15 Christmas Gift Basket Ideas (DIY & Ready-Made)

Star item: a tin of Stephen's Gourmet hot cocoa in a festive flavour like peppermint or mint truffle. Add: big marshmallows, candy canes, a festive mug and a small whisk. Tip: buy the cocoa in bulk and build five baskets at once for neighbours and teachers. It's the classic batch gift.

Best for

Neighbours, teachers and kids.

Skip if

Anyone in the household is dairy-free. Stephen's cocoa contains milk, so use a dairy-free cocoa.

Star item: a Wilton holiday cookie cutter set (trees, stars, gingerbread people). Add: a sugar-cookie mix, piping bags, tubes of icing, sprinkles and a recipe card. Tip: include a note inviting them to send photos of their creations. Families love this one.

Best for

Families with kids.

Skip if

The family doesn't bake. Try the movie night basket instead.

Star item: a set of clear fillable ornaments. Add: paint pens, glitter, ribbon, mini pompoms and a label to write the year on. Tip: kids make an ornament every year, and in a decade the family has a tree full of memories. It's a gift that becomes a tradition.

Best for

Crafty families and kids.

Skip if

There are toddlers in the house. Glass ornaments and glitter are hazards, so choose plastic balls.

Star item: a copy of *The Polar Express* by Chris Van Allsburg. Add: new pyjamas, a cocoa packet, a jingle bell and a small toy. Tip: the tradition is to open the box on Christmas Eve, then read the book together before bed. Kids remember it for years.

Best for

Kids and families starting a tradition.

Skip if

You don't know the child's size. Swap the pyjamas for fuzzy socks.

Star item: a Wilton pre-built gingerbread house kit, so there's no collapsing walls. Add: extra candy decorations, a tube of icing and a festive tray to build it on. Tip: it's an afternoon activity for the whole family during the holiday break, which is the real gift.

Best for

Families with kids.

Skip if

It's for a household with no kids and little counter space. Choose a cosy candle basket.

Star item: Stonewall Kitchen farmhouse pancake and waffle mix. Add: real maple syrup, a jar of jam, a bag of holiday coffee and two festive mugs, packed in a wooden crate. Tip: deliver it a few days early so it's ready for Christmas morning.

Best for

Families and couples.

Skip if

They're travelling for Christmas. Choose a gift they can enjoy anytime.

Star item: a holiday tin of Garrett Popcorn's Chicago Mix, caramel and cheese corn together, and a cult favourite. Add: cocoa packets, festive candy, fuzzy socks and a card listing your top five Christmas movies. Tip: add a streaming gift card if the budget allows.

Best for

Families and couples.

Skip if

Someone has a dairy allergy. The cheese corn is an issue, so choose caramel only.

Star item: a Yankee Candle large jar in Balsam & Cedar, a long-running bestseller that smells like a fresh tree. Add: a knit throw, a tea sampler and a pair of cosy socks. Tip: perfect for in-laws and friends whose tastes you don't know well.

Best for

Friends and in-laws.

Skip if

The household has a cat or someone with asthma. Scented candles can be a problem.

Star item: a L'Occitane shea butter hand cream trio, a classic Christmas gift in pretty tins. Add: a peppermint body scrub, a festive sheet mask and fuzzy socks. Tip: winter dries hands out, so the hand cream gets used every day through spring.

Best for

Moms, sisters and friends.

Skip if

They have a nut allergy. Shea butter is usually tolerated, but check with them.

Star item: a bag of Peet's Holiday Blend, released each winter. Add: gingerbread syrup, biscotti and a festive mug in a small crate. Tip: ask whether they use whole beans or ground before you buy. It's the one detail that makes or breaks a coffee gift.

Best for

Coffee drinkers.

Skip if

They only drink pods. Look for a holiday pod variety pack instead.

Star item: Sequence, the board-and-card game that plays well with two to twelve people and suits kids and grandparents alike. Add: festive snacks, cocoa and a scorepad. Tip: perfect for the holiday break when the whole family is under one roof.

Best for

Families with a range of ages.

Skip if

They already own it. It's a common family game, so check first.

Star item: a tin of Williams Sonoma peppermint bark, the holiday treat people wait for all year. Add: peppermint tea, candy canes and a festive mug. Tip: the tin looks elegant enough to give to a boss, a host or in-laws on its own.

Best for

Hosts, bosses and in-laws.

Skip if

They dislike mint. It's a strong flavour, so choose chocolate truffles instead.

Star item: a Royal Craft Wood bamboo cheese board with knives. Add: a summer sausage, two cheeses, crackers, fig jam, mixed nuts and chocolates. Tip: add perishables on the day you give it, and tell them what needs refrigerating. The board stays long after the snacks are gone and comes out at every party.

Best for

Hosts, in-laws and holiday parties.

Skip if

You're shipping it. Cheese and meat need cold transport, so use a ready-made option.

A ready-made box of summer sausage, cheeses, crackers and mustards is a holiday tradition for many families. It ships well and doesn't need refrigerating until opened. It's ideal for relatives far away, when a DIY basket would cost a fortune to post.

Best for

Long-distance family and clients.

Skip if

The recipient is vegetarian. Choose a sweets or fruit gift instead.

Fortnum & Mason, the London department store, has made famous Christmas hampers for generations: teas, biscuits, preserves and chocolates packed in a wicker basket that becomes a keepsake. It's a big-gesture gift for parents, grandparents or key clients, and it arrives looking spectacular.

Best for

Parents, grandparents and key clients.

Skip if

You need it quickly. International shipping takes time, so order in November.