I’m constantly getting last minute gifts for people. I procrastinate until the day before the birthday or occasion and then I panic. I have found that making a themed basket for someone is really thoughtful, easy to make and contrary to popular belief, it can be very affordable too. You can make all of these baskets in one stop--at TJ Maxx or HomeGoods. Here are my 10 favorite ideas for themed gift baskets:
1. Spa Day in a Mason Jar
Buy some nails polishes, a nail file, a nail clipper, lotion, makeup remover wipes, face masks (all of which you can get at TJ Maxx). Arrange everything nicely inside of any mason jar--you pick the size
2. Starbucks-aholic Basket
This is perfect for the coffee drinker in your life. If you want, you can go to Starbucks and buy a bunch of bags of coffee and mugs, but it would be pretty expensive. Instead, I would recommend heading over to HomeGoods. They have the same Starbucks coffee along with many other flavors all at a lower price. You can get some cute mugs there too. Place them nicely in a basket, put a bow on it and you’re good to go.
3. Tea Drinker’s Dream
If you need a gift for a female relative, I feel like you can’t go wrong with this one. Gather a bunch of different flavored and nicely packaged teas and pair them with a cute tea cup and saucer. To top it off, instead of using a traditional basket, place everything in a bowl that can be used to cook in.
4. Makeup Mania
TJ Maxx has some surprisingly nice makeup. I use eyeshadow pallets from there all the time and they are actually very good quality. Pick up a few of those and a bunch of makeup brushes.
5. Sweet and Salty
If you’re getting a gift for a close friend or relative and you know their favorite snacks, make them a basket full of everything they like. You would be surprised what they have in the snack aisle at HomeGoods.
6. Netflix and Chill
For a home movie night, buy snacks traditionally found at the movie theater--skittles, m&ms, mike and Ikes, Junior Mints, etc. and place them all inside of a big popcorn bucket (include the unpopped bag of popcorn at the bottom)
7. Cocoa For Cocoa
For the chocolate lover in your life, make a basket full of chocolates. You can get an awesome assortment of chocolate at a really affordable price at homeGoods. There is actually an entire aisle full of chocolates during the holidays.
8. Shower Power
For this one I would head over to TJ Maxx because they seem to have more of an assortment. Buy some matching shampoo and conditioner, a bunch of soaps, exfoliants and a loofah.
9. Pajama Party
TJ Maxx surprisingly has some really nice matching pajama sets and slippers. Buy a bunch of them and place them into a nice basket with a ribbon.
10. The Bro Box
I realize gift baskets don’t have a reputation for being manly. But there are definitely some things you can put together for the man in your life. I think ties are great gifts for men. Pick out a few you think he would like. Pair the ties with some snacks he likes, and then head over to the bath section. They usually have some nice shaving kits. And wallets. I know wallets can be such a cop-out dad gift (ties sort of are too) but TJ has designer wallets (and ties) at discounted prices, so it is definitely worth looking into.
