else to add, Lara Bars or dark chocolate are fun
- Packaging: Leave in original package, put in small food bags, tins from Hobby Lobby, or mason jars. Place in a gift bag or basket.
6. Candy/DIY Snacks Basket
- Purchase:
Bag or bar of better quality chocolate (Ghiradelli, Lindt, a fair trade brand etc) or an assortment of them. - Packaging: Put a bow on it or place in a small basket
Or
- Make (Your favorite candies):
Fudge
Caramel Corn (My Pinterest board dedicated to caramel corn recipes)
English Toffee (This recipe from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures look fabulous and for a twist on traditional toffee this Salted Toffee Pretzel Bark is incredible)
Peanut Brittle
Truffles (Here are some recipes that look yummy)
Candy Bark (Another recipe from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures. Top with mini chocolate chips to avoid artificial colors)
Chex Mix
Dipped Pretzels - Packaging Place each type of candy into a small plastic gift bag (Hobby Lobby has cute ones), metal tins, boxes or do all three. Place in a basket or simply put into a gift bag.
7. Movie Basket
- Movie (optional) If you know a movie they’d love you can buy it, get a Redbox digital gift card ($10 minimum), include a couple dollars to cover a Redbox rental or skip completely and focus on the snacks.
- Popcorn Supplies
Popcorn Kernels – 1/2-1 cup of kernels in a bag, jar, or tin
Coconut Oil – (Makes movie theater like popcorn. Order online or you can find it at Wal-Mart now) A couple of Tablespoons per 1/2 cup of popcorn in a small container
Butter 1 stick is more than enough for 1 -1 1/2 cups of popcorn
Sea Salt Optional, as most people will have salt they can use.
Directions: Put oil and 3 kernels of popcorn in the bottom of a large pan with a lid and place over medium – medium high heat. When all three kernels pop add /2 cup or corn and put lid back on. Shake frequently until corn is popped. (May have to quickly empty out some of the popped corn to allow the rest to finish popping) Dump into a bowl and top with melted butter and salt to taste. - Popcorn Seasoning (optional)
- Candy
Add a few of their favorite movie candy bars or make these homemade Crunch or Heath Bars - Packaging: Place all of the supplies into a large bowl (it will become the popcorn bowl!). You could find plastic or paper popcorn containers to add as well. Wrap a festive ribbon around the bowl and you are set.
8. Fruit
- Fruit Whatever you like and what’s in season: apples, oranges, cuties (my daughter would love to see a basket of these), grapefruit, pomegranate, bananas, pineapple, kiwi etc. The options are endless.
- Packaging Arrange them all in a basket and add a bow.
What homemade gift baskets have you given or received?
Be sure to come back next week for the next post in our Christmas series! You can follow us on Facebook or subscribe by e-mail to be sure you don’t miss out!
I love giftbaskets…I wish I received more of them! LOL
I am thinking of doing a few of these for Christmas!
Thanks for the awesome inspiration!
I know! Me too. One of my sisters just gave me one with ice cream toppings and cheese and crackers though, so I can’t complain too much. 🙂 I’m making some myself. Thanks for stopping by.
I love the gift basket idea and I know the movie one is always a big hit! I have made “spa” baskets for my kids’ teachers before–everything from the dollar store–hooray!
Yes, gift baskets on a budget are a blast! There are so many options. Thanks for stopping by.
I love this idea! I really enjoy making baskets like this, but now I have a couple more to try! Thanks for sharing. 🙂 Hopping over from A Mama’s Story!
They are such a fun gift! And the options really are endless. Thanks for coming over!
There are great ideas here! Pre-bought baskets and hampers can be so expensive – these DIY ones are a great way of saving money and adding a personal touch.
Thanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
So true – you can personalize them to your recipients tastes (and find things on sale or buy in bulk if you are making several).
I love your ideas! I will pin this post. I found your post through Mommy on Demand’s link-up. I also do a Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party on Mondays! Would love to see you link up there!
Thanks! I love gift baskets – they are so much fun. How fun! I’ll check out your party. Thanks for stopping by.
It’s Deonna from the Child at Heart blog! Thank you so much for linking up at the Merriest Blog Hop! I can’t wait to see all of your holiday ideas this month! Love the movie basket idea. I would love to get that myself 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and for the Merriest Blog Hop! Such a fun idea. I know, I’d love several of these baskets. I’m a sucker for cheese so that one sounds super good too. 🙂
Thank you for linking up with us this week for MMM link up party! I appreciate you coming every week! I LOVE these ideas!! I have some people who I need to get something for and these have given me some great ideas!! I hope you have a great week this week. Ill be sharing this on the FB page this week becasue I know others are looking for great ideas too!
Thanks for hosting. It’s always fun to check out all of the links. Gift baskets are fun and so customizable! My sister did one with ice cream toppings and cheese and crackers. Yummy! You have a great week as well.
Loving this! Pinning it so I can do this for Christmas. Visiting from THE Pin Party!
Thanks! I’m using some of them for presents too. Love that they are all practical and consumable – no presents that will just take up space and not get used. Thanks for stopping by.
These are fantastic ideas! Thanks for sharing these. I already have some friends in mind to make baskets for. These are also great for my girls to do!
Thanks and you are welcome! Love gift baskets. I’m making several too for family and staff parties. Love the idea of getting your girls involved. I think even my almost 3 year old would love to help assemble and feel a part.
What fantastic ideas, just pinned to my gift ideas board. Thanks for sharing on the weekend re-Treat link party!
Britni @ Play. Party. Pin.
Thanks and thanks for pinning! I appreciate it. Enjoy The Weekend re-Treat party! Have a great weekend.
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Such a great idea! Im in the desperate need to find my parents something and basket would be [erfect. Hope to see you back over on Tuesday for another great party http://mommyondemand.com/
Awesome ideas! I’m baking treats later this week to take to our neighbors, so I may integrate some of your ideas to make gift baskets for each household.
Thanks! Gift baskets are sooo much fun, and you are right they are so easy to mix and match ideas to come up with the perfect gift! My sister did one with yummy earth suckers for the kids, cheese, crackers, and ice cream toppings. Nothing like salty and sweet. 🙂
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