Gift Ideas

I have always believed it better to give than receive, so that's why I love to make things to give as gifts to others.  Store bought gifts are great, but I don't think anything can rival a homemade gift to show how much you really care about someone.

Homemade Gift I've Made


Make a Diaper Cake Center Piece Gift
Thanksgiving Grand Gobbler Decoration
Making Up Christmas Cookie Plates
Fun Ways to Package Up Your Christmas Cookies
Lollipop Ghosts
Iowa State Baby Booties

Gift Basket Ideas


When I can't hand make everything for my gifts I love putting together little personalized gift baskets full of little goodies that are loads of fun.  Here are some ideas I have actually used myself and other ones I'd love to do some day:
  • Mini Movie Night - popcorn box filled with microwave popcorn bag, small bags of candy, and gift card for a free movie rental
  • Car Cleaning Kit - Big bucket filled with car wash/wax, tire cleaner, Armor-All, leather protectant, large sponge, chamois clothes, and air freshner
  • Cook's Special - Fill a large soup pot or pan with the ingredients to a favorite recipe, a copy of the recipe (I have used my homemade spaghetti sauce recipe and given all the spices that go into it along with a box of dried pasta)
  • The Happy Baker - Get a cupcake tin and package it with a box of cake mix, container of frosting, cute cupcake sprinkles and a squeeze bag with fun little decorating tips.
  • Bachelor Cook - Large soup pot filled with "A Man, A Can, and A Plan" cookbook along with a few canned ingredients for one of the recipes in the book (I gave this one to my brother before he got married and it was perfect for a young bachelor)
  • Pizza, Pizza - Wrap up together a pizza pan or even better a pizza stone (Pampered Chef is my fav), along with a packet of pizza crust mix, a can of pizza sauce, a can of mushrooms and package of pepperoni.  You could also add in a few cute pot holders!!!
  • High School Graduates Reality Check Gift - Fill up a laundry basket with a laundry bag, laundry soap, stain stick, fabric softener, dryer sheets and of course a roll of quarters!!!!
  • Bachelorette or Girlfriend's Girly Gift - Give your friend an excuse to have another party to invite you to - Fill up a large galvanized tub or large colored plastic tub with margarita mix in a bucket or bottle, margarita glasses, flavored margarita salts, and cute little cocktail napkins.