The Ultimate Guide for Creating DIY Gift Baskets – 30+ Ideas!

It’s almost that time of year again: the gift-giving season! I love Christmas and everything it brings, but sometimes deciding on what to give the people in my life can feel a bit stressful. If you are struggling to find a meaningful yet budget-friendly gift for any of the people on your Christmas list, I’m here to give you all my best DIY gift basket ideas!

Why a DIY gift basket?

Gift baskets are my favourite kind of gift to give and a good idea at any time of year. By curating a collection of items that your recipient will love, you can show them how well you know & care for them. DIY gift baskets can also be extremely budget-friendly. You can set whatever budget you want for the basket and then buy goodies anywhere, from a boutique shop to a dollar store or even your local thrift stores. It’s completely up to you! Either way, how you create and style the basket will make it look high-end. They are perfect for Christmas because you can easily customize a basket to be festive and thoughtful without spending much at all.

What to put in a DIY gift basket

Make each gift basket completely unique to the person you’re giving it to. Put as many or as few items in the basket as you’d like, and create a fun theme that your friend or family member will love! For my baskets, I’ve included everything from food to home decor—everything depends on the recipient’s interests. This post has more than enough DIY gift basket ideas to help you get started on your Christmas quest!

Gift basket container ideas: what to use instead of a basket

One way to elevate a DIY gift basket is to use a creative container. Instead of a classic basket, use another container that matches the aesthetic of the items you’re putting in it. For example, a beautiful mixing bowl is a great option for a pancake-themed gift basket. Or, a lovely glass pitcher would work well for a gift basket with mulled wine ingredients. A beach bucket would be an adorable holder for a beach-themed gift for kids. You could put a housewarming gift filled with beautiful laundry items and linens in a laundry basket for someone who just moved into their new place. Think outside of the gift box (or basket) to create something truly special!

How can I make dollar store baskets look nice?

If you’re opting to use items from a dollar store in your gift basket, you can still make your gift look luxurious and expensive just by keeping a few tips and tricks in mind. Choose items that have a similar theme & colour scheme. Then, choose a basket that matches the feel of the items and fill it with recyclable shredded paper to match. Next, arrange the items on top of the paper in a pleasing way – the large items can go at the back and the small ones at the front. Add gift tags and/or free printable labels (we will get to those!) to make your basket into a beautiful, custom creation. Finally, you can wrap the whole thing with some cellophane and tie it with a beautiful bow. And just like that, your dollar store basket will look like it was purchased at a fancy boutique!

Dollar Store Gift Basket Ideas

Speaking of dollar store gift baskets, I’ve got some ideas for you! Christmas can be an expensive time of year, so if you are looking for a budget friendly gift idea that doesn’t feel cheap, I’m here to help. These four gift baskets contain items I sourced entirely from the dollar store, and they are beautiful, thoughtful, and gorgeous! Anyone on your list would be thrilled to receive them. 

Relaxation Gift Basket

To encourage your friend, family member, or the new mom in your life to relax this season, create a spa-themed basket. Include a candle, bath bubbles or bath salts, bath bombs, essential oils, a body scrubbing glove, a body brush, a makeup bag, chocolates or other sweet treats, and a mug. You could personalize the mug with your Cricut using this Cricut project file. But if you don’t have a Cricut, no problem! Choose a cute mug that goes with the colour scheme you have chosen. Or, check out Etsy or Facebook Marketplace, where you might find a pre-customized mug or someone to make you the exact vinyl decal you want for a very reasonable cost.

Baking Dollar Store Gift Basket

Any baking enthusiast would be happy to receive measuring cups, cake mix, icing, cupcake wrappers, a whisk, a spatula, and oven mitts in a pretty basket or bowl. You could personalize the oven mitts with your Cricut, or a paint marker would work too!

Coffee Gift Basket

This basket includes a mug, coffee beans, iced coffee, cookies, and chocolate. You could personalize the mug with your Cricut using this Cricut project file. Perfect for anyone who loves a great mug of coffee.

Cozy Gift Basket

For the person who likes to stay in and keep warm this season, help them out with this basket full of cozy items! A pretty mug, cute snacks, delicious chocolate, and cute fuzzy socks and gloves are just a few ideas to get you started. Give them a gift card to a local bookstore so they can add their own cozy-night-in reading material of their choice!

Watch my YouTube video with DIY gift basket ideas:

6 Fun & Easy DIY Gift Basket Ideas for Everyone on Your List

I love thinking about the person I’m giving a gift to and coming up with a perfectly themed gift basket that will appeal to their interests or fulfill one of their needs. The next six gift baskets should check the boxes for more than one person on your list! You can mix and match dollar store items with things from other sources to keep these gifts beautiful yet affordable.

Pancake Breakfast Gift Basket

This fun food gift basket idea is perfect for an entire family! In this gift, you can include:

• Pancake mix
• A matching kitchen towel and oven mitt
• Maple syrup
• A mixing spoon
• A spatula 

Add any other essentials or treats you think might be nice for a pancake breakfast morning (sprinkles or chocolate chips maybe?). Pack all of the items inside a beautiful mixing bowl filled with shredded basket filler for a fun pancake breakfast gift! And don’t forget to print your free label to make it extra fancy and inviting.

Mulled Wine Gift Basket

This isn’t technically a gift in a basket, but it’s the same idea! This is one of those times when a different container makes your gift even prettier. I used a pitcher, and I love how it turned out! To make this mulled wine gift, create a DIY mulled wine mix. Here’s how:

• Cut one apple, one orange, and one lemon into ¼” slices
• Place the slices on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
• Dehydrate the slices in your oven at 175 degrees F for about 3 hours, flipping the slices every 30 minutes (you can learn more about drying citrus slices by reading this blog post)
• Place ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp cloves and the dried fruit slices into a tall cellophane bag and tie it with a bow
• Now, place the DIY mix in a large pitcher. Then, add a bottle of red wine (a Cabernet Sauvignon is nice for this) and a bottle stopper.
• Finish the gift off by tying some gift tags and instructions on how to make the mulled wine to the pitcher and the wine bottle.

What a gorgeous gift for the holidays! This is quick and easy to put together, and who doesn’t love mulled wine? Download and print the free gift tags and instruction cards to take your special gift to the next level.

Sugar Cookies & Hot Cocoa Night Gift Basket

This gift basket idea is another one that’s great for the whole family! Encourage an evening of cookie baking and hot cocoa sipping with this basket. You can include:

• A DIY sugar cookie mix (more on that below)
• A rolled-up apron
• Cookie cutters
• Hot chocolate mix
• Sprinkles
• Mugs
• A rolling pin
• Marshmallows

Place all of the items inside a basket for a fun sugar cookie & hot cocoa night gift. And I’ve even included some printable tags to finish it all off.

To make the sugar cookies in a jar:

• In a large bowl, mix together 3 cups of flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, and a pinch of salt
• Put 1 ½ cups granulated sugar in a 1 quart mason jar
• Pour the flour mixture over top of the sugar. You may need to gently tap the jar to fit everything in
• Then, put the lid on the jar and tie a tag with the directions on the neck of the jar (you can find the free printable instructions and tag in the post!)

Cozy, Self-Care Gift Basket

Whether your recipient is a tween, a mom, or your best friend, they’ll love this gorgeous pampering DIY gift basket idea. In this gift you can include:

• A cozy blanket
• Warm socks
• Slippers
• Hand towels
• Twinkle lights
• Hand soap
• A candle
• Room spray, and 
• Dried lavender

Place all of the items inside a basket for a gift that’s perfect for pampering during an at-home spa day. And of course, I have a free printable label and tag to make it extra special.

Coffee Survival Kit Gift Basket

For the caffeine enthusiast in your life, this basket includes:

• DIY Maple Vanilla Syrup: Mix 1/2 cup maple syrup with 2 teaspoons vanilla in a mason jar. Label it for a polished touch.
• Coffee
• Cookies
• Peppermint candy spoons
• Marshmallow stir stick

Place all of the items inside a basket for a perfect gift for a teacher or a friend. If your recipient isn’t a coffee lover, swap the coffee for tea or hot chocolate items! There are so many ways to customize this gift!

Ice Cream Sundae Gift Basket

This is another family-friendly gift that’s so easy to put together. You can find most of these items at the dollar store, which makes this basket budget-friendly too. You can include:

• Waffle bowls
• An ice cream scoop
• Sundae syrup
• Cherries
• Sprinkles
• Candy, and
• Graham crackers

Place all of the items inside a basket and add this free printable label so the recipient knows that all they need to add for their sundae night is…the ice cream! 

3 Gift Baskets to Make with a Cricut

How to Put Together the Perfect Cricut Joy Holiday Gift Set

Whether you want to give a Cricut to a friend this Christmas or to yourself, here’s how to put together the perfect Cricut Joy holiday gift bundle. This would make an incredible gift for an avid crafter in your life, and I should know. I received my first Cricut in 2017, and have been obsessed ever since! My Cricut machines have definitely taken my DIYs to the next level, and some of my favourite crafts EVER have been made with the help of my Cricut (like this personalized Christmas Eve basket). I’ve even got a whole category on my blog dedicated to Cricut craft ideas, and you can find it right here. I’ve given away Cricut gift packs as gifts to my subscribers and to my friends. They’re an amazing present for anyone who loves to craft! 

Here’s what I’d recommend including in a Cricut Joy gift pack so that your recipient can enjoy crafting immediately:

• Cricut Joy machine
• 1–2 colours of Smart Vinyl, Permanent (I like to start with simple black & white)
• 1–2 colours of Smart Iron-On (again, I like starting with black & white)
• Transfer Tape
• Basic Tool Set (this isn’t absolutely necessary, but definitely nice to have)

This Cricut Joy gift bundle fits perfectly in a large wicker basket. Simply fill the bottom of the basket with tissue paper and arrange the machine and accessory boxes on top. You can add a pretty bow to one of the basket handles. Finally, wrap everything up with cellophane before gifting. Voila!

5 Senses Holiday Gift Idea for Him with Cricut Joy

Do you have a significant other who’s notoriously hard to buy gifts for? Try this five senses gift idea made with Cricut Joy! A five senses gift is a gift basket or collection of wrapped gifts that include items that use each of the five senses. There will be an item to smell, one to taste, one to touch, one to see, and one to hear. Here’s one I’ve made for my husband, and I hope it gives you ideas on how you could put one together for a loved one, too!

Thank You Gift Basket Idea with Cricut

Christmas is as good a time of year as any to show gratitude and appreciation! You can easily customize my thank you basket for Christmas. Simply swap out the fall-themed pumpkin for a bottle brush tree or small ornament. And, this basket is made extra special with the addition of sparkling foil details using Cricut’s Foil Transfer System.  

My Amazon store is full of beautiful gifts to fill the gaps in your DIY baskets:

Gifts In A Tin

In this section, I’ve included all my “gift in a tin” ideas! I have included ideas that will work for entire families (family gifts can be quite a challenge!), a special someone, friends, and co-workers.  Are you starting to see why I love fun gift basket ideas so much? And of course, each of these gift ideas comes with FREE printable labels and tags to make them extra special.

Movie Night in a Tin

How about an experience gift that you can actually hand to someone? In this Movie Night in a Tin gift basket, I’ve come up with a bunch of different treats and activities that would all make a night to remember. I would include:

• Caramel popcorn
• Cute popcorn containers
• Candy
• A gift card for streaming movies

Tuck everything neatly into the tin, and you’ve got an instant ticket to a cozy movie marathon. This is a perfect gift for a family or neighbour!

Craft Night in a Tin

This is a perfect gift for anyone in your life who loves to craft! To fill this tin, I recommend:

• A large tin basket
• Burlap ribbon (for the wrapper around the tin)
• Twine string
• A knitting and sewing instructional booklet
• A couple balls of yarn
• Knitting needles
• Crochet hook
• Spool of lace
• Package of tassels
• Coca-Cola in glass bottles
• Chocolate

You could add anything else that you think might be appreciated, like a sewing kit or little embellishments! Don’t forget your free printable tags and labels! Enjoy!

Family Game Night in a Tin

It’s not always easy to come up with a gift for the entire family, but I’ve got you covered this time.  How about a Family Game Night in a Tin? Here are some ideas that are right on theme: 

• A large tin basket
• A scrap of plaid flannel fabric (for the wrapper around the tin)
• Twine string
• A movie
• UNO
• Barrel of Monkeys
• Popcorn in a blue mason jar
• Mini chocolates

You could also put in a puzzle, or maybe a pizza place gift card! Whatever you think your family would enjoy most. And of course, download your free tags and labels to make it extra special!

Mom’s Day Off in a Tin

Are you looking for the perfect gift for the mom in your life? Whether it’s your own mom, a friend, or a coworker who happens to have kids, this Mom’s Day Off in a Tin is the perfect way to make her feel special this holiday season! I’ve included:

• A large tin basket
• Glittery scrapbook paper (for the wrapper around the tin)
• Twine string
• A magazine (my favourite – Style at Home!)
• A face mask
• Bath pillow
• Chocolate
• Shower gel & lotion
• Candle
• Shower pouf

What are some other things you could put in a gift tin like this? What about some tea bags, a mug, or some wine? Anything you know she would use and appreciate is fair game! Add the FREE printable labels and you’re all set.

Christmas Baking Kit in a Tin

Are you looking for something practical and fun for someone on your Christmas list? Especially if you are handing out a gift early on in the season (like an office gift exchange), this idea for a Christmas Baking Kit in a Tin gift basket with free printable tags is perfect! You could include: 

• Another Sugar Cookies in a Jar mix
• A spatula & cookie cutter set from Dollarama
• A festive tea towel
• A jar of sprinkles for holiday flair

What are some other things you could include in a gift tin like this? What about some oven mitts, an apron, or a mixing bowl? Happy gifting!

Spa Day in a Tin

Gift a special person in your life a spa day gift basket this season! Here’s what you’ll need: 

• Epsom salts in a mason jar
• Nail files
• Tea
• Pumice stone
• Cozy candle
• An Amazon gift card for splurging on skincare

This basket is perfect for anyone who deserves a little “me time.”

Winter Cold Survival Kit in a Tin

Unfortunately, winter is cold and flu season as well as Christmas time! Why not help your loved ones be prepared for whatever comes with this Winter Cold Survival Kit in a Tin? 

In this gift basket, I’ve included:

• Lemon juice and honey (both in cute containers)
• A cozy mug
• Tea
• A mason jar filled with Epsom salts
• Another gift card for extra cheer

Who wouldn’t be cheered up by this basket of comfort?

Snow Day Survival Kit

Here in Canada, some winter days are just too cold and snowy to venture far from the coziness of home. Why not give the gift of something to do this Christmas? I think it would be fun to make some “snow day survival kits” as unique, handmade Christmas gifts for teachers, neighbours, and friends this year. Include things that a family could use on a day stuck at home—sugar cookies in a jar, a cookie cutter, hot chocolate mix in a jar, and some chocolate spoons to mix the hot chocolate with. 

Materials:

• Sugar Cookies in a Jar: Layer 1 1/3 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a mason jar. Tie on a label with baking instructions (you can grab the free printable here!).
• Marshmallows in a mason jar
• Hot chocolate packages
• A festive cookie cutter
• Cozy socks
• A festive lollipop

Baking and being cozy is the perfect way to spend a snowy day at home, and now your friends and loved ones won’t have to leave the house for the supplies they need! A perfectly thoughtful Christmas gift idea.

DIY Your Own Holiday Gift Basket

Are none of these themed baskets appealing to your creative side? Do you want to just do your own thing? Great! I’ve got lots of ideas for small and thoughtful gifts that you can use to create your very own basket, perfect for whoever is receiving it. 

10 DIY Christmas Gift Ideas You Can Make Under $25

Make your loved ones feel special this holiday season, but don’t break the bank. There are lots of DIY Christmas gifts you can make with $25 or less, and I’m here to share my favourite ten homemade gift ideas! Many of these would be perfect for adding to a personalized gift basket (and one of them even IS a gift basket!).

15 Creative DIY Christmas Gift Ideas for Friends

There’s nothing quite like a crafty, homemade Christmas gift to show your friends you are thinking of them during the holidays. Whether you are interested in furniture-making, fashion, food, or eco-friendly items, I have rounded up a list of 15 creative DIY Christmas gift ideas that are easy, budget-friendly, and beautiful. Find something here for everyone on your list and have fun making it!  Many of these items would be perfect stuffed into a basket of other little goodies. Some of them would also work perfectly as a larger main present with a little basket of smaller goodies on the side! Use your creativity here to put together the perfect gift. 

How to Make Personalized Socks with a Cricut

Need a fun & cheeky DIY gift idea? Learn how to make personalized socks with a Cricut for a unique gift this season. This is a great project for a beginner Cricut user, and it’s so affordable! A perfect addition to any gift basket! 

Make DIY Cat Slippers – For Only a Few Dollars!

Do you have a cat lover in your life? Make some adorable DIY cat slippers from $3 Walmart slippers that are cute and cozy to wear around the house. These are incredibly easy to make and are perfect to slip into a stocking or gift basket.

I hope that you were able to find some inspiration for all the people you have on your list this year, whether you want to use one of my basket ideas or create your own from scratch! Happy gifting and Merry Christmas!

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