The holiday season is quickly approaching, which means it’s officially time to start shopping for gifts. With the end of the semester just around the corner, gift shopping may be the last thing on your mind, and that’s completely understandable — we’re right there with you.
Let us introduce you to the perfect, personalizable gift: the BRR basket. A recent, viral idea on TikTok and Instagram, BRR baskets are baskets full of small gifts that you can pick for the lucky receiver. Not only are they super cute, but you can also fill them with whatever you please according to your budget (and you avoid having a fight with the wrapping paper.)
Whether you are shopping for Christmas, Hanukkah, a secret Santa or a White Elephant, a BRR basket is sure to be a holiday hit. To help with making your very own BRR basket, VALLEY has compiled a list of super cute ideas for your gorgeous gift.
The Basket
To start, you’ll first need a cute basket that can fit all of your goodies. We recommend small wicker baskets or coiled rope baskets, such as these from Target. These types of baskets also come in different sizes depending on how much space you need.
If you’re feeling especially fancy, you can also line your basket with festive tissue paper for some extra holiday magic. Check out Target’s selection of tissue paper, with prices ranging from only $3 – $4.
Cozy Up This Christmas
It’s already feeling like winter here in State College, so one option for your basket is to add something cute and cozy. Fuzzy socks are VALLEY’s personal favorite, since people always wear them, and they’ll never go out of style. Check out some adorable socks from Francesca’s that are perfect for winter break lounging.
Another popular gift that is always a win is the throw blanket. For this gift, you may need a bigger basket, but for us, it’s totally worth it. Check out Target’s holiday-themed plush throw blankets with designs including polar bears, snowflakes, trees and wreaths. These cozy throws are also college student budget-friendly, costing only $10.
For coffee, tea or hot cocoa drinkers, a holiday mug is a great choice that your receiver is sure to love. Check out this adorable Gingerbread Man Ceramic Mug from Kohl’s, or this cute Brown Bear Holiday Mug from Crate&Barrel, which is also available in penguin, dog and reindeer forms.
Winter Wonderland Beauty
Give the gift of self-care this holiday season by adding some beauty items to your BRR basket. Here, you have so much freedom, with product options such as face masks, nail polish, lip scrub, hand cream and more. Many of these products, such as creams and scrubs, also come in winter scents like vanilla, peppermint and sugar cookie, making them perfect for a themed gift.
For some extra winter shimmer, add a lip gloss to your basket. This year, Victoria’s Secret is offering flavors including Sparkling Candy Cane, Sugared Shortbread, Gingerbread Glitz and Twinkling Cranberry, which are sure to secure that kiss under the mistletoe.
Another idea that never misses is a small candle. Whether the receiver of the BRR basket is studying for finals or cozying up during winter break, they are sure to appreciate their surroundings smelling like a winter wonderland.
For all things Christmas-scented, a trip to Bath & Body Works is sure to add some inspiration to your shopping, with offerings such as hand creams, sanitizers, lotions and more. Our personal favorite scents are “Vanilla Bean Noel,” “Twisted Peppermint” and “Fresh Balsam.” Check out their Holiday Gift Guide 2025 here.
Santa’s Sweets
A fabulous BRR basket is not complete without some holiday chocolates. Throw in some Ghiradelli Peppermint Bark Squares for a tasteful touch, or include an assortment of Lindor truffles with flavors like snickerdoodle, hot cocoa and peppermint. Target also sells hot chocolate bombs, which always make for sweet surprises.
Before you gift your incredible basket, make sure to top it off with a good old-fashioned candy cane — now your BRR basket is ready to go. Happy gift-giving, and happy holidays from VALLEY!
What are you putting in your BRR basket this holiday season? Let VALLEY know on Instagram, @VALLEYmag!
