Burr Baskets Are Taking Over Christmas TikTok-But Are We Taking Gifting TOO Far?

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

What is your ideal Christmas Gift?🎄🎁

[@trekkie-cat]

Books!

[@luciestevant1684]

At the moment? Drinking my coffee in peace and no illnesses in the house for a month 😂. But seriously, I am starting to want holidays or spa days as I haven't been on holidays for 6 years and my house is full of things that we don't use often enough.

[@Nabbit-Mario]

Mario plushies and the iPad 10th Gen (I need more storage on my iPad)

[@sunfastrose]

My family does lists, and my most wanted is a Keurig that also makes lattes and cappuccino. I need to trick myself into getting more calcium so making decaf lattes at home definitely helps

[@starboiXI]

Peace, love and blessings

[@Lady_of_the_Lake83]

When i was growing up a "burr basket" was called a stocking, and we filled them with candy and maybe something little like chapstick or a pair of socks!

[@likesototallyhillary]

Yessss!!!

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

yup!!! same!

[@angeleyesasmr1603]

Same here

[@its_really_zoe]

omg i rememner those historical artifacts!

[@Lady_of_the_Lake83]

​@its_really_zoe they're positively ancient!

[@Terri_MacKay]

When my Granny got older and really didn't need anything, and I didn't want to buy her clothes that would sit in a drawer forever unworn, or pointless knickknacks. I started cooking her meals for her birthday and Christmas. I put them in containers that could go in her freezer. I'd make about a hundred meals. She had a freezer in her basement, and every week, someone would bring a weeks worth upstairs and put them in her fridge freezer. We knew that she was eating healthy meals, and I made sure that I made all her favourite dishes. There weren't quite enough for a year, but there were nights when one of us would go over and make dinner for her, and stay to eat with her, or she'd come to one of our homes for dinner. She passed away at 97, and I started cooking meals as gifts for her about 15 years before she passed away.

[@maryannspicher]

That’s an awesome idea 😊

[@jikook7457]

What a thoughtful, practical, way to say i love you and care about your health. Great idea. I'm sure granny thought about your kindness with every meal

[@debranielsen2002]

My mom always said cooking for her family was her way of showing love. What a beautiful way to care for your Granny, the elderly are all too often left out even by their own families. ❤

[@Patricia-g2n6z]

I love that so much! So thoughtful and meaningful.

[@s___louise89]

That's so lovely, we need more of this in the world!

[@ninjacatknits]

When I first saw Brrr Baskets, I thought it was a super cute idea. Fuzzy socks, hot chocolate, snacks, so cute. But when they kept adding item after expensive items, my jaw hit the floor. These "quick gift ideas" are some peoples entire holiday gift budget.

[@FranMarchant]

Can we acknowledge in the last video, the girl never even bought the basket she curated. A lot of influencers return items they buy, sell on the freebies they’re gifted and just like this video, never bought it it at all. She put her basket together in the shop itself, not at home. She definitely put those items back.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

I didn't even realize that!! Good catch!!

[@spinstercatlady]

Exactly! Most of the items are freebies the influencers receive, and pretending to put them into a "gift basket" is an easy way to make an interesting AD. Why is it so few people realize that these are not reality, but curated, aesthetic ADS designed to make money for the influencers when viewers purchase the items?!

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

@@spinstercatlady and if you point it out, you're "judging". Sorry, but if you've made a career out of "restocking", I'm gunna have something to say about it🤣

[@tammystiletto]

I think that’s a great way to create content! She made a video and didn’t waste anything!

[@YT-GuestAccount]

@@susannahfriesenofficial It's enough to have people click their affiliated links. Doesn't even matter too much, if they buy the specific items eventually. Once the cookie is set, they will earn commission on ANY item people buy while it's active - not only on the promoted stuff.

[@willowlav]

Bro, all the gifts in these burr baskets are so GENERIC. the entire joy in gift-giving is supposed to be finding something personal to your loved ones' hobbies, tastes or style that they will genuinely love!

[@meikahidenori]

Unfortunately there are people who can't even do that sadly

[@divahc1]

Exactly!

[@ReturnToSenderz]

Gifts don’t have to be complicated or expensive to have an impact. Last year, my kids and I made sugar cookies and delivered them to some of our neighbors, just as a way to say Happy Holidays. Half of them reciprocated by bringing over their own baked goods. That had never happened before the entire time we had lived there.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

That's such a beautiful way to connect with your neighbours!

[@iamneverwrong1]

Let’s be honest if you made a gift basket like this this would be for someone who is a very, very close friend or family member. These are not the types of baskets that you just make for acquaintances. It’s such a joke.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

Yeah it would have to be for one special person for sure

[@water9584]

Besides, it would be more of a 1 time thing. You don't do that on a regular basis. I didn't know what "burr baskets" were before I watched this video, plus I'm not active on tik tok. But my best friend recently gave birth and I was actually considering making a little basket for her, before I decided on knitting socks for the baby instead. But if I would make such a basket for anyone, it would be my boyfriend, my family, or her. No one else.

[@Allison-jj1vq]

I’d rather have the $63.00.

[@iamneverwrong1]

@ right?

[@homehere9817]

That part!!

[@lose999]

My ideal Burr Basket would be a bag full of groceries.

[@s___louise89]

Whenever someone asked me what I want for a Christmas, pay a bill....please! 😂😭

[@ecduf]

On point. 👍

[@divahc1]

My mum bought a ton of groceries for me one year. I'm on disability and was really struggling. It was so welcome! Another Christmas, I won a huge Christmas hamper for next to nothing for the raffle ticket price.

[@mauishopgirll]

Part of my late grandmother’s gift every year was a box of her favorite grocery items - senbei cookies, matcha, just to name a few. I personally love it when we get food that can be used in cooking and not sweets or stuff.

[@kat3-lynn]

What changed my mine was a once read a book about women and consumerism from targeted marketing strategies, one quote was “ an unhappy person is the best consumer “. Now when I see these people over buying I think they must be seriously unhappy.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

unhappy but have to convince the world that they are

[@vgvlogs4182]

You can never have too many Stanley cups!!! YES! 👏 YOU! 👏 CAN!!! 👏 👏 👏

[@i.b.640]

In my opinion, one Stanley Cup is one to many. My cup actually closes and doesn't spill.

[@vgvlogs4182]

@ So over hyped

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

I have one and thats enough, and I got it as a gift for my birthday. Is it worth the money? No. Am I grateful? Absolutely. I would never buy another though

[@SaintCharlos]

​@@i.b.640 I would have bought a Stanley cup if it wasn't for the fact it had a piece of lead and how it spills easily.

[@i.b.640]

@@SaintCharlos Oh my, lead too? This thing is getting worse every time I hear about it... It's Beanie Babies all over again.

[@iamneverwrong1]

I never made a TikTok account. Seriously, it’s enough exposure to consumerism with just the regular internet and KZbin. I watched a video about all these “influencer shoppers” buying up all the inventory at places like TJ Max x and Ross and resell it, etc. or videos like this playing on people’s wallets and emotions. Thank you for exposing them. They steal the true joy of NORMAL gift giving.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

You’re so welcome! I heard Tiktok is getting banned! I wonder if it actually is this time. 🤔

[@iamneverwrong1]

@ Amen! Now THAT Would be a great Christmas present in of itself am I right?👍🏻🤣

[@emcatz]

I saw a woman put together a basket for her high school son’s girlfriend and my jaw was on the ground… it started off regular but then she started stuffing it with things like an Apple Watch and AirPods and finally just cash. The whole thing must have been well over $1000. WILD.

[@Terri_MacKay]

I just commented about that video. She didn't mention it during the video, but you could also see a gift card in the basket, and who knows how much that was worth. Or if there was more than one. Her son was only 15, he's probably going to break up with this girl in 6 months. It was ridiculous.

[@gabriellegeorge2648]

I've seen others saying that in a later post the mom says that the girl suggested putting in items she already had for the sake of the video (like the airpods).

[@Terri_MacKay]

@@gabriellegeorge2648 I swear, nothing we see on Tik Tok is real. It's so bizarre to me that people are willing to go to the lengths they do, like renting content houses to film their restocking and refrigerator videos, just for the approval of strangers on the internet. I don't have the time, energy, or inclination, to spend hours a day living a fake aesthetic life just for validation from strangers.

[@teresamckeown5594]

I saw that too. Even for DIL, it would have been a lot.

[@lorierickson8252]

MY point is prove to me that the boxes actually contained those specific items and weren't just empties "for show" food for thought

[@jujube8067]

At the risk of sounding ungrateful I hope no one gives me a burr basket. I don’t need socks, mugs, blankets or slippers. I just gave a bunch of that stuff away. I don’t use real candles or highly scented hand lotion. I have lots of hair clips already and I definitely don’t need another basket.

[@oksure900]

Not ungrateful. I’ve seen several of these reels and for the most part it’s a bunch of crap the average adult doesn’t need. Maybe a teenager or a college student would love it but, personally, I don’t need more STUFF.

[@vickieyoung7122]

I did a spa basket for a friend thar loves philosphy products so I filled it with those plus face masks that reduce stress ...she will use these products and it's not just stuff to sit around and clutter the house

[@TheSamjane4]

I will accept a Brr basket if it’s full of chocolate 😂

[@jujube8067]

@TheSamjane4 That I would keep!

[@i.b.640]

@@TheSamjane4 Yeah, I never heard of burr baskets before, but I made gift baskets for my closest collegues. They don't cost more than 10 Euro a piece, if that, and they are full of chocolate and spice mixes and home made cookies ;)

[@majam5796]

me and my bf have decided to get baskets together, set a price limit and suggest some stores for eachother to get things from. im so excited to choose a bunch of things i know he’ll love with the fun of a basket!

[@snaillord9516]

this sounds so fun!!! i’m going to propose this idea to my bf!

[@conniedaisy2278]

Same!

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

That's such a good idea!

[@kolonarulez5222]

I petsat my coworker's dogs in October so she made me a boo basket of candy, brownies, and gum as thanks. That is the best execution of this concept I've seen.

[@thewadsquad]

When my kids create burr baskets for their friends we head to the thrift store and they find some awesome stuff!! They’re always excited to give their baskets with practical, cute, and thoughtful second hand-affordable items!!

[@Arwenn-edits]

I think the biggest takeaway from all of this is: “if social media is being given this much power to influence your life, it might be time to step back from it”.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

yes!

[@joannbaumann4028]

Be kind to a neighbor that may not have a car ,put that cash in the bellringers bucket, Give woolsocks to someonethat needs them, babysit for a single parent. Invite alonely personfor hot coco and cookies. Adopt a shelter dog. This is the spirit of Christmas.

[@lillerriller740]

YESSSS❤❤❤

[@angelirohival6270]

Yes!

[@barborasochorova6010]

I love making a gifts for my family. I am 26 and I buy presents now but I still craft one little gift for every member of my family because those are the gifts that are never thrown and bring joy. Really enjoyed the video! Great work!

[@pizzapartytime1826]

Same cricut for the win!

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

That is awesome! thank you!

[@maryannspicher]

I still have a scarf my gram made me when I was a little girl. I can’t bear to part with it!

[@emilyjgreenfield]

If I’m having people over for dinner, I’m not ALSO assembling pricey gift baskets for them! That’s ridiculous. If I’m feeding them home-cooked food and hosting them, that’s plenty. Now if I’m GOING to someone’s house for dinner, a little gift is in order…but by little I mean a candle, a bottle of wine, or a bouquet of flowers…not a gift basket so extravagant that they’re gonna be confused and uncomfortable around me next time I see them!

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

usually we do a bottle of wine! These baskets are a little ridiculous, unless its like one gift you put together for someone special

[@kathleensutherland6593]

A hostess gifting a basket after you come to dinner seems like an insecure child's desperate attempt to buy friendship or love. Just weird and sort of pathetic.

[@kbucket]

I know a girl who does this (she has money) and god forbid I ever invite her over to my place cause I'm sorry the "gals" are not getting gift baskets for coming over lol

[@hainingzhou3149]

I think your idea of baking cookies together and send friends with cookies home is brilliant!

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

thankyou!!

[@nekosuki1013]

I'd love to suggest baking Christmas cookies together! 😊 Making memories with friends will last a lifetime. Plus, each person can bring an editable decoration like, sprinkles, candy, nuts, frosting, etc.

[@latroletteeeee]

what if i have no friends

[@nekosuki1013]

@latroletteeeee looks like you have a dilemma on your hands. Well, do you have stuffed animals? A little imagination can go a long way lol

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

that sounds like an amazing idea!!

[@latroletteeeee]

@@nekosuki1013 True...You're such a doll.

[@roserowson8270]

​@@latroletteeeeethe more cookies for you!

[@MarchionessDarby62]

Funny, we used to call these “care packages” back in the day. Whenever I’ve done these, they’re curated to suit the person’s needs, lifestyle, and values. If you do this, it should be intentional. But it should never be a requirement. You can show love through actions, prayers, and shared experiences.

[@angelirohival6270]

Exactly!

[@kathy3178]

I doubt the "influencer" pays for all those items. In addition to the affiliate links, they also get a lot of free PR items. What they actually have to pay for is a tax deductible business expense.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

That is a great point!

[@ladyvignette]

Dang. All I did was make some home-made fudge and gingersnaps for my friends.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

and I bet they’re AMAZING!

[@oksure900]

I would love your homemade treats far more than a bunch of crap I don’t need 😅🤷🏽‍♀️

[@LittleAsian_]

This is a good and thoughtful gift. (and I bet if over consumption and the pressure to keep giving people $1,000 of worth of gifts was not a thing. More people would give simple and thoughtful gifts). I would love home made food from friends cuz It is something I will use and not forget about in 10 days).

[@LittleAsian_]

Don't feel bad your gifts sound lovely and seems like u worked hard with love for all your friends. Don't let the 1% make u feel bad. No one in real life actually does this.

[@deborahprkn]

That sounds like a lovely gift! ❤️🇬🇧

[@i.b.640]

Yes. Yes you can have too many stanley cups. in my case: one stanley cup is too many stanly cups. I want a reusable bottle, that doesn't spill. Even if you like Stanley Cups, you can have too many stanley cups. two is too many reusable cups :P

[@princesskaitlinhazelwood4703]

I actually never heard of a burr basket. Thanks for sharing.

[@MeHungeee]

Anybody else over 40 thinking, It's just a gift basket....

[@mkitten13]

You really don't have to go fancy or extravagant at all with gifts. You just need to think about the person. My dad turned 70 this year, and he is a simple soul. He loves grabbing hotdogs at Ikea, most of his favourite things are the cheap offbrand kinds. The fanciest thing he enjoys is port wine, so my sister and I decided to lean into that for his birthday. We did get a bottle of port wine, but we added a pack of the cheap tea and peanuts he liked, found a really cheap card, and on the card we wrote that for his birthday we would be treating him to as many hotdogs he wanted at Ikea. We even used an old reusable shopping bag as "gift wrapping". He absolutely loved it, because the gift was tailored to his preferences.

[@KatieoftheHouse]

This is very sweet! And so true, it’s about thinking of what the person would actually enjoy 😊

[@Catlover-jr4mj]

The ikea hotdogs are so delicious, but small! 😂Lol!

[@MeganBelton1]

You're absolutely right. gifts should be meaningful and giving something to someone just because it's viral on tiktok right now is wrong. my friend and I are giving each other matching phone cases from burga because we love the brand as well as pottery classes,which will connect us even more ✨

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

that's amazing!! I love that

[@thisIsTheDayTheLORDHasMade]

I like the idea of gift baskets and they don't have to be filled with expensive stuff. when I got some they usually had snacks or more personal care products

[@shellbatronic]

If someone really knows me or loves me they will not be giving me a basket filled with tat.

[@frithfiver]

I'm not on TikTok but I love watching your videos. It's the perfect way for me to consume long-form content while staying somewhat in the loop of what's happening online

[@brittaneypregizer6903]

Add this to another reason why I will not have Tik Tok on my phone. This is something I would send to my Grandmother, who is 93 and does not shop for herself. Not something I would want or give to just anyone, just because. Overconsumption is no joke.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

Yeah, I think we all need to take one good social media detox haha

[@brendawright5296]

There needs to be more content like this to help stop the madness. Great job.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

thank you so much Brenda!

[@francesa9887]

I can't believe the "affordable" option was $63---especially if you were planning to give multiple friends a burr basket. Affordable would be under $25/each and could easily be done using stores like Daiso, 5 below, dollar stores, or choosing less pricey options at Target and Ulta. On top of that, if you're already exchanging Christmas presents, why would you also give a Christmas/winter themed gift basket right before actual gifts? At least the boo basket was farther away from christmas gift-giving season; it could also be a good alternative to trick or treating for those who have recently aged out or if you're SO's favorite holiday happens to be halloween.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

true! but yeah... in Canada it would be around $90, so def not affordable..

[@rachelesmith3342]

lol affordable would be 10-15 each. And In this economy, I could only do that by going to dollar tree and buying extremely cheap items. But then that begs the question of why just buy cheap things that are probably gonna end up in landfill or have minimal use. I’d rather just gift something useful or intangible rather than buying them random Knick knacks from daiso or dollar tree just to fill up a basket.

[@ghravel]

My nitpick on the “burr basket” is that it’s not even spelled correctly. it’s probably referring to the sound you make when you’re cold, which traditionally has been “brrrrr”. A “burr” is like a prickly thing on a tree or plant. Ofc everyone knows what is meant when someone writes “burr basket”, so it’s become the unofficial use of the word, but it’s still annoying to me 😅

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

haha i know!! I was surprised!!

[@JanJan000]

I thought of Aaron Burr because that's the only name/word I've seen spelled like that.

[@joyousdog1]

@@JanJan000 Aaron and Raymond (actor who played Perry Mason on TV for many years) sprang to my mind.

[@Elvenpath]

Me and my friends do this pretty much every year but the twist is that we have a rule that all of it has to be something that you can use up and not spend too much. Usual things we give are candles, nail polish, lip balm, eye mask, hand cream and tea. Generally we spend like 10-15€ on them.

[@TraceyRenee1]

Thank you for speaking out. So much waste that will end up in landfill harming our Earth😢

[@bronwench5055]

I've seen a few of these boo/burr basket over consumption videos but I've never heard anyone say 'are these thoughtful gifts for our friends or just perfomative shows of luxury for others?'. Wow girl, way to spill it. Well done.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

thank you so much!! hahah

[@oldhaglady62]

I’ve been making stuff for presents. They aren’t great, but I’m hoping they will be useful… I made jam, my partner made wine, and we made a few other things that can be used in the house. I’m kind of stressing over what to get my son and his wife, along with the homemade stuff. 😭

[@i.b.640]

Your presents would be gone in under a month in my house ;) so yes to the useful.

[@Turntoash]

My friend and her husband always do the seasonal baskets plus buy stuff for themselves all the time and honestly I just see it as hoarding and being buried by stuff.

[@theboredprogrammer1114]

I like burr baskets especially given to the staff of our small business and to the few of the colleagues I get along. It shouldn't be expensive but mostly useful or delicious snacks should be more than enough this holiday season.

[@AprilCMango]

I have always been a gift basket person, for, like you said, affordability and creativity first. In second grade, I’d use empty tissue boxes to make birthday boxes, fill them with little things I had and make letters on top to look like candles. I later took over a baby gift basket program when I was enlisted, but I transitioned it to mostly consumable gender neutral items with a minimum age of three months based on what people get too much of at baby showers or just don’t end up using. (I did add in my favorite board book from Amy Krouse Rosenthal as it was diverse in illustrations and was a good book that parents could record reading if they were away for deployments or training.) I saved a lot of money by changing the fabric storage bins to laundry baskets and got a lot of feedback from coworkers that they used the laundry basket for ages and that they appreciated seeing the baskets becoming more useful.

[@nekosuki1013]

My husband and I have a large family and for the last 4 years, we have taken a family photo in front of our Christmas tree. Then, printed holiday-themed photo cards from Walgreens and mailed them to our family members and friends. That has been the most affordable gifts that we can provide our family members and friends. It is also a thoughtful gift too!

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

That’s so sweet!

[@StayArtsy]

To save from over-consumption, I usually set a budget for whatever I'll gift each person in my family (usually around $20-$25 for adults, and 15-10$ for children). Which might sound stingy, but as a crafter, that money is usually spent on materials I use to make special individual homemade gifts for the loved ones in my life. (for example: for around $20 I made a crochet hexagon cardigan for my Mom, and bought her a pretty neclace I found at a rock show). . I know homemade gifts take a lot of time, but the joy they bring is so heart-warming. I usually end up sacrificeing my sleep (as I work 2 part time jobs and still have school), but the joy on my little sisters faces as they open the wrapping paper to see the crochet toys I made for them will be epic. (even though those little goblins always get on my nerves, I love seeing them happy XD)...

[@Aashbard01]

I feel like gift baskets should be about intimate gift-giving with handmade/baked/small gifts not a trend or a performance or a lavish gifts

[@naomikonigkramer243]

We had a rule with our kids gifts - Something you want(within reason), something you need, something to wear & something to read!! We did start giving our twins money once they got to 12, because their tastes changed and they wanted to buy their own goodies. We would give them something small to open on Christmas Day. Can't believe how terrible gifts giving has gotten.

[@MeghanBlenck]

Absolutely obsessed with your videos. You're a lovely human ❤️

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

@@MeghanBlenck this is the best comment ever🥹 thank you!!

[@TenaciousP]

That first basket looked like a collection of stuff from around the house that needed to be put away.

[@irenaathena7181]

😂 so true, I have a basket upstairs,a basket downstairs and one in the basement, I just realized I have been curating year round gift baskets by filling them up and moving them where the items belong. Especially the one with the pair of Crocs in it, I make those all the time, I just made one with a pair of Uggs, a fleece blanket, two books, and some ear buds…

[@math-ou8767]

I actually made a burr basket for my in laws this year and it felt so good. Everytime we go to their place, they prepare lots of food, and we feel so loved. And everytime, when we ask what to bring, they say "nothing". So when they organised a whole christmas week I know I wanted to thank them this way. It was not a big basket, the total came to 52€ and we split it between my partner and I, but it was filled with seasonnal or regional artisan treats. Burr basket need, as every trend on social media, to be taken with critical thinking. No one needs a stanley and leopard boots in their burr, but a well though gift for someone who hosted a dinner for example, is a great way to thank 😊 and yes it costs money, but in the context of thanking a host, it seems appropriate as hosting is expensive

[@f3lix342]

The best compliment I got these Christmas was that my Family told me that I put so much love and thought in the present I gave. Nothing can ever replace that.

[@JeanetHenning]

This is so intense. I would expect to get one of the items in that basket as my only Christmas gift from a person.

[@i.b.640]

Right? My jaw dropped when the monster for 63 dollars was called affordable. I have a price cap with everyone, even my husband, way below that.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

same! I wouldnt even expect that, it's ALOT.

[@savedsav]

Omg I needed this for sure! I get wrapped up in all those cute things too but in the past year I’ve become an extreme minimalist where like every time I go to target I’ll see something so cute but I’m like no…it’s garbage and I’ll throw it away eventually and I don’t buy it. But I def have trouble with equating giving a good gift with showing that I love someone more…last year I gave good gifts that put me in debt. This year I only got things in my budget but I carefully chose something for everyone🤗

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

That’s amazing! We all can get caught up in these things but something I think about when i’m purchasing something is “how long did I spend working to afford this?”. I had to buy some more deodorant today and a candle for my MIL that she liked, and it cost me $50, and that is with my discount because I got it at the store I work at, and I literally said to my coworker “welp, that’s 5 hours of my life gone”. It definitely helps esp in situations when we are spending money on things we may not really need.

[@21cormorants]

The gift-giving debt is so real. I lost relationships because I wasn’t willing to go into debt for gifts that I thought could be shown with a genuine connection instead of gifts that were best-guess (often-misses) items that I thought they’d like that I *could* afford. (Suffice to say those misses were insufficient in both accuracy and value.) Now I’m back in the pattern of going into debt out of fear for my remaining relationships and it is hell. I feel like normalized hyper-consumerism is holding my relationships hostage, except it’s the people in my life who are allowing it to hold our relationship in the balance of ‘tit-for-tat spending.’ When someone says “gift-giving is my love language” now, I take a much harder look at that; often it seems to come from a place that they view themselves as “not enough” otherwise/on their own, but there can be growing resentment if others don’t “meet them” at their own gift-giving level. (Because in that mindset it’s an unconscious “I spent X to prove my worth to you and you can’t even be bothered to prove my worth back to me by spending a similar amount of time/effort/money.”) Not saying that’s everyone, but it appears to be a pattern in my life of those who identify as people-pleasing, gift-giving-is-my-love-language folks; for anyone who identifies as those things, it could be a good incentive to examine where those patterns originated and why. Do you view yourself as “enough” in your relationships without gifts? I hope you do!)

[@21cormorants]

@@susannahfriesenofficial It’s a relief to realise I’m not the only one who views those manhours similarly with regards to unnecessary gifts. The number of workday lunches I skipped out on because it would cost, at minimum, half an hour to an hour of the shift for a (very small, unsatisfying) tuna sandwich on regular bread from the grocery store… And the expectation that a box of hand lotions for someone who may or may not care for them, regift them, etc., is what you’re trading multiple meals for…

[@savedsav]

@@susannahfriesenofficial that’s a great way to think abt it for sure! $50 for what you bought is crazy!!!!

[@savedsav]

@@21cormorants yeah you made good points. I feel like at the end of the day, ppl are just ungrateful. Because when I think of the the gifts I’ve been given, I’ve never thought to myself like omg this person didn’t spend a lot of money on me, they don’t love me. I just feel grateful to have been thought of at all so even though the hyper consumerism is very common.. it’s not normal

[@romilakunis6714]

i’ve been making gift baskets for years now simply because i enjoy the hunt and i go off a color scheme instead of higher priced items. i budget so that each item is around the $5-10 range. the last basket i made was for a very very close friend and it came out to $90 and nearly gave me a heart attack (i had to put things back). i probably won’t be doing that again, but i do believe baskets can still be affordable and fun! this Christmas, i’m sticking to $5 items, stationary on clearance and thrifted finds.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

budgeting is key!

[@oxjuliaaaxo]

I did burr boxes with handmade gifts. Everyone got personalized keychains, hats of their favorite colors, and I can’t make socks so they all got a pair of grippy socks from Amazon. I haven’t even seen those family members yet, and I might add another hand made gifts to it now that I got a gift that can allow me to make more customized items. I never once thought about putting overly expensive gifts in them. I gave my daughter my old tablet and got her all kinds of accessories to go with it for Christmas. She was thrilled. It doesn’t have to come with a huge price. Our expectations have gone through the roof for giving.

[@amycrowe8243]

I actually love making gift baskets. My love language is gifting. Just know that ordinary people like us do not spend that much unless it's a very close friend or family member. I usually buy 1 decent priced gift (apx $20), and the rest of the gifts are much cheaper (apx $5). I totally get calling out the influencers for trying to make a buck off people or for encouraging wasteful spending just for the sake of content. But that's not the TRUE cost of burrr baskets. The majority of people live in the real world, and we know it's all for likes. I refuse to hate on something I genuinely enjoy just bc someone decides to be 'extra' for attention.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

I think they can be an awesome gift if you stay within budget! like i said in the video, i have nothing against them :) mostly just the influencers version of them 😜

[@i.b.640]

I make 5-6 gift baskets for the price of the one "affordable" one, only it isn't stuffed with useless crap.

[@amycrowe8243]

@i.b.640 the 'affordable' one? Not sure if you are referring to my comment or the video. Just bc some of the gifts I choose are around 5$, does't mean they are useless.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

@@amycrowe8243 I think they are talking about the 'affordable' basket that was in my video! They weren't dissing your comment :) at least thats not what I took from it!

[@i.b.640]

@@susannahfriesenofficial Excactly, I was agreeing with you. I make gift baskets, too, but the "affordable" one in the Video was 60+ Dollars and had the caption "send this to the friend who always says she is broke, when you want one." - If I am broke and my friend more or less demands a 60+ Dollar present from me, that they don't really need, I'd be .. displeased.

[@Haiokbai]

It’s funny when their voices sound so lifeless/dead inside

[@sarahgc434]

THIS! 😂I was thinking the EXACT same thing, and they ALL sound the same-flat, robotic, and zero inflection-the only thing it’s “giving” me is the heebie jeebies!

[@LittleAsian_]

Or maybe instead of over-gifting baskets to people who have a house and storage rooms full of things. Maybe we should give these types of baskets to that one special friend/ family member or those in need like those in hospital, families in poverty or elderly people who may not have much or need a little bit of love.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

yes! as someone who worked in healthcare caring for the elderly who are more often than not, forgotten and sad, these types of things should be going to them! (but filled with actual nice items)

[@ChristineWilliams-id3ow]

I wish you had a "storefront" because the wisdom you dispense is very valuable! It's refreshing to see a young person cognizant of the world and confident enough to lovingly speak about their perspective

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

I do have one but I don't update it hardly ever LOL. I cant remember the last time I did anything like that. I wrote a book and created a journal for Christian's like me, and am in the middle of writing a devotional, but other than that I don't really promote anything. I also am an affiliate with Hosanna Revival. However I don't promote something unless I think it would be of actual value to others.

[@ChristineWilliams-id3ow]

Best wishes to you in your new quest; while I'm not a religious person, I do appreciate an observant mind and a kind soul.

[@PinkieJoJo]

Never heard of the term. But Dollar Tree gift baskets are much more doable for those who want to do it. Even then they can be pricy depending on how much stuff goes in.

[@marylove909]

Baskets go back WAY before 2010. I'm 48, and people were giving these kinds of baskets since I was a kid. This is nothing new. How much they cost is all dependent in you. I just get baskets at thrift stores, fill them mostly with things from Target or Walmart thatvI know people will enjoy, and maybe one nice item that isn't expensive.

[@lisalopez5078]

I don't even think that these people even really give these over stuffed and over priced so called Burr baskets away ?? I am guessing for views and likes only ??? Ridiculous !!

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

They probably don’t. It could be just one big “ad”

[@kriswhite2220]

Am I a total jerk when I say that I HATE receiving a gift basket? It’s not that I’m not grateful for the thought, care, and money that went into it. But I really hate getting random pieces of stuff that I have to find somewhere to put. Tiny stuffed toys, candy I don’t like, gourmet cocoa, marmalade, popcorn - whatever. It’s rare that there’s anything I’ll use. And tiny tubes of lipstick, gloss, lotions, etc - unless you’re my husband or mom, you’re probably not getting me the things I actually use. (I even refuse the “gift bag” at the Clinique counter with all the sample sizes of random products - the sales people tell me I’m nuts, that it’s $$. But I just end up throwing them out after getting sick of them taking up precious real estate in my bathroom). When I’ve occasionally made a basket for someone, it’s TAILORED FOR THEM. I just get so prickly when I see all this unnecessary STUFF that the receivers are going to have to deal with. And don’t get me started on the waste/environment issues with these.

[@Candace-h4w]

Your correct for this video. I bought my 23 yrs old son Native body wash, dove deodorant, socks, & undewear& he was very grateful. Happy new year to you& everyone universally ❤😊

[@Attirbful]

I wish there were more DIY influencers: people that teach you to make pretty candles from left over or half burned candles, to knit a sweater for a cheap winter cup from wool you have lying around, that teach you to quilt a little basket from scraps, that teach you how to have a fun time making snacks and cookies from what’s in your pantry already with someone you love, not to buy, buy, buy…. These gifts would come from the heart, not the wallet, and that is what we should teach the next generation, not how to shop til you drop! When I grew up (in Germany), that is what my mother taught me, and I can do so many things now with my own hands that others mindlessly shop for. Frugality is not a bad concept, neither is recycling, upcycling, or making yourself… these are time-honored skills everyone should have!

[@lunawolfheart336]

These are cute but definitely need to be more personal. I personally prefer personal gifts and hand made gifts. Actually watching this as I'm making plushies for Christmas for my family. Handmade personalized gifts can mean the world to someone I remember one year I gave my cousin a box I wood burned a character from one of his favorite shows. Usually you don't get much of a reaction from him but boy did his face light up that year. That's what gift giving is a about making that person feel loved and seen. A basket can be cute but it depends on the situation. I remember after surgery Wich was around Easter my mom and brother came in with a basket full of stuff for me. They were unaware of the trend and filled it with stuff id actually use like mechanical pencils, note pads and some snacks I like. A gift dose not have to be fancy it just has to be thoughtful.

[@elementarystemwithms.crosm5345]

I don't want the girls to go home empty-handed. Um, what are they, 6 years old at a birthday party? No, this is not necessary or expected.

[@rolo7110]

The “affordable” burr basket is filled with cheap, useless items that I wouldn’t even use and probably throw away. I’m a crafter and am leaning more towards giving handmade gifts. When I first started, I often worried that people might think I’m “cheaping” out. Since then, friends and family have let me know that they appreciate the gifts and I feel better about doing it. Christmas is not a commercial holiday or a competition, it’s too bad social media works hard to make it so.

[@ArtemisNYC]

The funny part about these "brrr baskets" is, it's what I used to do for people I didn't know well- just a much cheaper version. Repurposed basket, stocked with hot cocoa packets, microwave popcorn, hand cream, chapstick, fuzzy socks, and candy. It was a generic gift I fell back on when I didn't know someone well enough to spend the money or time shopping for something more personal (co-workers, etc.) It's wild to me that anyone would gift a version of this to their family members and best friends, regardless of how luxury the items are.

[@franceswray8340]

Buying things we don’t need, to impress people we don’t like, with money we don’t have.

[@titarev]

I didn't know what a burr basket was.. and I am glad for that.

[@TammyZullinger]

Doing gift baskets from Dollar Tree is FUN! Thank you so much for your videos, they were just what I needed. I scroll Google a lot but 90% of it I think ‘who cares?’

[@getinthekitchen64]

The 63.00 basket was filled with stupid crap. A total waste of money with useless stuff. I would feel like a schmuck giving this to my friend.

[@TheSamjane4]

Why do people keep gifting Stanley cups? Don’t people already have a couple each already? Brrr baskets would be nice for nursing home residents.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

as someone who worked as a personal support worker for a few years, I agree. Most people in nursing homes are completely forgotten about and it's so sad.

[@haleydelpesce2022]

We draw names in my family for Christmas presents (except the kiddos, the grandparents take care of that) because I have a large immediate family and it's just not affordable to get a gift for everyone. We usually limit the gift amount to $50ish, but sometimes people go a bit over if they find something that is really special, but there's no obligation to go over that amount. I'm making my own "Burr basket" for my brother-in-law and let me tell y'all that you do not have to spend $100+ dollars to put a nice basket together! TJ Maxx, Sierra Trade, or Marshalls are amazing resources to find seasonal candles, knick knacks, snacks, accessories, or small gifts like fuzzy socks or a new coffee mug.

[@elevin8858]

I gave my parents a basket: mom’s favorite coffee pods, dad’s favorite summer sausage, a good cheese and some crackers, plus reusable handwarmers because they both get easily chilled.

[@SharitCreations]

I liked this video and subscribed. I love how soft your voice is.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

aw thanks!

[@user-bi8ko7kc6h]

Anyone remember when it was Christmas gift not TT Christmas giftS? Most items will end up in the landfill or the back of the drawer for decades.

[@radwahany2688]

Love your videos and your way to enlight us ❤

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

Aw, thank you so much!

[@clairisalong126]

Gift baskets for Christmas is nothing new. My mother has been doing this since the 90s. If you do it right, you can actually save a lot of money while making people feel very gifted.

[@TheKnallkorper]

I think Brr baskets are great for raffle activities like school concerts or something

[@i.b.640]

Yeah, that's what I know them from.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

yes exactly!

[@Duhfuk]

Ginger bread stuffy would be my dogs 🐶

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

same LOL

[@spinstercatlady]

Most of the items are freebies the influencers receive, and pretending to put them into a "gift basket" is an easy way to make an interesting AD. Why is it so few people realize that these are not reality, but curated, aesthetic ADS designed to make money for the influencers when viewers purchase the items?!

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

People are gullible! I used to be one of them. haha.

[@trekkie-cat]

This makes me so happy I'm not on tiktok!

[@SuperMar10GalaxyBro]

The beginning made me lol. I always love a good SpongeBob reference or meme, and like what you did with that. This is the first I’m hearing of it too!

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

spongebob memes for life. I am a huge fan of memes! Thanks for being here!

[@SuperMar10GalaxyBro]

@ for life! for life!

[@SuperMar10GalaxyBro]

@ memes are the best, aren’t they?

[@SuperMar10GalaxyBro]

@ thank you for your kindness and for making great content!!

[@kristinajenkinson9282]

Simple coffee/hot chocolate with flower with maybe homemade muffins/cookies in a cup holder is so much cheaper and you’re spending time with them. Time is my love language maybe that’s why I like that idea better. Time is more valuable and cost no $$

[@brat7776]

I do stockings for my adult kids & their significant others of mostly consumable & practical items they'll use. We do gifts for the kids because we really enjoy watching the look on their faces when they open them. Maybe it's not as personalized, but the stockings have become traditional & alleviate the stress of my adult children feeling obligated to buy for everyone. They usually just add something to the stocking like candy or lottery tickets as a contribution. We really focus on the gifts on the kids. We generally have 15 over for a Christmas Eve party.

[@brendabatt6874]

My mom is 87 and loves to sew and shop at Trader Joes. We have family members who insist on giving her premade gift baskets. They are almost always something she doesnt use. They are wasting their money when they could have sent her a $20 Joanns gift card which wouod actually get used. She usually gives me the baskets and i take the items to the food pantry that i volunteer at. At least they dont go to waste.

[@KeiPalace]

Make a handmade coupon book where you offer your time to do yardwork or walk the dog or have brunch or go berrypicking you can tailor it specifically to that person's needs and all it costs is some of your time.

[@Gooeybrowniebaby]

So, hamper baskets? We call them that in the UK and it’s a huge tradition that’s been around for at least 200 years. Could be up to £500 or more, but it’s mostly food not personal care.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

I’ve never heard of hamper baskets but that is so cool!

[@Gooeybrowniebaby]

@ they can be eye-watering expensive, esp from prestigious establishments like Fortnum & Mason ( where the royal family get some of their supplies), but there are also cheaper alternatives, some catering specific needs . I have to say I’m quite fond of the tradition if it’s about giving to people you really care about.

[@jujube8067]

Fortnam & Mason has beautiful hampers. I check them out annually.

[@roserowson8270]

Our zero waste shop can make hampers with no/recyclable packaging which is pretty cool.

[@i.b.640]

And that ends up in your stomach instead of the landfill :D

[@JadeAngelina]

i love your videos!❤

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

thank you so much!

[@angelaw886]

I got a Brr Basket from a co-worker, but I didn't realize it was one. Mine had lots of food and a candle. It wasn't ridiculously expensive. It was a good way to do something nice. If she had spent $500, I would have fallen over lol.

[@kimbitner]

Great video! You put a lot of work into this, well done 👏🏻 I agree, these trends are turning a get-to expression of love into a got-to performance.

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

thank you so much!

[@MorganHodges-b6w]

Lol I watch Steph Pappas a lot on KZbin. I didn't expect to see her. She's so sweet and I cried when her dad passed away 😢

[@Tune2dis41]

These folks is doing the absolute MOST!

[@susannahfriesenofficial]

the mostest!

[@AnawithoneN]

I feel like it's just a simple gift idea to mix up things (not necessarily expensive) when you simply don't have an idea what to gift (to the person you want to value). In my childhood we mixed shampoo and chocolate in such boxes, and everyone was happy 😁

[@amberlynnroberson1961]

Me and all my friends are poor, none of us expected burr baskets from each other 😂

[@laurab8547]

The “You’ve been booed” baskets were a big thing in our neighborhood when my kids were growing up. It went on for several years during the Halloween season and would travel around the neighborhood. It was hurtful when I got left out of that neighborhood tradition because it was really just a popularity contest among the moms. These brr baskets are a cute idea but I would hate to be the friend, neighbor or co-worker who is left out.

[@pollutedyouth]

Leaving people out is the height of meanness. I’m sorry that happened to you.