35 Unique & Thoughtful DIY Gift Basket Ideas (for any occasion!) (2024)

DIY gift basket ideas! This list of things to put in a gift basket will give you lots of ideas for easy and affordable presents for any occasion.

In my experience, everyone LOVES to receive a gift basket.

It’s so much fun to give or receive a themed bundle of items that fits a person perfectly.

Gift baskets are such a great way to show that you really thought about the person and what they’d like, because you can add the personal touch of including their favorite things and favorite snacks.

Plus, they’re totally customizable for your gift recipient, budget, and the gift-giving occasion.

Unique gift baskets can pack a really big punch for cheap, and they’re actually really fun to put together!

They can also be a great option to gift to an entire family or a couple if you’re on a budget.

And putting together your own homemade gift baskets is SO much cheaper than buying a premade basket.

Pro-tip: Throughout the year, pick up clearance items you find that might work well for a gift basket. (The Bath & Body Works semi-annual sale is a great example!)

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TheBest Gift baskets are perfect for:

Christmas and the holiday season
Birthday gift (for best friend, family member, etc.)
Mother’s Day or Father’s Day
Valentine’s Day
Housewarming gifts
Teacher gifts
Baby or bridal showers
Kids or grandkids
Sympathy or post-surgery presents
Raffle prizes
The person who has everything

You can make it as inexpensive or luxury as your budget allows.

And you can put together corporate gift baskets to give to customers or any group in an office setting.

What to put in a custom gift basket

To decide what to put in your own gift basket, start by choosing a theme.

That’ll give you direction, and help narrow down what type of items to choose.

The best gift basket ideas show that you really thought about the recipient, and if they have any particular hobbies or interests.

Or choose one of the diy gift basket theme ideas below!

Pro-tip: Grab a FREE 30 Day trial of Amazon Prime to get unlimited free shipping to make shopping for a gift basket super easy – without even leaving home!

What can you use to make a gift basket out of?

In addition to a regular basket, feel free to get creative with the vessel you use to contain the gift basket items.

You can make a gift basket out of a:

Traditional basket
Baking dish
Nice storage container
Makeup pouch
Mixing bowl
Jar
Tote bag
Laundry basket
Tackle box
Cooler
Flower pot

Think about the theme of your gift basket, and if one of the items could be a fun way to pull double duty as container AND part of the gift.

How do you fill the bottom of a gift basket?

If the gift box you’re using is deep, the best way to display the items is to use basket filler so the actual gift items can be displayed nicely.

Ideal basket fillers are soft and decorative. Here are some ideas:

Tissue paper
Shredded white or colored paper
Cellophane
Straw
Large confetti
Cloth napkin
Kitchen towel
Newspaper (Use it as filler on the very bottom to make it shallow, then cover with a more decorative topping.)

Pro-tip: The dollar store and thrift stores are great places to buy inexpensive gift ideas for your themed gift baskets. It’s the perfect way to find small items to use as filler.

Okay, let’s dive into these DIY gift baskets!

35 Good Gift Basket Ideas

1. Spa or self care basket:

Loofah
Body lotion or hand cream
Body scrub
Bath bombs
Aloe socks
Candle
Foot soak
Nail polish
Lip balms
Bubble bath
Any other beauty products they like

2. Pasta basket:

Nice bag of pasta
Pasta sauce
Italian candies or cookies
Olive oil
Italian seasoning
Parmesan cheese
Salad dressing
Italian bread
Bread dipping seasoning

3. Art basket:

Coloring books
Sketch books
Colored pencils
Crayons or pastels
Nice markers
Paint brush set

4. Date Night in a basket:

Romantic DVD
Bottle of wine
Wine glasses
Wine bottle opener
Candle
Chocolate

You can find out how to make a cute date night gift basket here.

5. Movie basket:

DVDs or Redbox gift certificate
Popcorn
Toppings for popcorn
Movie theater-style candy
Hot cocoa mix

6. Baking basket:

Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Cupcake liners
Decorating tips
Rolling pin
Cookie cutters

7. Basket for a Cook:

Cooking utensils
Apron
Kitchen towels
Pot holders
Cookbook
Seasoning mix
Olive oil
Vinegar
Recipe cards
Recipe box

Get some inspiration for a cooking gift basket here!

8. Pizza Night basket:

Package of pizza dough mix
Pizza cutter
Italian seasoning
Pizza stone
Jar of pizza sauce

9. Sundae basket:

Ice cream scoop
Sprinkles
Hot fudge, caramel, or strawberry topping
Jar of maraschino cherries (or fresh fruit like bananas)
Cute ice cream bowls
Ice cream cones

10. Basket for Book Lovers:

Reading light
Good book(s)
Gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Mug
Tea
Bookmark

11. Basket for a Gardener (anyone with a green thumb):

Gloves
Hand-held gardening tools
Seeds
Bulbs
Kneeling board
Liquid fertilizer
Watering wand
Hose nozzle
Live plants

12. Housewarming gift basket (new house or new homeowner):

Kitchen towels
Candle
Cleaning supplies
Cutting board
Kitchen utensils
Wine
Extension cord or surge protector
Wall hanging kit
Command hooks

13. Basket for Teenage Girl:

Body wash
Loofah
Body spray
Fuzzy socks
Makeup brushes
Earbuds
Gift card

14. Basket for Teenage Boy:

Wireless earbuds
Candy
Gift card
Hat
Socks
Sunglasses
Body spray
Soda

15. Get Well Soon gift basket:

Tea (such as Throat Coat)
Chicken soup mix
Mug
Bath soak
Soft tissues
Throat lozenges
Vicks
Chapstick
DVD
Essential oils
Emergen-C

16. Chocolate Lover gift basket:

Hot cocoa
Chocolates
Brownie mix
Hot fudge
Chocolate coated spoons
Chocolate covered pretzels

17. Basket for a College Student:

Comfy socks
Snacks
Gum
Reusable water bottle
Coffee tumbler
Pens and pencils
Gift card for fast food or gas

18. Gift basket for Golf Lover:

Golf Balls
Tees
Golf towel
Practice wiffle balls
Golf club brush
Collapsible cooler
Golf gloves

19. Fitness gift basket:

Workout DVD
Sweat towel
Socks
Yoga block
Protein bars
Earbuds
Light dumbbells or ankle weights

20. Snow Day gift basket:

Warm socks
Hot chocolate
Soup mix
Snowman kit
DVDs
Popcorn
Small game
Jigsaw puzzle
Chapstick

21. BBQ Grilling bift basket:

BBQ sauce
Seasoning set
BBQ tools
Apron
Grill cleaning spray
Burger patty press
Meat thermometer

22. Travel gift basket:

Hanging travel bag
Emergency sewing kit
Travel mug
Gas gift card
Sleep mask
Neck pillow
Travel bottles

23. Car Care gift basket:

Car wash gift card
Glass cleaner
Interior wipes
Car wash soap
Air freshener
Microfiber cloths
Tire gauge

24. Picnic in a gift basket:

Durable plates, napkins, utensils
Collapsible cooler
Ice packs
Crackers
Picnic blanket
Wine

25. Coffee Lover gift basket:

Flavored coffee
Coffee beans
Cute mug
Milk frother
Flavored creamer
Chocolate covered spoons
Coffee stirrers
Disposable cups

Here are some fun ideas to include in your coffee lovers gift basket.

26. Cozy Night at Home gift basket:

Slippers
Hot cocoa mix
Candle
DVD
Chocolates
Popcorn
Cozy blanket

27. Pet gift basket:

Toys
Pet’s favorite food
Treats
Leash
Pet vest

28. Teacher gift basket:

Snacks
Gift card
Hand sanitizer
Insulated tumbler
Mints
Flavored coffee or creamer

29. Fishing Enthusiast gift basket:

Small travel rod
Lures
Fishing line
Hooks
Bobbers
Sunglasses
Fillet knife
Rubber gloves
Travel mug

30. Cleaning basket:

Disinfecting wipes
Cleaning brushes
Sponges
Dishwasher tabs
Glass spray
Daily shower spray
Cleaning gloves
Duster
All purpose spray

31. Breakfast basket:

Pancake mix
Maple syrup
Spatula
Pancake flipper
Champagne or sparkling cider
Kitchen towel
Coffee
Flavored creamer
Apple juice
Jam

32. Summer gift basket:

S’more ingredients
Marshmallow roasting sticks
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Beach towel
Flip flops
Beach toys
Sidewalk chalk
Lemonade mix

33. Kids’ Craft kit basket:

Crayons and markers
Gel pens
Friendship bracelet kit
Pipe cleaners
Colorful feathers
Popsicle sticks
Pom-poms
Googly eyes
Glue
Washi tape
Stickers
Construction paper
Scissors
Paint
Clay

34. Kids’ Dress Up Box:

Scarves
Age-appropriate makeup
Sunglasses
Fancy hats
Glow bracelets
Funny masks
Crown or tiara
Temporary hair dye

35. Christmas-Themed basket:

Holiday movie
Sugar cookie mix
Holiday cookie cutters
Christmas sprinkles
Ornaments
Holiday mug
Cozy socks
Twinkle lights
Scented candle

Ready to try making a homemade gift basket?

I hope these ideas for things to put in a diy gift basket has given you inspiration for putting together some fun presents.

The perfect gift basket idea is the on that shows you went the extra mile and really thought of the little things.

Your gift recipient will just love to receive a cute basket that you put together with them in mind.

What are your favorite gift basket ideas?

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Expert Introduction: As an expert in DIY gift baskets, I have extensive knowledge and experience in creating unique and personalized gift baskets for various occasions. I have been creating gift baskets for many years and have received positive feedback and appreciation from recipients. I understand the importance of selecting the right items and themes for gift baskets, and I am well-versed in the art of customization and budget-friendly options. I have learned from my own experiences and continuously explore new ideas to make gift baskets more thoughtful and enjoyable for both the giver and the recipient.

Concepts related to DIY Gift Baskets: To provide a comprehensive understanding of the concepts used in the article, here are the key concepts related to DIY gift baskets:

Gift Basket Themes: Choosing a theme for a gift basket helps in selecting appropriate items that align with the recipient's interests or hobbies. Themes can range from spa or self-care baskets to pasta, art, date night, movie, baking, cooking, pizza, sundae, book lovers, gardening, housewarming, teen, get well soon, chocolate lover, college student, golf lover, fitness, snow day, BBQ grilling, travel, car care, picnic, coffee lover, cozy night at home, pet, teacher, fishing enthusiast, cleaning, breakfast, summer, kids' craft kit, kids' dress-up box, and Christmas-themed baskets.
Customization and Personalization: DIY gift baskets allow for personalization by including the recipient's favorite items, snacks, and treats. It shows that the giver put thought into the basket and considered the recipient's preferences. Customization can be based on the recipient's hobbies, interests, or specific occasions.
Budget-Friendly Options: DIY gift baskets provide flexibility in terms of budget. They can be as inexpensive or luxurious as the giver's budget allows. Clearance items or discounted products can be used to create affordable gift baskets without compromising quality or thoughtfulness.
Gift Basket Containers: The vessel used to contain the gift basket items can vary based on the theme and creativity. Traditional baskets, baking dishes, storage containers, makeup pouches, mixing bowls, jars, tote bags, laundry baskets, tackle boxes, coolers, and flower pots are some examples of containers that can be used.
Basket Fillers: To enhance the presentation of the gift basket, basket fillers are used to display the items nicely. Soft and decorative fillers like tissue paper, shredded paper, cellophane, straw, large confetti, cloth napkins, kitchen towels, and newspaper can be used to fill the bottom of the basket.

By understanding these concepts, you can create meaningful and memorable DIY gift baskets for any occasion while keeping it personal, budget-friendly, and enjoyable for the recipient.