DIY Warm and Cozy Gift Basket

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The days seem to be getting colder and colder around these parts. Jack Frost has visited a time or two and Santa will be here in just a couple weeks. With the weather getting cooler out that means for me I switch from drinking iced tea to hot cups of tea. For me there is something about drinking a hot cup of tea. There is nothing better than sitting down and getting all warm and cozy with a cup of tea. It is one of my favorite ways to take a break and relax.

With it being time for Christmas I have been trying to figure out what to get everyone on my list. There are just so many people on our families list. We have not only our immediate and extended family but people like my kid’s teachers. I have had to get creative over the years and one of my favorite and cost effective gifts to do is make our own gift baskets. This year my gift baskets will be focused on staying warm and cozy this winter. Really, who wouldn’t love a Warm and Cozy Gift Basket? I know I would.

My idea for the gift basket is centered on one of my favorite ways to warm up and relax, drinking a good cup of tea. Tea is at the heart of warming up, just holding a cup or mug of tea is all I need some days. So I headed down the road to Walmart to pick up some yummy, Bigelow Tea and to get the basket started.

Bigelow has so many different great flavors it was hard to decide on a single flavor so I picked a combination of their classic, Constant Comment, fall favorite, Pumpkin Spice and their yummy, Salted Caramel.

Since I was doing multiple gift baskets I created my own tea bag holders. They are VERY easy to make and take simply minutes to put together. The tea bag holders can serve other functions such as photo and gift card holders as well.

 All that is needed is 12×12 Scrapbook Paper, Jute Twine (or ribbon), Scissors, a Ruler and tea of course.

To start I placed my tea bags on the scrapbook paper so I could visualize their placement. You don’t have to do this but I can be OCD. Next I cut my scrapbook paper in half. I used my ruler to make sure it was exactly 6 inches and as a straight edge.

Next, I folded the paper 1.5 inches  to create the pocket where the tea bags would be placed.

If desired, glue the edges of the fold.  Next I added the tea bags and evenly folded creating a 3 pocket tea folder.

Next I tie up my folder with the jute twine like a package. Since I did not glue the edges this will keep everything in the folder.

It also looks like a tiny Christmas gift! Perfect for adding to a gift basket!

Now all I need was to  put my gift basket together!
Everything in my gift basket was purchased at Walmart except for the scones. I made those. I thought a yummy homemade baked treat would be a great addition to the basket. The Warm and Cozy Gift basket includes a Bigelow Tea Sampler folder, plush fleece throw blanket, some cozy socks, a mug , honey bear, homemade treats and strawberry candies. Total cost was approximately $25. There are items in the basket that will be used again for other baskets also.

All I had left to do was to put it all together so I crumpled up some tissue paper at the bottom of the basket and got to arranging.I think everything in the basket is perfect to keep you warm and cozy this winter. Some cozy socks to keep your feet warm, a cuddly blanket to wrap up in and then the perfect cup of Bigelow Tea with a snack. I know that it would warm me up! I hope the receiver of this gift loves it as much as I would!

What type of Bigelow Tea do you drink when you want to relax?