Ideas for Filling a Gift Basket on a Budget

Sure, it's easy to buy a holiday gift basket and give it to a friend or loved one, but it's so ... impersonal. And expensive. Instead of spending a small fortune on a gift basket at the store, you can create one yourself for half the price or less and rest assured that the items you include are tailor-made to your friend's tastes and loves. From sweet treats to creative hobbies, we've assembled a list of great DIY holiday gift basket ideas for everyone on your list.

Prices and availability are subject to change.

Related: 101 Christmas Gifts for $25 or Less

Barbecue addicts get all the love when it comes to spices and seasonings and the giving of such gifts, but indoor cooks deserve some love, too. Show that chef you care with a gift basket full of spices, seasonings, and other favor enhancers.

Shopping list:

• Bitterman’s Black Truffle Salt ($27 from Sur La Table)
• Rainbow Peppercorns ($13 from Sur La Table)
• Organic Pizza Seasoning Mini Rub Set ($33 from Williams Sonoma)
• Movie Night Popcorn Seasoning Set ($35 from Uncommon Goods)

Show that coffee snob (er, coffee enthusiast) some love this season with a bag or two of their favorite beans. That's a must. So is a clever coffee mug, one that could do double-duty as a pencil holder or a succulent planter. Nothing complements coffee quite like chocolate, so a sweet treat of the cocoa variety is a nice addition, as is a coffee warmer to keep their brew nice and hot.

Shopping list:

• A Bag of Beans from Their Favorite Roaster (Price Varies from Trade Coffee)
• Ceramic Greek Coffee Cup ($15 from Uncommon Goods)
• Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans ($2.50 and up from Nuts.com)
• Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer ($12 from Amazon)

Related: Great Gifts for Coffee Lovers

Sweet dreams are made of this: sugar, spice, and all those nice things that bakers use to create magic in the kitchen. 

Shopping list:

• Artisan Bread Flour ($11 from King Arthur Flour)
• Bakersfield Extracts Set ($15 from Amazon)
• Happy Belly Baker's Pantry Spices Set ($9 from Amazon)
• Stainless Steel Measuring Cups And Measuring Spoons ($15 from Amazon)

Related: The Best Gifts for Men Who Like to Cook

The only thing better than chocolate is more chocolate, so any gift basket for a chocoholic should include lots of sweet options. Skip the full-size chocolate bars in favor of fun-sized options and assortments from a variety of manufacturers. For even more chocolate goodness, consider adding a small tin of hot cocoa or chocolate syrup.

Shopping list:

• Hershey's Nuggets Family Size Assorted Chocolates ($7 from Target)
  
• Ghirardelli Premium Assortment Chocolate Squares ($5 from Target)
• Lindt Lindor Assorted Chocolate Truffles ($5 from Target)
• Godiva Masterpieces Chocolate Assortment ($5 from Target)
  

For more great gift guides and shopping tips, please sign up for our free newsletters.

Bring the spa experience home with a helping of self care wrapped up in a gift basket that will make them feel and look like a million bucks. Start with a few must-have tools and toss in a handful of their favorite shades.

Shopping list:

• Equate Beauty Total Nail Care System ($10 from Walmart)
• OPI Nail Envy ($18 and up from Amazon)
• Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Color ($5 and up from Walmart)
• Tweezerman Mini Manicure Kit ($11 from Walmart)

A gift set with a candle theme can be assembled in several ways. The basic candle garden calls for free-standing pillar candles and a flat, fire-resistant surface or "foundation" on which to burn them. A dinner plate or wall mirror from a secondhand store serves the purpose. For candles, check dollar stores and overstock outlets, or head to Ikea for an inexpensive selection of block candles and scented candles in glass.

Shopping list:

• Arofull Candle Dishes ($7 from Ikea)
  
• Jubla Unscented Chandelier Candles ($9 from Ikea)
  
• Korsbarstrad Aluminum Candle Snuffer ($3 from Ikea)
  
• Hemsjo Unscented Block Candles ($3 from Ikea)
  

Related: Cool and Unique Gifts for People Who Really Love Candles

You know who we're shopping for: that person who spends an inordinate amount of time with their car in the garage or driveway, pampering it. For this car lover, give 'em a gift basket of useful goodies for their four-wheeled friend.

Shopping list:

• Microfiber cloths ($14 and up from Amazon)
• Cleaning Putty ($7 from Amazon)
• Armor All Car Cleaning Kit ($20 from Amazon)
• Portable Car Vacuum ($33 from Amazon)

Related: Cool Gifts for Men Who Love Cars

Know someone who could use a good laugh or two this holiday? Then put a smile on their face with a basket of gag gifts that range from classics like a funny pair of socks to more cerebral silliness like a candle that smells like ineptitude. LOL!

Shopping list:

• 'I Have No Idea What I'm Doing' Candle ($17 from Natural Annie Essentials)
• Animal Paw-Print Socks ($10 from Amazon)
  
• The Screaming Goat Book & Figure ($10 from Amazon)
  
• Shakespearean Insult Bandages ($7 from Amazon)

Related: Fun and Hilarious Gag Gifts for the Prankster in Your Life

Whether they're a certified gym rat or just enjoy a daily run, they're sure to appreciate a gift basket that includes goodies they'll use every time they work out. 

Shopping list:

• Pogo Sport 32oz Tritan Chug ($10 from Target)
• All in Motion Yoga Mat ($17 from Target)
• Resistance Bands ($13 from Amazon)
• think! High Protein Bars ($17 from Amazon)

Americans may not see eye to eye on what constitutes the best barbecue, but we can all agree that eating it calls for strong, study napkins. Cloth napkins are reusable and more festive (and durable) than paper, so splurge on those. Grillmasters will appreciate a digital meat thermometer; they can use it to check the meats that they've slathered with a favorite rub or sauce (or both).

Shopping list:

• Buffalo Plaid Cloth Napkins ($10 from Amazon)
• ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer ($16 from Amazon)
  
• Bone Suckin' Sauce Original Seasoning and Rub ($10 from Amazon)
• Bone Suckin' Barbecue Sauce ($13.50 from Amazon)

Leave choosing the wine to the expert, and give your wine-enthusiast friend a care package that will always come in handy. A good kitchen towel with a cute wine-themed design is a good way to start. And you can never, ever have too many corkscrews. If your friend enjoys throwing outdoor gatherings or has tile floors indoors, a set of sturdy plastic wine tumblers will be appreciated, too. Whatever bottle they choose to uncork, a bar of dark chocolate is a sweet complement to their drink.

Shopping list:

• The Wine Lover's Tea Towel ($14 from Uncommon Goods)
• All About Wine Plastic Stemless Wine Glasses ($16 from Amazon)
  
• Waiters Corkscrew ($5 from Amazon)
• Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate Bar ($4 from Walmart)

Related: Unique Gift Ideas For Women Who Love Wine

Beer lovers appreciate a good brew, but they know the value of useful beer tools, too. A set of proper pint glasses would make a welcome addition to any home bar, as would any device that maximizes fridge space. And while they sit and savor their favorite brew, a good read is always appreciated. For that special friend, consider adding a gift certificate to a favorite local brewery.

Shopping list:

• Made By Design Pint Glass Set ($12 from Target)
  
• Personalized Beer Bottle Carrier ($8 from Personalization Mall)
  
• Westmark Hermetus 3-in-1 Beer Bottle Opener ($11 from Amazon)
• Drinking with Men: A Memoir ($10 from Amazon)

Related: Raise a Glass to These Gifts for Beer Lovers

Even in today's electronic era there's room for old-fashioned writing supplies. Start with several attractive pens in a variety of ink types, including ballpoint, fiber tip, and gel. Add a couple of blank-book journals or standard notebooks with pretty covers to complete a basic diary-writing kit. For a stationery set, pick up a tablet of writing paper with matching envelopes and a few sheets of "Forever" postage stamps. Present the gift in a basket or large decorative folder.

Shopping list:

• Blank Card-Making Kit ($15 from Amazon)
• Black Lined Journal By Artist's Loft ($8 from Michaels)
  
• Hethrone Calligraphy Fountain Dip Pen Set ($16 from Amazon)
  
• Blue & Gold Journal by Craft Smart ($2 from Michaels)

Related: The Best Gifts for Writers (and Not One Pen — We Promise)

A standard-size garden pail is the right size for a gift basket, large enough to hold a bag of potting soil, a few inexpensive planters, and packages of seeds. Not all plants are suitable for growing indoors, but herbs known to thrive include basil, chives, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and parsley.

Shopping list:

• Survival Garden Seeds Herb Collection ($11 from Amazon)
  
• Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix ($11 from Walmart)
• Round Pot Planter Set ($5 from Amazon)
• American Plastic Toys Inc. Large Pail and Shovel ($2 from Target)

Related: Gardening Gifts for Anyone With a Green Thumb

A collection of their favorite hot sauces is one way to go, bundled together with a fire-engine-red ribbbon and bow. At the very least, include one bottle of hot sauce — though the more, the merrier. A small DIY kit, plus seeds to grow their own hot peppers might be just the thing to encourage a new hobby, while some spicy socks will add just the right kick.

Shopping list:

• Tapatio Hot Sauce Socks ($12 from Amazon)
  
• DIY Hot Sauce Bottles ($15 from Amazon)
• Hot Pepper Seeds ($6 from Burpee)
• Texas Pete Hot Sauce ($2 from Target)
  

Related: Best Hot Sauce Gift Sets for 2022

In Victorian days, tea was so valuable that people stored it in lockable tea caddies. Stroll the aisles of a grocery or specialty store today and you'll spot plenty of affordable choices, many sold in reusable decorative tins. Add a bit of whimsy with unusual cup-and-saucer combinations from the local thrift store; garage sales and flea markets are likewise worth checking. To tie everything together, choose tea tins that match the colors on the cups.

Shopping list:

• Vintage Tea Kits and Mugs (Price varies from eBay)
• Nabisco Social Tea Biscuits ($6 from Walmart)
  
• Twinings of London Variety Pack Black Tea Bags , 20 Ct. ($3 from Walmart)
• Bigelow Assorted Herbal Teas, Tea Bags, 18 Ct. ($3 from Walmart)

Related: Cool Experiences Worth Giving This Holiday Season

Bearded bros will appreciate grooming essentials like a pleasant-smelling beard wash and balm, plus a sandwood comb to keep everything neat. As a bonus, toss in a handful of sample-sized products like facial mositurizer, hair-styling products, or lip balm.

Shopping list:

• Cremo Premium Dual-Sided Sandalwood Beard Comb ($12 from Target)
• Goodfellow & Co. No.03 Moroccan Mint & Cedar Beard Wash ($8 from Target)
• Goodfellow & Co. No.03 Moroccan Mint & Cedar Beard Balm ($8 from Target)
• Conair for Men Boar All Purpose Brush ($7 from Target)
  

Related: 25 Gift Ideas for Guys Under $25

A quiet night at home with a favorite movie or two can be a memorable occasion. Assemble a couple of DVDs or an iTunes gift card for streamers, some popcorn, and large boxes of movie candy such as Milk Duds and Raisinets. A bottle of good, cheap wine would add to the atmosphere. You can also include a set of reusable plastic popcorn boxes and use them as containers for some of the other items.

Shopping list:

• Reusable plastic popcorn boxes ($8 from Amazon)
• Apple Gift Card (Price varies from Amazon)
  
• Orville Redenbacher's Movie Theater Butter Microwave Popcorn ($6 from Walmart)
  
• Raisinets Milk Chocolate Covered Raisins ($1 from Walmart)
  

Related: Best Gifts for Movie Buffs

Filling a holiday gift box or basket with assorted candies and sweets is a classic route to take. Start by picking up a six-pack of Coca-Cola Classic in 8-ounce glass bottles, then add some gummy bears or chocolate bars and top it off with a festive bow.

Shopping list:

• Hershey's Candy Bars Variety Pack, 18-pack ($20 from Target)
• Coca-Cola ($1 from Target)
• Haribo Goldbears ($3 from Target)
  
• Spritz Red Gift Bow ($2 from Target)

Giving frozen ice cream as a gift is a non-starter (unless you can keep it cold somehow), but a good selection of toppings is another matter. Grocery store dessert aisles stock a wide selection of hot fudge, caramel, butterscotch, and fruit-flavored toppings. Add to the basket a couple of decorative bowls and a jar of chocolate or rainbow sprinkles to sweeten the treat.

Shopping list:

• Greenco Vibrant Colors Ice Cream Dessert Bowls and Spoons ($14 from Amazon)
• Dean Jacobs Ice Cream Crunch Toppings ($8 from Everything Kitchens)
  
• Great Value Rainbow Sprinkles ($3 from Walmart)
• Smucker's Hot Fudge Spoonable Ice Cream Topping ($2 from Walmart)

The great thing about this gift idea is that it can be assembled during your usual trip to the grocery store. For someone who loves cheese, assemble a basic basket with a cutting board, a cheese knife or slicer, a package of crackers, and, of course, cheese.

Shopping list:

• Bamboo Cheese Board Set ($22 from Amazon)
• Mini Babybel Cheese ($4 from Amazon)
• Keebler Toasteds Crackers Party Pack ($4 from Walmart)
  
• Belgioioso Asiago Cheese Wedge ($5 from Walmart)

There's nothing quite as satisfying as the hearty crunch of a thick, salty pretzel. Unless it's a chewy, fresh-baked pretzel. Soft or hard, good pretzels are even better with condiments like spicy German mustard or cheese spread. And don't forget how yummy chocolate-dipped pretzels can be, either. As a bonus, top it off with couple cans of their favorite soda or beer.

Shopping list:

• Kathi German Pretzel Baking Mix ($7 from Amazon)
  
• Pub Cheese White Cheddar Cheese Spread ($7 from Amazon)
• Hershey's Dipped Pretzels ($3 from Walmart)
  
• Inglehoffer Original Stone Ground Mustard ($3 from Walmart)

The best part about breakfast is that you can have it at any time of the day or night. A breakfast-lover's gift basket could include a grab bag of mini boxes of their favorite cereals, a batch of homemade muffins or sweet rolls, or you could indulge their inner chef with a DIY kit for a weekend waffle party.

Shopping list:

• Mini Waffle Iron ($13 from Amazon)
• Maple Grove Farms Organic Maple Syrup ($7 from Walmart)
  
• Kodiak Cakes Power Cakes Pancake and Waffle Mix ($6 from Walmart)
• Starbucks Caffe Verona Dark Roast Ground Coffee ($15 from Amazon)

An artfully displayed collection of art supplies will get the recipient's creative juices flowing. To assemble a drawing kit, start with blank sketch pads available at art and office supply stores. Add a box of pencils (the traditional No. 2 is fine, but look for the softer No. 1) or black sketching pencils, plus a box of colored pencils or markers. For additional inspiration, include a coloring book for grown-ups.

Shopping list:

• Professional Sketch Pencil Set ($8 from Amazon)
  
• Premium Sketch Pad ($5 from Walmart)
• Crayola Washable Super Tip Marker Set ($5 from Walmart)
  
• Cra-Z-Art Colored Pencils ($2 from Walmart)

Related: Creative Gifts for Artists That Are Sure to Inspire

Traveling to Rome may not be a reality, but anyone can afford to give the gift of culinary adventure with a carefully curated gift box of food favorites. It's hard to beat Rao's pasta sauce, which is a reviewer and consumer favorite, and nothing beats handmade pasta for making a simple meal something special. Cooking essentials, such as olive oil or seasonings, are also great for rounding out the treats.

Shopping list:

• Carapelli 100% Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($8 from Target)
• Mezzetta Pitted Greek Kalamata Olives ($5 from Walmart)
  
• Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce ($7 from Target)
• Homemade Pappardelle Noodles ($9 from Etsy)

Who doesn't love a mug of steaming cocoa on a cold winter night? This gift set can be as simple as a couple of hot cocoa packets inside a decorative mug. For a more elaborate gift, put two mugs inside a larger container, along with multiple hot cocoa packets and a bag of marshmallows. A few individually wrapped peppermints or candy canes for stirring are a sweet flourish.

Shopping list:

• Keep Calm and Drink Hot Cocoa mug ($7 from Walmart)
• Starbucks Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix ($5 from Walmart)
• Taylors Candy Starlite Mints ($2 from Walmart)
  
• Jet-Puffed Miniature Marshmallows ($2 from Walmart)

This collection would make a great companion to a gift basket for a wine lover, cheese lover, beer lover, or anyone who enjoys snacking. A quality mixed-nut assortment is a must, of course, but any true nut fanatic will want some extra packs of their favorite nut, whether it's pistachio or peanut. Dried fruits provide a chewy, sweet complement to those salty, crunchy nuts. For an added something special, throw in a yummy nut butter, which you can find in the bulk section of your local market.

Shopping list:

• Planters Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts ($8 from Walmart)
• Wonderful Roasted & Salted Pistachios ($8 from Walmart)
• Great Value Dried Apricots ($3 from Walmart)
  
• Good & Gather Banana Chips ($1 from Target)

Related: 25 Snack Box Subscriptions for Every Type of Eater

Houseplants make a home feel cozy and lived-in. Plus they're just nice to look at. Succulents are easy to propagate and don't require much space indoors, while seeds to attract pollinators are ideal for a larger, outdoor spaces. And any plant-lover will appreciate a good read about (what else?) houseplants.

Shopping list:

• 'Wild at Home' by Hilton Carter ($17 from Amazon)
  
• Crazy Plant Lady Pin ($12 from Etsy)
• Wildflower Seeds Butterfly and Hummingbird Mix ($8 from Amazon)
• Ceramic Succulent Planter ($14 from Amazon)

Related: The Best Gifts for Plant Lovers and Green Thumbs

Amping up your favorite student’s school spirit is easy with a basket built around campus life. T-shirts, collegiate blankets, snacks, and posters are good places to start. Consider putting the items in a small laundry basket, along with some detergent and other dorm-living essentials for when the recipient heads back to school after the holiday break. Maybe even a gift certificate to a local restaurant?

Shopping list:

• A Plush Collegiate Throw ($25 and up from Fanatics)
• NCAA Storage Mesh Bin ($15 from Wayfair)
• Tide Pods Laundry Detergent Pacs ($8 from Target)
  
• Tate's Bake Shop Chocolate Chip Cookies ($6 from Target)

A home bathroom can become a day spa with aromatherapy soaps and a few other luxury bath items. Every department store stocks such merchandise, but clearance bins at specialty stores often contain a wider array. Stick with the fancy stuff — bars of floral, glycerine, or milled-oat soap make a pleasing gift —  and include scented body lotions and an accessory such as a loofah or shower sponge.

Shopping list:

• Dr Teal's Soothing Lavender Ultra Moisturizing Bath Bombs ($6 from Target)
  
• Method Simply Nourish Bar Soap ($4 from Target)
  
• Jergens Sweet Citrus Triple Butter Blend Body Butter ($6 from Target)
• Up & Up Bath Loofah ($2 from Target)

Related: Gifts For Women Who Are Serious About Self Care

• 22 Ways to Relax From the Comfort of Your Own Home
• The Best Costco-Brand Liquors to Buy — and Which to Leave on the Shelf
• The Best Under-the-Radar Steakhouse in Each State
  
• What Not to Buy at the Dollar Store
  
• 18 Reliable Cars You Can Drive Into the Ground
  

Like Cheapism's content? Make sure to follow us here.