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There is a very special person who always thinks of my family for every little holiday, and we could not wait to make her friendship basket!  My children adore her, my husband considers her a second mother, and I… well sometimes I have no words.  The first year after my mother passed away, she made my son and (expecting daughter) a huge Easter basket.  I will never forget her words “this is what your mom would have wanted them to have for Easter.”  In that basket was not just chocolate… items were hand picked, personalized clothing, toys, frames, and goodies.  I cried for a good hour after that delivery.  I cried for so many reasons, but mostly that she thought of my children in the way that my mother could only wish for them.

friendship basket

After that moment, I knew we would be fast friends; we were, and we even started a little tradition. We exchange a basket throughout the year. There is no specific holiday or occasion, just a LOVE  and friendship basket and it is the exact same basket each time!  Sometimes in the basket we will find home baked goodies, crafts, warm cuddly socks, pajamas, DVDs or maybe just chocolate.  It is always a surprise, and it is so much fun!

Having the basket on hand, being my turn to fill it with special hand-picked items, my kiddos decided to do a fantastic Valentine basket! This basket was a Christmas basket that I found one year and it has definitely been worth the money many times over!  I simply removed the Christmas decor, tucked it in the bottom of the basket and then padded the bottom with a sheet of tissue paper and red tinsel. Then the fun part… start adding things that you feel the recipient will enjoy! We tried to stick with a red theme, and we bought most everything for $1!!   (You can find some real treasures at the dollar store) but mainly, the thought will mean the most!

friendship basket

In our basket we have chocolate, kitchen gadgets, beauty items, socks, candy, silly-string (long story), kitchen towels and few decorations. Fun & simple, right? Anyone can make this type of basket with any theme! Over the years this exact basket has been used for Valentine’s Day, Birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, random “Just thinking of you” occasions and Well Wishes.  Here is the most amazing thing about this tradition, in the bottom of the basket, you can find notes from each of us and they just keep stacking up!

friendship basket

Wrap it up with some clear cellophane, clasping at the top apply a rubber band. Tuck in all of the loose ends and add a bow! You can put a smile on anyone’s face with this dandy craft!

Keep fighting the good fight, my friend… BIG LOVE!

friendship basket

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