Would you "BE MY VALENTINE"?

Well, with Valentines Day just around the corner, I thought I'd better get my tushy in gear and get a few gifts together for my kiddos!  So, I thought I would put together some Gift Baskets.  I LOVE to give "Gift Baskets"!  They are practical, customizable, and yet easily put together on a tight budget!  With a little "creativity" anyone can give a beautiful, but affordable, gift!  


This basket cost me under $12.00 to put together and it is just so girlie & adorable!  My daughter actually has a birthday party to attend tonite...and since I havent went out to even grab a card...I think this is what she will be giving her friend....LOL!  But, this is a great inexpensive basket to give to any girl for Valentines day!

VALENTINE GIFT BASKET

(You can click on each picture to see it in a bigger siz)

DIRECTIONS:

First, we are going to make the "Framed Hearts" picture.  My theme with this basket was Pink, Black & White. I like to keep my baskets themed or color cordinated for a nice look.   So, I purchased a nice long black frame with a double photo mat inside from Walmart, some buttons from my button stash, and a scrap piece of black cardstock. ( I decided NOT to use any of the black floss shown in picture)

Next take you glass out of the frame, and place inside the photo openings your black cardstock, taping it securely from behind so it does not move.

With a Glue Gun, glue your large Glitter Hearts in the center.  You can do this frame vertically or horizonal, I chose vertical.  Now, with your glue gun add your cordinating buttons to each corner and in the middle.  You are done with your "Framed Hearts"!  Any girl would love this for her room!

Next, we are going to add some "SWEETS" to the basket..."CHOCOLATE DIPPED MARSHMALLOW POPS"!!!

 You will need Candy Canes (or any kind of sprinkles will work), Semi Sweet Chocolate Morsels, teaspoon veggie oil, Marshmallows (I am using pink ones), Skewer sticks (or lollipop sticks), mini muffin cups, microwaveable bowl, freezer paper, and spoon.

We need to crush our candy canes first, so here they are ready to go to the "crushing" stage!

I put mine in a ziploc baggie and release all the air.  With a small hammer, I just smash away til they are in little pieces!

Now, lets melt our chocolate chips!  I take a 1/2 of a 12 oz. bag and put them into a microwaveable bowl.  Add 1 tsp. of veggie oil...now stir them up.  Pop them into the microwave for 30 seconds, stir, and put them back in again for another 30 seconds.  I do this process until they are nice and melted.  Then I let them sit for about 5 minutes before I start dipping.  Just don't let the chocolate get hard again, it usually doesn't right away though.

While that is cooling down some, I start putting my marshmallows on the skewers.

Ready to Dip!  I line it up!  I have crushed candy canes and red & white sprinkles.

I dip my marshmallow 1/2 ways into the chocolate and then shake some of the chocolate back off.

Now, roll it into the candy canes!  You will need to set them onto wax paper or freezer paper now to harden.  I put them on a cookie sheet and into my freezer for a minute or two.

When they are hard, pop your muffin cups onto the bottom of them so they "sit" in them.

YUMMY!

I then wrap them with cellaphane wrap and tie them with curly ribbon.  I did a few of them just sitting in a muffin baking cup and no stick...so, if you don't have stick, no worry!

Now, time to assemble the basket!  I used a pink wire basket (Target $2.50...and good for girls to later throw all that makeup & hair products into), filled it with a bag of white shredded filler, added a pink pillow from Target ($2.50), some chocolate lips, framed picture and chocolate marshmallows.

Place all your goodies neatly into the basket!

Place it inside a large basket bag and tie it with some pink curly ribbon!  Any teen or girl will enjoy this basket!

So, grab some baskets...and get giving this holiday!