Are you stressing to complete your list of gifts to buy or make? Let me help reduce your stress by sharing a few of my easy and quick hot chocolate basket and mug ideas for Christmas gift-giving!
These Christmas mug and basket gift ideas are perfect to put together for neighbors, co-workers, teachers, or friends.
I’ll be showing you hot chocolate themed gift examples for an inexpensive mug gift for one person and a budget basket idea for two.
You’ll also see two hot cocoa baskets with mugs, which cost a little more, in a medium and larger size.
There’s something to fit everyone’s budget!
HOT CHOCOLATE BASKET & MUG IDEAS FOR CHRISTMAS
BUDGET MUG GIFT IDEA FOR ONE GIFT RECIPIENT
My first hot chocolate mug example will only cost you a minimum of $6.00, and it’s so simple and quick to put together. It looks so cute when it’s filled and ready to be given as a gift! (Prices may have increased since publication.)
SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THE MUG BASKET:
- hot chocolate packets $1.25 each ~ Dollar Tree
- mini marshmallows bag $1.00 ~ Walmart
- box of candy canes $1.24 ~ Walmart
- red truck mug on sale $1.50 ~ Dollar General
- coordinating ornament $1.00 ~ Dollar General
- clear treat bag or ziplock bag for marshmallows
Hot chocolate packets can be used for the budget gifts, but I needed more than just the packets, so I used this homemade hot cocoa mix recipe to make a large amount and used it for all my mug and baskets ideas.
BUDGET CHRISTMAS BASKET IDEA FOR TWO
To create an inexpensive hot cocoa gift basket for two, you can purchase a cute, colorful basket or container from a dollar store and fill it with mugs and goodies.
Start by placing paper filler in the bottom of your container according to how high you need to display your mugs.
The cheapest way to do this is to use balled up tissue paper and then top that with either shredded crinkle paper or a sheet of tissue paper neatly wrapped over the balled up paper. Dollar Tree carries both of those items.
GIFTS TO PLACE INSIDE YOUR BASKET OR CONTAINER
- 2 regular size mugs
- hot chocolate mix
- mini marshmallows
- candy canes
- Hershey Kisses
- paper dessert plates
- dessert napkins
- ornaments
Dollar General has patterned and plain paper plates and napkins for $1.00 per pack. They also carry buffalo check ribbon and colored containers like I used below. You can hot glue or tape the ribbon around the container. (Prices may have increased since publication.)
HOT COCOA GIFT BASKET IDEAS
MEDIUM GIFT BASKET IDEA FOR ONE PERSON
I used a sturdy wicker basket for my medium-sized hot chocolate basket that will be for one gift recipient. I filled it much like I did for the budget basket, but with additional items.
SUPPLIES NEEDED TO FILL THE BASKET:
- wicker basket
- oversized mug
- hot chocolate
- marshmallows
- candy canes
- homemade cookies
- tin container
- ornament
- 2 different ribbons
- faux pine greenery
The oversized festive red mug, as seen below, was used to place in this basket. You can also use the mug as a singular gift, but compared to my picture you should add some Hershey Kisses and place them in between the cocoa and marshmallows.
RELATED – 32 BEST STORES TO BUDGET SHOP FOR THEMED GIFTS
Start by placing pieces of faux pine garland in the bottom of the basket to create height, so your mug and treats will show off better at the top edge. It also adds some color peaking out of the basket.
One new item added to this basket idea was a stack of baked chocolate chip cookies. To save time, I used a pre-packaged Betty Crocker recipe to make the dough. The cookies were placed in a Christmas tin with a peppermint candy design.
RELATED: 4 WAYS HOW TO BUILD A THEMED GIFT ON A BUDGET
Next, you’ll be adding a color coordinated Christmas ornament in the basket, and attach a pretty bow to the front. I used 2 different ribbons and both were found at dollar stores.
LARGE BASKET IDEA FOR TWO PEOPLE
This is the last of my basket and mug ideas. I used the same type of items from my previous ideas, but just in larger amounts and a couple of additional gifts.
I thought these oversized Christmas mugs would fit perfectly in this larger basket. Aren’t they adorable? They can be filled and used as singular gifts as well.
SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR THE LARGE BASKET:
- large wicker basket
- 2 oversized mugs
- hot chocolate mix
- mini marshmallows
- several homemade cookies
- lots of candy
- canes
- dessert napkins
- 2 cloth napkins
- faux pine greenery
- raffia
- clear treat bags
Follow the same guidelines already mentioned for filling this large basket.
Let me know in the comment section which hot chocolate basket and mug ideas you’ll be putting together for Christmas gifts!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE TO SEE:
HOW TO BUILD A THEMED GIFT ON A BUDGET
BEST STORES TO BUDGET SHOP FOR THEMED GIFTS
It’s time for another “Under $10 on the 10th,” which is a group of bloggers who share our budget-friendly DIY decor and crafts with you on the 10th of each month. Usually this group is large, but since Christmas is such a busy time, there are only 3 of us sharing our projects this month. Below, visit the two other inexpensive last minute Christmas gifts from bloggers “Patina and Paint” and “Life as a LEO Wife.”
SEE MORE LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS
Tammy @ Patina and Paint — White Yarn Christmas Tree
Niki @ Life as a LEO Wife — DIY Ornament Glass
Sharing my Christmas gift ideas at these fabulous blogs!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Allyson LauderAllyson is the founder and content creator of Southern Sunflowers. She shares tutorials for DIY crafts and decor on a budget.
All of these baskets are so nice! Anyone would love to receive one; a perfect gift for a neighbor or coworker too!
Thank you, Stacie! I’ll be gifting a couple of those mugs this week.
All of the baskets are adorable! I would love to do this for my son’s teachers one year. If I hadn’t already bought them candles from Bath & Body Works I would do it this year! Pinned!
Thank you Niki! Yes, the mug ideas would be perfect for teacher gifts. Thanks for pinning!
What a great idea! This is one of the best ideas with the cutest mugs!!! I love the idea of having it for one person, two people etc. Great job! Thank you so much for sharing!
Tammy, thank you! I tried to make the mug and basket ideas that would fit just about everyone’s budget for single or double gifts.