No matter the occasion, gift baskets are a fantastic gift idea. They’re perfect for birthdays, graduations, bridal showers, just-because gifts, or any other special event. One of my favorite things about gift baskets is that you can personalize and customize them to fit both your budget and the recipient’s preferences. From self care to baking gifts, check out these 20 gift basket ideas.
How to Make a Gift Basket
Making a gift basket doesn’t have to be complicated or break the bank. With a few simple tips, you can create a cute and personalized gift basket that the recipient will love and actually use.
1. Think About the Recipient’s Interest
The first step that I like to take when creating a gift basket is to think about what the recipient likes. For example, if I’m celebrating a friend’s birthday and I know that they LOVE coffee (especially from places like Starbucks or Dunkin’), I would create a gift basket centered around a gift card to their favorite coffee shop. I could also add a coffee-scented body scrub and some pastries to pair well with their coffee run.
On the other hand, if I have a friend who loves coffee but prefers making a fresh brew at home, I could include their favorite coffee flavor, some creamer, and a coffee mug so they can enjoy their coffee from the comfort of their home.
2. Think About the Occasion
If you’re giving a gift basket in relation to an occasion like a birthday, Mother’s Day, or graduation, you can make it even more special by adding themed elements and a card to match the celebration.
3. Purchase Your Basket Last
When creating the actual gift basket, you might think it’s best to buy the basket first and then fill it with items. However, I love doing the opposite. I buy all of the items first and then choose a basket. This way, I can make sure the basket is the right size to hold everything, without being too small or leaving too much empty space.
4. Have Fun Curating the Gift Basket
Most of all, have fun putting the gift basket together! You can include sentimental items like a picture of you and the recipient, cute notes, and well wishes. Take time building the basket and simply enjoy the process of assembling all of the elements to create a thoughtful and cohesive gift.
Gift Basket Ideas
5. Self Care Gift Basket
A self care gift basket is a classic idea that allows you to include a variety of thoughtful items to create the ultimate self care package. You can fill it with fuzzy socks, face masks, exfoliating body scrubs, candles, comfy pajamas, a fun coloring book, and so much more, ensuring the recipient has everything they need to unwind.
6. College Gift Basket
If you’re looking for a great graduation gift for someone who has just graduated, creating a gift basket is a fun and cute idea. You can theme the basket around many things, such as a college care package with essentials like gift cards to different restaurants, shower shoes, desk organizers, and more.
RELATED: 12 Graduation Gift Baskets Your Grad Will Love
7. Picnic Gift Basket
If you’re looking for a practical, experience-based gift idea, consider a picnic-themed gift basket. This is a great and unique idea, especially if the recipient’s love language is quality time and they enjoy experience-based gifts. Grab a picnic basket and fill it with a cute picnic throw blanket, plates, ziplock bags, and everything they’ll need for a perfect picnic.
8. Color Themed Gift Basket
Create a basket centered around the recipient’s favorite color.
9. Holiday Themed Gift Basket
From Valentine’s Day to Christmas and Thanksgiving, holidays are a great occasion for giving a gift basket. The fun part is that you can theme the basket around the specific holiday and make it extra festive. For example, for a Valentine’s Day gift basket, you can include lots of pink and red themed items, Valentine’s themed candy, and heart shaped elements.
10. Create a Gift Basket Out of a Non-Traditional Item
A super fun and unique gift basket idea is to use something non-traditional as the “basket” itself. For example, if you want to create a food themed gift basket for someone who loves pasta, you can use a cute pot as the “basket” and fill it with items like pasta, sauces, cheese, tongs, a plate, and more.
Things to add to a Gift Basket
11. Food and Snacks
One of the best things about gift baskets is that you can fill them with delicious treats. Depending on the person’s taste, you can include a wide variety of snacks. Here are some yummy options:
- Chocolates, candies, and gourmet sweets
- Cookies, brownies, pastries
- Coffee or tea blends
- Savory items like cheese, crackers, and chips
- Gourmet popcorn
- A jar of honey or jam
12. Gift Cards
You can never go wrong with adding a gift card to your gift basket. It lets the recipient choose exactly what they want, and you can pair it with other items for a well-rounded gift. Some gift card ideas include:
- Favorite retail stores
- Coffee shops or restaurants
- Online streaming services
- Experience-based gift cards, like for a spa or an activity (concert tickets, cooking class, etc.)
13. Beauty and Self Care Products
Everyone loves to indulge in some self care. If your recipient enjoys pampering themselves, fill the basket with beauty and wellness products. Here are some ideas:
- Scented candles and essential oils
- Hand creams, lotions, and body butter
- Bath bombs, shower gels, and scrubs
- Face masks and beauty treatments (especially their favorite brand)
- Hair accessories like scrunchies or headbands
- Cozy socks, slippers, or a soft throw blanket
14. Hobbies and Interests
If you’re still wondering what to add to your gift basket, you can add things based on the person’s hobbies or interests. Here are a few ideas based on different interests:
- For the Coffee Lover: Specialty coffee beans, a cute mug, and flavored syrups
- For the Gardener: Small potted plants, seeds, gardening gloves, and a watering can
- For the Baker: Baking supplies like sprinkles, cupcake liners, vanilla extract, and a whisk
- For the Bookworm: A good book, a cute bookmark, and a mug
- For the Fitness Enthusiast: Protein bars, resistance bands, a water bottle, and workout outfit
15. Personalized Items
Adding personalized items to your gift basket is a great way to show how you thoughtfully curated everything within the basket. Some personalized items that you can include are:
- Photo frame with a picture of you and the recipient
- Handwritten note or greeting card
- Mugs, cup, or tumbler with the person’s first initial
Cute Gift Basket Ideas
Below are some cute and creative gift basket ideas that highlight the points mentioned earlier. Plus they’re great visual examples to show that building a gift basket doesn’t have to be super complicated.
16. Pasta Lovers Gift Basket
This pasta lover’s gift basket really stands out to me because, instead of using a traditional basket, they used a strainer colander to hold all of the items. Not only does it fit perfectly with the pasta theme, but the colander is also a practical item that the recipient can use in their kitchen.
17. Lavender Themed Basket
This lavender themed basket is perfect for someone who loves the color purple and the scent of lavender. From the lavender scented sugar scrub to the candle and purple hair clip, this monochromatic basket is absolutely adorable.
18. Flower Gift Basket
Speaking of presenting gift basket items, this one stands out to me so much! As they used a flower bouquet to hold all of the items. It’s a super creative and out-of-the-box approach to a gift “basket.”
19. Purse Gift Basket
Another great way to present your gift basket items is by placing them inside a purse or tote bag. This is especially great if you’re gifting beauty or personal care items.
20. Gift Basket Party Favors
Last but not least, a great way to make use of gift baskets is by gifting them as cute party favors.
