Happy Wednesday Friends! Several days ago I was planning a gift basket for a dear friend who was having surgery. As I was hunting my stash for just the right basket, I came across a small wooden crate and had an ah-hah moment...
![Instead of the usual gift basket, create a friendship blessing box with fresh flowers, herbal tea and a handwritten blessing! mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Blessing box gift basket alternative](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pJ7xVIHe0cU/V1tecWtQGqI/AAAAAAAA9Kc/OPbbWLSYbJ8kixdrO39wJAiSNumbNvFWwCKgB/s1600/B%2Broses%2Bblessing%2Bbox.jpg)
Instead of the usual gift basket, I would create a blessing box. Our friendship is such a gift and I wanted to bless my friend, as she has blessed me. I've actually had this little crate for some time and had painted it a pretty robin's egg after bringing it home from the thrift store. I knew it would eventually come in handy and so it has.
![Use a small wooden crate to create a blessing box and include fresh flowers, herbal tea, favorite snacks and a handwritten blessing: mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Blessing box gift basket alternative](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YHXj7s236IE/V1tF6gCFrTI/AAAAAAAA9JE/MdmlunfD07A8krStKHSUt5Pk3TqvZ8MiACLcB/s1600/B%2Bbox%2Bfor%2Bblessing.jpg)
I already had these fun scrapbook stickers too. I'd bought them with a previous project in mind and they ended up being too big, but they're a perfect fit on the side of the crate.
![Give your friend a blessing box and include fresh flowers, herbal teas, favorite snacks and a handwritten blessing! mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Blessing box gift basket alternative](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWkUKdI1fvg/V1td6_i1cqI/AAAAAAAA9KI/U0p8hqv_pTcfcaX3CGFQBpH7CtEpOl4dwCLcB/s1600/B%2Bempty%2Bblessing%2Bbox.jpg)
It was looking so nice on the outside, I decided to line the inside, with laminated burlap I had left from my clipboard art.
![A small wooden crate can be painted, lined with burlap and filled with goodies to create a blessing box gift basket alternative: mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Blessing box gift basket alternative](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yG1AwPqo9Tw/V1tWwdboiFI/AAAAAAAA9Jk/dVPflJdlf6wk5MPkk9XedVy8Rr6dlO43ACLcB/s1600/B%2Bburlap%2Blined%2Bblessing%2Bbox.jpg)
Next, I wanted to include a written blessing that would last beyond the contents of the box. I used a Sharpie to write on the bottom of the box, but you can add a gift card if you prefer.
![Remember to include a handwritten blessing in your gift box: mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Blessing box gift basket alternative](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zLvmN4doEM/V1xrTsLMKDI/AAAAAAAA9Mo/B9yRBSi9esUQQ6HiSb_RdDuyApeEjC-4ACLcB/s1600/B%2BBlessing%2Bfor%2Bbox.jpg)
Now, to fill it with goodies! First, her favorite salad. Find the caprese recipe here.
![Create a blessing box with fresh flowers, herbal tea and favorites like this caprese salad: mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Blessing box gift basket alternative](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qtLtx2ZaQ2s/V1tE3oIEL1I/AAAAAAAA9I4/1HhwcDLCUVgX54emdIRfpW1IHFPhe5ALQCLcB/s1600/B%2Bcaprese%2Bfor%2Bblessing%2Bbox.jpg)
Next, some relaxing herbal tea,
![Instead of the usual gift basket create a blessing box with fresh flowers, herbal tea, favorite snacks and a handwritten blessing: mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Blessing box gift basket alternative](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8KuoX2YCpa0/V1tY5HA9ZUI/AAAAAAAA9Jw/nXx42QIM5HAfOdX1zpjTpUMJ_1TBm67HwCLcB/s1600/B%2Btea%2Bblessing%2Bbox.jpg)
and a small pot of miniature roses. Look closely and you can see the caprese filled Pyrex just under the tea bags.
![Use a small crate to create a friendship blessing box with fresh flowers, herbal tea, favorite snacks and a handwritten blessing: mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Blessing box gift basket alternative](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pJ7xVIHe0cU/V1tecWtQGqI/AAAAAAAA9KQ/Yb7VyHsS_Qci1mLKEaJXnauG7EbDKcEcgCLcB/s1600/B%2Broses%2Bblessing%2Bbox.jpg)
Last, I tucked in a magazine to enjoy while she recuperated.
![Instead of the usual gift basket, create a blessing box with fresh flowers, herbal tea, favorite snacks and a handwritten blessing! mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Blessing box gift basket alternative](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BI08MuU1TJM/V1xn_RGwjkI/AAAAAAAA9MY/lOPoKETAi50Ju94izbJK-E0dZzXgQpQ9QCLcB/s1600/B%2Bmagazineblessing%2Bbox.jpg)
![Thank you for pinning! mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com My Thrift Store Addiction](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iL5PstqGYL8/VuGtnvqXboI/AAAAAAAA3f8/DxDkKNtU8uoRThF07OETijeBKAGMOWVtACKgB/s1600/pin%2Bit.png)
![Create a friendship blessing box with fresh flowers, herbal tea, favorite snacks and a handwritten blessing! mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Blessing box gift basket alternative](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6aHKxh4iWE8/V1yQLFR967I/AAAAAAAA9N8/aSS0nzHR57UGoleHSrfsQt-1vnT-JRASACLcB/s1600/Blessing%2Bbox%2Bpin.jpg)
![Signature: mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com My Thrift Store Addiction](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YzI3E5ZMP7k/U8gMS6WzjcI/AAAAAAAAUMQ/UwrDLfBDJfg/s1600/Signature.png)
Your friend is very blessed by you! That is the perfect recovery gift and she will be reminded of you every time she uses the box after.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and thoughtful gift. I'm sure your friend has been blessed by your thoughtfulness! I love the box; it makes a perfect gift basket and will continue to be useful after its initial use.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet gift! I'm sure she WILL be blessed by the box you thoughtfully prepared!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet gift and the box can be used again and again!
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful friend to prepare such a delightful gift box. She can enjoy the contents then she can use the crate for a multitude of purposes including a thoughtful reminder of your friendship.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet and delightful gift basket! I can only imagine how the pretty box lifted the spirits of your friend! ...love the "blessings" letters! :) ~Rhonda
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift I have a friend who is literally moving into a house as we speak. This is so up her alley and would make such a fabulous housewarming gift. I am copying you!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are such a thoughtful friend Cecilia! What a lovely idea and I think I like it even better than a typical basket. Beautiful! xoxo
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet thing to do.
ReplyDeleteLove the pretty blue box and bible verse. She's one lucky lady! XoKathleen
ReplyDeleteVery sweet and such a thoughtful gift that will be forever useful. Your friend will feel so special. The salad looks so good ... I need to make it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a unique and thoughtful gift! Homemade from the heart is truly the way to bless a close friend :)
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! We have new neighbors and I need to take them a sweet gift. Thank you for inspiration. Pinned.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thoughts of Home. :)
What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with SYC.