5th Day of Christmas Giveaway
Published December 2, 2011Welcome to all of you who’ve hopped over from my Proverbs 31 devotion today. If you haven’t read it, click here to catch up with us. Be sure to come back!
Well, it is day 5 of our 12 Days of Christmas.
Remember you may comment on each day’s post to be put in the drawing for that particular prize.
Then, one gal who comments on all 12 posts will win the grand prize. (You can scroll down below to day one to see it.)
You may comment on any post until midnight EST, Sunday December 11th.
All winners announced Monday, December 12th.
Today is my day, since I have a devotion running. So, I thought I’d offer you my favorite Christmas gift idea: Book baskets!
Simply take a book and build a gift basket around it.
The first time I saw one was when my best friend from college, Kelly, gave a Laura Ingalls Wilder book basket to my daughter when she was about seven.
In it she placed an old copy of Little House in the Big Woods. Then, she included all of the items Laura got for Christmas in 1867.
~ A peppermint stick
~ A pair of red mittens
~ A cookie shaped like a heart and sprinkled with white sugar
~ A shiny new penny
~ Her own tin cup
~ A rag doll named Charlotte
It was an instant hit!
In the years since, I have given away lots of book baskets to kids. Some books have included Balto, Hansel & Gretel, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Peter Rabbit and Winnie the Pooh.
Also the Curious George books are easy to do this with. In one, he visits a candy factory. Another, the zoo. In one he makes pancakes. These are easy to come up with items to carry out the theme. (fancy chocolates, candy molds & supplies; animal crackers, gummy bears and a stuffed animal; pancake mix, turner, maple syrup and chocolate chips.)
You can even try your hand at baskets for adults.
The Mailbox by my friend Marybeth Whalen, since it is a beach-themed book, would go well in a basket with a shell piece of jewelry, a beach-themed scented candle, a bottle of tanning lotion, a pair of sun glasses, some Sand & Sable perfume and a pair of flip flops.
Just put your thinking cap on and I’ll bet you can come up with many more book basket ideas!
Now for my giveaway:
It isn’t an organizational basket.
I decided instead to give away something that will help even more than organizing items at the holidays.
It is a hand-crafted sign made by my friend and co-author Trish Smith. It will help you keep your focus during the hustle of the holidays.
And no, the old-fashioned toys are not included. 
You will also receive a copy of our new ebook Untangling Christmas: Your Go-to Guide for a Hassle-Free Holiday. It will help you get your act together during this busy month.
To be entered to win this sign, tell us a book that would make a good gift basket. Or, if you are in a hurry, just say “Book it!”
Don’t forget to hop on here over the weekend for two more giveaways!
574 Responses to 5th Day of Christmas Giveaway
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I read THE HELP recently….I would put all kinds of homemaker kinds of things in it like a pot holder, vintage apron, recipe book, a cd to listen to whilst cleaning etc. Probably include a devo book along with a copy of THE HELP too! I think it would be a great idea to give to young mothers & new homemakers.
I love the idea of collecting the Christmas story in different books. We.re having family advent dinners @ our church every wednesday in Advent. Each dinner will feature a story time when a story will be read.
One of my favorites to read is ”The Crippled Lamb”.
Christmas Blessings to all.
The Bible and I would place in my basket a highlighter, journal, bookmark, etc.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Amen I say the Bible also especially to someone who needs one!!!
What a blessing, i’m in!
This is actually a series, but at Christmas the “Red Glove series” by Karen Kingsbury would make a great gift basket. You could add red gloves and all kinds of Christmas decor, candles, etc…
This is such a wonderful idea that I plan to adopt this year for my grandchildren. I always struggle for something unique especially for my older ones. Today’s message as usual came at a perfect time for me to read. Thank you so much for reminding me of the most important task I have as a “shepherd” for not only my grown children but especially for my grandchildren.
Your devotion today on Proverbs 31 hit home. With so much hussle and bustle, why not sit down, pull out the many books we have on the Christmas Story and read it as a family? What a great idea! Although, we say to our children often, Jesus is the reason for the season, backing it up with something as simple as your idea will help reiterate it. Thank you so very much! Now for books, this one is hard for me, as I love Nicholas Sparks. I would think anyone of his books would make a great basket. One of the most obvious Message In A Bottle. Ocean theme, create your own message in a bottle, photos of the ocean, ocean sounds CD, pop in a copy of the movie, popcorn and of course chocolate! Thanks for providing this opportunity today, as I will be signing up for your future postings. Blessings.
The night before Christmas…..You could put a stocking in there, a mouse, Christmas jewelry, a cozy throw, A Merry Christmas sign….this is a great idea…… Thank you!
What a great idea.. This year since my oldest two have there on places, since there fondest memories is making sugar cookie cutouts, I’ll create each a basket instead of a basket I’ll use a large mixing bowl, with a cookie recipe book, rolling pin, cookie cutters, apron, all sorts of sprinkles and gels for the cookies.
I am a cookbook fan. Especially the kind that have fun stories and such woven through the pages. One year my son’s preschool class put together one of those oh so quaint fundraising cookbooks that the mom’s submitted recipes for. That year everyone I knew received a cookbook with the 4 year old preschool picture pasted to the inside cover. For those a little nearer and dearer, along with the cookbook came ingredients (anything that didn’t parish) for one of my favorite recipes in the book. Also included were a couple little handy kitchen items that would make cooking this recipe a little more fun, such as a whimsical set of measuring spoons, a personalized apron, or even a cute oven timer.
I have another great idea…how about a devotional book for someone who is having a difficult time this Christmas season, a widow, someone who is lonely, you could put a great mug, tea bags, some Scripture to read, some chocolate, an invitation for dinner or a movie together. Being a widow myself, I know that would be so much appreciated.
Thank you for your devotional this morning. It made me stop and think about the shepherds and how they stopped all they were doing to follow Christ. Should we not do the same thing?
My book would be a series the 21 clues series for kids. You could put in a magnifying glass, a notebook for the clues, a keeper for the clue cards. . . All the possibilities.
Lisa thank you for this series!!! My neice has asked for the Nancy Drew Books but so many others are buying them for her I was wanting something different. I immediatley thought what a great basket idea it would be.
I’m in! What a beautiful idea … I have enjoyed so many books lately and it’s so very early in the AM that I am not focusing in on any one book to do this with. This is a great idea for my daughter’s birthday gifts (I already have this Christmas covered). They both have late spring birthdays so it will give me time to think! God bless you and Merry Christmas!
Oh Wow! What a great idea! I wish I had known about it before I shopped for my niece & nephews. But, I know there is an adult or two in my family I can do this for. I will have to think a bit more to come up with a book to start the basket with. Thank you for the giveaway and thank you for your ministry.
Mary
What an excellent idea! I love it! I can’t wait to see how my mind works to create some nice gifts. This is a all around season idea
Thank you for your giveaways but most of all thank you for your dedication to the Lord, in return helps so many, including me 
The American Girl series are fun. You could theme them to the Doll and era in which she lived! What a great idea! My daughter just recieved Kit Kittdridge for her birthday and she was in the 1930′s. It could be a fun “research” project.
Oh my goodness! This is such a great idea and there are so many books that would make great book baskets. My 7 year old is into the Rainbow fairies series. This would be fun to put in a basket with a sparkley wand, rainbow candies, fairy wings, etc.
“Two from Galilee”
What a fabulous Idea. I always put a magazine from a theme my children like, into their stockings, but building a book basket works for even older children. How about a car repair and maintenance book, along with some tools, window washer, car washing supplies.
For someone who struggles with balance, a great book about managing time, with a watch, clock, and some slow down activity like teabags and mug, cookies.
Always for me a gift included baked goods so why not a basket with baked goods and a cookbook and items to match!
Thanks for inspiring me for some gift ideas.
Love this idea. I would have to really give it some thought on a book and ideas to go around it. Will have to give this a try.
Blueberries for Sal….in a cute pail with little gardening tools and gloves to help in the garden and some blueberry jam.
Great idea!
I read that to my kids when they were young! Love it!
As a mom of young children and a former elementary teacher, I always have children’s books on the brain. My sons are into trains, so I would make a basket for The Polar Express children’s book. Included would be a copy of the book, the DVD, a little jingle bell, some sort of train or train set, and a pair of pajamas! A fun and cozy gift!
I would use a Book that I just bought for my four year old called God Gave Us Christmas! An adorable sweet book illustrating how God is more important than Santa and that God can be found everywhere. It is so great and helps them understand the true meaning of Christmas;) you could easily just put some hot cocoa and cookies in that basket for a child;) and by the way, I love this idea of book baskets!!!! Thanks for a wonderful giveaway;)
I’m currently reading Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman – such a phenomenal book I’ve wanted to read it for a long time and finally picked it up last week (what a delightful surprise – it was on sale for $5.00!)
I love this idea! Book it!
Book it!
I love this idea. You’ve got the wheels turning in my mind. I’d love to do something with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Not sure what yet.
The Bible & marriage books for couples.
I really like this idea, but it’s still a bit early to come up with one:) I will give it more thought later…so “book it”:)
I love all the ideas about but I think I would give the Legend of the Candy Cane. I love that story and I know the perfect little girl to give that to this year. I guess I need to go get one more gift. thank you for the idea.
I think a good book would be “Real Moms, Real Jesus,” By Jill Savage. I have got it a couple of years ago and have met Jill at a conference in Germany where we were stationed. I think this book details motherhood and how to focus on Jesus and family life with new thoughts as you handle lifes ups and downs. This with a journal and perhaps a box of tea and a tea cup woul make a great basket.
Book It! Thanks!
What a great idea… can’t wait to give it a try. I still have a lot of Christmas shopping to do so this is a big help
Book it!
“The Quiltmaker’s Gift” with a quilt pattern, some fat quarters, thread, and chocolate (because quilters love chocolate!).
Love this idea, so many books running through my head, but my daughter love’s her Blessing Bible book, be great in a basket with some veggie tale’s.
This is a great idea! Any Christmas book would be great, adapted for a child or adult.
Be happy I won’t see you today, because I would just run up and kiss you! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea! I’m going to do this for my nieces and nephews this year – and maybe even one for my own children – I just LOVE THIS! Thanks for sharing!
Well, since we have just begun the process of adoption from Uganda…that is consuming my mind. I think I would do the book “Kisses From Katie” in a Ugandan basket along with some of the beautiful recycled paper jewelry that the ladies from Uganda make!
Book It!
God Came Near by Max Lucado
Book it!!
A great one for kids would be The Crippled Lamb! We love that book at our house!
I can’t think of any creative books right now.
For teacher gifts for Christmas I do a book (something easy breezy to read), and a disposable (face it, teachers get waaay too many coffee mugs!) coffee mug that I dress up with Christmas paper, ribbon and a clipping from our tree. Inside the mug I put a pack of yummy specialty hot chocolate and a gift card to the local coffee shop.
In the summer I grab a summery tote and put in it a magazine, couple bottle of water with water flavors, a sweet treat, a salty treat and a towel or flip flops.
First, what a great idea for a Christmas gift!!!
As for the book, 1000 Gifts would make a great gift. You can add a journal, a pen, a calendar, a set of thank you notes, and begin the gift counting!
LOVE that book!!! What a great gift idea!!
I love the Little House series. Great gift basket ideas!
Book it!
Great ideas. I’ll have to say book it cuz my creative juices are not flowing yet.
Book it!!
The last book I read recently was “1,000 Gifts” by Ann Voskamp, and God has used it to change me from the inside out! It’s a wonderful book that I’ve recommended to everyone so, I’d definitely put it in a gift basket along with a small journal.
Wow! I could build on this creative idea all day long. As a teacher assistant to special needs children one book that has become my favorite over time is “If you give a mouse a cookie”. You could include the book with some cookies, a straw, a napkin, a mirror, and all the things the mouse wanted in the book. Another idea for a friend or parent of an Autistic child could be the book “Autism’s Hidden Blessings” and with this you might include the Autism supporters car magnet, a T-shirt that says I love someone with Autism, or many of the items from the online store of the Autism Society and of course coffee. All moms need coffee which brings me to another idea. “The Power of a Praying Parent” could include a bookmark, a prayer journal, or blank journal ( I write some of my prayers in a journal), some great tea, or a $5 gift card to Starbucks, chocolate, a highlighter and cute pen. I highlight and write notes in books like these. The Resolution for Women would boy another great book to do this with. As I said I could go on and on. Love this idea!
I have to vote for the Little House series. I didn’t read them til I was an adult. My husband and I rented an old farmhouse and didn’t have a lot of money. One early winter, we were without power. We heated and cooked with wood and read by candlelight. Reading the stories about the Ingall’s family made our situation seem like a drop in the bucket. Yep, throw in the wonderful adventures of Laura and her family!
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo , If you wanted to do the basket ideal maybe add some coffee or tea and a mug . Then put some child favorite candy in it with something more grown up . Then add a angel ornament .
Book it!
I think some kind of a specialty cookbook, and then include tea towels, hot pads and a baking tin or pyrex dish of some kind. Great ideas here!
What a great idea! I have a 4yo niece who I am trying to figure out what to get. I’m thinking this would be perfect. Now to think of a book….
I love love love everyone’s ideas of what to put with which book. I personally enjoy putting cookbooks in a basket with the ingredients for my favorite recipe out of the book, an apron, cooking/baking essential, etc. Happy Baking!
Book it!
Book It! It could be a Christmas Book of the nativity with a nativity scene included and hot chocolate for lots of reading together!
Book it!
How awesome! Love this!
I would probably put in a journal, devotional, pretty cup, teas……
The Crippled Lamb You could put a syuffed lamb its friend a stuffed cow and a nativity play set and drop in some chocolate kisses
I LOVE books! Endless possibilities here! But I was just looking at a le creuset 5 1/2 quart French Oven in Carribbean blue, and I thought, Julie and Julia, the book and or movie with that and some specialty ingredients from Trader Joes would be fabulous!
I follow the Read Aloud Dad blog and he has a lot of great book ideas and reviews. In addition to the classic children’s books, Susanna Leonard Hill also has a fun blog and great books, Can’t sleep without sheep is one of our favorites. Happy shopping, this is fun now!
Book It. Love, Love this idea and all the ideas from everyones comments.
Book it!
I love all of the ideas!! I’m in the Christmas book mode, and just read the Legend of the Candy Cane to my 6 year old last night. I would put it in a basket with a candy jar and a variety of candy…….and candy canes of course! I would also attach a note with the meaning of the candy cane. My wheels are turning, and I’m thinking of people on my list who would enjoy a book gift basket! Thank you for the ideas
BOOK IT!!!
The Great Christmas Bowl by Susan May Warren is a book about a mom who desires all of her children to be home for Christmas. A basket with the book, a favorite Christmas recipe, and the ingredients would make a nice theme filled basket. Great idea, Karen!!!! I’m going to have to use this, especially with children’s books. How fun!
I love it when people share such cool ideas! I have been wishing my girls would take an interest in the Little House books. I was always on a waiting list at our elementary school library for the next book in the series. I just purchased a book yesterday about being invited to the King’s party. I don’t remember the title right now, but it centered around the only gift Jesus needs is our heart. I believe it was published through World Vision. Not sure what I would put in the basket yet.
As my husband is a beekeeper, I would have to go with the Winnie the Pooh books! We could do lots of honey related items in the basket!
This is great. I can’t think of one. I would do a children’s book. Maybe one by Robert Munsch.. If someone is potty training, Andrew, do you have to go pee. With candies and things that are helpful. Thank you.
The Help would be good, Christmas Jars, … What a fabulous idea! I am bookmarking this post. I love this idea! ;O)
Winter of the Candy Cane by Debbie Viguie would make a cute teen basket.
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
I would make a basket for the ladies in my Family Life Group. In it would be the devotional Streams in the Desert by L. B. Cowman, a nice scented candle, a tea cup and chamomile tea,some Sweet Honesty and a prayer journal. I think this would be a gift that would be enjoyed throughout the year.
Dr. Seuss Sleep Book – It was our nightly ritual for several years and my pre-teen still wants me to read it to him on occassion! What a blessing to this Mama’s heart! So, of course the book, a snuggly, warm stuffed animal (bed of a Jedd), hot chocolate (moose/goose juice), toothbrush/toothpaste (Herkheimer Falls), a Christmas night light (Curious Crandles), and some soothing lavender bath wash (Bumbletub Creek)
Book it!
Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon was a wonderful book. My youngest daughter gave it as a Christmas gift several years ago. My husband and I read it together; mostly him reading aloud. He is a wonderful reader and special time together. The gospel is shared in the book. I would maybe put a nativity ornament, a pillow, a mug and peppermint tea in the basket. Just some ideas. I love this basket idea … thank you so much. I have been busy with life stuff and not stopping by as often but really enjoy my time when I do. Merry Christmas to you and your family dear sister in Christ!
I think a cookbook or cooking magazine like Taste of Home would make a great basket gift idea. Then you could add some cooking utinsils, spices, kitchen towels, and even food items.
More than a Good Bible study girl- Lysa Terkeurst, wonderful book, I’ve highlighted so much in that book! I tell all my female relative & girlfriends about that book.
Great idea for when we are trying to find a special gift….a book basket! Thanks for sharing! I am so thankful to have found your blog in time for the holidays!
Book it! What a great idea!!
I’m again thinking of Jan Brett books. I think the Gingerbread Baby would be fun to do as a basket with a recipe, cookie cutter and things to decorate the cookies. Or if you wanted to make some cookies to add that would be great too! The Mitten would be fun for younger children. I would use a copy of the board book and give the child a pair of mittens and either small plastic animals to place inside or paper cut outs of the animals. They could play the story with the toys or paper animals! Great idea, Karen! thanks for sharing it.
Rebecca Ann
~>”The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo
~> Any of the “Redwall” Series by Brian Jacques
~>My childhood favourite: “All-of-a-Kind Family” by Sydney Taylor
Book it!
Jan Karon’s Mitford Series. LOVE It!
“Book it!” Great idea! blessings
What a great idea! I think a cookbook would make a great gift basket idea! Just include some fun cooking items and food in it!
Book It!
My grandson is into the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. I am going to try to work up a gift basket to go with that. I am a librarian, so I love this gift idea. I love Rebecca’s idea with the Jan Brett book also.
Book It. I love books and I love this idea.
I was actually thinking of doing something similar for my son this Christmas in a dinosaur theme! There’s a Cat In the Hat book called Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur? that I’m going to by and add a dinosaur figures playset and maybe the Pee Wee T-Rex Pillow Pet. So much fun! And I LOVE the idea of a Bible gift basket – I happen to be giving my sister a Bible for Christmas this year and adding a journal, highlighter, etc., is such a neat idea!
And thanks for your encouragement for today.. It’s so easy to get lost in the craziness of the season, and it was nice to get refocused on Jesus’ birth and see how faithful the shepherds were. Thank you!
The boxcar children or a gooseberry patch cookbook would make fun baskets.
What a FABULOUS idea. The Little House books were my favorites as a child. There have been some great ideas in the comments. I would suggest a classic “Goodnight Moon”. My son loves looking at all the items in the room, especially the mouse that moves around. Of course you would need a stuffed mouse and then here are mittens, brush and comb, red balloon, telephone, socks and lots of other great items.
Book it!
Book it!
What great ideas!
I loved “The Velvet Room” and include a red velvet pillow
I have never really thought about it. I LOVE the idea and will be thinking about that in the future. I saw several posts on here that had REALLY good ideas, I especially liked the devotional one and adding tea bags, etc. That is one I may try in the future!!!
The Gingerbread Man for a child would make a great bastket! Gum drops, gingerbread cookie, mix, or a kit to make the gingerbread man/house, and a stuffed fox.
Anne of Green Gables, American Girl Doll books, Nancy Drew, Charlotte’s Web….I could go on and on…What a GREAT idea!
That is a great gift idea!! Pinkalicious would be a fun one to do for a little girl. You could put in a pink tiara, pink wand, pink tutu and maybe some pink beads. It’s kinda endless what you can do.
Loved the devotion and love the idea of a themed basket. Loved all the ideas. I plan on using some of them this year. Thanks.