20 Unique Gift Basket Ideas for Your Loved Ones • Insteading (2024)

Creating gifts from scratch is rewarding. Gifting something you have worked on with your own two hands makes it worth so much more. One of the best ways to give loved ones homemade gifts is by making a gift basket.

DIY gift baskets are completely customizable and crafted to be perfect for the receiver. There is nothing wrong with store-bought baskets, but creating the perfect gift basket for your loved ones shows how well you know them and how much you care.

With that in mind, we have put together a list of some of the best and most affordable DIY gift basket ideas you can gift to your loved ones for any occasion.

How do you build a gift basket from scratch? Creating the perfect gift basket for your loved one can seem like a daunting task no matter what the occasion. Luckily for you, we have broken down some of the most important aspects to consider as you build.

This approach will help you stay on track and determine exactly how to create the perfect basket, and you won’t even need gift basket tutorials.

Size of the Basket

The first thing you should think about is how big you want the gift basket to be. It may seem like a pointless step and something you can figure out along the way, but if you take the time to plan small details like the size, everything else will be much easier. You can better plan what to put in your basket once you know the size.

Types of Materials

What you make the basket out of and how you decorate it are important as well. If you plan the theme and colors of your gift, finding the perfect things to put in it comes easy. Planning out the materials you need and the overall look of your basket gives you the ability to shop and build your gift quickly and with fewer hiccups along the way.

What Goes in It

What should you put in the basket? The items that go in the basket vary based on the theme and receiver. Once you have set a plan for the theme, you can list everything you want to include in your basket to make the shopping and building experience less stressful. Always go into a DIY project with a plan — to ensure there is as little stress involved as possible.

Now that you have established a plan for moving forward, let’s take a look at some of the coolest and easiest gift basket ideas for the special people in your life.

Knowing some of the most popular gift baskets will help inspire you, and give you a sense of the standard you should be aiming for.

College/School Survival Basket

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If you have a special relative or friend getting ready to head off to college, a unique idea is to create a college survival gift basket for them. You can easily create a theme based on the school they are attending and give them some essentials to survive that first year. This basket is also a great idea for children going back to school or starting a new level (high school, middle school, or kindergarten).

Coffee Lover Basket

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Is there someone in your life that may be a little too addicted to their morning coffee? If so, a coffee lover gift basket is the perfect gift. You can stuff the basket with gift cards, fancy coffees, and funny mugs to show your loved one how much you care.

New Mom Basket

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Having a new baby is exciting and wonderful, but a lot of the time, we focus all of our gifting and attention on the little bundle and not the new mom trying to navigate her way through a suddenly different life (and body). Show her you are thinking about her by creating a new mom gift basket with goodies for her.

Mother’s Day Basket

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Mother’s Day is a time to show every mom in your life how much they are valued and appreciated. Create a Mother’s Day-themed gift basket for them containing things like her favorite drink or snack to show your appreciation.

Baby Shower Basket

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Creating unique gift baskets for baby showers is very popular these days. With this laundry basket baby shower basket, you can give the family outfits and baby-friendly laundry products as well as a cute little basket to store everything.

Tackle Box Craft Basket

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Little kids love arts and crafts, but it can be hard to find somewhere to store all of their markers, crayons, and everything else. Create a gift basket out of a tackle box, and fill it with a bunch of fun craft ideas and tools so they have easy storage and a cute gift.

Empty Nester Basket

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If a family you know is about to send their last child off and become empty-nesters, consider creating a unique (and slightly humorous) gift basket for the occasion. Fill the basket with fun things that they can do together now that the kids are out of the house, and add a few sentimental items.

Date Night Cuddle Kit

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Sometimes planning the perfect date night is more work than fun. Gift your loved ones a date night cuddle basket and fill it with cozy blankets, drinks, and movies for the perfect night together.

Bridal Shower Gift Basket

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Buying gifts for wedding showers can be hard. The next time you get invited to a shower, consider this bridal shower basket idea. Purchase a big item like a crock-pot and fill it with small accessories for the kitchen (or around the house) for a unique and fun gift idea.

Holiday Cookie Basket

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Baking cookies together is a time-honored holiday tradition among families all over the world. If you are stuck on what to get your loved one, consider crafting this holiday cookie basket out of mixing bowls, spoons, and other supplies, to give them a fun family activity that everyone will enjoy.

Housewarming Basket

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This housewarming gift basket is the perfect present to give your friend or loved one as they purchase and move into a new home. Fill it with some of your favorite items for use around the house. Anything goes in this basket.

Adult Easter Basket

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Who says that only kids get baskets on Easter? If you are looking for a fun way to give gifts to an adult on Easter, consider putting together this fun and unique adult Easter basket.

New Neighbor Basket

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When someone new moves into the neighborhood, you will make an impression if you present them with this welcome neighbor gift basket. Welcome your new neighbors by filling them with items that are special to your area, and make them feel at home.

Summer Fun Teacher Basket

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At the end of the school year, you need to present your child’s teacher with something to show your appreciation for all their work. Put together this fun in the sun basket filled with summer items, and they will truly feel your gratitude.

Feel Better Basket

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A fantastic and unique way to show your loved ones you are thinking about them when they are sick is to create this get well soon basket for them. Stock it full of items like cough drops, teas, and little games to help the time go by faster while they’re down.

Spa Day Basket

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Everyone needs a day to unwind now and then. This spa day gift basket is a great option if you try to come up with a perfect gift idea for a new mom, grandma, wife, or student who needs a break.

Related Post: 7 DIY Bath Bombs For a Soothing, Relaxing Soak

Baseball Gift Bucket

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Trying to come up with the perfect gift for the sports fan that has everything? Make them this baseball gift basket centered around their favorite sport or team, and fill it with snacks, trinkets, and even game tickets as your budget allows.

Pet Basket

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A man’s best friend deserves a present now and then. The next time you feel like spoiling your pet, or the pet of a loved one who is obsessed with their furry friend, craft this gift basket and stuff it full of a pet’s favorite things.

Summer Party Basket

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This summer party basket is the perfect idea for someone who has just moved into a new home, hosts many parties, or enjoys spending time outdoors. You can fill it with fun outdoor activities and snacks for their whole family to enjoy.

Dinner Basket

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Show someone you love a random act of kindness with this “dinner’s on me” gift basket. Get a tote and fill it with everything needed to create a delicious meal. This basket is perfect for new parents, sick relatives, busy families, or just a random occasion.

20 Unique Gift Basket Ideas for Your Loved Ones • Insteading (2024)

FAQs

What can I put in a gift instead of a basket? ›

Pails, tubs, and basins work well for themes such as barbecue, fishing, sports, or for a housewarming gift basket. These containers are rugged and the larger sizes can hold several cans or bottles of beer, soda, or other beverages.

How do you make an impressive gift basket? ›

Buy a Basket, if you put shredded “grass” in the bottom, make it their favorite color. Start with their favorite cologne/perfume, add Snacks, be sure they're individually wrapped, they will pick up the light & sparkle, be sure there's a nice card standing in the back of the basket.

How do you make things stand up in a gift basket? ›

If you have several small packages that you want to display (such as snack-sized items), you can use bamboo skewers and packing tape to make them stand where they otherwise couldn't.

What do you put in a romantic gift basket? ›

Books & Candles Basket: Fill a basket with a selection of romantic novels, scented candles and a cozy blanket for a relaxing night in. Personalized Basket: Make a basket of personalized items such as a custom photo album, a custom-made piece of art, or a special keepsake with a special message.

What small things can you put in a basket? ›

Beads, necklaces and bracelets look fantastic in baskets and work well alongside other baskets of accessories or cosmetics on a bedroom console. If you enjoy collecting natural objects like shells and seed pods, a small basket is an attractive way to protect and display them.

What makes a great gift basket? ›

“[This includes] the recipient's interests and taste, the theme (e.g., should the food be sweet, savory, or both?), the quantity of products (e.g., a basket with few higher-priced items or one with many less expensive ones?), whether there will be perishable offerings, and how the gift will look when the recipient ...

How many items should be in a gift basket? ›

We recommend you include 4-5 items in a small gift basket. For a medium-sized REALTOR® gift basket, choose 7-8 items. Finally, we suggest you pick 10 or more products for a large basket.

How do you make a romantic basket? ›

1. Movie Night Basket: Fill a basket with a romantic movie, popcorn, candy, and a cozy blanket for a cozy night in with your significant other. 2. Spa Day Basket: Create a relaxing at-home spa experience by filling a basket with bath bombs, face masks, candles, and a plush robe.

How do I make my gift stand out? ›

Quality materials, bold colors, and adding extra elements can make your gifts stand out. This article is part of the "How to Holiday" series, which highlights the best ways to embrace and prepare for the festive season.

How to make a gift basket for your boyfriend? ›

Favorite Snacks: Fill the basket with his favorite snacks and treats. It could be a mix of chocolates, candies, nuts, chips, or any other snacks he enjoys. Personalized Item: Add a touch of personalization by including an item that is customized specifically for him.

What do you put in a burr basket for your boyfriend? ›

My formula for these is this: at least one cozy item to cuddle with (pillow/throw), something warm for the recipients feet (slippers/socks), a mug for hot beverages, a warm scent (could be candle/spray/lotion), a baked item or ingredients for baked goods & seasonal treats!

Are gift baskets a good idea? ›

Finding a gift basket with a ton of variety ensures that your recipient will find something they like and have enough to share with friends and family. While everyone's tastes are different, we tested everything from international snacks to cheese to chocolate, so there's something for everyone.

What can we give instead of bouquet? ›

Use these flower alternatives to find the perfect gifts to send to a friend:
  • Pizza. For fun gifts to send in the mail, consider frozen pizzas. ...
  • Snacks. ...
  • Wine. ...
  • A Gift Basket or Box. ...
  • A Subscription Box. ...
  • Plants. ...
  • A Photo Album or Book. ...
  • Something Handmade.
Sep 9, 2020

What is a curated gift basket? ›

A curated gift box includes a thoughtfully selected assortment of merchandise, and it often follows a theme. For example, custom gift box ideas for a coffee theme may include specialty coffee beans, a branded coffee mug and a stainless steel French press.

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