A tisket, a tasket: what to put in that gift basket?

[love2cook]

When I have a friend move into their first apt or a house or something, I usually take a laundry basket and fill it with odds n ends: cleaners, towels, hot pads, kitchen gadgets, etc.

Also food baskets are good.

Candles are always nice too!! You can get some of these cheap at DG!!

[taxchyk]

I did tiny baskets last year for some of the people who go out of their way to make my life easier... like my doctor's nurse. She does the follow up when appointments are needed, calls with reminders to do bloodwork, etc. I got a small wicker sleigh and put some bath salts, a tiny candle in a jar from Michaels that I'd bought for $.20, some chocolate, a cup, some cocoa mix and told her she deserved a minivacation.
She was overhelmed that someone would think about her for a change.

[toppincl]

I LOVE making gift baskets!!

We're doing HBA & Household supplies baskets for family this year for Christmas--we're both tired of spending $$$ on things that our families may never use. So this year, each 'family' (My parents, DH's mom & stepdad, Dad & stepmom, and both of his married brothers & their wives) are getting either a sheet set or a comforter set (depending on Black Friday sales :D) and a laundry basket filled with HBA and household items from our stockpile. They'll end up with a gift worth at LEAST $100, and we'll have easier shopping AND be assured they'll actually use the gifts. Everyone wins.

I usually make a diaper cake for baby showers, too. Each layer is a different sized diaper, with the top being the smallest size, so they can take it apart in that order. I usually use a blanket wrapped over cardboard as the 'tray', then include pacifiers, any small baby samples I have on hand, socks, pacifier clips, baby nail clippers, etc. I also usually either add some things to the cake for mom--shampoo, soap, lotion samples, tea bags, etc--or make a separate 'mommy' gift basket. I have friends having a baby in the spring, and I think I'm going to try to put together a 'hospital' basket for the two of them--just soaps, razors, deodorant, etc for BOTH of them for the hospital stay, since our hospitals encourage dad to room in. That way, they won't have to worry about packing for themselves.

Speaking of hospitals, both times I've had babies I've made up a gift basket for the nurses on the maternity floor. The first time it was halloween candy, as our little one was born on Oct 28. This time, it was bagels from Panera and a smaller container of candy. Just a little something to thank them for changing my babies' diapers and bringing me ice at 3 am :D I'm already putting together some Thanksgiving baskets, too, mostly for the police officers, 911 operators, and nursing staff at my grandmother's nursing home who will be working the holiday. Just something to let them know they're appreciated, so homemade cookies, hot chocolate mix, tea bags, etc.

[love2cook]

Originally Posted by toppincl I LOVE making gift baskets!! Speaking of hospitals, both times I've had babies I've made up a gift basket for the nurses on the maternity floor. The first time it was halloween candy, as our little one was born on Oct 28. This time, it was bagels from Panera and a smaller container of candy. Just a little something to thank them for changing my babies' diapers and bringing me ice at 3 am :D I'm already putting together some Thanksgiving baskets, too, mostly for the police officers, 911 operators, and nursing staff at my grandmother's nursing home who will be working the holiday. Just something to let them know they're appreciated, so homemade cookies, hot chocolate mix, tea bags, etc.

I am a 911 dispatcher - I wish more people were as thoughtful as you! Thanks for doing that for your local dispatchers. We are so often forgotten!!

[wannabefree]

I read that baskets can be put together and covered with window tinting film b/c it can be blow dried and thus "shrink wrapped". Has anyone tried this?


What are some ideas for the container other than a basket? I was thinking cookie tin, trash can, bucket, etc depending on the recipient.

Please help me be creative. I want to share some of the goodies for Christmas gifts from my stockpile without looking like I burglarized a CVS store!

Thanks a bunch!

[wly]

LOL. Im in the same boat. I just went to Ross and got some baskets. I did have a good site somewhere on basket ideas.. hm. Gift Baskets That's a great site. Im just doin the original italian/pasta basket and a movie night basket. Oh and some wine baskets! Do you have pics of any baskets youve made before? I really need some help on makin' these suckers look good! Im also making salt dough ornamets and painting them, placing them at the top where I would put a bow.

[wannabefree]

So HAS anyone used the window film to shrink wrap the basket????? I was hoping to get some feedback on that.
:shrug7:
Thanks

[stevieswife]

I have never tried the window tint for shrink wrap, but have PAID for window tint a few times( for DH & myself to apply) and it is expensive! It doesn't "shrink" when blow dried for faster drying on the windows, it stays true to the size it was cut. So , not sure if it would for a gift basket, not to mention it is a pain to try and seperate the backing from the actual tint.

Dollar Tree usually has the shrink wrap. Much cheaper and less work. IMO.

[love2cook]

Originally Posted by wannabefree What are some ideas for the container other than a basket? I was thinking cookie tin, trash can, bucket, etc depending on the recipient. Please help me be creative. I want to share some of the goodies for Christmas gifts from my stockpile without looking like I burglarized a CVS store! Thanks a bunch!

A laundry basket, dish pan, mixing bowl, flower pot, cookie sheet, cake pan, hmmmmmm -

[toppincl]

Originally Posted by stevieswife I have never tried the window tint for shrink wrap, but have PAID for window tint a few times( for DH & myself to apply) and it is expensive! It doesn't "shrink" when blow dried for faster drying on the windows, it stays true to the size it was cut. So , not sure if it would for a gift basket, not to mention it is a pain to try and seperate the backing from the actual tint. Dollar Tree usually has the shrink wrap. Much cheaper and less work. IMO.

Hmm ... I'm not sure, but I don't think she meant the tint, but rather those storm windows that shrink to fit? And to be honest I feel silly--we used those things every year in our old house, and it never once occurred to me to use those instead of the bags from the $$ tree for gift baskets!! I bet they would work, though . . . .but I don't know how you'd seal the seam.