Part 1 of My Christmas Gift Baskets

Keeping with the shopping and budget week, I'm going to give you the first peek at my Cheap Frugal Savvy Gift Baskets. Now, while I'm trying my hardest to keep these under $5 a piece for you, we have to set some ground rules.

1. You will have to make at least 10 baskets (by my calculations that is...if you can do it making less, more power to you, but the bulk concept helps tremendously). However, for roughly $5 a piece, why wouldn't you? They make great gifts for coworkers, relatives, friends, the list goes on and on!

2. I use coupons to purchase some of the items. And trust me, this does not mean you need to clip coupons until your fingers bleed. Just some normal coupon using is all that's required.

3. You have to put in some time. What? Did you think you were just going to whip these up in a few minutes? I mean, I'm ok at this, but I'm not Supergirl! They can be done in steps though, as that's how I'm doing it. You are seeing my process through the posts. Just stick with me, k kid?

Ok, ground rules are set. (Disclaimer: I reserve the right to add further rules at any time while going through this process) Let's move on to the first project.

Hot Chocolate Packets

This ain't no Swiss Miss! (I have nothing against Swiss Miss, this just simply is not Swiss Miss) This is homemade, yummy in your tummy, sittin by the fire with your honey kind of hot chocolate.

Here is what you need to buy:
*Pack of 100 Clear Bags- 3inx4in (I got mine at Michaels, use a 40% off coupon by clicking here, so it goes from $5 to $3)

*Spool of thin satin ribbon- you choose the color (I made some up for Thankgsiving, so I have tan and red ribbon to work with, $.50)

*The ingredients for Hot Chocolate
11 Cups Dry Non-fat Milk
1 Cup Dry Creamer
3 Cups Powdered Sugar
2 Cups Chocolate Drink Mix (Like Nesquik)
1/4 Cup of Cocoa
1 Bag Mini Marshmallows

(You will most likely have a few of these items on hand, but from what I figured out- portion wise, this costs roughly $11)

Mix all the dry ingredients together. Scoop 1/2 Cup into 20 treat bags. Put a handful of marshmallows on the top, twist and tie a cut piece of ribbon around the bag.

You'll have two packs of hot chocolate for each basket, and each packet makes a 2 cup size mug of hot chocolate. Instruct your recipients to mix the packet with 2 cups of very hot or boiling water. Hmm...you might want to make 21, you'll want one for yourself. Now, you'll have PLENTY of hot chocolate mix leftover, so feel free to make up more. However, I have not accounted for that with the bags as you'll need those throughout the rest of the process.

So that's step 1. Are you in? Are you intrigued? Let me know! Like I said, I'm doing my best to keep these cost effective, so we'll see if I succeed together! I'll be really anxious to see what you come up with too.