A Tisket, A Tasket, Everyone Loves A Great Gift Basket

My love language is gift giving. I live for it. I don't mean necessarily huge, extravagant, expensive presents, but just something that says "I thought about you today and wanted you to have this." Ask my nephews, my sister, and my guy. I don't usually even venture to the gas station and return without chocolate, sour candy, or coffee.

But my favorite gifts (both to give and receive) are ones put together at home, not one item bought, paid for, and wrapped. Gift baskets, lots of small, useful, and themed items put together are absolutely my go-to. They are particularly exciting because you can make them as large or as small as you want or need. The value behind this gift is really in the effort and thought, not in the monetary cost. For this article, I've put together my top 9 basket ideas. As always, the more local or small businesses you can support to get the items, the better! I've included some of my recommended Tennessee spots and Etsy shops in my basket ideas. Have fun making these special gifts for your special loved ones!

1. Tool Time - Use a small toolbox (you can get one embroidered with your special builder's name from the Etsy shop Embrodeco) and fill it up with small but essential tools for anyone to use. I suggest small flashlights, batteries, pencils, permanent markers, all-in-one screwdrivers, key rings, and a small hammer.

2. Spa Night - Purchase a personalized galvanized bucket (I recommend Capcatchers from Etsy) and fill it to the brim with lots of spa supplies. These can include lotion in their favorite scents and essential oils to add to the bath/pedicure (I suggest The Oil Spot). Add some cozy socks (SocksNY) and bath bombs and salts (BathBombFactory), candles (TheScentsibleGeek), and custom soap (GilchristSoaporium) for a special touch and you can use as many of these items as you want to make your basket as small or as big as it needs to be. Visit your local Dollar Store and pick up a small manicure kit, gel eye mask, head wrap, and a bag of chocolates, and you've got the perfect night-in treat!

3. Let's Go to the Movies - Head over to Party City and pickup one of their large popcorn buckets. Find your local Gourmet Popcorn shop (or check out mine that can ship from Nashville - Music City Popcorn) and pick out an assortment of mini bags for your friends to share. Choose as many movies as you want and include a gift card for pizza and don't forget to go to the Dollar Store and load up on movie theatre candy boxes!

4. Be A Good Sport - For the ultimate sports fan in your life, put together a special assortment of goodies. Gather up lots of small sport or team themed items - fan towels, key rings, magnets, home decor signs, tumblers, etc. (Check out Two Pink Llamas for your needs) and place them inside of a helmet either personalized with your person's favorite team or with their very own name and number. For the helmet, check out BriarPatchDesignsLA!

5. Class Act - Check out the folks over at Two Pink Llamas for a personalized tote bag either with your student's name, major, or university/high school and fill it full with goodies that every student needs! Include some great pens and pencils, a detailed planner, notebooks, fast food gift cards, Red Bull, candy, and for college students - personalize it a little more with fan items from their University or a gift card to their University bookstore.

6. Wine and Cheese - Grab a cellophane bag and wrap up all the ingredients for this tasty basket on a personalized cheese board from StragaCuttingBoards! Check out SweChiCreative for etched wine glasses, then visit your favorite local winery (or ship from mine, Century Farm in Tennessee) to pick out however many bottles you would like to include. Check out World Market or a global supermarket in your town for an assortment of cheeses to go on that nice cheese board!

7. Recipe Box - This one is especially fun because you can do it several different ways. My favorite is to choose twenty-five - fifty of your favorite recipes and clearly write by hand each recipe on notecards and gift them in a personalized box. (I recommend WoodCookStudio for the box!)

8. Shop Local - Check out ScriptLeather for a personalized wallet that you can use to fill with gift cards to local places like restaurants, salons, stores, and experiences. Also, it's a fun idea to pinpoint each location on a map.

9. Hobby Baskets - these are great for those who are just getting started in a hobby or a small business. You can search what items are needed to begin just about any hobby and head to your local craft store to pick up the basics. If you know someone just starting in a business that has their logo designed, surprise them with business cards from VistaPrint and other logo-ed items.