Gift Baskets on the cheap

This past Christmas proved tight...with money that is.  So ... I created gift baskets on the cheap.
Nearly every component  came from the Dollar Tree with the exception of the thirft- store pier 1 plates and coffee mugs.  They were puchased some time back at a thrift store.  The basket itself was a 2.00  find at the thrift store too.  A fresh coat of glossy black $1.00  paint made her brand new again.  The first basket theme was coffee and chocolate.  It was filled too the brim with lots of goodies.  I even tucked some home-made soap with a chocolate/coffee hue inside and a new dish towel.  Scattered here and there you can see some of the embelllishments with candy canes, rustic potporri balls and some ornamental touches of holly and green tassels.

The second basket was a Tuscarorian Theme.  Pasta, black Olives, garlic, italian herb, sea-salt and pepper, spreads, italian wafers, pasta ladle, cutting board, italain cookbook, wooden spoons ect ect.  Again everything came from the Dollar tree with the exception of the baskets.  I did'nt spray paint the basket as I wanted to reflect a natural look.  I made a twin basket that also included  4 green long stemmed wine glasses and an embellished candle with a glass calabra all spiffed up with Vintage embellishments.  The Italian baskets went too my son and his wife. 
I love making gift baskets and find it richely rewarding and creative.  The fact that they were so reasonable to put together made it even better.