45 Unique DIY Gift Basket Ideas (for Christmas & more!) (2024)

If you’re looking for some cheap but beautiful DIY gift ideas, how about a gift basket? They’re perfect for families and friends, unique, easy-to-customize, and cost-effective! Almost all of these 45 ideas would be suitable to give any time of the year, for Christmas, Mother’s Day, Teacher Appreciation – any and all occasions! Keep reading to get started on these cheap homemade gift basket ideas (that look anything but cheap!).

Creative Christmas Ideas, Full Steam Ahead

The past few years have been off the charts, right? I’m not sure about you, but for me, it’s just a total feeling of being out of place in my own life.

To be honest, I’m real glad we have Christmas to brighten things up.

The past few years have upended our lives in so many ways – our sense of normalcy, maybe our health, and likely finances, too.

So that all trickles down to making Christmas a little different, too.

This year, in order to be frugal, DIY everything is on the list – decorations, crafts, and even gifts.

And that’s where gift baskets come in… with the hope that a little creativity can yield a beautiful gift as well be easy on the budget.

Creative DIY Family-Friendly Gift Basket Ideas

Today I’m going to share 40 gift baskets you can make that are budget-friendly for a few reasons.

First, many are appropriate for an entire family. That way, you don’t need to buy each member an individual gift. So that definitely can save.

Also, as you fill the basket, you really can put lots of items in them that you can get inexpensively.

I don’t mean that they’re cheap quality, but you can find lots of different items.

You can find gift ideas that are either on sale, discount type stores, and even in thrift stores (yes, I totally think it’s OK to give a thrift find as a gift, if it meets a high standard of quality! Sometimes it’s even a rare, valuable find!)

How to Put Together a DIY Gift Basket (And What to Include)

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There are just a few basics to make this a success:

1| Container

You don’t have to just use a basket! You can use crates, buckets, tins, trays, or even something useful that’s part of the gift (a colander, for instance, if you’re giving a dinner gift basket, or a planter, if you’re giving a garden-themed gift).

Think through what you might be filling the basket with and let that dictate the type and size of the container you get. You really can use basket from thrift stores or yard sales, especially for something more unique choices!

2| Filler

Don’t feel obligated to fill the basket from top to bottom with gifts. You can use some shredded confetti, crunched newspaper, or any kind of fill to cover the bottom and then add your gifts on top, similar to what you might do for an Easter basket.

3| Gifts

There’s no right or wrong way to do this. There’s no magic number. My only recommendation is to find items the recipient would like. No need to ‘fill just to fill.’

You want to try to cover as much real estate as you can, so your gifts don’t look miniature in your basket. But think about meaningful gifts to include. Brainstorm ahead of time!

4| Bulk Gifts

If you have more than one friend or family you are creating gift baskets for, it may help to buy items in bulk and then divvy them among your baskets.

That definitely can be a cost-effective measure!

Take a look at these gift baskets below.

There are family gifts, gifts for women, and even some that would be appropriate for men.

They may even just spark your creativity to go in another direction you hadn’t thought of yet.

Be sure you head to the original post for any you’re interested in – it will give you all the details and tricks!

45 Cheap Homemade Gift Baskets for the Whole Family, Christmas & Beyond

Food Gift Basket

Photo Credit:www.getyourholidayon.com

There really is no way to do this wrong. Just figure out your people's favorite foods, and done.

Gardening Gift Basket

Photo Credit:www.shrimpsaladcircus.com

This a super-cute one to customize if you have a gardener in your life. In particular, this post demonstrates how to paint the planter and make garden markers.

Garden Themed Gift Basket

Photo Credit:www.homefortheharvest.com

If you want to go beyond gifting the actual plants, this post has an ABUNDANCE of every idea you can think of for a garden lover.

DIY Movie Night Gift Basket

Photo Credit:cookingcraftsandfun.com

Movie lovers in your life? A movie night basket is a perfect idea! Even if they don't use DVDs or Redbox and are a more 'on-demand' family, you still can fill a basket with goodies and treats for a family movie night.

Coffee Lovers Gift Basket

Photo Credit:www.thedenverhousewife.com

If someone you know loves coffee, this can never be the wrong gift! Fill it up with all sorts of flavors, mugs, and accessories.

His + Hers Coffee Gift Basket

Photo Credit:abeautifulmess.com

This is a fun coffee-themed gift basket if you're giving it to a couple -with or without kids! His and Her gifts are always fun and appreciated!

Tea Gift Basket for the Tea Lover

Photo Credit:livelaughrowe.com

Not to be outdone by coffee, but here's a basket with all kinds of treats for tea lovers!

Natural and Organic Beauty Gift Basket

Photo Credit:essentialmovestowellness.com

If you have a crunchy friend where non-toxic products are of utmost importance, this post will give you all kinds of ideas of what to put in a gift basket like that!

DIY Cupcake Kit

Photo Credit:nontoygifts.com

How fun is this? Know someone who loves baking? This is a super-cute to focus on cupcakes in particular? You can even broaden it to baking.

Fresh Flowers Themed Gift Basket

This one is for the girly-girl in your life! Themed around a fresh bouquet of flowers, add in all the floral themed gifts, such as scented candles, lotions, potpourri, and sachets!

Relaxation Gift Basket (With Free Printable Gift Tags)

Photo Credit:smallstuffcounts.com

Soooo many people need to take better care of themselves... this gift can take relaxation to the next level!

Relaxing Bath Gift Basket (with free printable tags!)

Photo Credit:www.makingmanzanita.com

A relaxing bath is always much needed and very welcome! A gift basket with soothing bath essentials makes an amazing gift. This one includes body wash, soaps, candles - plus instruction for a cute terra cotta "basket."

DIY Beauty Skincare Basket

Photo Credit:www.francinesplaceblog.com

Skin is one of the first things many women neglect because our lives are so busy. This is a great gift to give for a woman to pamper herself. This post actually is a step-by-step to make these skincare items yourself - truly a DIY!

“Take it Easy” Cozy Gift Basket

Photo Credit:fantabulosity.com

This is a super-cozy gift basket idea... fuzzy blanket, slippers, coffee mug and a tea towel, all in a cute storage basket!

Spa Gift Basket Ideas

Photo Credit:www.hartnana.com

If a woman can't get to the spa, bring the spa to her! Fill this basket with a candle, lotions, foot soaks and scrubs, loofa, massager... she'll love it.

Photo Credit:ahundredaffections.com

This gift basket idea is when you want to gift someone overall health and wellness! You can focus on fitness, overall holistic wellness, spa and pampering, or self-care! Mix and match ideas to give a total wellness package!

Farmhouse Style Gift Baskets

Photo Credit:www.littleglassjar.com

Know someone who loves farmhouse? Why not fill it with all kinds of farmhouse style goodies... a candle, a book, chocolates, hot cocoa, an ornament, some home decor - in a super-cute crate or galvanized bucket? Bullseye.

For the Home Gift Basket

Photo Credit:victoriaelizabethbarnes.com

Whether it's a housewarming gift or just a gift you want to give for the home, this one has all kinds of goodies that are useful and pretty, a welcome addition to any house!

Pre-Planned Date Gift Basket

Photo Credit:smallstuffcounts.com

So many couples need time to connect. This gift basket is chock full of ways to help your favorite couple have some needed quality time.

Double Date Idea And A Paint Night Gift Basket

Photo Credit:makingtimeformommy.com

If you want to get in on the fun, I love this idea for a double date! A dinner and paint night in all in one! That's a super fun friend gift for couples!

Pancake Breakfast Gift Basket

Photo Credit:bellewoodcottage.com

A pancake breakfast gift basket is perfect for someone whose favorite meal is breakfast - and favorite breakfast food is pancakes! So many ways to make this a gourmet treat.

Cheese, Nuts and Crackers Gift Basket

Photo Credit:www.diynetwork.com

This is a gift idea that feels really fancy...gourmet cheeses, nuts, cutting boards, and knives... even throw in a bottle of wine. Perfect for someone who loves the French culture or the finer things!

Gourmet Sweets Gift Basket

Photo Credit:ahelicoptermom.com

If you have a sweet lover in your life, there are so many fancy sweets you can put in a gourmet. Think about that area in TJ Maxx when you check out... just load up!

Ice Cream Gift Basket

Photo Credit:www.kendrajohn.com

Ice cream sundaes on the way! This is super fun for a couple or a family with kids. An ice cream bar in a bucket, box, or basket is always welcome.

BBQ Gift Basket

Photo Credit:todayseverymom.com

This is a great gift idea for a man or woman who loves to BBQ. Some cooking mitts with all the utensils, spices and everything needed for a perfect cookout.

Beach Themed Gift Basket

If you know someone who loves the beach or warm weather, a basket with all the beach gear would be perfect! This also shows you how to make a DIY basket at well! You can also put all the fun, beachy items in a beach tote bag, too!

Custom Self Care Gift Basket

Photo Credit:www.therisingspoon.com

This gift basket really focuses on the recipient. Think about the special person in your life, what would make them feel loved, what do they like, what do they need to relax and recharge - and steer your basket in that direction.

Hot Cocoa Gift Basket

Photo Credit:www.allthingstarget.com

This is a delicious gift basket idea that comes not just with all the fixings and mix-ins for cocoa, but with homemade hot cocoa! How fun!

Sangria Gift Basket for Friends

Photo Credit:fantabulosity.com

I feel like this gift basket doesn't need any explanation. Sangria is always a fabulous choice for a friend who loves wine or fruity drinks.

Quick and Easy Dinner

Photo Credit:www.bhg.com

I just love this idea! A full dinner ready to go, plus a cute colander to go with it! You can go in a lot of directions with this theme!

Commuter Gift Basket

Photo Credit:myfrugaladventures.com

This one is genius! If you have someone in your life who spends a lot of time in his or her car, this is the way you need to go!

Wood Worker Gift Crate

Photo Credit:lovecreatecelebrate.com

I love this idea for a guy or girl! So many ladies are into home reno and DIY! This would be fabulous for them! Lots of other gift ideas and printables in this post as well!

Road Trip Gift Basket

Photo Credit:www.thechaosandtheclutter.com

And along those lines, if you know a family that loves to take road trips or has one coming up in the future, this is a really thoughtful gift idea as well!

Book Lovers Gift Basket

Photo Credit:prettyprovidence.com

I love this idea for a booklover! Book marks, books candles, a cozy blanket, even a Kindle gift card would be great to include!

{Book-Based Basket} Special Ingredient Gift Basket

Photo Credit:titus2homemaker.com

If you want to get into the details for a book gift basket, try a book-themed basket - where the book itself (a cookbook in this example - but any book would work just fine) will steer you into what kinds of items you put in it! This one has a ton of create room which would be a blast to create! Especially if your friend has a favorite author!

Candle Gift Basket

Photo Credit:www.thecountrychiccottage.net

If you know someone who loves candles, this is a great idea for them! So many yummy scents and beautiful styles to choose from1

Campfire S’mores Gift Basket Idea

Photo Credit:www.modern-glam.com

The complete campfire Smores event all in one basket! Fun for big and small kids alike!

Snow Day Survival Kit Christmas Gift Basket

Photo Credit:thediymommy.com

Oh, I just love the creativity on this! How fun to create and give - fill this bucket with cookie mix, cookie cutters, hot cocoa, and all kinds of treats to keep busy on a snow day!

Survival Gift Basket Idea

Photo Credit:collegelifemadeeasy.com

Speaking of survival, there are lots of other themes you can use besides snow day survival for a gift basket? How about school survival, college freshman survival, teacher survival, empty nest survival, winter survival - or even a legit emergency situation survival basket? Lots of ideas that can be customized to the recipient's stage of life!