There’s no doubt that trays have always been a favorite in our industry.

What I find that designers like best is the ease of trays in creating and wrapping designs.

I point this out to new designers in my classes and to veterans at trade shows.

Trays resemble wooden crates, and they’re also available as shallow containers with side handles. You can see a wooden crate sample at the Baskets site.

One favorite with trays is that they can be customized with the client’s name, slogan, or greeting etched into the ones made from thick wood, as shown in the above picture.

Which theme of yours is a favorite for trays?

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.

I’ve been asked by a long-time client to make some support staff gifts that don’t include baskets.

These creations are relatively easy to make, and I bet you feel the same about the non-basket gifts you create.

In my gift basket classes, I often tell new business owners that we are more than gift basket designers.

We are gift solution specialists.

That designation lets customers know that you are to be called when they require any type of gift, not just the ones housed in baskets.

My no-basket gifts are made with three items. Two are foods and one is a memorable gift.

How many items are included in your non-basket gifts?

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.

Tea cups and saucers pair well with gift baskets or as single gifts. Like teapots, cups and saucers are a popular addition to gift baskets themes, including:

A teapot is shown in a get well basket on the Gift Basket Tutorials site, but you may not understand how to add tea cups and saucers within designs. Here are three quick tips.

Tea cups and saucers are often wrapped as a single gift, so the pair can be a best seller for you inside or out of a gift basket.

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.

Did you see the All-American Gift Guide in Successful Meetings’s May issue? This magazine, subtitled The Authority on Meetings and Incentives, chose products from all 50 states that they consider worthy of presenting to individuals who attend meetings and conventions.

I wrote an article about working with meeting planners and am glad that the Successful Meeting’s article provides more inspiration.

No gift baskets were selected for giving, but as you review the article, you’ll see that many gift basket components are featured. That includes everything from a handmade Arizona basket to Kansas trail mixes to New Jersey salt water taffy.

Keep in mind that this list offers “unique gifts and edible treats under $20, along with a higher-end suggestion for good measure.” So if you’re looking to satisfy meeting planners who plan to bring hundreds of visitors to your state, no-basket gifts might make the most impact to get the sale.

Look at one gift from Pennsylvania as a model.

“The Welcome Box from A Little Bit of Philly includes two bags of Herr’s Potato Chips, two packages of Tasty Cakes, and two waters or sodas. $12″

The actual box isn’t shown in the magazine’s print version, but use your imagine and connections to select a petite box to represent your state. How about a tote bag or a handled, carryall boxes sold by many suppliers? Those boxes will hold a variety of items made in your state.

Best of all, this type of mega-ordered gift won’t require lots of styling. Items and literature are placed into the container, the ends are closed, and the welcome gift is ready for presentation.

Have you offered this type of welcome gift to meeting planners? Does this idea provide you with inspiration to approach these buyers?

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.