Christmas Gift Basket Ideas to Keep You From Becoming a Basket Case!

Fun Gift Ideas

By Tawra Kellam

Need gift ideas for Christmas but don't want to spend a lot? Here are some gift basket tips from Tawra Kellam, author of Not Just Beans: Fifty Years of Frugal Family Favorites.

• Buy items in sets and divide among baskets. Buy a four-pack of nail polish for four ladies baskets or buy packs of whistles or other party favors for the kids. Take individual popcorn, coffee or cocoa packets out of their boxes. They will fill the basket better.
• Shop garage sales and thrift stores for baskets and other containers.
• Dollar stores have lots of great inexpensive gift ideas. Browse!
• Use cellophane bags to package your mixes. They are inexpensive when purchased at party stores or florists.
• A gift can be as simple as tea bags in a tea cup tied with a pretty ribbon. A large soup mug and saucer with soup mix or a small glass bowl with some potpourri might also make a simple but nice gift.

Try making these specialty gift baskets:

Football Fan -- For teenage boys, brothers, fathers and brothers-in-law! Fill a large bowl purchased at the dollar store with candy bars, bags of microwave popcorn, sodas, chips, dips, a favorite football flag or hat and a calendar of game days.

Fisherman -- In a tackle box or fish bowl put hooks, bait, line, hot chocolate or sodas, trail mix, gloves, fishing magazines and a fish pillow.

Dog

Want to see more?

• The Simple Joy of Christmas Dinner
• A Tasty Holiday Tradition
• 'Tis the Season to Bake Cookies!
• Try Tawra's recipes for Hot Chocolate Mix
• Try Tawra's recipes for Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix
• Gifts from Your Kitchen
• Create a shopping list!