Five Inexpensive Gift Basket Ideas

Gift baskets are wonderful for many occasions. The best — and most frugal — is one you fill yourself, and you can save even more if you think like a Yankee. First, set a budget and stick to it. Second, buy an inexpensive but attractive basket at a discount store or use one you’ve saved from a flower arrangement. Third, decide on a theme. Hunt for your treasures at the supermarket, discount stores, even flea markets and yard sales.

Gift Basket Themes

1. Wedding and Anniversary Gifts For newlyweds or an anniversary couple, line a small basket with linen napkins or dish towels, two champagne flutes or wine glasses, and a bottle of wine or champagne. Don’t forget to include a corkscrew.
2. New Baby Gifts Supply new parents with the basics in a large basket: washcloths, baby wipes, bottles, bibs, and so forth. They can use the basket as a wastebasket or toy basket in the baby’s room.
3. Hostess Gifts For a hostess, fill a basket with paper goods — coordinating plates, napkins, and so on — purchased on sale at party outlets and discount stores.
4. Gardening Gifts For the gardener, pack a basket with gardening tools, seeds, even a few bulbs or annuals for planting.
5. Housewarming Gifts For a newlywed couple or recent graduate, line a basket with a dishtowel and oven mitt then top with basic kitchen utensils, such as a spatula, tongs and wooden spoons.