The ideas are endless - where do I start?  Well here's a few .. ..

WEDDING:  Planning a wedding? These would make a beautiful statement as part of your gift table (can also come with covers if desired) for cards - the front could be a painting of the church you were married in, the place in which you were proposed to, your house, the location of the reception, a Vermont theme - whatever is special to you.  The back of the bucket could be left blank and I will supply you with paint pens for your guests to sign the back.  Add a few more as part of your main center piece - or put one on each table and fill them with flowers - at the end of the reception - one gues at each table gets to bring one home - perhaps put a sticker on the bottom of one chair at each table - that person gets to keep the bucket. 

THANK YOU'S:  How about getting one for each member of the family, or just one for the whole family - you can write each persons name on the sap bucket yourself using a paint pen, or just give me the names, and I'll do it for you.  Each time someone does something that deserves a thank you, sit down and write them a little thank you note.  On a special occasion, maybe Christmas, everyone sits down as a family and reads their thank you notes.  You can just use a piece of paper (folded so there's no peaking), make your own cards, or I can make them for you.  It's that simple - now that's an idea.

PET:  Know someone who just got a new pet or has a pet who recently had a birthday or an accident?  This is perfect to fill up with pet toys and treats, how about some cookie cutters and dog treat recipes?  The bucket will be around long after the treats and toys are gone and it's a nice way to give a gift to the pets AND the humans.

MOM:  How about for Mom on Mother's day or her Birthday.  Fill up a hand painted sap bucket with toiletries, lotions, nice soft wash clothes, her favorite perfume, all of her favorite things - maybe even some chocolate (chocolate is, after all, the way to a woman's heart.)

THE GARDENER FRIEND:  Need a gift for "the gardener"?  Fill the bucket up with flower seeds, gardening tools, maybe even a hand painted slate garden marker from Simply Said by Priscilla =).  Gardening gloves, a nice book about gardening, a gardening hat, sun block, a gift certificate to her favorite gardening supply store, a subscription to a gardening magazine.

DINNER GUEST:  Going to someones house and want to bring a little something?  Why not bring them a sap bucket, hand painted with their name on it - or even with a painting of their house on it.  Fill it up with their favorite things, a bottle of wine, a plant, some candles, some of your favorite recipes - let your imagination go wild.  They will LOVE it, and most likely invite you back.

DAD:  Looking for something for Dad for Father's Day or his Birthday?  Fill it up with tools, candy, a couple of his favorite books, dvd's, cd's, some new socks (every man can ALWAYS use new socks).  If he's a golfer - A visor, some golf balls, a green repair, golf tee's, a golf bag towel, maybe even some new duds to wear out on the course and paid greens fees.  Things for his vehicle (the way to a man's heart - his vehicle) car wash soap, wax, an air freshener, interior cleaner, a new wash mit, a squeegy, ice scraper / snow brush, a license plate frame, cd case and window cleaner.

YOURSELF:  Get one for yourself, use it for magazines, newspapers, tools, kindling wood, all of those remote controls, art supplies, mittens and hats, golf balls, extra change, your mail, bird seed .. .. ..

THE FRIEND WHO LOVES COOKING:  A cook book, your favorite recipes, kitchen gadgets like a garlic press, cheese grator, vegetable peeler.  Some spices, marinades, a copy of the latest cooking magazine.

A LITTLE PIECE OF VERMONT:  This is perfect for a Vermont themed gift basket, afterall, what more reflects Vermont than a connection to Maple Syrup?  Fill it up with maple candy, maple syrup, Castleton Crackers, Vermont made marinades, jams, pancake mix, some postcards or blank cards of Vermont, Vermont made honey and why not a sampling of a Vermont made beer.

THE TRAVELLER:  A travel case, travel size toothpaste, mouthwash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, some snacks, a book, an ipod if you're feeling rich, a passport case, travel pillow, and anything else you can think of a traveller could use.  Adding an airline ticket to go on vacation with you would be a nice bonus =).

How's that for some ideas?