Over the years we’ve talked a lot about gifts, clutter free items, and gift baskets. As you gift this year, I wanted to give you some ideas for gift baskets that you can put together, inexpensively and easily that give the recipient more than stuff. These are gift baskets that focus on giving an experience. It’s all about making a day, night or week a little more special for someone. Focus on things that they normally wouldn’t buy themselves and make it fun.

First a note on the container you make gift baskets in. I love the look of true baskets, however, they just aren’t that functional. They collect dust, are hard to store, difficult to label and often not as useful for organizing. However, they can easily be found at dollar stores. You may even have some laying around. For the gift baskets below I used a galvanized steel organizing container that I usually have in my bathroom. I love the fact that the recipient could use it to organize in their home going forward. The first gift basket is a movie night basket. I added in two bottles of soda (I love the glass bottles for a fun, even retro feel), microwave popcorn, two DVDs (adults and kids), candy, gym and snacks! I’ll show you later how I got the candy to “stick up” like this. This is a great way to give a family a night in they will love!

Have a friend who has had surgery or is under the weather? Instead of sending ANOTHER flower arrangement, send something like this. I included a pack of cold 911 tea (From David’s Tea, but you could use plane green tea), agave sticks (for the tea), tissues, hand sanitizer, a best seller book, a mug and a reminder to smile. The cards you’ll see in this gift basket and the others are from Becky Higgins. They are meant for scrapbooking, but I LOVE using them as notes to friends and family and as gift tags. It’s difficult to see in this photo but instead of tissue paper at the bottom of the container, I put in a soft blanket scarf.

This is one of my favorite gift baskets. It’s made for teachers. Of course, you can customize this for the teacher’s grade and if you are giving it at the start or the end of the year. In this basket I included; a bottle of Starbucks iced coffee, gum, snacks, crayons, tissues, a tin of Badger Stress Relief Balm, a small thermos/coffee mug, hand sanitizer and a gift card.

Can’t afford to treat a friend to a day at the spa? Give them the next best things, a day at their home spa! Luxurious body lotion and body wash can be used in their own bath or shower. I added in a nail file (in a cute pattern), face mask, hand lotion and lip balm (by EOS), a sleep mask and nail polish. This is a great gift for a new mom or mom to be!

This might be my favorite gift basket….it’s meant for baking! Great for weddings, showers or even college students moving into their first apartment, it’s unusual and useful. I put everything into a bowl that they can use over and over again. Items in the basket are; silicone baking sheets (makes EVERY pan non-stick), a spoon and whisk, a dish towel, cupcake liners, baking mix and baking decorations.

This is one of my favorite tricks for gift baskets…..take some fat wooden sticks, small candy or cards, and tape….just put the tape onto the stick and press the candy on. If the item is heavier, use two pieces. I use clear plastic tape so it comes off without harming the item (in most cases). This allows you to prop the item up higher than the items in the basket and it makes the gift a little more whimsical.