Brighten Someone’s Day with a Little Gift of Sunshine!
A Box of Sunshine is a gift basket filled with a variety of bright, yellow items. It’s simple to make,
One of the reasons, I love the Sunshine in a Box idea is it’s so versatile. You can make small gifts with just two or three items or go all out and make a larger one with dozens of cute “yellow” surprises in it.
In fact, you don’t even have to use a box. I’ve used jars, baskets, buckets, coffee mugs, and gift bags as containers. I’ve just changed the names to fit the container used – “A Bucket Full of Sunshine,” “Sunshine in a Basket,” and “Little gift of Sunshine.”
I first came across the “Box of Sunshine” gift idea several years ago on HappyMoneySaver.com. Since then, I’ve used this idea in a multitude of ways.
Honestly, I think I get more enjoyment out of making these sunshine gifts than the recipients get receiving them. They are so much fun to make.
A Thoughtful Way to Let Someone Know You Care.
This gift can be used for so many occasions and for many different reasons: gifts for new mothers, get well gifts, birthday gifts, college care packages, thank-you gifts, secret pal gifts, house-warming gifts, presents for an expectant moms, surprise gifts for children, gifts for shut-ins and the elderly, teacher appreciation gifts, military deployment care packages, missionary care packages, thank you gifts, or as a gift for anyone just to let them know you care.
But, one of my favorite uses for the Sunshine in A box is as a gift for someone going through cancer. This little gift of sunshine is ideal for adding those items someone going through cancer needs and appreciates.
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What Should You Include in Your Basket of Sunshine?
Well, Yellow items, of course! I’m always on the lookout for yellow things to include in my sunshine packages. Instead of trying to find everything when I really need them, I like to pick things up as I come across them while shopping. I then store them until I need them. This saves time and money.
Where can you find items for your Box of Sunshine? Anywhere and Everywhere! Walk into any store, and you are likely to find something yellow: Dollar stores, Walmart, Target, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, grocery stores, gift shops, etc.
The gift items don’t have to cost a lot of money. Most of the items in my baskets only cost only a dollar or two. And since you decide on the size of the container you use, you control the amount your gift of sunshine will cost.
Ideas for Items to include in a Box of Sunshine:
Snacks:
Candy
Chips
Crackers
Cookies
Gum
Mints
Bottled or Canned Drinks
Personal Care Items:
Travel Size Shampoo, Body Lotion, or Cleansing Gel
Soap – especially lemon-scented
Lip Gloss
Hairbrush
Body Sponge
Kleenex
Gift Items:
Pens/Pencils
Notebook
Notepads
Gift Cards
Picture Frame
Jig-saw Puzzle
Word Search, Crosswords, Sudoku Books
Books
Magazines
How to Make Your Gift of Sunshine
Choose the container you wish to use for your gift. If you are shipping your package, then it is best to use a white shipping box.
If you are delivering the package yourself, then you have a multitude of options to choose from:
Any size box
Wooden Crate
Metal or Plastic Bucket
Basket
Glass Jar
Coffee Cup
Gift Bag
You will need some type of filler as the base of your package: tissue paper, shredded paper, or if one of the gift items is a throw blanket or a shawl, use that as your base.
Gather the gift items you are going to place in your box. Take everything you can out of its original packaging. This will allow space for more gift items. Of course, you don’t want to remove food items from their packaging. But, the less excess packaging you have, the prettier your gift package will look.
Arrange the items in your box, basket, bucket, etc. Add a little more filler if needed. Attach your gift tag, and your Sunshine gift is ready to give.
Useful Tips for Making Sunshine Gifts
Keep Yellow Items on hand for impromptu gifts. I find having items always on hand allows me to be more spontaneous with my gift-giving. If I think of someone who could use a little pick-me-up, I can just grab my box of yellow items and whip together a gift package in no time. If I had to shop for the items, I would be less likely to make one.
The end of the Easter season is a fantastic time to stock up on yellow gift items, decor, tissue paper, and shredded paper at a discounted price.
If you are worried the contents in your basket will fall out, place the completed basket in a clear plastic basket bag. Tie the bag with a pretty yellow ribbon. This adds a polished look to your gift. You can purchase these clear cellophane bags at most craft stores.
So, what are you waiting for? Give the gift of a box of sunshine today and brighten someone’s day!
Perfect idea! And I love the uplifting yellow instead of pink. Thank you so much!
What a sweet idea! I know so many people that could use a “box of sunshine.” I may even have to make one for my desk.
Well, isn’t this a sweet idea!! I think this is a great way to put a smile on someone’s face!
What a great idea, especially as the days starting getting less and less “sunshiny!”
cool idea for a gift, especially with the Halloween coming up soon I can see quite a bit of candy in your gift boxes :))))
What a wonderful idea! It will surely brighten up anyone’s day. I love it.
I love this idea! I can’t wait to create a Sunshine Box for my grandson who is away at college.
Thank you! Thank you, thank you! I am always looking for ideas for the people who are special to the kids and work hard in their lives (teachers, counselors, mentors, etc). We love to gift them randomly.
I will start gathering yellow.
Thank you!
This is such a cute idea! I’m going to need to remember this!
The “sunshine” basket is a great idea! This would absolutely make someone’s day!
What a wonderful idea! I’d love to receive something like this. The yellow is so cheery!
This is a great idea
I love this so much! Yellow is my favorite color, and the kindness behind this idea is outstanding!
This is a great idea! I love all the yellow and sunshine!
This is a great idea to have in your back pocket when you want to do something for a friend, but don’t know what to do. Instead of letting the question of what shut you down, you can make them a box of sunshine. It looks like it is sure to put a smile on the recipients face.
I love this and just in time. A great friend’s Dad just passed and I will be bringing her a little Sunshine from my heart to hers 🙂
This is the first time I’ve heard of this – what a cute idea. I love it for anyone who might need cheering up or to know they’ve got support. Thank you!
As someone who is not great at gift giving or coming up with ways to let people know I’m praying for them or that I care, I appreciate these awesome ideas. Thank you for sharing.
This is an amazing idea! It’s fun, easy, and such a caring gesture to anyone! I pinned it and will share it on my blogging FB! I can’t wait to use this idea in the future!!
Absolutely love this! Creative, fun, and thoughtful.
I love this idea! Now I want to see how many yellow items I can find next time I’m at Target. lol
I can’t express how important it is to let people going through cancer know they are loved and remembered. I never received a sunshine basket per se, but the bags of food, flowers, cards, gift cards, blankets, and even wine helped me to not feel so lonely and terrified, especially when newly diagnosed. I miss those days when I felt so much support! I’m going to remember this and send a few sunshine baskets myself. I think the color yellow is perfect for this!
What an adorable idea. I love giving gifts and this is unique.
This reminds me of Boo Bags. We do those in October. So much fun! I am definitely doing this!
Cute idea, I know someone that loves yellow and needs a lift up!
I love this idea! And keeping these items on hand is a great idea so you can make a gift of sunshine at any time.
Love this idea! What a wonderful gift for an act of random kindness! Thank you I will be doing this!
What a great idea! I’m a former realtor, and these would have made excellent gifts for my clients to show I was thinking of them. P.S. Juicy Fruit gum? Oh my gosh, that takes me back to the ’80s with their totally catchy commercials “Juicy Fruit – it’s gonna move ya!”
This is a great idea. My nephew went off to college this year and this would make a terrific care package.
What a great idea! So fun, bright and cheerful! Thanks!
What a wonderful idea! Everyone could use one of these once in a while. Thank you 🙂