For the past three years, I’ve tried to become creative with gift-giving. To me, it’s not about getting the “wants” but, more so, the necessities. My nephews are growing and are in need of clothing, shoes, socks, etc., and I typically try to give things of that nature versus toys that they’ll play with here and there.

So go through your pantry, closets, and cabinets to create a DIY gift basket. Then head to the $1 store or $1 bins for those “extras”.

Some gift basket ideas:

Movie Lovers Dream

• – Popcorn bucket ($1 bins at Target! Mini Me LOVES hers!)
  – Gift Basket ($1 at Dollar Store)
  – Box of Popcorn ($.49 at Kroger Mega Sale!)
  – Chocolate (Milky Way, $.49 at Kroger!)
  – Movie ($1-$5 at Dollar Store, Target, Walmart, and KMart!)
  – Gum (FREE! Many of you have this stuff in buckets!)
  – Wonka Gummies, $.50 each at Kroger with coupon
  – Butterfinger Snackerz, ($.05 each at Walgreens)
  Total: as low as $4

Relaxation Basket

• – Gift Basket ($1)
  – Canning Jar for Bath Salts (around $1)
  – Two Bottles of Wine (around $8 each)
  – Homemade Bath Salts (less than $3 to make!)
  – Candles (FREE – $1 at Target!)
  – Nail Polish (FREE at Target!)
  – Add any shampoo, conditioners, or body washes to your stockpile!

Recipe for Homemade Bath Salts:

New Baby Basket

• – Huggies Diapers, $6.99-$8.99
  – Wipes, around $1
  – Lotions, around $1.50. Scored these at Kroger on markdown last week!
  – Baby Q-tips, $.89 at Target
  – Hand Sanitizer, around $1
  Total: around $12-$15

Get creative. What kind of gift basket are you putting together with your stockpile?