From: Debbie Leger

Last Christmas, I made several gift baskets  Included in each were:

1 large wire basket, purchased at the Loonie Store for 1 dollar
1 large Christmas cookie cutter
1 mix for Melt In Your Mouth Muffins
1 mix for Chocolate Chip Muffins
1 mix for Beer Bread (they just add 1 can of beer)
1 mix for my dried soup mix (they just add meat and water)
1 mix for Sand Art Brownies
1 mix for Sticky Chicken Spices (put in tiny plastic bags)

Each mix was labelled with labels I made on the computer.  Then a recipe
card for each recipe was printed out and included in the basket.  I went to
my local bulk store and they sold me 3-lb size baggies which were perfect
for the mixes.  They also sold me tiny baggies they put spices into.  They
were great for the Sticky Chicken Spices.  (When I mixed those, I did each
baggie separate, so that when mixed, one baggie didn't get more of a spice
than others, and less of something else.)  Things I will do different this
year, are the soup mix will go in a mason jar, maybe!  Depends on how many
baskets I make - those large mason jars can get expensive!  I will add some
of the soup mixes that Goldi posted.

I would like to make a few baskets of nothing but ABM Bread Mixes for a SIL
and for my Mom who both have a breadmaker.  (Those bread mixes cost two
dollars each mix in our grocery stores! and they cost very, very little to
do yourself!)  This year, I will maybe put in a few more smaller things like
cookie cutters, etc.  Everyone loved the wire basket instead of a
traditional basket, as it was very useful in the kitchen later.  And for a
nice traditional basket, you are going to pay more that one dollar!

(Note for non-Canadians:  here in Canada, the one dollar bill was replaced
by a coin with a loon on it.  Hence, the name Loonie.  So when I said 'the
Loonie Store", it's a dollar store!  It isn't referring to a certain List
Moderator's state of mind!  LOL!!)

The baskets went over really, really well!  Anyone who loves 'Gifts From the
Heart', or hand-made gifts will love them.  And they don't really have to
know how to cook, either because you include directions.  (I made the
directions super simple for one SIL who has a hard time boiling water, and
everything turned out good for her!)

One important thing I would suggest:  don't include a recipe you haven't
tried yourself.  You would hate to put one in there that isn't very good!
Might send the wrong message, especially to your in-laws!