Just because it is called a gift basket doesn’t mean it has to be a basket. I choose a container that my recipient will keep and find useful. Baskets are useful but there are so many alternatives. Let’s get creative!
Generally, the container determines the cost of the gift. So naturally, use the pricey container for the expensive custom gift and let your price tag reflect it. On the other hand, inexpensive container ideas abound that make very attractive presentations.
For those really large or expensive gifts, the sky is the limit! Ask a few questions about your client: their hobbies, favorite foods, or whether they are a tea sipper or a coffee drinker. A tea-sipping gardener like me would love a garden tote or planter brimming with gardening and tea time goodies. Packed with our wood excelsior as support for all the gifts it would be a show-stopper. Our excelsior comes in colors now; I especially like the sage green. Don’t forget to tuck in a note saying excelsior will be a good addition to the compost pile! What about a huge popcorn bowl for the guy who watches sports all weekend? Fill it with gourmet popcorn, soda, chocolate covered pretzels, and a matching sports-themed throw and pillow for the couch. Find out his favorite team and add a team T- shirt or boxers!
From the other end of the spectrum, try a basket box. Basket Boxes make impressive themed presentations at low cost. By using the basket benches with the back attached you can build tall gifts. Just add Crinkle Cut or tissue shreds for color and texture.
To meet the extreme budget challenge, check out our 100% recycled, 2-piece gift boxes in white or Kraft. You get two containers from each box by using the top for one and the bottom for the other. The largest white china box is currently $2.05 – that is just a little over a dollar per container. It doesn’t get much better than that! The cute bear themed box at the beginning of this article uses a two piece medium sized box as it’s container. Your filler will give the boxes added strength and you will be surprised how much product you can pack into them. I also did a cute little spa gift in one of our white gift boxes. The lid makes a good support for the taller items. Notice how I softened it with a cello fan of pink dots to coordinate with my rose theme; the wired ribbon tied around this box also gives extra support.
Stay tuned for more from the Business Tip Series, and please share your great ideas with us. If we use them in our blog we’ll include a link to your website!
Kathy works with the Nashville Wraps’ Marketing Team as a packaging consultant and photo stylist. She is also a Master Gardener and enjoys her greenhouse and garden, three spoiled dogs, hubby and grandkids in her spare time. She also loves any kind of craft and spends rainy days in the art studio she shares with her creative husband, Bill.
