Gift Basket Ideas...

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AuntJamelle

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I've decided to do a gardening theme gift basket for MIL this year. Found some additional ideas for her basket since she is pretty well setup on tools, seeds, etc. New ideas are: fingernail brush (for scrubbing that dirt!), new kneeler pad (these wear out and she could use a new one), fun watering can (she keeps a lot of plants indoors too so will look for a small one), rain gauge, plant markers, herb scissors...

I've decided to do an Italian Basket for 3 families - at least two of them I will make up a lasagna - frozen or just ready to bake - in a foil pan to pop in the basket or just to be delivered at the same time. I also plan to make some homemade bread with Italian twist - Cheddar and Herb Bread - I can have loaves baked and frozen ahead of time then just take out and thaw as I'm ready to assemble final basket for gifting.

For one out of town BIL and family I'm thinking I'll do the Christmas Ice Cream Sundae "basket" - although since it will be shipped I'll probably do a pretty box instead.

For the twins in CO I am thinking of doing a candy making "basket" for one and a cupcake making theme for the other. I think they are just getting to that age where some fun supplies could really spur some excitement to play in the kitchen. Confirming with their mother first though. Once again, since shipping I'll do pretty boxes - where you line the outside and inside with paper, etc.

Still brainstorming on what I may do for others on my list!
 

AuntJamelle

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Adding a couple more gift basket ideas:

Chili Basket - Recipe for Chili and Cornbread; All canned goods for making (Tomato Soup, V8, Chili Beans, Canned Mushrooms, Diced Tomatoes) + Carol Shelby’s Chili Mix; Bottle of Cinnamon, Bottle of Chili Powder, Fresh Green Bell Pepper, Corn Bread Mix(es) + Can of Green Chiles + Small bottle of Honey

Chili Recipe:

2-3 Cans Mild Chili Beans
2 Cans Tomato Soup + 2 soup cans of water
1 can V8 (small kind)
½ Green Bell Pepper, finely diced
1 lb ground beef, browned
16 oz mushrooms, canned, drained
Carol Shelby’s Chili Mix, Main packet spices only, add salt, cayenne and masa as desired
Extra Chili Powder, 1 - 2 T
Nice sprinkle of Cinnamon, 1/2 to 1 tsp

Combine all ingredients and heat well - good for heating slowly in crockpot but can also do on stove. Better the next day! Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, onions, etc.!

Cornbread Hack:

Jiffy Mix, batter mixed per package directions then add following:

2 T melted butter
1-2 T honey
1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles, drained
1 to 1.5 cup shredded sharp cheddar

College Gift Basket - Batteries, Binder Clips, Bubble Gum/Mints, Chip Clips, Clorox Wipes, Deck of Cards, Jumbo Set of Cards for fun!, Drink Coasters, Lingerie Bag for Laundry, Lint Roller, Lip Balm, Paper Clips, 3M hooks, Poncho, Roll of Quarters, Safety Pins, Small Flashlight, Shout Wipes, Postage Stamps, Stapler, Sticky Notes, Stress Ball, Thermos, Thumb Tacks, Tool Kit, Travel Umbrella, Sunscreen, USB Drive, Ziplock Bags - decorate basket or box with their college colors and logo!

Glow in the Dark Basket - Glow in the Dark (henceforth known as GITD) Adhesive Stars; GITD Wall/Ceiling Decals; Children’s Books that have GITD features; Mini Flashlight(s); Glow Sticks/Bracelets/Wands; GITD Nail Polish; GITD Puzzle; Grow and Glow Terrarium Kit; Light Up Shoe Laces; GITD Sports Gear (Various sports balls, frisbees, etc.); GITD Face Paint; GITD Fabric Paint; Black Light

Kid’s Cooking Basket - Cookie Cutters, Tea Towels, Pastry Brush, Plastic or Metal Mixing Bowls and Measuring Cups, Rolling Pin and Mat; Apron or Chef’s Hat, Kid’s Cookbooks, Oven Mitts - Consider picking one fun recipe from book and including as many of ingredients as possible?
 
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Doodlebug

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Love this thread
 

sweetpumkinpye

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Am loving this thread too, so many great ideas,
Minta I love the breakfast basket idea, I might need to do something along those lines.
 

AuntJamelle

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Have been brainstorming a new gift basket idea to do for several people this year! I was inspired by the Red Pepper Jelly I canned recently.

Appetizer Basket :)

The main idea is to put together items that are relatively quick and easy for noshing! Or perhaps the ingredients for simple recipes. I've focused on non-refrigerated type items so far. The list below is big - my plan is to pick and choose a smaller subset of things for each person's basket based on their known likes. The sky is really the limit on this one...

Possible Appetizer Basket Options

Red Pepper Jelly + Raspberry Preserves + Various Crackers (Recipe = mixing the 2 jars and serving over cream cheese with crackers)

There are several other jellies that can just be served over cream cheese on their own:

Garlic Onion Jelly

Onion Pepper Jelly

Apple Pepper Jelly

Rosemary Jelly

Cucumber Jelly
https://quilt-knit-run-sew.blogspot.com/2012/08/cucumber-jelly-recipe.html


Seasoned Oyster Crackers


Oven Caramel Corn


Small Jar Mayo + Canister Parmesan + Jarred Artichokes with Recipe for Artichoke Dip + Bag of Chips or Round Loaf of Bread to hollow out and bake it in


Sugared or Spice Nuts - So may options out there!


https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734199662506/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734199417979/



Roasted/Spiced Pumpkin/Squash Seeds - Once again, a million variations!

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734204374674/


Seasoned Pretzels

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734201754191/


Ritz Bits Churros

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734202355636/


Dilly Ranch Cheese-Its

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AeN-HX4PviHeyMS1OhiEg6Vi0slJxaeKYpLtDs2YTkfvPjt7eiACVps/


Homemade Crackers

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734193886888/


Hard Breadsticks

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/Aa7YQ...GzVUlMvOlzcFlKzfTht-jXmqQrPOPLJgYBE0pvMzszAQ/


Churro Chex Mix

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734203655408/


Praline Crunch


Brown Butter Granola Clusters

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734204573314/


DIY Fruit Leather


Bread Dipping Mix + Olive Oil + Bakery Bread


Soft Pretzel Sticks + Jar of Cheese Sauce

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734193514500/


Parmesan Puff Pastry “Straws”

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AXF5Ee1MxtSTEfX_ESK9hFybvkC-a8UEeC-m30sl_0Z_OiL-XKPzODg/


Bruschetta in a Jar + Toast Points
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734204922884/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734203796744/


Salsas + Chips


Jars of Olives


Homemade Pickles/Pickled Items

White Wine & Lemon Pickled Cauliflower
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734205031720/

Cauliflower Pickle in Hot Peanut and Sesame Sauce
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734205031684/

Dilled Grape Tomatoes
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734205031661/

Grape Tomatoes in White Wine Vinegar with Rosemary
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734205031663/

Old Fashioned Southern Squash Pickles
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734205016313/

Pickled Cauliflower and Carrots
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734205016391/

Candied Jalapenos
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734202870821/

Marinated Mushrooms
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/190769734204964898/
 

halimer

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Great idea! One thing I decided to do this year for DS and DDIL (it is really hard doing 8 nights of Hanukkah) is to make them several gift baskets with different themes - appetizers, sweets, Italian night, etc.

But, since I am not as talented as you are I will be buying stuff at Home Goods, fancy groceries.....In fact, I started today getting pasta, spaghetti sauce, jams, shortbread cookies...
 

missjane

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I was at our local Walmart yesterday. There were good clearance prices on many small gardening tools, gloves, and plant fertilizers if anyone is thinking of making a gardening basket for someone. I'm sure those things will move quickly, so don't wait!
 

sweetpumkinpye

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Such brilliant ideas. I would like to do something for DD and DFSIL.
 

Rose94

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I just put two gift baskets together for my DD's. The first is a sewing basket containing a pattern for hedgehog hot pads, the fabric, trim, thread etc.
For other daughter she wanted supplies to make a dragon or two so I put together a basket with yarn, felt, eyes, crochet hooks and a couple different patterns.
 

sweetpumkinpye

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Rose, they are both brilliant ideas. I know that your DD's will love the baskets.
 
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homemade4me

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I am thinking of making "Here's a hug" Christmas gift bags for the 5 females in my family. So far I bought ingredients for homemade hot cocoa, herbal teas, I will make cookies later, small shampoo/body wash bottles....??? Maybe a simple photo album made out of one 12 x 12 piece of scrapbook paper....?

Laurie
 

sweetpumkinpye

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I am thinking that Winter hugs baskets may be nice. Warm socks, hot chocolate, hand warmers, a scented candle, a throw, mittens.
Not sure yet but think it would be nice for DD.
 

Rose94

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Rose, they are both brilliant ideas. I know that your DD's will love the baskets.
Thanks but for the fabric kit/basket I can't take the credit for it. Found the idea on facebook from a ad for monthly sewing boxes where they send you everything you need to make a project each month.
 
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sweetpumkinpye

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sweetpumkinpye

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Had a thought while at the supermarket yesterday. Will do DB a "antipasto" basket. Will get different jars of relishes, olives, sundried tomatoes, onions etc and then add some melba toasts, water crackers and other items like that. Will add a small gift card for cured meats and cheeses or might buy those and have them in the fridge and give them to him on the day. I really think he will like this.