Holiday gift baskets for Thanksgiving are a fun way to tell your friends and family how thankful you are for their love and support. You don't have to spend the bankroll if you make homemade gift baskets. In fact, if you have a lot of relatives and friends, you can buy in bulk and give each one the similar holiday gift baskets by add a personal touch to each to make them slightly different.

You can make holiday gift baskets lined with a special liner. All you need is a collection of leaves, fabric paint, a large white dishtowel, a sponge brush, a brayer or roller, an iron and you're ready to make the liner for the holiday gift baskets. Lay out your leaves onto a protected surface and dab the back of the leaf with a sponge brush that you previously dipped in fabric paint. Once you've coated it, turn the painted side onto the dishtowel. Use the brayer to roll over the leaf and transfer the paint to the towel. When you complete your design, allow the paint to dry. Turn the towel over and iron the back to set the paint. Make as many liners as you need for your holiday gift baskets.

You don't have to stop at an autumn leaf liner, homemade gift baskets can include a set of autumn napkins made in the same way but using linen cloth. You simply need to stitch the hem on the edges to have perfect fall napkins for your holiday gift baskets. You can cover cardboard heavy tubing or slices of PVC pipe with fabric using a glue gun to make napkin holders to add to your holiday gift baskets. If you want additional decoration, hot glue small pinecones to the napkin holders and you'll have the perfect addition to your holiday gift baskets.

Holiday gift baskets can contain one item, the basket itself. You can make your basket a holiday centerpiece with just a glue gun, some attractive leaves, fresh flowers or attractive silk flowers representing autumn blooms, floral foam, a plastic liner and an assortment of small gourds, ears of corn or raffia. Simply line the bottom of the basket with plastic if you're using fresh flowers and soak the floral foam. Put the foam in the holiday gift baskets and start attaching the fresh flowers. If you're not using fresh flowers for your holiday gift baskets, you don't need the plastic liner on the bottom. Arrange the gourds, mini pumpkins, raffia or small ears of corn around the flowers for beautiful gift homemade gift baskets you're recipient will use as a centerpiece.

Holiday gift baskets can be attractive and yet quite practical. Consider the bounty of harvest in the fall and the delicious fresh fruits and vegetables available. You can make homemade gift baskets by displaying an assortment of these fresh fruits and vegetables in an attractive manner. Holiday gift baskets containing freshly harvested and washed red potatoes, green string beans, winter squash, popcorn ears, carrots, apples and even broccoli make an attractive fruit and vegetable bouquet for any recipient that loves fresh food. These holiday gift baskets are easy to assemble and can provide a number of meals for those who receive them.

Of course, as the ancient commercial says, "Nothing says lovin' like something from the oven." You can give delightful home baked surprises in your holiday gift baskets. Delicious treats like fresh zucchini bread or pumpkin bread will make your recipient drool, just waiting to test out their bounty.  Apple crisp or apple cookies can fill your holiday gift baskets and won't require any other treat. Homemade gift baskets can include a package of cream cheese for those special breads or muffins.

Homemade gift baskets can contain other delicious food items fit for the season such as spicy apple cider and fresh popcorn from a local farmer. If you'd rather have it true homemade gift baskets, consider drying apple chips and making trail mix for your special holiday gift baskets. Dried herbs to add to salads and cooking are other additions to include in your holiday gift baskets.

For those who like health foods and whole foods, create holiday gift baskets that have only the healthiest foods. Consider whole-wheat muffins or rich, healthy granola mix for these health conscious individual's special homemade gift baskets.  Healthy holiday gift baskets can include herbed vinegars, olive oil and homemade whole-wheat croutons for the salad lovers. You can adjust these holiday gift baskets for people on a special diet and include gluten free, dairy free or sugar free homemade gifts.

Tags: gifts, holiday, Thanksgiving