Start with a wicker basket and spray paint a really fun color like metallic blue or hot pink. Line it with a funky looking cloth napkin. This will add to the festive look you’re going for. Now you’re all set to fill it with goodies!

Think about getting a little bit of different kinds of treats like candy, some cookies and something salty. You’ll also want to go for a variety of tastes and textures like crunchy, sweet, hard, chewy, etc. This will give the gift a nice blend of different snacks to munch on. Choose items from the list below and also include snacks that you know the recipient likes.

Bags of microwave popcorn
Individual bags of pretzels
Individual bags of potato chips
bubble gum
chocolate candy
hard, flavored candy
soft and chewy cookies
crunchy cookies
fruit

If the recipient likes to cook or bake their own treats, add some new kitchen gadgets into the basket.

You can also make some homemade treats to include. Try one of these simple recipes.

Homemade chocolate covered snacks:

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon of vegetable shortening
An assortment of cookies, miniature pretzels and strawberries
Cover a tray with wax paper.
Place the chocolate chips and shortening in small microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave for one minute and stir.
Dip 2/3 of each snack into the chocolate mixture.
Place on a dish and refrigerate, uncovered until the chocolate is firm.
Store in airtight container in cool, dry place.
Makes about 1/2 cup coating.

Microwave Fudge

1/2 cup butter
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts

Place ingredients (except nuts) in bowl; do not mix. Microwave on high power for two minutes. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Fold in the nuts. Pour mixture into buttered 8×8 dish. Refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes until set.

Peanut Butterscotch Crispies

12 oz. butterscotch morsels
3 cups corn flakes
1/4 cup peanut butter

Melt the butterscotch morsels and peanut butter together, stirring until smooth. Add the corn flakes and mix well. Drop by tablespoon onto waxed paper.

All of these homemade treats can be put into small plastic baggies, wrapped with a ribbon and added to the basket. Make a few extra for yourself!

Giving a Halloween gift doesn’t have to be a scary process! Personalized gift baskets are a terrific way to celebrate the holiday with someone special and with the abundance of Halloween goodies available, it’s super easy!

Start with a plastic pumpkin candy holder, like the kind kids use for trick or treating.  Throw in some black and orange confetti or shredded paper for a more festive look. You can even use an orange wicker basket if you can find one. Or try spray painting a beige basket orange. Line the bottom with an orange, black or Halloween printed napkin.

Look around your local thrift shops and flea markets for these new, or like new Halloween themed items;

stuffed animal
plastic drinking cup
plastic drinking mug
pens
pencils
erasers
pencil sharpeners
key rings

Check out the Candy Warehouse for great deals on bulk candy!



Also, look for some small Halloween costume accessories like vampire teeth, costume jewelry, glow in the dark nail polish or one of those plastic antenna headbands that have pumpkins on the end.

You can also add a Halloween book to your basket. What you choose will depend on the age of the person you’re giving it to. A young child would enjoy Thirteen Nights of Halloween, All Hallow’s Eve – The Story of the Halloween Fairy, Big Pumpkin or Bugs That Go Bump in the Night. Older kids would love Goosebumps books.

Don’t forget to pick up a scary Halloween movies to add in. Again, what you select will depend on the age of the child. Younger children would love Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Casper or The Black Cauldron. Older kids might like Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge or Monster House.

A Halloween CD of scary sounds might be a good addition also.

Last, but never least….TREATS!!! Pick up assorted candy, chocolates, cookies and baked goods to fill up the rest of your basket. Add a bow to the top and give it to that special someone.

Happy Halloween!!!