How to Make a Gift Basket for a New Home

Moving to a new home can result in mix of emotions. On the one hand, there is the joy of a new home. On the other, there is the fear of packing up all of one’s belongings, whether from a single bedroom or an entire family home. Then there is the labor intensive move itself. Boxes and furniture have to be carried out of one home and into a truck, then out of a truck and into a home. Afterward, the boxes have to be unpacked just to find the basics. Eliminate the pressure of a move by reading on to learn how to make a gift basket for a new home.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Plastic storage bin with lid
• Toilet tissue
• Trash bags
• Disposable napkins, plates, cups and cutlery
• Gift certificate to a local pizza place
• Gallon pitcher
• Pre-sweetened lemonade or other drink mix
• Wooden spoon
• Dish towels, hand towels and wash cloths
• Liquid soap
• Cleaning wipes
• Dish detergent and sponge
• Travel size board game
• Optional: misting water bottle

1. Choose a clear plastic storage bin with lid. Aim for about a 50-quart storage bin to make this type of gift basket.
2. Line the bottom of the bin with the dish towels, hand towels and wash cloths. Place the board game on top. Spread rolls of toilet tissue around the bin. Aim for one or two rolls of toilet tissue and hand towels per bathroom.
3. Center the plates in the middle of the basket. Fill the gallon pitcher with the wooden spoon, cups, cutlery and napkins. Lay the pitcher on its side atop the plates.
4. Spread the drink mix, dish detergent and liquid soap around the bin. To prevent a mess, seal the liquid soap and dish detergent in zipper bags.
5. Spread the remaining items, with the exception of the gift certificate, throughout the bin. Make sure to place the gift certificate in an envelope or plastic zipper bag at the top of the bin. Secure the lid in place.
6. Drop the gift basket off at the new home during the morning of, or the night before, the big move. Leave it near the front door so it can be the first item moved into the new home.

Tips & Warnings

• The misting water bottle is most useful during hot weather. Fill it with tap water and allow sweaty moving buddies the opportunity to mist down and cool off a bit between boxes.
• Make sure to fight the elements. If the bin will be left outside near the new home in rain or snow, protect the items inside the bin by sealing them in clear plastic zipper or trash bags.