Holiday Gifts & Gift Baskets Blog

Posts Tagged ‘gifts’

Time is money – and when you are arranging corporate holiday gifts, you are typically dealing with a lot of both! When you can make the entire process much more streamlined and convenient, you can save money and time and still make your recipients’ day. One of the best ways to do this is to make the delivery process more efficient: opt to have corporate gifts delivered right to the recipients’ front door.

Direct delivery of a corporate gift has a host of benefits, not the least of which is freeing up the time of whoever coordinates them. The internet has made the process faster, and delivery makes it easier still. Other benefits:

• If you are ordering products, you will likely have to pay shipping. Why not just pay for it to be shipped to the recipient, instead of handling it yourself and then packaging it up again for transport? And if the vendor offers corporate gifts on sale or free shipping, even better. You can increase savings here.

• Whether or not the products are to be shipped in from a merchant or vendor, they still have to be transported from the work place to the home. Skip this step and just send them to their front door.

• This eliminates the “What did you get?” question that will inevitably surface around the office if you are giving employees or associates gifts. Comparing gifts is not great for morale – but getting a great gift at home certainly is.

Here are some tips for making your gift and its delivery smooth and thoughtful:

• Think about the recipient. Sending a “blanket” gift can backfire. Say you want to send fresh steaks to your clients and employees. This is wonderful! It has a high value and can be enjoyed by the entire family. But there are sure to be vegetarians and vegans on your recipient list. This gift is not only inappropriate, it shows a lack of interest or knowledge about the recipient. You can choose more general gift baskets, such as those with gourmet foods, fruit, or teas and coffees.

• Think about cost. Fruit baskets are wonderful – but they’re heavy! They will cost more to ship. You can either choose a vendor that offers reasonable or free shipping, especially with bulk orders, or you can choose a smaller, lighter object, such as a box of exotic holiday chocolate truffles.

• Think about freshness. There’s a reason why coffee and biscotti baskets are popular; they stay fresh for a long time. When you opt for things like fruit, you have to worry about the speed of delivery and hope the vendor is prompt and the products arrive in top condition.

• Choose a vendor that you trust and which has a reputation for excellence. Choosing a no-name company may seem like a cost-saving measure, but it can backfire if arrangements are poorly done or shipping is slow.

• If you are assembling your own corporate gift bags or baskets, look into flat rate shipping, which can save you money and time.

• Include a personalized note in your package. This is important in helping the recipient feel more valued and appreciated.

Corporate gift giving can become much more efficient when you have the shipping and delivery taken care of outside the office. Choose a trustworthy vendor who, in turn, uses a trustworthy carrier, and your gifts will arrive in tact and much appreciated.

Fresh fruit is more than a great snack, more than just the base for countless delicious recipes. Bright, beautiful, and bursting with promise, fruit also makes a wonderful gift for even the pickiest, hard-to-shop-for people on your list. Giving fruit helps you deliver the gift of freshness and summer, no matter what time of year it is – and that is always welcome. Here are some tips for giving the gift of fruit.

What’s in season?

No fruit is in season all the time, but there is a fruit for every season. Luckily, the fruits that we tend to send as gifts most often come into season in the northern hemisphere’s winter. So, in the middle of a cold January snowstorm, you can enjoy a taste of the tropics. You can find a list of fruits and their seasons at Fruit and Veggies More Matters. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the season you want to look at.

Not only does choosing fruit in season ensure that your recipient gets the freshest, most delicious items, it helps cut the costs. Seasonal fruit is less expensive than forced, hothouse-grown fruits.

Do you want to buy a fruit gift or make your own?

Either can be a great option. Purchasing a premade gift has a few advantages though: they do this for a living! They know when and how to arrange and ship the fruit so it doesn’t arrive spoiled or bruised. They can use specially insulated shipping containers to make sure that freshness is preserved and your recipient gets a beautiful fall gift arrangement. Another option is to choose a fruit delivery service that auto-delivers each month. You can save money, and your fruit will always be fresh and delicious.

What type of arrangement do you want?

Fruit baskets are wonderful, traditional gifts, but you can also branch out and try other options. Edible fresh fruit bouquets, for instance, make stunning birthday gifts and great centerpieces. This would be perfect for a party or for virtually any occasion, from a baby shower to a retirement party. Baskets, platters, boxes, picnic baskets, and bouquets bearing fruit all make terrific gifts.

Do you want anything other than fruit?

Fruit is definitely the star, but many arrangements include other items, such as cheeses, crackers, cookies, tea, wine, chocolates, dried fruits, and nuts. You can build a fruit basket featuring any number of complementary items. This allows you to customize your gift to meet the tastes of the recipient.

What’s your price range?

How much do you want to spend on your gift? Consider both the cost of the fruit gift as well as the cost of shipping. If you can hand-deliver the gift, you may want to assemble your own basket and save money; if you have to send it across the state or across the country, choosing premade can actually be a bit easier on your budget.

You can choose a deluxe, all-inclusive fruit basket with chocolates, nuts, and other goodies, but the cost is driven up by these other gourmet items. You can expect to pay between $120 and $200 for a large gift basket. You can always stay small, though; and this may even be better for some recipients. You don’t want all that fruit to go to waste because they can’t eat it all in time! You can find smaller, though equally beautiful, arrangements for between $35 and $50.

Fruit is a wonderful gift any time of year, but it is particularly welcome when we all need a reminder of warm, sunny locales. In the cold month of February, a valentine gift basket makes the perfect pick me up. You are sure to be appreciated when you give the gift of summer!

In the heart of Cleveland, there were some very loving souls who conceived an idea to pay tribute to those who were less fortunate and those who worked the hardest just to survive, and so the Sweetest Day holiday was born. Though this holiday is set to take place each and every October third, those who were responsible for founding it would be strong supporters in giving Sweetest Day gifts any time of year. After all, it is meant to be a joyous tribute, giving thanks, and, therefore, applicable any time of year.

Today, the concept has taken a slightly different spin and couples enjoy another reason to exchange little gifts of love and appreciation. There are many gifts that are now manufactured and sold that relate specifically to the Sweetest Day holiday; however, one can also feel free to purchase whatever little token seems appropriate.

The idea is to express love, appreciation, or gratitude; therefore, a large, expensive gift is not required. Instead, Sweetest Day gifts are typically small and meaningful. Games with a love theme, lockets and photo pins, candies that offer romantic or loving messages, and, of course, picture frames are often favorites of those seeking the ideal gift for someone they love and care for. However, this holiday was intended to honor those who often went without, who didn’t have money to throw about, so it would be more than acceptable (even more true to the holiday) to make your own gifts. Those who can draw can illustrate their love; those who are gifted with words can write a poem or a greeting card to express their love and appreciation; and those who enjoy crafting can create a myriad of different objects and tokens of affection. Perhaps a pillow with a cross-stitched message or a sculpture featuring a heart-shaped rock would be to your liking. You could also make a batch of the recipient’s favorite cookies, a pie, or cheesecake with strawberries. Make a basket of cookies as a volunteer gift to your child's school PTA volunteers.

For those who wish to give the gift of relaxation or a night out, spas, hotels, dinner at a favorite restaurant, or even a live band performance are all excellent options for ways to express your feelings for another. Spas offer a chance to get away and to receive the treatment that makes the stresses of a hard way fade away. This speaks quite well to the history of the holiday. A night away in a hotel, where one can enjoy a swimming pool, a few drinks in the onsite pub, or even a meal in bed, is also a great way to repay a person for the hard work they do each day. You might even give the gift of your time and volunteer to help those who are less fortunate. Bring your sweetie with and make it a meaningful contribution to your community.

The most important thing to remember as Sweetest Day approaches is that this holiday is meant to show love and appreciation for all those who have had a beneficial impact on your life, or those who simply need a little pick-me-up when life is bringing them down. So open your heart and make the day special for those who need it most.

When Sweetest Day hits on the third Saturday in October, will you be ready? This lesser-known holiday actually has a very sweet history. It was started in the early 20^th century by candy manufacturers to entice the public to eat more sweets. What may have started out as a marketing ploy has actually become an endearing part of American history. So, what can you do for the sweetest people in your life on Sweetest Day?

Think Big

Don’t just think of your wife or boyfriend on Sweetest Day. Think of all the people who have been especially important to you over the last year. That could be everyone from your boss to your kids to your coworkers or your neighbor. Make a list of all the people in your life who you’d like to remember on this lovely holiday. Remember doctors and caretakers who help you out as well.

Think Sweetly Handmade

All diets are off on Sweetest Day. It’s a day to indulge in sugary creations. So think sweet when you are planning your gift-giving. You need not break the bank to show someone they are special on this day. You can make treats in your own kitchen that will put a smile on the recipients’ faces. Try making gourmet caramel apples covered in nuts or candy pieces. Wrap them up in cellophane with pretty bows. Or, why not hand-dip Oreos or other favorite cookies in dark chocolate? Strawberries are also great for dipping. Create a basket or display of goodies and bring them around the neighborhood or office. You could also bring in a basket to cheer up folks at a nursing home or the staff at a local hospital.

Go for Broke

If budget is no issue, why not take your special sweetie out on the town? Plan an all-chocolate evening. Go out for dessert first. Find a fancy restaurant and order the most decadent thing on the menu. Or, go out for a chocolate fondue. You can find a restaurant that specializes in fondues of all types. They’ll usually have decadent cakes and fruits to dip into the melting pot of chocolate. Then, have some sweet wine or sweet champagne. End with a movie that involves chocolate such as Like Water for Chocolate or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. If you really want to spoil your sweetie, give her a piece of jewelry encrusted with chocolate diamonds. It will be one holiday no one will forget.

Family Time

Maybe your sweeties are little ones and you’d like to create a fun new tradition with the family. Why not have a card-making party where even the little ones can join in? Have heart shaped papers and candies available for decorating. Glue on sparkly glitter and lace. Have everyone write one thing they love about their family inside. Read the cards aloud. Since it will be October and often the days are shorter, why not have a pajama party where everyone wears their fuzzy slippers and eats ice cream sundaes and plays Candy Land? Think of things that your family enjoys doing and give them a sweet twist. Put out bowls of candy and allow children to hand them out to the adults instead of the adults always doling them out. Kids will feel special.

Involve the Neighborhood

When there’s not too much going on in October, why not invent another reason to celebrate? Start a town-wide Sweetest Day Celebration where everyone brings cakes and cupcakes and cookies to the town hall or to a common gathering place. A park works well too. You can set up stations to bob for apples, hand out sweets to the kids, offer a Make Your Own Sundae station and really do it up. You can ask local bakeries if they will donate goods. You could print up t-shirts and sell them at the festival as a fundraiser for the local school or a worthy organization. Elect a Sweetest Princess and Prince and have them wear a chocolate banner announcing their titles. Invite the local Brownies troops to come in uniform. Have fun with it! Who knows, you may just start a new annual town tradition.

If you're looking for a little St. Patrick's Day fun this year, here are some great shamrock craft ideas that will have you feeling lucky!  And with a little luck, you'll send or receive one of our yummy St. Patrick's Day gifts too!

My Favorite is the Pom Pom Shamrock.

Supplies Needed:

3 large green pom poms
scrap of green felt
scissors
white craft glue or hot glue
6" piece of gold ribbon

Instructions:

1. Glue all three pom poms together to form a shamrock.

2. Cut out a stem from a piece of green felt.

3. Glue to the back of your shamrock.Tie a piece of gold ribbon into a bow and glue to the front of your shamrock.

4. Optional: You can glue a magnet, pin back or a hanger made from ribbon to the back of your shamrock craft.

Other fun Saint Patrick's Day Crafts:

Printable St. Patty Day Coloring/Activity Pages

Felt Shamrock Leprachaun Hats

Shamrock Egg Carton Craft

Shamrock Wreath Crafts