Every year, I barter a gift basket for our Christmas tree. It’s one of my very favorite traditions — not just because of the tree, but because I get to gather goodies, thrift for a creative container, and doll it up to look festive. Some baskets I make are for individuals — a teacher, a friend, or even our postal worker. Others are for smaller families of four. I like to keep them personal, thoughtful, and manageable, with just the right mix of pantry treats, a tea or chocolate, and a handmade touch.

Jar mixes are one of the easiest places to start. Even kids can get in on the fun, layering flour, sugar, and chocolate chips in creative ways. I love them because they’re not just cute, they also stock pantries with healthy, homemade convenience foods.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through my favorite handmade and herbal gift basket ideas, from cocoa mixes and pancakes in a jar to herbal soaps, teas, and creative wrapping tips — all with that farmhouse, homestead touch.

Why Handmade Christmas Gift Baskets Are the Best Holiday Surprise

Handmade gift baskets are more than presents — they’re a reflection of the person giving them. I love heading down to our Farmhouse Teas shop and thinking about which products each loved one would enjoy most. Would my sister-in-law appreciate a caffeine-free tea? Would a friend prefer chocolates? Every basket is unique because the people I make them for are unique.

And that’s the best part — these baskets don’t need to be mass-produced or expensive. A thrifted basket or vintage tin, a few homemade mixes, and a thoughtful herbal touch can become something people talk about for years.

Choosing a Basket or Container

I almost always thrift for containers. It’s not only thrifty, but I love finding vintage-looking pieces and not having to spend $20 per basket. It feels more creative — and the container itself becomes part of the gift. The container sets the tone:

• Classic wicker baskets always work.

• Wooden crates or bread proofing baskets make it rustic.

• Mason jars, enamel bowls, or vintage tins give farmhouse flair.

• Terra cotta pots that will get used again in the spring.
• Solid Paper Boxes that can be wrapped in festive paper with the top removed.
• Unique kitchen mixing bowls, second-hand, that can be reused. 

Really, the sky is the limit! Head to your local second-hand store or even a garage sale and see what kind of container you can repurpose and reuse in multiple different ways!

Pantry Staples to Include in a Christmas Gift Basket

Pantry mixes are a farmhouse favorite because they’re simple to make, beautiful in jars, and so handy for busy families. Sometimes I’ll even tuck in a fresh quick bread, muffins, or hand pies if I’m delivering a basket right away. Even if they won't eat them right away, those baked goods can always be put in the freezer to enjoy later. Just make sure to put that in the note!

Handmade & Herbal Touches That Elevate the Basket

Homemade baskets don’t stop at pantry mixes. Here are some of my favorite add-ins:

• Herbal Soaps — goat’s milk soaps with herbs from the garden. (I love Bend Soap here when I don't make ours!)

• Herbal Teas — I often tuck in Farmhouse Teas’ seasonal blends or samplers.

• Chocolates & Treats — a must in our house; I have a thing for chocolate - I'm always collecting the best I can find here in our shop.

• Salt Dough Ornaments — I loved making these as a kid, and even now as an adult. The dough is versatile and can be turned into tea bag rests, coasters, tags, or ornaments.

• Candles & Herb Sachets — beeswax candles or lavender sachets pair beautifully with teas and baked goods.

Wrapping & Decorating to Make It Beautiful

The wrapping is really what pulls everything together. Around here, I’ll grab whatever feels right — scraps of fabric, a bit of twine, maybe an old canning jar lid I’ve saved, or something vintage and textured I picked up thrifting. Every now and then I’ll snag ribbon from Hobby Lobby, but honestly, I love the character of pieces that already have a story.

I usually start by lining the basket with a flour sack towel, a napkin, or even plain kraft paper. Then I layer things in — the tallest goodies in the back, smaller treats up front so everything shows.

For decoration, I like to tuck in extras from the homestead: snips of fresh rosemary, dried orange slices, maybe even an apple or two, and cinnamon sticks tied with burlap ribbon. One of my favorite finishing touches? A salt dough ornament used as a gift tag. Stamp it with a name or a holiday shape, tie it on with twine, and the tag becomes part of the gift itself.

It’s those small, thoughtful details — the rosemary, the dried fruit, the handmade tag — that make the whole basket feel inviting before it’s even opened.

Gift Basket Ideas by Recipient

These baskets are meant to stay small — just right for one person or even a small family of four.

For Her
A Christmas basket for her could be as simple as a few cozy touches: a loose-leaf tea blend, a handmade soap, a bath salt jar, and a little chocolate tucked in. It’s the kind of thoughtful gift that feels more personal than store-bought holiday gift sets for her.

For Him
Men appreciate hearty baskets that feel practical. Spiced nuts, jerky, bold or fruity teas, or even a pancake mix paired with a cocoa jar make wonderful homemade gifts for a boyfriend, husband, or even Christmas presents for Dad or a brother.

For Teens
When it comes to things to get teens for Christmas, food always wins. A dairy-free cocoa mix, a few chocolates, maybe a root beer or cola soda mix, and a fun handmade craft like lip balm keep it light but fun.

For a Girlfriend
Christmas present ideas for a girlfriend don’t need to be complicated. A basket with cookies in a jar, a cozy tea blend, and a handmade candle strikes just the right balance of sweet and thoughtful. It says, "I wanted you to have some time to relax and be cozy!"

For a Hostess or Small Family
When I make baskets for families, I keep them simple so everyone gets a little something: a cookie mix in a jar, a tea sampler, a jar of jam, a few pieces of seasonal fruit, and maybe a soap or salt dough ornament for each family member. It’s just enough for everyone to enjoy without overfilling the basket.

For Hostess or Goodie Baskets
Not every occasion calls for something big. If you’ve wondered how to make a goodie basket, think small and sweet: a thrifted tin with cocoa mix, a jar of cookies, and a bar of herbal soap. 

Last-Minute DIY Gift Basket Ideas

We’ve all had that moment — the holiday dinner is tomorrow, the invitation slipped your mind, and suddenly you need a gift. That’s where pantry staples come to the rescue. You don’t need a dozen items; just a few thoughtful touches can come together quickly.

• A cookie mix in a jar layered and ready to bake

• A small pouch or jar of herbal tea (keeping extra Farmhouse Teas blends works great for this)

• A jar of coconut sugar or homemade spice mix for an old-fashioned touch

Tuck them into a thrifted tin, enamel bowl, or even a bread pan. Add a sprig of fresh rosemary or tie on a dried orange slice, and you’ve got a gift that looks intentional, even though it came together in minutes.

Questions You Might Be Asking

How do I make salt dough ornaments as gift tags?
Mix 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, and 1 cup water. Roll out, cut into shapes, and stamp names or holiday designs into the dough. Bake at 250°F for about 2 hours until hardened. Once cooled, tie them on with twine as gift tags.

Can I freeze baked goods to add later?
Yes! Quick breads and muffins freeze beautifully. Just wrap them tightly and add them to the basket right before gifting.

How do I make a goodie basket?
Keep it simple: start with a thrifted tin or wooden crate, add a cookie or pancake mix in a jar, tuck in a tea sampler or small handmade craft, and finish with a salt dough ornament or beeswax candle.

Where can I find Farmhouse Teas products?
You’ll find teas, chocolates, chai blends, and more over at FarmhouseTeas.com .

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up with String

Just like the song says, sometimes the simplest things are the very best. A little jar of cocoa, a bar of soap, or a handmade ornament doesn’t look like much on its own — but when it’s tied up with string and given with care, it becomes something memorable.

That’s why I keep my Christmas baskets small and thoughtful, whether it’s for one person or a little family of four. A few pantry mixes, an herbal tea, maybe a chocolate or two, and a touch of greenery from the homestead are all it takes.

If you’d like even more ideas, don’t miss our Free Handmade Christmas Guide  — it’s packed with simple projects you can make and tuck into baskets this season. And if you want to stock your pantry with giftable recipes year-round, our full Pantry Project E-Book  is available through Farmhouse Teas. It’s one of my favorite resources for keeping shelves full of ready-to-gift mixes, preserves, and herbal goodies.

In the end, it’s not about how big or fancy the basket is. It’s about the love you tuck inside, the personal touches that make someone smile, and the joy of giving something made by hand

Read More About Handmade Gifting

• More Cozy Hot Chocolate Recipes
• Christmas Shortbread Cookie Recipes
• DIY Applesauce Cinnamon Ornament Recipe
• Herbal Lip Balm using Tallow  
• How to Make Your House Smell Like Christmas (Simmer Pot)
• How to Make Marshmallows without Gelatin