How to Create A Gift Basket With Items from Thrift Stores

Thrift stores have come a long way in the past few years. They now offer a variety of lightly used and sometimes new items at a discounted price. Some of them even offer free coffee and a place to sit and read. This article will tell you how to create a gift basket using almost entirely thrift store items. Sometimes you can even find the shrink wrap to cover the basket with.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One or more Thrift Stores
• A knowledge of what the person you are buying for likes.
• Money -- Most thrift stores accept credit and debit cards now.

1. Locate at least two thrift stores and take the time to browse through them before you start buying. Get to know the stores and all of the items that they stock. Different stores will stock a different variety of items.

2. Then make a decision about whether the store has a suitable gift quality stock in it that fits the the preferences of the person that you are buying for.

3. Almost every thrift store sells a ton of baskets. It seems like everyone is giving away baskets these days, and they are always priced reasonably at the thrift stores. You don't have to buy a basket though. You can buy a big planting pot for the gardener or make up case for a girl and fill those with cute and usable items from the store that you are in.

4. Many thrift stores are divided into sections. So, if the person receiving the basket drinks coffee or tea, you can find a nice mug in the tableware section. Thrift stores always have a wide variety of clothing accessories like purses, belts, hats, neck ties, and jewelry for you to choose from. There are usually always toys and games. The stores also have records, tapes and some cd's, along with VCR movies and some DVD's. You can also find video game cartridges and disks. You may even see an entire video game system sometimes. All you have to do is know is the kind of items that you want to fill your gift basket with and you will usually be able to find items that will make your recipient and you happy.

5. While you are shopping look for wrapping paper (It can almost always be found.) so that you can wrap the individual items up and put them in the basket. This makes the basket look neat and the person who receives it will have fun opening the different packages. Once in a while you will be able to find shrink wrap. Shrink wrap is a clear plastic that you can place around the basket. It will fit loosely and then when air from a blow dryer is used on it, the wrap shrinks to fit. This will give the basket a fresh and new look. If you can't find the wrap in a thrift store, then you will be able to find it at a craft store.

6. You can please anyone with a thrift store gift basket and stay on a budget, too.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a list of possible gift items for your recipient before you shop.
• Shop at more than one thrift shop. Look them up in an online directory or in your phone book.

Resources

• Creating Great Gift Baskets From Thrift Store Goodies