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Tips to Saving Money when Making Homemade Gift Baskets

by San Diego Bargain Mama

Homemade gift baskets for the holidays are a wonderful presents to create for your co-workers, family members and friends.  With a little bit of planning, you can customize baskets and save one third to one half the cost by making them yourself.  Consider following these suggestions that will help you create fabulously customized gift baskets that will be very appreciated:

Baskets

The key to saving on quality baskets is to buy them well ahead of time, if you are willing!  Michael’s – The Arts and Craft Store is a great place to find a variety of baskets.  Use their 40% off coupons (found in newspapers regularly) or wait until the clearance sales that usually take place after holidays.  Other great place to find huge deals on baskets throughout the year is Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store.  Die-hard bargain hunters scoop up gift basket sets sold at Wal-Mart just days after Christmas, when they are sold for between 50 – 75% off, costing typically between $3 and $6 after the sale!  Crafters take two carts at a time, snagging the sets because the deals are irresistible!   The after-Christmas sales at Wal-Mart can save you up to 75%, but for the best pickin’s go during the first few days after Christmas. Silver baskets work well for weddings, white for baby showers, red for Valentine’s Day, etc. Not finding mouth-dropping sales on baskets?  Think ”out of the basket“ for alternatives to the standard basket and try using a hat, photo box, storage box, sand pail, pot, or other container to present your great gifts.  Also, you can use a decorative plate to hold your items and wrap cellophane tightly around the package, then tie a nice ribbon around it, and you’ll have a great presentation and be original to boot!

Specialty Items

Cost Plus has a variety of imported specialty items, natural body and cleaning products, snacks, candy, cleaners, and more.  The value is great, the packaging is appealing and earthy, and the prices are surprisingly reasonable.  Check the back of the store for their mini-samples (sauces, treats, candy, and drinks), which are ideal for small gift baskets.  Sign up to be on their email list and you will have valuable coupons sent to you and will be notified as to when their sales are to occur.  Trader Joe’s has fabulous specialty items (and great holiday candy), but they’re most infamous for their affordable wine selection.  Their Charles Shaw Wine, nicknamed ”Two Buck Chuck“, is their specialty, and besides being one of the nation’s best-selling wines, they are a steal (only $1.99, but highly preferred in taste tests - go figure)!  Henry's Marketplace often has a 25% off sale on their supplements and bath and body items (check circulars), and they are typically of high quality.  Your local farmer’s market offers the perfect opportunity to grab fresh produce, dried fruit, and handcrafted specialty items that will top off the gift well, and also support your local growers.  Off-price stores such as Marshall’s and Ross as well as dollar stores like Dollar Tree are consistent for carrying inexpensive kitchen gadgets, decorative items, frames and food/candy gift items.  The Dollar Tree offers merchandise sometimes as low as 80% the price originally marked in retail stores! Disney, Hello Kitty, and other popular brand-name overstock items that are of much more value than $1 are worth scooping up! Also, it is touch and go, but at dollar stores you can find some gourmet cookies, children’s candy, gift-wrap, tissue paper, cellophane wrap, and festive decorations for very, very affordable prices.  A must-have for the baskets is their deals on basket grass!  Remember that you’ll fill around 2/3 of the basket with paper, so usually one bag of filler is more than enough!

Personalize your Gift Basket

You might want to place inside the basket something handmade or personalized as well.  Some examples are children’s work, homemade cookies or candy, a frame with a special picture, or a special item that the recipient collects like sports cards, an angel figurines, etc. Grandparents and extended family enjoy mugs, calendars, mouse pads and ornaments that are customized with their favorite kids’ pictures on them.    

Finishing Touch

Purchase decorative ribbon at clearance sales; you will save a ton.  Raffia, yarn, and Christmas tree ornaments work, as well, to tie up a basket wrapped in clear cellophane.  Christmas tree ornaments, or small gadgets that follow the basket’s theme are great to embellish the basket, and add a classy final touch.  Personalized baskets are a thoughtful gift and you will save a load of cash! For more great ideas to wrapping gifts click here!