12 Best DIY Secret Santa Gift Basket Ideas

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It’s that time of year again; the time of year when we start to prep for our next Secret Santa Exchange Event. Buying gifts for friends, family members, and coworkers can be so much fun. However, it can be quite challenging to come up with Secret Santa gift ideas with those you may be unfamiliar with.

So, if you are tasked with finding a gift for the picky person, the person who is hard to shop for, the person who already has everything, or the person you barely know, then curating a tastefully curated gift basket is the perfect solution.

Secret Santa Gift Baskets are the perfect gift for just about anyone. Gift baskets are perfect useful gifts curated to please the coffee and tea lover, the new homeowner, the plant lover, and just about anyone in your social circle. So, check out these homemade customizable Secret Santa gift basket ideas I’ve put together that you can easily DIY today.

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What is Secret Santa?

For those unfamiliar with the process, here’s how it works: Secret Santa gift exchange (also known as Kris Kringle) is a Christmas game amongst friends, family, or coworkers where the host sets spending limits, and names are drawn from a hat, bowl, or online generator. You are then required to bring a wrapped gift for the person whose name you draw. The gift giver, in turn, becomes the person’s Secret Santa.

It’s a delightful way to bring friends, family, and coworkers closer during the holiday season.

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Why a Gift Basket?

Gift baskets are a collection of small things beautifully decorated, presented, and thoughtfully curated with the receiver in mind. They are aesthetically pleasing gifts that allow for diversification in your gift-giving. Gift baskets are highly versatile and easily customizable, providing something for everyone on your Christmas list.

With a gift basket, you can gift something savory, sweet, thoughtful, unique, or just something in between. Even if the gift recipient does not like an item in your basket, they can easily enjoy the things they like and possibly share or re-gift the others. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Gift baskets are great last-minute gift ideas because of their affordability and budget-friendliness. Creating your own Christmas gift baskets makes gift-giving more memorable and stress-free.

Homemade Secret Santa Gift Basket Ideas

1. Baking Kit Gift Basket

In the Basket:- Cupcake Trey, Baking pan, Cookie Mix or Cake Mix, Cupcake Liners, Vanilla, Frosting, Icing Tips, Sprinkles, measuring cups, Nutmeg, Ground Cinnamon, and Cookie Cutters.

The Baking Kit gift basket is great for friends and family who love baking and being in the kitchen. Baking kits are fun gifts that allow you to spend time with your loved ones and make warm, sweet memories while perfecting delicious desserts and treats.

This basket comes with an assortment of baking tools, cookie mixes, and cake mixes. The best part about this basket is that most of the items are reusable, making this basket the perfect gift that keeps on giving.

It may even be a good idea to use a large mixing bowl instead of a basket. You can place all the packaged ingredients in a large mixing bowl and wrap them up in a bow. 

2. Pasta Making Gift Basket

In the Basket: Pasta (Spaghetti, Rigatoni, Penne), Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Pasta Sauce, Alfredo Sauce, Colander, Italian Herbs, Olives, Parmesan Cheese, and a Bottle of Red Wine

Pasta has the power to bring people together. It is a powerful yet uncomplicated dish that makes the perfect present for just about anyone. Besides its tastiness, a Pasta Making gift basket is best because it combines fun and comfort.

Just throw in a variety of pasta styles, from rigatoni, spaghetti, penne, and linguini, to create this ideal pasta assortment basket. 

3. Sangria Kit Gift Basket

In the basket: Glass Carafe Pitcher, Wine Glass, Red Wine, Bottle of Rum or Cognac, Fruits (Apple, Oranges, Lime), Seltzer Water or Ginger Ale, Brown Sugar, Wooden Spoon

This Sangria Kit Gift Basket is a party in a pitcher. This basket has everything you need to whip up the perfect cocktail. It is an excellent gift for the drink connoisseur in the group or those who can appreciate a good worldly cocktail.

This Secret Santa gift basket also makes an excellent white elephant gift idea. Just make sure to include instructions on how to create this masterful drink. 

4. Snack and Candy Gift Basket

In the basket: Pop Corners, Chips, Crackers, Candy, Chocolate, Cheeze it, Nut Mix, and Granola Bars

This is likely the simplest of all the gift baskets. All you need is a bunch of snacks that you can pack tightly into the basket. A snack gift box might include anything from cookies, candy, beef jerky, nuts, and pretzels. So mix and match popular snacks or the type of snacks you think the recipient will love. 

If the recipient is a health enthusiast, include healthy sweet or savory snacks, nut bars, energy bars, granola bars, and other superfood snacks. If they are chocolate lovers, incorporate many chocolate varieties like Ferrero Rocher chocolate, Godiva, M&Ms, and Snickers. It is a good budget-friendly gift idea for the snackers in the group. 

5. For the Coffee Lovers Gift Basket

In the basket: Ground Coffee, French Press Coffee Maker, Coffee Grinder, Travel Coffee Mug, Coffee Mugs, Chocolate Bar or Ferrero Rocher, Creamer, Simple Syrup

There’s so much to love about the gift of coffee – from the taste of it to the smell. This caffeine-packed gift is an excellent choice for the early-morning riser and coffee lover in your life. Pair this wonderful basket with your favorite French press and grinder.

And if you want to truly personalize the gift, grab some coffee from a local coffee shop or splurge on this Blue Mountain Coffee. You can also top this gift off with a bottle of brandy and whiskey for coffee lovers who like a little extra spike in their lives. 

6. Movie Night Gift Basket

In the basket: Popcorn Kernels, Candy (Sour Patch, M&M, Reeses, Skittles, Duds), Popcorn maker, Popcorn box, Soda, Subscription to a Movie

This gift is ideal for families and friends looking to spend more time with those they love. Movie nights can be so special in a household. This basket replicates everything needed for the perfect movie night in the comfort of your home.

And if you are feeling rather nice, jazz up the gift with a blanket and popcorn seasonings like White Cheddar, Sweet and salty Kettlecorn, Chili Lime, Buttery Caramel, and Sizzling Sriracha to delight their tastebuds all night. It’s a great Secret Santa gift they won’t forget.

7. Breakfast Kit Gift Basket

In the basket: Pancake Mix, Ground Coffee, hot chocolate Mix, Syrup, Breakfast Bar, Bread, Mug, Whisk, Oats, Grits, and Fresh Fruit

A breakfast gift basket is an excellent choice for the foodies in your life. With a few morning breakfast staples such as pancakes, oats, and other goodies, you’ve got yourself a gift that’s ready to give. Let’s face it: who doesn’t like breakfast wrapped up nicely in a pretty basket?

Adding additional breakfast treats such as muffins, donuts, scones, and pastries would be equally simple and tasty. Curating it with a spatula (for turning over the pancakes), kitchen towel, and mitten set would add that extra touch. The personal touch makes a thoughtful Secret Santa gift and the perfect morning breakfast.

8. Self-Care, Spa Gift Basket

In the basket: Dr. Teals Bubble Bath,  Dr. Teal’s Pure Epson Salt, Deep Cleanser Masks, Body Scrub, Essential Oils, Candle, Loofahs and Body Wash, Shampoo and Conditioner

How about putting together a basket that will allow someone to have a spa-like experience? We can all use a self-care day or moment. This Spa gift basket provides just that. This care package is packed with everything needed for relaxation and pampering oneself. 

If you have additional space left over in the basket or if your basket is big enough to accommodate, include a cozy robe, faux fur slippers, and a nail care grooming kit to truly round out this beautiful relaxing gift.

9. Housewarming Gift Basket

In the basket: Cutting Board, Plant, Picture Frame, Candle, Coasters, Wooden Utensil Set, Bottle of Wine or Alcohol, Stemless Wine Glass

Moving into a new home, whether a house or a small apartment, can be momentous, exciting, and overwhelming. This basket includes gifts perfect for a new space, including cooking essentials and alcohol.

This unique gift is a great way to solidify your relationship as a new best friend. 

10. Family Party Game Night Gift Basket

In the basket: Board Games, Cards, Dominos, Candy, Nuts, Soda, Candy

Pick games that are timeless and age-appropriate. Board games can include Monopoly, Jenga, Uno, or Scrabble. Get creative and have fun with this basket. Include lots of your favorite sweet treats and junk food for the game players to snack on and munch on when competing.

11. Winter Gift Basket

In the basket: Socks, Throw Blanket, Hot Cocoa Mix, Marshmellow, Candle, Instant Soup Mix, Clear Coffee Mug, Hot Toddy Recipe (Dark Rum, Bourbon or Whiskey,  Lemon and Honey), and a Scarf

Winter ushers in cold days that force you to want to snuggle up under a blanket on the couch. Putting together a cozy Winter Basket can really help to warm your loved one’s heart.

The basket offers a variety of winter necessities, including socks, a throw blanket, and hot chocolate so your gift receiver can cuddle up by a fireplace and enjoy hot drinks. This basket offers the perfect winter mix for those in colder weather.

12. Gift Basket for Tea Lovers

In the basket: Looseleaf Tea, Tea Cups, Tea Pot, Steeper, Tea Bags, Honey, Candles, and A Good Book (NY Times Best Seller)

Tea offers many health benefits. It helps us calm down and unwind, and sometimes, it can reduce stress. The tea drinker may fully understand these benefits and would appreciate this thoughtful, practical gift.

With so many flavors to choose from, select the flavor that most appeal to the gift receiver or offer a variety of loose-leaf tea options for them to pick and choose. You can also put the loose-leaf tea in mason jars for presentation purposes. Also, consider pairing this tea basket with a book they will love. 

Tips for Assembling a Basket

• Always create layers in the basket so the recipient can easily visualize your items. Use shredded or tissue paper to help with layering inside the basket. This also helps to fill dead space and secure the items. 
• Remove items from their original packaging to allow for more space in the basket.
• Position larger items to the back of the basket and then work your way towards the front.
• If budget permits, include gift cards if your basket requires additional wet ingredients such as eggs, milk, creamer, etc.
• Consider wrapping the entire basket in cellophane material to enclose the basket items fully. This will keep the items from falling out when traveling. Alternatively, you can gift wrap the basket.
• If you use a regular basket, jazz it with a Christmas bow or burlap ribbon.
• Simple yet thoughtful is always best. Try to avoid overfilling your gift basket and try to focus on the items that you know will be useful and practical.

Ultimately, the best Christmas gifts and Secret Santa gifts are filled with what we love. What’s great about these gift baskets is that you can add whatever ingredients you like – making them thoughtful, customizable, and memorable.

So, what are you waiting for? Get going on making the perfect Secret Santa gift basket this holiday season. And if you find Christmas is fast approaching, and you still need to finish your to-do lists, these baskets will make the best last-minute Secret Santa gift.

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family.