Let's face it! No matter how much we try to plan for Christmas, there is always that unexpected visit you either receive or have to go to that catches you completely unprepared. However, there are a few ways you can get out of the whole situation and come up with a nice present even if you did not particularly plan for it. So get your pen and paper, or your copy and paste skills ready! Here are some stress-free gift ideas that will make you present ready any day!

What is the magic idea, you ask? Well, it is a home made gift basket. The beauty of this present is that it allows you to bundle up a lot of things in a fun and attractive display without having to over spend. You can add something for everyone in the family and make it look like a million bucks.

But before we give you the different ways you can build a magic gift basket, here is what you should always have handy at Christmas:

A nice bottle of wine
Christmas cookies
Chocolates
Teddy bears or stuffed animals
Decoration or candles

Trust me when we say, it pays off to have some of these items around the house. Even if it turns out you do not need them, you can either return them or eat/drink them so they are not going to waste.

Basket #1 - Family visit without kids

If you are invited to a couple's place and you did not expect it, here is a cute way of fixing a gift basket, and not feeling you are not prepared for the visit. You will need a centerpiece, I chose a small wreath and a pine fragrance candle. I placed it right in the center, towards the back of the basket. I randomly placed some red Easter grass on the bottom, just to cover the braided part. Then I got two boxes of chocolates and I placed them in front of the candle, in sort of a "V" shape. Next, I took a bottle of white wine, and leaned it in a horizontal way right in front of the chocolates. Lastly, I made sure everything is balanced and nothing can easily move around. I took a big piece of cellophane and wrapped the basket in it and tied it on the top with a big red bow. I cannot tell you how delighted the couple was and they were even more impressed when I told them I made it myself. It made them feel very special.

Basket #2 - Family visit with kids

Here is what I suggest for an expected family visit. I used almost all of the "ingredients", including the wine, cookies, a white teddy bear and some Christmas decoration. We layered the bottom with some white and green decoration grass and then adjusted the white bear in the middle as the centerpiece. If you worry about it moving around, do not worry. All the rest of the goodies will hold it in place, and in case you have some extra room you can always use more decorative grass, but that is for later. Next, I took three boxes of chocolate chip Christmas cookies and leaned them on the walls of the basket. I kept them on the left side of the plushy; you will see why later on. I did it in such a way that it actually supports the bear and keeps it in place. I took a box of chocolates and placed it in the hands of the teddy, just to make it look sweeter. Next, I took a bottle of red wine, and slanted it on one side of the basket, on the right side to be exact, as I put the cookies on the left. To finish it all of I attached a holiday bell set with a red bow on the handle and voila! You cannot imagine how easy this basket it is to fix and how beautiful it looked. The kids adored the teddy and the cookies, and the parents really enjoyed the gourmet chocolates and the wine.

There is no hassle to it. As you can see, they are very easy to make and practical, whenever you are in need of a last minute gift.