Do You Customize Your Gift Baskets?
Adding products and embellishments that are exclusive to your gift baskets is a favorite of designers everywhere.
In case you’re not sure what’s meant by customization (the definition will soon be added to the dictionary), it’s when the outside product packaging includes your logo or a specific message for the gift basket’s occasion.
Customization might also be a design based on your region or state. Private label products are also part of this category.
Many of us enter the customizing phase by ordering personalized ribbon for a corporate customer. We get permission from the client to copy their logo onto ribbon, and the ribbon is added to all gifts made for them.
Personalizing may then move into customized labels placed on food packages and cellophane. But be careful. Too much custom stamping may be overkill for the receiver.
Part of your skill as a designer is to suggest, to your client, a blend of custom labeling and distinct products to create a thoughtful line of gifts and baskets.
You’ll find more information about private label products here as well as a special directory with manufacturers that help you with customization.
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Enhancing Gift Baskets on the Outside
Did you see the photo of five youngsters in Nevada holding gift baskets to be auctioned to raise money for a children’s charity?
The picture doesn’t show all five displayed baskets because some are hidden behind leaves in the rainforest setting, but you can clearly see two of them.
Do you see the floral enhancements sitting outside of the cellophaned design on the right? That technique makes the basket a winner, one that will attract every person who bids on it.
Placing enhancements outside of a gift basket isn’t difficult once you practice different styling methods, and it can be done whether you close the design in cellophane, shrink wrap or a basket bag.
I encourage students in my gift basket classes to try various options, including:
Speaking of bows, the choices shown in the picture for the middle and right designs are lovely.
What’s your favorite way of adding enhancements?
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Let Wine Stores Make Wine Baskets
We’ve talked in the past about gift baskets that include wines and alcohols.
On the Ask The Gift Basket Expert site, I even admitted placing a bottle of wine in a basket when I first started business, and there were lots of comments within that post.
This story, from Elk Grove Citizen Online, reminded me about important questions from many of you on this topic such as:
The story also reminds me of the limited capabilities that spirits’ merchants offer to their customers.
If someone wants an all-liquor basket, the wine store is where they go. But if they are looking for an outstanding presentation to present to their client (also known as the “wow” factor), you are the retailer that opens opportunity’s doors, strengthens relationships, and increases their sales, all without alcohol.
Remember that there are wonderful alternatives sold by wholesalers listed at GiftBasketWholesaleSupplies.com and OrganicWholesaleSupplies.com (yes, there are wholesalers with organic beverages).
Be grateful for all of the items you can sell, not the one you can’t.
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Gift Basket Classes - Where Are They?
Looking for instruction? A Massachusetts-based teacher plans to conduct a gift basket class on October 25. You’ll see information about it in SouthCoastToday.com.
I’m not familiar with this instructor, so I have no idea if she will show the intricate design techniques to make a professional basket or simply have students line products into a basket without stabilization. I have a feeling that students will be part of the latter.
I’ve been asked numerous times why classes aren’t taught in more locations. There are at least two reasons for this.
1. Designers are too busy in business and not willing to share their secrets. If this is you, I understand. It takes a lot of time and determination to master design techniques and build a roster of clients. It’s something you cannot just give away.
2. Not everyone is a teacher. What’s done in a studio isn’t always translated well in a classroom setting.
Here’s my roster of upcoming classes, listed by demonstration, participatory events, and trade shows. You’ll see that most classes are in my area, but I often travel to other locations to show techniques and distribute supplies.
I hope to add your local area to this roster in the future.
Here’s an article to help you uncover a gift basket class if it’s in your area.
How do you believe you’d benefit from attending a local class?
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Lots of Online Information About Gift Baskets
Did you set breakfast onto the table, bring a fork of waffles to your mouth, and quickly drop the fork because you suddenly decided to start making gift baskets?
Maybe that wasn’t quite how it happened (the above scenario comes from the book How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business), but gift baskets are now part of your life, and I welcome you to here.
This blog is part of the Gift Basket Business Web site that I created in the late 1990s.
There was a time when you could not find books, videos, magazines, or anything else to learn how to make and sell gift baskets, but times have changed for the better. Let me take you on a quick tour of the family of gift basket sites.
This 10 tips article introduces you to the basics to become a successful designer. There are more tips and articles with information on buying, marketing, and more.
Frequently-asked questions are answered here, and if you have other questions, you can find solutions at Ask The Gift Basket Expert.
Check out the money pages for funds to start your business and the Gift Basket Design Studio Extreme Makeover to organize a productive workspace.
What about baskets and supplies? These basket pages at Gift Basket Business blossomed into its own site at Baskets Gift Baskets.
If you’re looking for specific products, the Gift Basket Wholesale Supplies and Organic Wholesale Supplies sites provide a complete roster of foods, gifts, and more.
And, of course, there are video DVDs, books, and other resource materials including the twice-weekly gift basket newsletter. Subscribe today.
Don’t understand some of the gift basket terms you’ve read here and on other sites? This Gift Basket Dictionary will make the lingo comfortable.
You’ll find the full roster of gift basket sites on this page.
Take your time and explore the possibilities. Most of all, I encourage you to think big and move forward with a plan to succeed one basket at a time.
Welcome! Now, finish your breakfast and get started.
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