Ideas for Fun & Unusual Containers for Homemade Gifts

It is that time of the year.  Everyone will soon be  busy baking goodies and thinking of ways to gift them.  You may be making cookies, candy, bread, muffins,  mixes, bath items, etc.
Many give to teachers, daycare workers, neighbors, co-workers, service folks, acquaintances, friends, family...................

Wrapping these items gets a bit boring sometimes.  Let us think outside the BOX!
You may have all kinds of items around the house that you can use, and haven't even thought about.  IF by some chance you don't - think Dollar Tree!  You can get all kinds of neat items to put goodies in.
I figure when gifting my goody baskets or just yummies - I want the outside package to be useful as well.  Kind of like 2 gifts in one.

We all know about using reusable grocery bags, baskets Mason jars, etc.  Here are a few more fun ideas.

I buy a whole package of brown paper lunch bags - they can be decorated, tied with jute or ribbon, old car fronts affixed, colored by kids etc.  Cheap and easy and fun!

I received this bag when buying from a craft bazaar - keep those card fronts!

Any kind of plain bag can be decorated at home.  These are great for gifting cookies or candies or small loafs of breads (all wrapped in plastic or foil.

Plain brown mailing paper can be purchased in rolls pretty cheaply.  This would be great for any kind of gift, crocheted/knitted items, throws, clothes, etc. Decorate  simply.

Think about using some items that have been passed down through the family or vintage items that have been purchased at thrift stores/flea markets or yard sales.  Have some fun with it.

Here are some items I walked around the house and found.  All kinds of jars, mugs and fancy glasses, tins, even a vintage pitcher.  My mind is thinking of all kinds of goodies I could put in these.  Hard candies, cookies, fudge, drink mixes, bath salts (how lovely in a pretty wine glass!) a pitcher full of  tea mixes or picnic items, or even cookies.  The pitcher would be a lovely addition to any kitchen!

Any kind of big mixing bowl or holiday dish could be filled with packages of baking mixes (think pancake mix, muffin mix, cookie mix, etc.), kitchen utensils or a kitchen towel, or cookies or candy.

A colander with pasta, spaghetti sauce, a shaker of parmesan cheese and maybe a spaghetti fork.
A round baking pan - with pizza sauce, mix for dough, shelf stable pepperoni, and a shaker of cheese.
A terra cotta flower pot filled with flower/garden seeds and a pair of gloves.

All home stores sell these.  It may be plain or it may have the store name on it - it doesn't matter.  Check with your local grocery deli or bakery and you may be able to get them for free.  These are great for making up goody baskets for preppers or just for filling up with a variety of home made items.  It is sturdy and can be used for other things by the receiver.  Good old buckets would work as well.
A bucket can be used for a guy with a 6 pack of their favorite beer and snacks, or car washing supplies.
A minnow bucket would be cool, with fishing supplies.
Wrap loaves of homemade bread in kitchen towels. 
Old gallon jars (like pickle) filled with birding or squirrel goodies for the outdoorsy person - or fill with kitty or doggy treats.

Do you have any old picture frames hanging around (LOL).  They can be gifted with children's art, family pictures (new and old), made into jewelry racks, collages, filled with old recipes, etc.

There are just so many options for original packaging.  Why be boring?  Have fun with it.  Holiday gifting is supposed to be thoughtful and fun in my opinion - and we just all need to raise it up a level!

I will post a few ideas this Thursday and next Thursday of some different gift ideas that can be put together for little money.  I just want others to have fun with this and not be so serious.  It seems many 'serious' gifts are never really used. 
I figure everyone has to eat and we all have hobbies or interests - so why not give a gift that shows some thought of the recipient's likes and be FUN!!!!

Goody bags and homemade goodies gifted one year.

Take a walk around the house and see what you can get creative with.  We all need to de-clutter and we all love to recycle and we all like to save money - so lets get creative.

You have any fun ideas?