Creative Gift Baskets for Women: 4 Fun & Useful Gift Set Ideas​ for That Special Friend or Loved One by 30Seconds Mom

There's something really special about getting a gift set that includes your favorite things. While you're grateful for any present that you receive, the fact that a friend or relative took the time to put together a themed collection of products you adore may make you feel extra loved and appreciated.

Let's say one of your closest friends is having a birthday soon, and you want to give her a gift basket that you put together yourself. To help inspire you and your shopping – as well as possibly give you some ideas of future gift sets to put on your own wish list – check out the following suggestions:

1. Coffee Collection

Let's say you have spent hours with your BFF talking and solving the world’s problems together over coffee, and you know she can’t start the day without at least one cup of super-strong joe. For this friend, a coffee gift set would be ideal. Start with the coffee that you know she likes – either whole bean, ground or K-cups – and then add in a new-to-her blend from a local roaster.

If she likes flavored coffee, add a couple of bottles of syrup – vanilla or hazelnut are good choices. You also can tuck in a new mug. Retailers like Starbucks introduce seasonal mugs and drink tumblers that you can find in a local coffee shop. Then round it out with some packets of hot cocoa, fancy cookies and, if the budget allows, a French press or maybe a unique coffeemaker.

2. Beauty Box

For a friend who loves pampering herself or needs some motivation to start, a box of beauty-themed products is a great choice. You can select some soothing lotions in a variety of lovely scents and then add in a bottle or two of nail polish along with a pumice stone and fuzzy socks to wear post-pedi. Cosmetics that you know she uses or would love would also be fine additions to the collection. For instance, an eyelash serum that helps with lash growth would be appreciated, especially since she may have mentioned that she's unhappy with her short lashes. Rodan and Fields offers an eyelash growth serum that may take the place of mascara and is easy to use. In addition to the lash serum, other ideas include a personalized mirrored compact and a few lip glosses in colors that complement her skin tone.

3. Journals and Pens

Your bestie may love to journal, or maybe would love to start one. To help with this goal, consider giving her a collection of beautiful journals that she can use to record her memories, thoughts and plans. The Five Year Keepsake Journal Set from Rifle Paper Co. features hardcover journals wrapped in book cloth and a lay-flat binding. Add in some colorful pens, or maybe an old-fashioned pen and ink set, and some whimsical stickers and your friend will have everything she needs to start or continue with her journaling. To help her relax while she is writing, you could also add a scented candle or two and maybe a collection of teas.

4. Fun Kitchen Supplies

Your friend may have given you amazing homemade cookies and pies over the years. To encourage her incredible gift as a baker, buy a beautiful large mixing bowl and then fill it with several useful items like spatulas of all sizes, a rainbow whisk, jars of vanilla beans and/or high-quality vanilla extract, pot holders, cookie cutters, colorful kitchen towels, measuring cups and spoons and whatever else you think she would love.

Whatever she likes best, be sure to have fun celebrating your friend. She has been there for you on countless occasions, so now it’s time to show her how well you know her and how much she means to you with a thoughtfully planned and personalized gift set. From java and cocoa and lash growth serum and nail polish to journals and kitchen supplies, these gifts will all help show your friend how much she means to you.

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