Beautiful Gifts on any Budget!
By Corie Benjamin
Stuck for gifts ideas for your daughter’s teacher, your estranged cousin, or the co-worker you drew as a Secret Santa at work? Christmas baskets are easy but elegant gifts that can be modified to fit any person on any budget. The items in a basket can be as personal or generic as desired, so custom baskets are the perfect gift solution for those difficult-to-shop-for people on your list.
Baskets can be any size or cost, based on budget and intent. Small baskets (usually based around a coffee mug or bowl) can be made for under $20. Large baskets are more elaborate, involve more items, and cost about $30–$40 to put together. A basket with food and drinks is the easiest project because it can be given to almost anyone—although always be sure to check with the recipient for any allergies. If you plan to make multiple gift baskets for the holidays, begin collecting items for them early.
What you’ll need to make a basic gift basket:
- A Container: Your entire project revolves around the container: it is the base of your project. Pick either a large mug for small projects or a basket for larger projects to arrange your items in. Cheap, plain mugs can be found at dollar stores and Home Sense outlets. Travel mugs or specialty mugs can add a personal touch. Baskets can be wicker or woven and any size. For medium-sized projects, try a sushi bowl! Give some thought to choosing a container that can be repurposed after the basket has been received; this adds a level of practicality to the gift.
- Gift Items: For an easy start to your basket, try loose-leaf tea, coffee, powdered cider, hot chocolate, or a mix of any of these depending on the recipient’s preferences. Individually wrapped chocolates, candy canes, or peppermint bark (which can be found at bulk dry goods stores) can be added to fill in extra space.
Small Baskets:
We suggest the following items for a small basic basket: a small bag of coffee or tea, two candy canes, one fancy coffee stir spoon, Werther’s Original caramels, and individually wrapped chocolates.

Large Baskets:
For a larger basic basket, consider several small bags of different flavoured coffee and tea, a small tin of mulberry cider, packets of gourmet cocoa mix, homemade cookies, peppermint bark, specialty mugs, candy canes, and a variety of candies and chocolates for filler.