Gift baskets always look nice but they also always seem overpriced. And when you unpack one, there never seems to be as much in the basket as it looked like there was. So this Christmas, why not save yourself some money and create homemade gift baskets that you know your recipient will enjoy.
Some of these homemade gift basket ideas are naturally gluten free and others require gluten-free products to make them gluten free. Either way they can work for just about anyone on your gift list.
Baskets & Food Containers
Store bought gift baskets usually use an inexpensive basket that ends up being thrown out. But when making your own, you can choose something that will be really useful. Think outside a traditional basket and consider baskets of various shapes, sizes and materials. Also think about decorative boxes or attractive bowls or choose something that goes along with the theme of the basket, such as the colander suggestion for the pasta night basket.
If your basket includes homemade food, consider what you will package the food in. You might want to use attractive disposable containers or something that can be reused like jars or tins. I like to check out discount stores like TJ Maxx for creative items to hold gifts.
Movie Night
This theme is an oldie but goodie and it works for men, women, and kids. You can give it to an individual or make it a family gift. Tailor it to the movie interests of the recipient, and you can’t go wrong!
Ideas for a movie night basket:
- Movies – Anywhere from one to three DVDs works well. If giving this gift to a family, you could include a movie for him, a movie for her, and a movie for the kids.
- Popcorn Holders
- Microwave popcorn or homemade popcorn or snacks. Consider sweet and salty snack mix or cinnamon roasted nuts as well as homemade caramel corn.
- Boxes of gluten-free candy or homemade candy such as toffee, candy coated pretzels, chocolate coconut candy, or chocolate covered almond and fruit clusters.
Pasta Night
This gift basket needs to go to someone who can cook a basic pasta meal, which isn’t too difficult. It would be good for an individual or a family.
Ideas for a pasta night basket:
- Package of gluten-free pasta. There are lots to choose from and they can be easily found in stores. I like Tinkyada.
- Jar of gluten-free pasta sauce. Most pasta sauce is gluten free, but always read the labels.
- Gluten-Free Bread such as rolls, baguette, or French bread. This could be a package of pre-made gluten-free bread (check the freezer section), a bread mix, or homemade bread such as this gluten-free French bread (frozen so they can use it at a later date).
- Pasta spoon
- Pot holder
- Apron
- Colander – This can be used as the gift “basket.”
Hot Drinks
This gift basket idea can be tailored to what your gift recipient drinks and is another great idea for men, women, and kids.
Include one or more mugs, depending on whether it is an individual, couple, or family gift. Many people also use travel mugs and might appreciate a new one. Then also include any of the following:
- Coffee – An assortment of coffees, chocolate candy or gluten-free truffles (many are not gluten free, so consider homemade truffles). You could also include a French press. I love mine, and they come in various sizes.
- Tea – An assortment of teas, honey, gluten-free cookies or scones. Consider homemade versions such as coconut macaroons, snickerdoodles, or almond flour scones. If giving loose tea, consider also including a tea ball or tea maker/tea pot.
- Hot Cocoa – An assortment of hot cocoa (verify that it’s gluten free), marshmallows, candy canes (can be used for stirring and flavoring).
Meat and Cheese Basket
Meat and cheese gift sets have been around for a long time, and they’re a nice gift for men or women. Since made up primarily of food, they are good for the person who has everything or the person who you simply don’t have any other ideas for. Just be sure they’re not vegetarian or vegan.
When you make your own meat and cheese gift basket, you can use products that need refrigeration rather than the shelf stable stuff. I like to buy quality brands and types of meat/cheese that people might not normally buy for themselves.
Ideas for a Meat and Cheese Basket:
- Cheese board and knife
- Meats like salami and smoked sausage
- Variety of cheeses, both hard and soft
- Gluten-free crackers
Wine Basket
This gift basket is obviously for adults only, but it’s great for men and women alike. When choosing what wine to give, consider the following:
- A wine that you especially like
- A variety of wine that you know they like (maybe get a more expensive bottle than they would usually buy for themselves)
- A wine from a nearby winery or one that you traveled to
- A sparkling wine – they’re always fun!
Ideas for Wine Basket:
- Wine – It’s nice to give two bottles so there is some variety, and if they don’t like one they might like the other.
- Wine glasses
- Wine charms – Good for people who like to entertain. The charms help people know which glass is theirs.
- Wine bottle opener
- A wine related book. A few I really like are:
- Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine
- What to Drink with What You Eat
- The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert (this is actually a board book)
photo credit: le mini baskets via photopin (license)
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