DIY Christmas Gift Baskets: 3 Easy Themes (Movie Night, Cocoa & Coffee, Fireside S'mores)

A gift basket is the answer when you need one gift that works for a whole household: the neighbors, your in-laws, a couple you don't know well or the family hosting Christmas Eve. It feels personal because you chose every piece, and you can scale it up or down by adding or removing a few items.

The trick is to pick one theme, start with an anchor gift and fill in around it. Below are three themes that work for almost anyone, plus the packing method that makes a basket look full and finished.

1. Start with the base and filler

The basket

A wicker basket with a handle looks classic under the tree, and the recipient gets a useful basket for blankets, magazines or produce once it's unpacked. This one comes with a fabric liner, which hides the gaps in the weave and keeps small items from slipping through.

Crinkle paper filler

Crinkle-cut kraft paper is what makes store-bought baskets look so full. A thick layer in the bottom raises everything up so the items show over the rim, and a little tucked between pieces keeps them from tipping. One bag fills many baskets, so it's worth buying once and making several.

2. Movie night basket

This is the easiest crowd-pleaser, and it works for families with kids, couples and college students home for break.

Whirley Pop stovetop popper

The Whirley Pop is a stovetop popper with a hand crank that stirs the kernels while they pop, so fewer burn and more pop. It makes movie-theater-style popcorn in a few minutes on a regular stove, and it becomes the anchor of the basket.

What to know: it works on gas and electric coil stoves; check the listing if the recipient has an induction cooktop.

Kernel Season's seasoning minis

Eight mini jars of popcorn seasoning, from white cheddar to ranch to kettle corn. They tuck neatly into the gaps around the popper.

Round it out with: a jar of popcorn kernels, boxes of movie candy, a couple of soft drinks and a handwritten "movie night coupon" listing a few family movies.

3. Cocoa and coffee basket

A warm-drinks basket is perfect for neighbors, teachers, grandparents and anyone who's always cold.

AeroPress Original

The AeroPress is a small, nearly unbreakable coffee press that makes a cup of smooth coffee in about a minute. It's light, easy to clean and works as well in a dorm or office as it does in a kitchen, which makes it a great gift for coffee drinkers who already own a coffee maker.

Sango stoneware mugs

A set of four speckled stoneware mugs gives the basket height and color. Give all four to one household, or split the set across two baskets.

Ghirardelli hot cocoa envelopes

Single-serve envelopes of rich hot cocoa are easy to tuck around the mugs and perfect for anyone who doesn't drink coffee.

Round it out with: a bag of local coffee beans or ground coffee, peppermint sticks, mini marshmallows and a small bag of biscotti.

4. Fireside s'mores basket

This one is for the family with a fire pit, a fireplace or a camping habit.

Eddie Bauer sherpa throw

A reversible sherpa throw is the soft anchor of this basket. Roll it tightly and stand it upright at the back so it frames everything in front of it.

MalloMe roasting sticks

Telescoping roasting sticks keep hands back from the fire and fold short enough to fit in the basket. They come in a carry pouch, so they stay together between uses.

Round it out with: graham crackers, a big bag of marshmallows, chocolate bars and a box of long matches. For more ideas, see our fire pit night essentials.

5. A small add-on for any basket

LifeAround2Angels bath bombs

A box of individually wrapped bath bombs splits easily across several baskets. Add one or two to a cocoa basket for a "warm up and relax" theme.

How to pack a basket so it looks full

1. Line the basket, then add a thick layer of crinkle paper, about a third of the way up.
2. Place the anchor gift (the popper, the throw or the mugs) at the back so it's the tallest thing in the basket.
3. Add medium items in front at an angle so labels face out.
4. Fill the gaps with small items and more crinkle paper so nothing shifts.
5. Wrap and tie. Cover the basket with cellophane, gather it at the top and tie it with ribbon and a tag.

Gift basket checklist

• Basket and liner
• Crinkle paper filler
• One anchor gift
• Three to five small items that match the theme
• Cellophane, ribbon and a gift tag
• A handwritten note

Keep perishable food out of baskets that will sit under the tree for days, and note any nut or other allergens on the tag if you include homemade treats.

Looking for more ideas? See our Christmas gifts for Mom, kitchen gifts for people who cook and teacher and white elephant gifts.