To effectively assemble a number of baskets at minimum cost, just takes [...]]]> If you have several people you need holiday gifts for this year and more time than money on your hands, consider making some homemade gourmet or spa gift baskets. With proper planning, these impressive and thoughtful gifts, can be made at relatively low cost .

To effectively assemble a number of baskets at minimum cost, just takes a little planning. Adopting a less is more approach, will help ensure that you are able to maintain quality and attractiveness of presentation. Two-three well executed and packaged items can make a lovely gift.

Poor Santa has been able to find all necessary packaging materials for holiday gift baskets at local dollar stores. Most carry small baskets, gift bags, jars, cellophane wrap, tissue paper, tins, ribbons and gift tags. Of course you will probably not need all of these items for your project, planning ahead will avoid extraneous purchases.

Now for the contents of your holiday baskets…

For gourmet baskets consider these, as well as, your own specialties:
Homemade Jams or Jellies
Dessert breads
Cookies/Biscotti
Cocoa or Mulling spice mixes
Candies
Flavored syrups

Spa basket suggestions:
Bath Salts (Lavender Bath Salts)
Sachets
Candles
Cloved Fruits

To keep costs down, whenever possible, use seasonal ingredients for your baskets.  If you have a favorite craft or recipe, try and integrate it into your baskets. When planning your Christmas gift baskets, the choice of contents is all up to you, but having a theme or at least assembling items which relate to each other, will ensure successful results.

Below [...]]]> While searching for interesting inexpensive gifts, I came across the site Ten Thousand Villages.  It is a site which sells unique items handmade by disadvantaged artisans in 38 countries.  Ten Thousand Villiages is a founding member of the International Fair Trade Association, and sales help pay for food, education, healthcare and housing for the artisans and their families.

Below are a few of the more interesting finds I came across on the site.

Peace Dove Cinnamon Box

I have owned a box similar to this one for about a decade now (and I picked it up second hand, so who knows how old it really is).  Even after all the years I’ve had it, when I open it up, the scent of cinnamon is still strong.  It makes for a nice pick me up, and my toddler just loves to sniff it.  At $10 it seems like a great pick for a holiday gift, especially since it has the peace dove on it.http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/peace-dove-cinnamon-box

Matchbox Retablo Ornament

This tiny Peruvian retablo nativity is made with plaster figures in a painted matchbox & includes a special gift card telling how it was made.  Although it is small it packs a lot of novelty at the small price of  $6. http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/matchbox-retablo-ornament

 Embroidered Aceh Purse

This stunning and unique handbag is produced by artisans in a refugee camp in Aceh province in Sumatra, using traditional embroidery techniques.  These people were displaced by the tsunami of December 2004.  The bag sells for $44. http://www.tenthousandvillages.com/embroidered-aceh-purse

Shipping costs for items are very typical for size and weight.  There are also 4 soon to be 5 brick and mortar stores, as well as, local festivals that sell these goods to benefit their organizations.  Locations can be found on the website.