Since adopting Mae and Pepi (Yorkie twins) in January, my family and I have attended many pet events to learn about organizations, obedience training, and supplies we didn’t know exist.

I’ve also met many wonderful people. One woman invited me to a networking event where I met CEOs, mayors, and other dignitaries I otherwise would not have met.

Another woman asked me to donate my time and some inventory at an upcoming statewide pet event where gifts will be wrapped by me and raffled to attendees, all to find good homes for abandoned animals. That’s an event I’m happy to join.

In a few months, my studio will be filled with gifts, from toys to electronics. They’ll be packaged in tote bags, cellophane, and netting, all donated by me for this worthy cause.

If you’ve been asked to donate your time, talent, and gift basket supplies to charity, what type of connections did you make at the event, or was your participation solely to promote the organization?

Shirley George Frazier

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“Response to the monthly baskets has been excellent. Carol Colley has donated the January basket now on display at the library. Raffle tickets can be purchased at the desk. All proceeds benefit the library.“

This quote from an article in an Upstate New York newspaper proves how popular gift baskets can be when it’s teamed with a charitable cause.

In this case, gift baskets are paired with literacy. Other pairing options include finding a cure for cancer, funding research for children’s diseases, and helping college students with tuition.

The needs are vast, and in most situations, gift baskets are the item of choice during fund raising drives and similar benefits.

Is there a cause close to your heart that can be paired with your gift baskets, where a portion of proceeds is donated to a particular organization or where you assist your local library in literacy promotions?

Keep these ideas in mind throughout the year. You’ll not only expand your marketing, you’ll also assist many individuals who need a helping hand.

Shirley George Frazier

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I’ve talked in the past about donations and how organizations will ask you to create gift baskets free of charge for their events.

There’s another, positive side of this coin.

Remind your customers that you create gift baskets for charitable events that are requested as part of an auction.

They have already purchased gift baskets from you for other occasions; why not for charity?

A good friend asked me to make a gift basket for her participation in a charitable function, which she promptly paid for through her PayPal account.

A photo of the basket is shown in this post.

When I delivered it to the organizer’s home, she (the organizer) informed me about other opportunities to pair with them and other organizations.

So, options are vast when making charity baskets for paying clients. Let customers know that this service is available which may lead to revenue from another stream that was once overlooked.

Shirley George Frazier

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Charities all over the world are conducting donation drives to fund their projects, and that means they’ll request help from your business.

This support is provided in numerous ways including:

This can be helpful to you and them, as some customers will align themselves with this effort, selecting you as their gift basket provider because you’re paired with an organization.

Attending the event where you donate gift baskets is mandatory to extend your business life. This is explained in detail in the book, How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

Many organizations will reach out to you in hopes that you will support them through products or cash donations.

Determine which group serves your community or focuses on an issue affecting family members. That will be the right affiliation for you.

What do you say when an organization asks you to donate gift baskets?

Shirley George Frazier

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Did you read a story on a newspaper blog about elementary school students who created numerous gift baskets for the needy?

The article’s no longer available as a link, but it was a reminder of how highly gift baskets are regarded. It also serves to create several ideas for 2009.

1. Partnering with schools to create gift baskets for events, charities, and fundraisers.

2. Working with pet shelters to raise awareness about abandoned animals through an “adopt and get pet gift basket” program.

3. Collaborating with local businesses and community groups or charities that appreciate your help in creating gift baskets for their activities.

I find that such events serve to increase my promotions, decrease inventory and supplies that cannot be sold, and support causes close to my heart.

I’ll participate more in these opportunities and hope you’ll consider the same.

What similar activities have you found to be beneficial?

NOTE: GiftBasketBusiness.com’s Web site and this blog continue its migration, and you may see sporadic problems on either space. Thank you for your patience and support.

Shirley George Frazier

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I was so pleased when the trunk that’s part of the grand prize in the gift basket business contest arrived. You’ll see its photo on the left.

Its rich, brown color and leather strap trim will make a great addition to your offerings.

Be sure to see the contest information here if you haven’t yet entered.

Years ago, when I invested in my first large trunk, I created an enormous gift with luxury items so that clients knew that both small and large gifts were available at my shop.

If you don’t let clients know about your full assortment, they’ll only come to you for smaller designs. You want them to know the broad range of options you offer.

Gift baskets continue to be in the news as a donation item for needy families. Here’s one of those stories, which includes a photo of 350 gift baskets and the volunteers who made them.

Click on the photo, and another window will open for you to scroll through three pictures of the baskets and makers.

I encourage you to take part in a gift basket donation event in your area. Lending your expertise to worthy causes, especially during the holidays, is a wonderful way to support others. I’m also looking for a local group.

Next week, the rest of the first-place bounty will arrive, and I’ll show you a complete photo of the grand prize.

Shirley George Frazier

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Some of the most heartfelt stories associated with gift baskets are the ones where our product benefits someone in need.

That’s the focus of a story about gift basket donations to benefit a woman with brain cancer featured in The-Review.com.

Click on the article’s picture to see closeup of the gift baskets. Aren’t the containers and overall styling terrific?

The square wood container is a classic look, great for individuals or as a corporate gift, and the pumpkin is also attractive.

This story is a terrific example of how gift baskets brighten everyone’s day, especially the person they benefit.

In the past, I’ve suggested how to choose charities that receive your gift baskets and how donations can increase your income.

Libraries are also fond of having gift baskets at their fund-raising events, and I’ve shared ideas on linking your gift baskets with them.

I often suggest to my clients to donate one basket per month to a charity that’s close to their heart. That donation serves to:

What’s your opinion about the gift baskets shown in the picture?

Shirley George Frazier

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An Oklahoma library sponsored a contest through their adult reading program, and they recently awarded one of their patrons with the winning prize: “a gift basket full of books by authors with an Oklahoma connection.”

Here’s a photograph of the winner and her gift basket prize published in News-Star.com. The shrink wrap that closes the books and gifts within the basket is nice and tight.

The bow may not be the big, puffy enhancement we make, but the rectangular-shaped gift tag is very noticeable.

It’s not easy to assemble numerous books in a creative way within a basket, so the method in which books are placed inside is adequate, especially if a professional designer did not make this basket.

Libraries often sponsor events to increase readership. Does that give you any ideas on working with them to increase your promotion through their events? There may be potential depending on your region.

School is almost back in session, and that means there will be more people of all ages visiting libraries. If you think there’s a chance to gain exposure through this facility, speak with the main librarian or other person in charge to learn about events on their calendar.

Your gift basket design talent may bring you exposure through linking with a worthy institution.

Back-to-School Baskets, the short version.
Back-to-School Baskets, the long version.

Related Post: Mixing Charities with Gift Baskets

Shirley George Frazier

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