I love gift baskets and frugal gift ideas – who doesn’t? (Well, maybe somebody who has too many baskets.) They can be a great way to make a gift both creative and personal.
How to start? Go to your local thrift store, where basket selection is usually pretty good (there are plenty in the Twin Cities – I like Unique Thrift Store, as you may already have read). Buy a simple basket there for cheap. Then come up with an appropriate theme for the recipient. Here are some ideas for themes and suggestions for contents, though the possibilities are endless:
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Coffee-lover’s basket
Coffee mug (purchase cheap at thrift store, Michael’s craft store, home goods store)
Packet of coffee (Marshall’s, grocery store)
Biscotti
Powdered Creamer
Chocolate-dipped spoon -
Movie Lover’s Basket
(can use popcorn bucket/bowl)
Gift card/certificate for movie rental
Microwave popcorn
Candy bar
Sodas -
Child’s Rainy Day Basket
Play dough
Crayons
Mini coloring book
Silly putty
Puzzle book -
Relaxation basket
Shower gel or soap
Lotion
Shower pouf or sponge
Scented candle
CD of relaxing music -
Baking basket
(use mixing bowl as basket)
Dry ingredients for baked goods (just add milk, eggs, etc)
Mixing spoon
Apron -
Get-well basket
(can use big soup bowl as basket)
Chicken-noodle soup mix (dry, from supermarket)
Tissues
Vitamin C
Comforting book -
College student’s basket
Change for laundry
Cocoa or coffee mix
Prepaid phone card
Anything relaxing (book, scented lotion)
Gift card/certificate for local pizza place
Share your favorite frugal gift ideas below!
*Updated 11/9/19
