We Love “In-A-Box” gift ideas. Basically they are just a collection of things that have personal meaning or related usefullness to the person you are giving the gift to. They are perfect for just about anyone - your friends, family, co-workers, random people you meet off the street, etc. And it’s an easy to remember 4 step process.

The first thing to do is to decide on a central theme. You can get just about all of your materials from a store like Wal-Mart or anywhere else that is easily accesible to you. Some of the items you may not even buy - which we love even more! Sample themes include sports, music, places you’ve been together, appreciation for a person, “survival kits”, cooking, movies, poetry, work-related, special memories, their favorite hobby, etc. etc.

Next, choose your “box”. The box can be any container - a jar, a teapot, a basket, a shoe box, cigar box, candy box, a safe, a soup can…whatever it is that is big enough to hold the objects you plan on giving the person. Be creative - you can decorate the box any way you’d like if it’s not right to give it “as-is” using paint or gluing stuff to it. (Be careful with too much glue though!)

Your third goal is to collect as much as you can that relates to your theme. Start saving “momentos” if you don’t already - reciepts, ticket stubs, napkins, pebbles from a place you visited, programs, take-out menus - mostly things you would normally consider to be trash. Another fun place to look for things are dollar stores - you can quickly find a plethora of little items that can have meaning that relate to your theme - and do it for less than $10 in most cases. Dollar stores are great for gadgets, household items, minature toys, novelty items and so much more.

All that’s left now is to assemble the gift. Usually you will want to include a handwritten note or card you print that kind of explains everything to the recipient. Most people would not be too thrilled to open a gift and see a gum wrapper for example. But if you explain the meaning of that gum wrapper, suddenly it transforms you into a thoughtful person. Alternatively, you can use little tags on each item, or string them together for more effect.

And that’s it! Voila! Instant “In-A-Box” gift ideas! For more inspiration, head over to one of my favorite threads on Craftster.org.

Just please don’t go Justin Timberlake’s route in this Saturday Night Live spoof… (Warning, this references mature content which may not be suitable for all audiences! If you are easily offended, do not click on this link!)

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