When I spoke a few weeks ago at a local book event, I could see lots of intrigue in people’s eyes as I described what it’s like to be a gift basket designer.

Then came the questions.

“How many gift baskets do you sell in a day?”

“Do gift baskets just have food, or can they have other things in them?”

After my presentation, How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business and The Gift Basket Design Book, shown in the above photo, disappeared, purchased by individuals who will either start a hobby or business.

That’s how ideas happen. We listen to someone talk about a topic, or we find a book on the subject, or perhaps a friend or relative says something that sparks the imagination.

What book, magazine, website, or person encouraged you to enter the gift basket industry, and how did this decision change your life for the better?

Shirley George Frazier

Related articles:

1. How to Fit Gift Baskets into Your Busy Life

Whether a woman is inspired to write an organic book while creating a gift basket brochure or when libraries consider gift baskets as part of their promotions, the world of books certainly plays an important role in our industry.

That’s one reason why I visit bookstores. Today, a bookstore is like an updated library, isn’t it? You can choose a book, sit down, read it, and then place it back on the shelf.

Last week, I found two books at a local bookstore that may benefit you.

Flower Arranging for the First Time answers the question, “How do I place enhancements in my gift baskets?”

I remember not being very good at placing floral items around foods and gift items and how I found the task to be agonizing until I saw better techniques. This book is helpful even if you’re a master at placement.

You’ll find my extended book review here.

Another book is Organizing Your Craft Space. You may not term this industry as “crafty,” and I can understand that.

What I do is push the “crafty” term aside to see if the principles apply to anything helpful with gift baskets, and it’s for this reason that I believe this book will interest you.

The Gift Basket Design Studio Extreme Makeover shows lots of before and after photos taken inside an actual gift basket workshop. Organizing Your Craft Space is an extension of that.

The organization ideas on each page superbly show how to keep every piece of inventory in place. I found myself saying, “Wow!” many times.

My review of this book is here.

Both books were written a few years ago, so they may be housed in your local library, waiting for you to rent and explore them.

I know you’re always on the lookout for interesting ideas to take business to a new level. Books often includes those ideas, so check out these two when your schedule permits.

Shirley George Frazier

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I began collecting and reading gift basket books long before I considered writing How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

Having print information from as many sources as possible in the early 1990s was part of my success plan. It was mandatory, especially since the Internet hadn’t become the powerhouse it is today.

There’s lots of great information in all of the books. One concentrates on sharing what to put into different themed baskets. Another includes dazzling photographs so vivid that each picture almost jumps off the page.

I’m very honored that many of you have added the How To book and The Gift Basket Design Book to your collection.

Most of all, I’m pleased that a vast assortment of books are available today to provide you with ideas, tips, and details for maximum growth. That’s a big difference from years ago when only two existed.

Gift basket and craft books are reviewed at GiftBasketBook.com, a site that will be expanded this summer.

Which books, gift basket, craft, or business focused, have been beneficial for you?

Shirley George Frazier

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