How to make your own custom holiday gift baskets

With the holidays looking different this year, you might be wondering how you can create beautiful gifts for your loved ones right from home. Whether you're looking for inspiration in the kitchen or simple DIYs, Pinterest is definitely the place to go to find tips on everything from baking the perfect gingerbread cookies to making memorable gift baskets. If you don't already follow us - check out The Marilyn Denis Show Pinterest page, where we share all of our top recipes, beauty tips, home advice, and so much more! With that in mind, we were inspired to share three incredible homemade holiday gifts for your loved ones.

FOR THE COFFEE LOVER

This basket is packed with delicious treats, from homemade biscotti to honey, for those that love their daily cup of coffee. 

Items to include

• tea towel, to line the basket
• mug from a local supplier
• homemade biscotti
• mixing spoon
• honey from a local supplier

FOR THE FESTIVE BAKER

'Tis the season for endless baking! This basket holds festive-themed goodies, perfect for anyone that loves spending their time making delicious treats.

Items to include

• baking tin
• festive bow
• hot chocolate in a jar (instructions below)
• bottle of Baileys
• recipe cards with your favourite baking recipes
• sugar cookie pre-mix
• oven mitts
• baking utensils or essentials

Hot Chocolate in a Jar

Ingredients

• 1 container of any sort with a lid (small mason jars, jelly jars or anything that will hold the contents of one very large mug of hot chocolate, or two regular mugs)
• 1 mini bottle of Baileys
• 2 packets of hot chocolate mix (or two tablespoons of loose chocolate mix)
• mini marshmallows as desired
• 2 generous tablespoons of chocolate chips (or as desired)
• Festive ribbon

Directions

1. Layer the powdered hot chocolate at the bottom of the jar. Layer the chocolate chips on top of that, and follow it up with the mini marshmallows.
2. Close the top of the jar and wrap the ribbon around the top, and then twist one end of the loose ribbon over the top of the baileys bottle and secure.
3. Wrap the other end of the loose ribbon around the top and tie the two ends together. Add some curls in the ribbon if you desire.

FOR THE SELF-CARE LOVER

We're all carrying added tension this year, making this basket a thoughtful gift for anyone in your life. From candles to epsom salts, each item included will bring relaxation right to them!

Items to include

• face towel
• facial items from a local supplier
• curated playlist
• candles from a local supplier
• affirmation cards
• homemade epsom salts (instructions below)

Homemade Epsom Salts

Materials

• 1 pint Mason Jar
• 2 cups salts (Epsom, sea salt, table salt)
• 1 cup carrier oils
• 20 drops Young Living Lavender essential oil
• 20 drops Young Living eucalyptus oil
• 5 drops Young Living rosemary oil (this is for preserving, not scent and a minimal amount should not affect the overall scent of your scrub).

Directions: 

1. Blend carrier oils and essential oils.
2. Blend salts
3. Pour salts into the oil mixture and gently mix until blended. Salt will be glittery and stick together but not dissolve completely.
4. Scoop into containers and seal tightly.