How To – Will Bake for Shoes

Towards the beginning of February, one of my coworkers received a new job opportunity that made me feel completely torn. I was very excited for her and proud that she had this new opportunity ahead for her. On the other hand, I felt an overwhelming sadness of how I was going to be losing my cubicle neighbor and the opportunity to hang out with my friend everyday while doing some work on the side.
Knowing that she was starting a job in a smaller team on the other side of the Bay, I struggled with coming up with a parting gift that was meaningful yet useful. So I did some research on Pinterest and was inspired to make her a New Job Survival Kit. I wanted to give her things she might need when I based on the things she would borrow from me since we were cubicle neighbors and things I knew she liked. So without further ado, here is what I included in my basket and the reason for each item:

Notebook – For all the notes you’ll be takingPen – To take notes withGummy Bears – A snack for when you don’t want to walk to a vending machineBinder Clips – For when you are in a “bind”Aleve – To alleviate those headaches from your long commuteChap Stick – Because you always lose themGum – To help you “stick” to your goalsAltoids – For you to always have fresh breath or to have around to offer to someone who is talking to youFirst Aid Kit – So you are prepared for paper cutsEmergen-C – To keep you from missing out on a day of workTissue – For when you have a cold (or when you start missing me)Oatmeal – For a breakfast on-the-goTide-2-Go – To remove any stains while you’re eating your food on-the-goLint Roller – To brush off any doubts, but mostly to remove lintBobby Pins and Hair Ties – Because you would ask to borrow these Foodie Book – So that you know what restaurants to go to while you are traveling the world with all that money Kit Kat – For when you need a break.M&M’s – To have a snack to share with your new cubicle buddyPaper Clips – To help you ”hold” it all togetherEraser – To help you erase all your fears Whiteout – To help you wipe away problems you don’t feel like solvingPost-Its – To help you remember what’s importantHighlighter – To remind you to highlight and show off your skillsPermanent Marker – To mark the start of your new adventure
I found the notebook and foodie book at Marshall’s and that is when I figured a gift basket would be ideal to carry all the items. After getting the items from Marshall’s, CVS, and the Dollar Store, I got home and began putting the kit together.
Here are the items I used to make the gift basket survival kit:

* Organza Fabric Bags (in various sizes for smaller items)
* Basket
* Cellophane Bag (Found at Dollar Store complete with bow)
* Rubber Band (To hold bag in place while tying bow)*Notecard/cardstock
I picked colors of organza bags that matched with the books in the basket. I was able to fit everything thing in without needing to tape anything down. The cellophane bag really completed the look of the gift basket, and I was stoked it came with the bow where all I had to do was pull the string to create it. For the finishing touches, I used my hair dryer to shrink the cellophane wrap, and then printed out my list of items in the kit on some blue card stock, hole punched the corner, and tied it as a gift tag with the ribbon from the bow.

I think what was cool about this project is that can easily be customized for the person you are giving it to. It also works for other situations when you are stuck with coming up with a good gift idea. I saw a couple of other ideas on Pinterest where Mason Jars were utilized as containers for mini survival kits (so cute!)
This is my first DIY projects/tutorials I’ve shared on my blog inspired by Pinterest, so let me know what you think and what you would add to your new job survival kit!