The Junk Journal Gift Basket Tweens (and Teens) Will Actually Use
A junk journal gift basket makes a fun and practical holiday or birthday present for tweens! Image credit: Daisies in Clover
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A junk journal gift basket is the perfect choice for a tween who has outgrown toys and coloring books but still wants gifts they can actually use (not just clothes and shoes). The idea behind the junk journal is simple: it’s a scrapbooking-style journal, along with some pens, stickers and other crafting accessories. Tweens use the pens, stickers, and other essentials to create custom pages for all the important moments in their lives. The junk journal gives kids a way to write about their friends, family, and everyday life.
The gift basket is full of fun items that encourage tweens to use their creativity, and the journal lets them express their feelings in a way that helps them deal with the emotions that come with tween life.
This gift is super easy to personalize just for your tween (or teen). The basic items stay the same, but the theme can be customized to almost any interest, from music or sports to dance or fashion. It’s a great option for a holiday gift or a birthday gift (or really, any holiday of the year… do an entire Easter-themed junk journal basket instead of candy this Spring!).
The junk journal gift basket was a favorite in my family (it might have even been the favorite gift under the tree that year). What’s really special is that we were able to keep adding to the collection of journaling supplies. You can add in more accessories for every gift-giving occasion, whether it’s your tween’s birthday or it’s time to put together an Easter basket.
What Goes in a Junk Journal Gift Basket?
You don’t need to buy a ton of stuff to create a junk journal gift basket, and you can pick a budget first to help you get started. The most important items are a journal and some good pens. Everything else is flexible and optional.
The junk journal. Junk journals are available in a variety of styles and price points. The main thing to look for is sturdy paper stock. Your tween will be taping and gluing pictures and mementos to the pages, so you want to make sure the paper is strong enough to stand up to this. If you don’t want to sacrifice quality, opt for a journal with fewer pages and better paper stock. Refillable journals are a great option, but remember that you can buy a new one every year.
Gel pens. Gel pens glide across paper smoothly (which is surprisingly satisfying), and they come in a wide variety of colors. A pack of gel pens is the perfect companion for a junk journal, so if you don’t buy any other accessories, make sure you get the pens!
Stickers. This is maybe the part that’s the most fun. A variety of stickers makes it easy to customize every page. You can find letter and word stickers, which can be used to spell out themes and headlines for each page. Sticker frames look great around pictures, and cute animal stickers are just plain adorable.
Washi tape. Washi tape is used to customize each page (and even the front cover of the journal). Add a mix of solid colors and patterns so your tween has plenty of inspiration when they’re creating the look for each page.
Glue tape. Skip the liquid glue, which is messy and warps thin paper. Glue tape is easy to use, and it doesn’t come with the mess of bottled glue. The tape also comes in cute, colorful dispensers that add visual interest to the junk journal gift basket. For a more budget-friendly option, consider glue sticks instead.
Scissors or a crafting knife. A small pair of scissors is great for a junk journaling gift basket, and a small crafting knife allows for precise trims on items like concert tickets or photos. You can skip this one if your house is like mine (we have somehow ended up with dozens of pairs of scissors over the years).
Markers and highlighters. Markers and highlighters are perfect companions for the gel pens mentioned above. They are great for doodling in the margins or literally highlighting important moments on each page (plus, getting new markers channels some of the “little kid” fun that tweens aren’t fully ready to let go of yet).
Zig-zag scissors and paper punches. These accessories make it easy to create decorative accents with scraps of paper or add a fun touch to pictures they cut out and paste in the journal. Think of zig-zag scissors like pinking shears, but for paper.
Scrapbooking paper. A pack of scrapbooking paper is a perfect accessory for junk journaling. Your tween can cut sheets to size to create backgrounds for pictures or create a different mood for each page in the journal.
Personal photos. Print some pictures of your child and family through the years. Pictures are a great starting-off point for creating a journal, and they also make the gift basket more personalized. Go for an assortment of family pictures and pictures with friends.
A container that becomes part of the gift. A storage tote, a rope basket with a handle, a canvas tote, or a sturdy box makes it easy to create a gift presentation, and the container can be used for storage long after the holidays.
Junk Journal Budget Tiers
You can build this at almost any price. These are rough ranges, so check prices when you shop. Places like Dollar Tree are great for grabbing pens and stickers, and the clearance rack at your local craft store can be a surprising gold mine sometimes!
Under $25: A simple notebook, a pack of gel pens, one or two sticker sheets, a couple of washi tape rolls, and a glue stick, packed in a small gift box or bag.
Under $40: Add a pack of pressed flowers (the ones made for scrapbooking) or an extra pack of stickers, scrapbooking paper, and put everything in a cute reusable basket.
A little more: Include a pack of decorative paper, a nicer scissor set, and a gift card so they can restock when they run low. For a bigger budget, adding in a portable photo printer and photo paper makes a perfect finishing touch.
How to Put the Junk Journaling Gift Basket Together
Start with the container and fill the bottom with crinkle paper or tissue so everything sits at a good height. Place the journal at the back so it stands up, then layer the stickers and paper pieces in front of it. Tuck the washi tape rolls and pens into the gaps, and put the glue tape and scissors near the front where they're easy to spot. Finish with a ribbon or a simple tag.
Match the Gift Basket Theme to Your Tween’s Personality
The best part of a basket is that you can tailor it. If they love music, add stickers with a music theme and a few pages of old sheet music. If they play a sport, pick a color palette that matches their favorite team. If they collect things, add a small envelope or pocket to the journal for ticket stubs and treasures.
A gift card to a craft store or an online sticker shop is a nice extra too, since it gives them a way to keep the hobby going on their own terms.
This version of the junk journal gift basket is designed for tweens, but a quick change of the stickers, journal color, and theme means it can be a great gift for teens and adults in your life (anyone who loves to write will appreciate this type of holiday gift)!
