What are some good ideas for holiday gift baskets?

Question

I want to keep the cost minimal, since I am making around 8 of these for various people...

Ideas I already plan to include -
Homemade Apple Butter
Mugs w/ cocoa mix/tea/coffee (One of the local dollar stores had really cute mugs ^_^)
Chocolate-coated Coffee Spoons
Candy canes made to look like reindeer
Holiday Cookies/a loaf of a sweet bread such as pumpkin or banana

I am pretty handy in the kitchen, but not as gifted with sewing/knitting crafts. Any other ideas would be appreicated! Thanks!

Answer 1

Look for recipe for gift jars. Make nice basket with a couple of jarred mixes with instructions, a couple of cute potholders and some wooden spoons and maybe a silicon spatula.

I've done baskets with nice teas, homemade cocoa mix, homemade biscotti and a couple of cute mugs from the dollar store.

http://www.creativeladiesministry.com/jarrecipes.html

Answer 2

Maybe you can go to the $1 store and buy some essentials for a pedicure, like nail polish remover and clippers, polish, cotton balls, a file.
Or a Banana Bread recipe nicely printed out and all the ingredients to make it.
Or a small can of spray paint ($1.50 Wal-mart) an old cigar box from a cigarette store (they may have extras in the back). Some glue and some ribbons or pics. They can make their own keep sake box. Or you can make it for them.
For girls you can get some barrettes from the $1 store and then print out a Hair style and glue it to nice backing paper, add a comb and a brush.
For males, If you have a few of them you can buy a package of t-shirts and socks . Then split them amongst a few baskets.

Answer 3

Popcorn balls would be neat. I am doing a big Christmas basket for my father-in-law. I am putting homemade stuff in it as well as chocolates, cocoa, caramel popcorn, cheeses, cologne, etc. Go to yahoo and type in stocking stuffer crafts. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Lot of Easy Christmas Craft Ideas at HGTV
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,,HGTV_22056_53732,00.html
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,,HGTV_22056_34778,00.html
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/crafting/article/0,,HGTV_3352_2371027,00.html

Gifts in a Jar/Festive Food Gifts
http://www.razzledazzlerecipes.com/christmas/gifts/index.htm
http://www.recipe-recipes.net/
http://www.cooksrecipes.com/holiday-recipes/holiday-food-gift-mix-recipes.html
http://www.nikibone.com/recipe/gifts_in_a_jar.html
http://recipebox.net/recipe4gifts/giftjars.htm
http://dmoz.org/Home/Cooking/Gifts_in_a_Jar/
http://www.iaswww.com/ODP/Home/Cooking/Gifts_in_a_Jar
http://allrecipes.com/howto/festive-food-gifts/detail.aspx

BANANA BREAD:
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup margarine or butter, softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (3 to 4 medium)
1/3 cup water
1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour*
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup chopped nuts
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom only of loaf pan. 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 or 9x5x3 inches. Mix sugar and margarine in 2 1/2-quart bowl. Stir in eggs until blended. Add bananas and water; beat 30 seconds. Stir in remaining ingredients except nuts just until moistened; stir in nuts. Pour into pan. Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 8-inch loaf 1 1/4 hours, 9-inch loaf 55 to 60 minutes; cool 5 minutes. Loosen sides of loaf from pan; remove from pan. Cool completely before slicing.

*Do not use self-rising flour in this recipe
Source: 1988 Betty Crocker's Cookbook

Answer 5

Jack Daniels BBQ sauce or mustard will tie in nicely, They're sold in most grocery stores.

Answer 6

I've always enjoyed popcorn balls (caramel or syrup)

Homemade ornaments are fun. They also allow you to give a bit of your personal touch.

Answer 7

have you ever made your own salsa before?? or pesto.. mayb u can add pasta and homade tomato sauce to the basket too.