Let me start by saying the Dollar Tree is one of my favorite stores and if you browse around in it you can find lots of great things.   I also like Big Lots for finding things.  My favorite thing to give at Christmas is gift baskets.  I like to fill them with things that are special to that person.  I can usually put these together very cheaply.  The thing I do is shop all year long.  Ooohhh! Let me explain.  I always browse through the clearance bins at JoAnn Fabrics or Michaels when I have to go there for something else.  Especially after a holiday they mark everything dirt-cheap.  I got my dd some wigs and other things for her dress up box for $.79 apiece.  You can find all kinds of neat things in clearance bins at stores.  I get baskets and containers to use as baskets at the Dollar Tree, yard sales, or thrift stores.  So here are some baskets I have made in the past and some I’m making for this year. 

A game basket

Couple decks of cards

Dice

Dominos

Poker chips

Yahtzee scorecard refills

Pretzels

Couple bags of microwave popcorn

2 liter of soda

Dinner basket

Soup in a jar mix

Cornbread or biscuit mix

Large wooden spoon

Oven mitt

Soup cups

Gourmet crackers

Candles

Scrapbook basket

All of these things should be acid free

Stickers

Glue sticks

Card stock

Gel pens

Fancy scissors

Die cuts

Photo corners

Two-sided tape

Die cut punches

Pamper yourself  #1

Candles

Bath salt

Back scrubber

Bath puff

Body spray

Body lotion

Chocolates

Shower gel

Coffee mug

Tea or coffee

Fuzzy bath towel

Pamper yourself #2

Manicure kit

Nail dryer

Nail polish

Cotton balls

Nail polish remover

The little thing you put between your toes

Hand lotion

Foot lotion

Pumice stone

Slippers

Hand towel

Wash clothes

Pamper yourself #3

Favorite shampoo

Favorite body wash

Mud mask

Candles

Bath fizz

Body lotion

Hand held massager

Razors

Shaving gel

Body mist

Relaxation cd

Bath pillow

Dessert basket

Cookies mix in a jar

Pastry bag packages

Candy

Wisk

Oven mitt

Brownie or cake mix

Frosting

Cocoa mix

Complete meal basket (a large soup pot or mixing bowl)

Soup in a jar mix

Crackers

Cornbread or biscuit mix

Cookie in a jar mix

Coffee or cocoa mix

Wooden spoon

Wisk

Potholders

Clothe napkins

Winter basket

Gloves

Hat

Scarf

Chap stick

Lotion

Thermal socks

Long johns

Cocoa mix

Coffee cup

Night in basket

Microwave popcorn

Video rental coupon

Pretzels or chips

Movie box size candies

Fleece throw

2-liter pop

Kitchen basket (a large mixing bowl or soup pot)

Dishtowels

Oven mitt

Potholders

Wooden spoons

Wisk

Spices

Vinegars

Oils

Coffee basket

Coffee mixes

Coffee creamer mixes

Coffee cup

Chocolate spoons

Office supplies (wastepaper basket makes a nice container)

Paper clips

Pens

Pencils

Copy paper

White out

Sharpies

Highlighters

Post it notes

Index cards

Black markers

Writing paper

Erasers

Pencil grips

Staples

Calendar

Student basket (I like to put this in a backpack)

Notebooks

Pens

Pencils

Post it notes

Highlighter

Erasers

Index cards

Post it notes

Notebook paper

Folders

Ruler

Compass

Protractor

Markers

Glue

Stress ball

Breakfast basket (large mixing bowl)

Pancake mix

Syrup

Wisk

Potholder

Spatula

Breakfast basket #2 (large mixing bowl)

Muffin pan

Muffin mix

Whisk

Potholder

Honey

Kid’s basket  (tote)

Coloring books

Drawing pad

Crayons

Markers

Finger paints

Watercolors

Paintbrushes

Smock

Kid’s basket #2 (tote)

Play dough

Play dough accessories like

Plastic mat

Little girl’s basket

Tiara

Wand

Play jewelry

Play purse

Dress up shoes

Boa

Fans

Hair accessories

Wigs

Boy’s basket

Army men

Silly puddy

Slinky

Matchbox cars

Squirt guns

Jumping jacks

Whoopi cushion

Marbles

That’s all for now.  I’ll list more gift ideas later.