Fill the pot with:

• gardening gloves
• hand trowel
• hand rake
• a selection of vegetable and/or flower seeds (go for something unusual)
• bottle of liquid fertilizer
• a gardening book
• a subscription for a gardening magazine

Fill the bowl with:

• a package or two of gourmet pasta
• tongs
• a package of sun-dried tomatoes
• extra-virgin olive oil
• spices: oregano, basil, garlic powder
• a collection of your favorite pasta recipes hand-printed on recipe cards
• and/or a pasta cookbook

• golf tees
• golf balls
• a baseball cap
• sunscreen
• score cards
• a small towel
• a can cooler to keep a can of pop or beer cold

Of course, don't forget to personalize the towel or baseball cap - you can stitch on them, use fabric paints, etc.

Fill a basket with:

• two bottles of quality wine, one red, one white
• corkscrew
• 2 or more wine glasses
• wine appreciation book
• tickets or an invitation to a wine tasting (often held at wine specialty shops or wineries)

Extras: add snacks to go with the wine - fine cheese, fruit, crackers, etc.

Fill the a large dog bowl with:

• squeaky toy
• rawhide bone
• dog biscuits
• dog brush
• dog collar
• leash

Fill the container with:

• glue gun and glue sticks
• acrylic paints
• assorted brushes
• a craft knife
• other craft supplies such as beads, pompoms, wood sticks, buttons, stickers, dried flowers, etc.
• craft patterns or how-to books

There are 101 basket ideas on this site.  Also on the same site:

Precious christmas  Where the magic never ends

Baking ideas, tree trimming, cards, homemade gifts, midis and more.

Now, on the the Christmas Cookies!

Christmas Cookies.com

Gingerbread Cookies in a Jar

Use a clean 1 quart jar and press each layer down firmly. Put in half of the flour along with the baking powder and baking soda. Add the spices and the remaining flour. Add the brown sugar last. Tie a ribbon around the top of the jar and attach the cookie cutter and the directions below.

Attach these directions to the jar:
Gingerbread Cookies
Empty jar of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly. Mix in 1/2 cup softened butter, 3/4 cup molasses and 1 or 2 eggs. Mix until completely blended. Cover and refrigerate 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes. Place cookies on lightly greased cookie sheet about 2" apart. Bake 10 to 15 minutes. Decorate with icing.

Brownie Macaroon Cookies A unique refrigerator cookie, a combination of brownie and macaroon flavors and textures. Makes about 48 3 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup white sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup flaked coconut 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts 1/3 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated white sugar 1/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder 1 egg 3 tablespoons milk 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

To Make Filling:
Beat cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar and vanilla until soft and smooth. Add coconut and nuts. Wrap tightly in plastic food wrap and refrigerate filling.

To Make Dough:
Beat butter until softened. Add half of flour. Then add 1 cup sugar, cocoa, egg, milk, and baking soda. Beat untill combined. Work in the rest of the flour. Chill dough until firm enough to roll. Place dough between 2 sheets of waxed
paper. With rolling pin roll dough in a rectangle 14 x 6 inches. Remove top sheet of waxed paper.

Remove filling from refrigerator and shape into a roll 14 inches long. Place filling on top of dough. Start on one end and roll dough around filling (like rolling up a rug) . Moisten and pinch edges together. Cut roll in half. Wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate for two days. Cut into 1/4-inch slices (using a very sharp knife or waxed dental floss slid under log and crisscrossed at top). Put on greased cookie sheets and bake at 375 F (190 C) for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on sheet for about 1 minute and then finish cooling on racks.

Note: Originally posted by "Marbalet" to the now-defunct Holiday Cookie Club at Epicurious.com

Spice Sugar Cookies
2 cups sifted flour, less if possible
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cream
extra granulated sugar, for decorating

Blend 1 cup flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Cream butter, beat in sugar. Beat in egg, vanilla, and cream. Stir in flour, then add enough of the remaining 1 cup flour to make the dough stiff enough to roll. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill several hours. Preheat oven to 375F. Place on a lightly floured cutting board and roll to 1/8" thickness. Use floured cookie cutters to cut into shapes. Place on an ungreased baking sheet, sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake 8 minutes.

Have a blessed day!