Making Inexpensive Holiday Gift Baskets

How to Make Affordable Holiday or Christmas Presents

Oct 19, 2009

Trying to save money on presents this holiday season? Creating personalized gift baskets for friends and family is an inexpensive and thoughtful gift idea.

Affordable holiday and Christmas gift baskets can be a thoughtful and creative gift for friends, family or coworkers. Creating a basket at home can be an inexpensive alternative to the many stores and online sites that offer gift baskets at outrageous prices.

Here are some tips to get started making inexpensive gift baskets for Christmas or holiday presents. Start by selecting a theme, choosing a gift "basket," searching for inexpensive items to fill the gift basket and finally wrapping the basket.

Select a Theme for the Gift Basket

Know a couple who enjoys movies? Maybe a family member loves wine or coffee or a coworker is into scrapbooking. Think about what do friends and family members enjoy. Just about any pastime or hobby can be material for a Christmas gift basket. Try to determine which themes are the most affordable.

Selecting the Christmas Gift "Basket"

The gift "basket" itself can be an actual basket, or it can be any inexpensive container that matches the basket theme. A beach bucket, large popcorn bowl, kitchen pot or pan, or storage bin all work well when paired with an appropriate theme. Many of these items can be bought very reasonably at dollar stores or discount retail stores.

Find Inexpensive Items to Fill the Holiday Gift Basket

The great money saving advantage of making gift baskets is that the items in the basket can come from different places and be bought at different times. Look for items at dollar stores or discount retail stores. Or, start weeks or months before Christmas, purchasing items as they go on sale.

There are no rules for how much has to go into the basket. Fill it as much as is affordable. Gift cards that match the theme of the basket can be added if desired to increase the value for family members or close friends. Or keep it simple for a basket that will work for coworkers or teachers.

Wrap Up The Christmas Gift Basket

Wrapping this gift can be challenging. Very wide plastic wrap is often used to wrap store bought gift baskets, but this can be expensive or hard to find. Instead, try using tissue paper. Fancy, holiday themed tissue can even be found at dollar stores.

Creating a holiday or Christmas gift basket can be the perfect answer for an inexpensive holiday gift. Brainstorm for the perfect theme and find the perfect container to fill. Then, fill it with as many or as few items as the budget allows.

The copyright of the article Making Inexpensive Holiday Gift Baskets in Personal Budgeting/Finance is owned by Kara Gleghorn. Permission to republish Making Inexpensive Holiday Gift Baskets in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.