Posts Tagged ‘Gourmet Baskets’
How to Make Corporate Gift Baskets Cheaply for Your Gift Basket Business, New Business or Add-On
Helen Hecker asked:
Corporate gift baskets can give a big boost to any gift basket business. They are often ordered in large quantities by companies, corporations and businesses, large and small, to give as gifts, to employees, clients and colleagues as a way to say thank you.
And just a few tips, ideas and help here will give you the information you need to help make corporate gift baskets affordable for you and your corporate clients.
By making unique, good quality demos cheaply, and buying products and supplies at wholesale prices, without buying up a lot of inventory, you can save a lot of money in the process. And if you can work from home you’ll save more money on overhead.
Although usually filled with more expensive, gourmet items, corporate gift baskets can be a good money maker for your gift basket business, a sideline or a new business. If you already have a gift-related, craft-related or home based business of any kind, or if you just want to start up a gift basket business, making corporate gift baskets is a good idea.
You can easily add corporate (or sometimes called business) gift baskets to your existing line of gift baskets. You may have some of the baskets, items or products right now. You’ll need to know: what are the most popular types of corporate gift baskets, what products or items usually go in them and what the competition is doing in terms of items, products and pricing.
Three of the most popular types of corporate gift baskets are gourmet – fancy foods, fancy fruits with cheese collections, and fancy coffees with chocolate collections.
Products or items you might usually find in corporate or business gift baskets are: seasonal mixed fresh fruits, freshly baked cookies, fancy crackers, deluxe wrapped chocolates and candies, truffles, biscotti, muffins, scones, sausage, pistachios and other nuts, gourmet cheese, cheddar cheese, gourmet jams and preserves, gourmet hot chocolate mix packets, fancy flavored coffees, chocolate covered raspberries or blueberries, and other gourmet goodies. You may have some or many of these items or products already.
It’s not advisable to include any controversial items like alcoholic beverages. Although beer, champagne and wine gift baskets are popular, I wouldn’t include any beer, wine or champagne in your demo gift baskets. You can make these available, if you choose, if they customize an order, but be aware you may need a license to sell beer, wines or other liquors.
Besides possible health issues – by giving alcohol gifts unknowingly to recovering addicts or closet addicts, you and the business or corporation may have legal or liability issues from the consequences of providing the alcohol to the employees, colleagues or clients.
Containers can be traditional, finely crafted wicker baskets or fancy, small to large hampers. In any case they need to be of excellent or high quality.
Next you’ll want to check out the competition. Check out several websites carrying corporate gift baskets to get an idea what they’re offering, what items or products they include in their gift baskets and the price range.
The online gift basket websites carrying corporate gift baskets are competitive. So concentrate first on selling your business or corporate gift baskets locally to large companies and corporations. You may have no competition. You can always put up a website after you get your business going.
You’ll need at least two gift basket demos in more than one price range. Three or four demo baskets would be better. They may be giving a gift basket in one price range to clients and to colleagues or employees in another price range. Be prepared also to offer custom gift baskets. They can choose the gourmet items they want to go into the baskets, hampers or other containers. They may also want to choose the containers.
After your demo gift baskets are assembled, call around to the larger companies and find out who is in charge of purchasing or public relations. It may take two or three calls to find out whom to talk to, to set up an appointment. Just ask who you can make a short presentation to.
Make sure your prices are competitive and offer quantity discounts. Offer free shipping if they need to be shipped out of town or if they have regional offices they need them shipped to. Make sure to adjust your pricing in advance if you’re going to offer free shipping. Know what it’ll cost to package and ship your gift baskets and whether you’re going to use the postal service or another shipping service like UPS, Fed Ex or Airborne Express.
Good times to make your phone calls are at least two months in advance of a major holiday, at the year’s end or at the beginning of the year. But make your calls every month all through the year. They may give gifts to clients throughout the year. And they may give gifts to employees at any time of the year.
If your presentation doesn’t result in any orders, ask for feedback. Perhaps it’s the type of items or products you’re presenting. Perhaps the gift baskets are overpriced.
Starting up a business to specialize in corporate gift baskets is easy to do. If you can, work from home – make it a home-based business. Make sure not to order in a lot of inventory. To keep your costs down, only buy enough products in the beginning to put your demo corporate gift baskets together.
After your presentation and resulting orders, you’ll know what items, products and supplies to order for the gift baskets. This is a good way to start on a shoestring budget.
Adding business or corporate gift baskets to your current line of gift baskets can help boost your bottom line. A few of the tips here should get you going in the right direction. If making gift baskets is new to you, you’ll find plenty of ideas to make a few demo corporate gift baskets and give it a try. This is an inexpensive or cheap way to add to your gift basket business, start up a gift basket business, or add on to another home based or work at home business.
Corporate gift baskets can give a big boost to any gift basket business. They are often ordered in large quantities by companies, corporations and businesses, large and small, to give as gifts, to employees, clients and colleagues as a way to say thank you.
And just a few tips, ideas and help here will give you the information you need to help make corporate gift baskets affordable for you and your corporate clients.
By making unique, good quality demos cheaply, and buying products and supplies at wholesale prices, without buying up a lot of inventory, you can save a lot of money in the process. And if you can work from home you’ll save more money on overhead.
Although usually filled with more expensive, gourmet items, corporate gift baskets can be a good money maker for your gift basket business, a sideline or a new business. If you already have a gift-related, craft-related or home based business of any kind, or if you just want to start up a gift basket business, making corporate gift baskets is a good idea.
You can easily add corporate (or sometimes called business) gift baskets to your existing line of gift baskets. You may have some of the baskets, items or products right now. You’ll need to know: what are the most popular types of corporate gift baskets, what products or items usually go in them and what the competition is doing in terms of items, products and pricing.
Three of the most popular types of corporate gift baskets are gourmet – fancy foods, fancy fruits with cheese collections, and fancy coffees with chocolate collections.
Products or items you might usually find in corporate or business gift baskets are: seasonal mixed fresh fruits, freshly baked cookies, fancy crackers, deluxe wrapped chocolates and candies, truffles, biscotti, muffins, scones, sausage, pistachios and other nuts, gourmet cheese, cheddar cheese, gourmet jams and preserves, gourmet hot chocolate mix packets, fancy flavored coffees, chocolate covered raspberries or blueberries, and other gourmet goodies. You may have some or many of these items or products already.
It’s not advisable to include any controversial items like alcoholic beverages. Although beer, champagne and wine gift baskets are popular, I wouldn’t include any beer, wine or champagne in your demo gift baskets. You can make these available, if you choose, if they customize an order, but be aware you may need a license to sell beer, wines or other liquors.
Besides possible health issues – by giving alcohol gifts unknowingly to recovering addicts or closet addicts, you and the business or corporation may have legal or liability issues from the consequences of providing the alcohol to the employees, colleagues or clients.
Containers can be traditional, finely crafted wicker baskets or fancy, small to large hampers. In any case they need to be of excellent or high quality.
Next you’ll want to check out the competition. Check out several websites carrying corporate gift baskets to get an idea what they’re offering, what items or products they include in their gift baskets and the price range.
The online gift basket websites carrying corporate gift baskets are competitive. So concentrate first on selling your business or corporate gift baskets locally to large companies and corporations. You may have no competition. You can always put up a website after you get your business going.
You’ll need at least two gift basket demos in more than one price range. Three or four demo baskets would be better. They may be giving a gift basket in one price range to clients and to colleagues or employees in another price range. Be prepared also to offer custom gift baskets. They can choose the gourmet items they want to go into the baskets, hampers or other containers. They may also want to choose the containers.
After your demo gift baskets are assembled, call around to the larger companies and find out who is in charge of purchasing or public relations. It may take two or three calls to find out whom to talk to, to set up an appointment. Just ask who you can make a short presentation to.
Make sure your prices are competitive and offer quantity discounts. Offer free shipping if they need to be shipped out of town or if they have regional offices they need them shipped to. Make sure to adjust your pricing in advance if you’re going to offer free shipping. Know what it’ll cost to package and ship your gift baskets and whether you’re going to use the postal service or another shipping service like UPS, Fed Ex or Airborne Express.
Good times to make your phone calls are at least two months in advance of a major holiday, at the year’s end or at the beginning of the year. But make your calls every month all through the year. They may give gifts to clients throughout the year. And they may give gifts to employees at any time of the year.
If your presentation doesn’t result in any orders, ask for feedback. Perhaps it’s the type of items or products you’re presenting. Perhaps the gift baskets are overpriced.
Starting up a business to specialize in corporate gift baskets is easy to do. If you can, work from home – make it a home-based business. Make sure not to order in a lot of inventory. To keep your costs down, only buy enough products in the beginning to put your demo corporate gift baskets together.
After your presentation and resulting orders, you’ll know what items, products and supplies to order for the gift baskets. This is a good way to start on a shoestring budget.
Adding business or corporate gift baskets to your current line of gift baskets can help boost your bottom line. A few of the tips here should get you going in the right direction. If making gift baskets is new to you, you’ll find plenty of ideas to make a few demo corporate gift baskets and give it a try. This is an inexpensive or cheap way to add to your gift basket business, start up a gift basket business, or add on to another home based or work at home business.
Gourmet Gift Basket
Kate S asked:
If you ever wonder what to send to your clients, friends or loved ones, send a gourmet gift basket. Gourmet baskets are the most versatile gifts that are appropriate for any occasion. Who would not want to receive an elegant basket filled with gourmet treats? Indeed, it is not unusual for recipients to keep the beautiful basket intact for a while so they can admire their present longer. There are many types of gourmet baskets to choose from. This article provides an overview of different types of gourmet gift baskets available and tips for sending these gifts.
Gourmet baskets come in many different themes. They can be used for providing a romantic dinner for two to serving as extravagant office treats. Gourmet baskets can be sent for birthday, anniversary, housewarming, thank you, sympathy, or congratulations. They can be sent as corporate gifts to your clients and business referrals, or to your friends and loved ones.
Popular gourmet baskets usually contain generous assortment of fine gourmet treats, such as fine chocolates, cheeses, fruits and nuts mix, gourmet cookies, crackers, gourmet coffee, and other savory snacks. For food connoisseurs, you may want to send a gourmet food basket filled with lobster pate, tomato basil cheese, Romano cheese sticks, Pimento stuffed olives, herb salami, rosemary herb baquette breadsticks, double chocolate mocha truffles, water crackers, Kasilof smoke salmon, pistachios and a wood style cutting board for serving all these items on.
Italian gift baskets are another type of popular gourmet gifts. They deliver everything you need for a grand Italian dinner,including pasta sauce, thin spaghetti, penna pasta, Italian bread sticks, Haute Cuisine Italian cookies, vinaigrette, Parmesan Bruschetta bag, artichoke hearts, double chocolate truffles, Pimento stuffed olives, Salmon fillets, extra virgin olive oil, and cream filled pastry cookies. These gourmet food baskets are great corporate gifts, or for birthday, congratulations or thank you.
For your wife’s birthday, or your anniversary, you may want to send a breakfast basket, which is associated with warmth, comfort and good taste. Imagine her delight when she receives a beautiful cloth lined muffin and bread basket filled with fantastic breakfast favorites, including classic buttermilk pancake mix, New England maple syrup, Belgian waffles, cinnamon nut coffee, Perugina chocolates, and cappucino rolled wafer cookies. If you prefer ready to eat breakfast, then you can send a scrumptious selection of fresh baked goodness in a wicker basket. Packed with moist, rich pound cake, chocolate chip blondies, and brownies with walnuts, this basket offers a great way to start the day of your loved one.
Coffee gift basket is a dream present for coffee connoisseurs. In addition to premium coffee, the container is filled with shortbread cookies, chocolate chip cookies, capuccio caramels, creamy coffee candies. Some coffee baskets come with coffee mugs or a CD of classical music, and are ideal for sending your sincerest wishes to friends and co-workers. Similarly, tea gift basket can be sent to tea lovers.
Chocolates are favorites for most people, especially women. The chocolate gift basket may be the perfect present for your girl friend, mom, or female boss. You can send a box of chocolate truffles, or a basket filled with premium chocolate bars, chocolate covered pretzels, Italian chocolate espresso cake, chocolate biscotti chunks, chocolate popcorns, brownies, and cookies. The chocolate gift basket will provide the most delightful chocolate experience. It is the perfect present for you to make friends, make amends, or say I love you.
Meat and cheese gifts are men’s favorites. For male recipients, you can send a tray filled with delicious Heart of Wisconsin cheeses, mustards, sausages and crackers. The wooden tray will come in handy for serving the gourmet meat and cheese.
Gourmet baskets for individuals with dietary restriction are also available. You can send gifts that are sugar free, Kosher, or heart healthy, according to your recipient’s needs. Special theme gourmet baskets are also available. For example, for the bookworm in your life, you can send a book lover chest which comes in a book end chest filled with gourmet treats and coffee to enjoy during reading time. For recipients who are always on the go, you can send a travelling gourmet tower, which consists of 3 faux leather suitcases for a treat on the go. The suitcases are filled with savory treats such as tomato basil crackers, vanilla cream cocoa, sliced beef salami, honey sweet peanuts, chocolate chip cookies, assorted chocolates, buttery almond toffee, garlic cheese spread, vanilla caramels, cheddar cheese pretzel sticks, and gourmet roast coffee. The 3 suitcases will be great for travelers for years to come.
In conclusion, gourmet baskets are the most versatile gifts that are great for any occasion. There are many themes to choose from, including gourmet food, breakfast, coffee, tea, Italian, chocolate, sugar free, meat and cheese. No matter whether it is for your clients, friends, or loved ones, you can sure leave a lasting impression with a gourmet gift basket.
If you ever wonder what to send to your clients, friends or loved ones, send a gourmet gift basket. Gourmet baskets are the most versatile gifts that are appropriate for any occasion. Who would not want to receive an elegant basket filled with gourmet treats? Indeed, it is not unusual for recipients to keep the beautiful basket intact for a while so they can admire their present longer. There are many types of gourmet baskets to choose from. This article provides an overview of different types of gourmet gift baskets available and tips for sending these gifts.
Gourmet baskets come in many different themes. They can be used for providing a romantic dinner for two to serving as extravagant office treats. Gourmet baskets can be sent for birthday, anniversary, housewarming, thank you, sympathy, or congratulations. They can be sent as corporate gifts to your clients and business referrals, or to your friends and loved ones.
Popular gourmet baskets usually contain generous assortment of fine gourmet treats, such as fine chocolates, cheeses, fruits and nuts mix, gourmet cookies, crackers, gourmet coffee, and other savory snacks. For food connoisseurs, you may want to send a gourmet food basket filled with lobster pate, tomato basil cheese, Romano cheese sticks, Pimento stuffed olives, herb salami, rosemary herb baquette breadsticks, double chocolate mocha truffles, water crackers, Kasilof smoke salmon, pistachios and a wood style cutting board for serving all these items on.
Italian gift baskets are another type of popular gourmet gifts. They deliver everything you need for a grand Italian dinner,including pasta sauce, thin spaghetti, penna pasta, Italian bread sticks, Haute Cuisine Italian cookies, vinaigrette, Parmesan Bruschetta bag, artichoke hearts, double chocolate truffles, Pimento stuffed olives, Salmon fillets, extra virgin olive oil, and cream filled pastry cookies. These gourmet food baskets are great corporate gifts, or for birthday, congratulations or thank you.
For your wife’s birthday, or your anniversary, you may want to send a breakfast basket, which is associated with warmth, comfort and good taste. Imagine her delight when she receives a beautiful cloth lined muffin and bread basket filled with fantastic breakfast favorites, including classic buttermilk pancake mix, New England maple syrup, Belgian waffles, cinnamon nut coffee, Perugina chocolates, and cappucino rolled wafer cookies. If you prefer ready to eat breakfast, then you can send a scrumptious selection of fresh baked goodness in a wicker basket. Packed with moist, rich pound cake, chocolate chip blondies, and brownies with walnuts, this basket offers a great way to start the day of your loved one.
Coffee gift basket is a dream present for coffee connoisseurs. In addition to premium coffee, the container is filled with shortbread cookies, chocolate chip cookies, capuccio caramels, creamy coffee candies. Some coffee baskets come with coffee mugs or a CD of classical music, and are ideal for sending your sincerest wishes to friends and co-workers. Similarly, tea gift basket can be sent to tea lovers.
Chocolates are favorites for most people, especially women. The chocolate gift basket may be the perfect present for your girl friend, mom, or female boss. You can send a box of chocolate truffles, or a basket filled with premium chocolate bars, chocolate covered pretzels, Italian chocolate espresso cake, chocolate biscotti chunks, chocolate popcorns, brownies, and cookies. The chocolate gift basket will provide the most delightful chocolate experience. It is the perfect present for you to make friends, make amends, or say I love you.
Meat and cheese gifts are men’s favorites. For male recipients, you can send a tray filled with delicious Heart of Wisconsin cheeses, mustards, sausages and crackers. The wooden tray will come in handy for serving the gourmet meat and cheese.
Gourmet baskets for individuals with dietary restriction are also available. You can send gifts that are sugar free, Kosher, or heart healthy, according to your recipient’s needs. Special theme gourmet baskets are also available. For example, for the bookworm in your life, you can send a book lover chest which comes in a book end chest filled with gourmet treats and coffee to enjoy during reading time. For recipients who are always on the go, you can send a travelling gourmet tower, which consists of 3 faux leather suitcases for a treat on the go. The suitcases are filled with savory treats such as tomato basil crackers, vanilla cream cocoa, sliced beef salami, honey sweet peanuts, chocolate chip cookies, assorted chocolates, buttery almond toffee, garlic cheese spread, vanilla caramels, cheddar cheese pretzel sticks, and gourmet roast coffee. The 3 suitcases will be great for travelers for years to come.
In conclusion, gourmet baskets are the most versatile gifts that are great for any occasion. There are many themes to choose from, including gourmet food, breakfast, coffee, tea, Italian, chocolate, sugar free, meat and cheese. No matter whether it is for your clients, friends, or loved ones, you can sure leave a lasting impression with a gourmet gift basket.
Great Gift Basket Ideas
boake moore asked:
Food gift baskets are popular gifts for birthdays, the holidays, or for any special occasion. Unfortunately, prepackaged gift baskets can be expensive! They also can be wasteful, as what are the odds that the recipient will like all the foods in the basket? So why not be creative and make your own custom food gift basket? You can fill it up with foods the recipient will appreciate, and you can control the cost. You also can include homemade treats, and what’s more personal than that?
When making a gift basket, it’s a good idea to include foods that are nonperishable, or at least foods that don’t go bad quickly. Choose food containers that are attractive and look nice together. Try to avoid foods that are too bulky. And most important, choose foods the recipient likes!
Here are some ideas for homemade food gift baskets, gourmet food gift baskets, healthy food gift baskets, and convenience food gift baskets. Choose one of these themes, or mix and match!
1) Coffee or tea gift baskets are great ideas – they work well for the Holidays and for birthdays and special occasions. Plus they are so easy to accessorize and add little nuggets of joy. Start with 3 or 4 different types of gourmet coffee – using a good assortment. Mix heavy with dark and light and even throw in coffee from different regions. A good variety is always well received. Then add some nice accessories like coffee mugs and travel accessories. Finally add some biscuits or crackers and even some flavored creamers if you like. Chocolates, Nuts and candies add a wonderful final touch.
2) Homemade food gift baskets are great for the holidays, college exam week, or anytime a little comfort food is needed. Dress up a gift basket of prepared foods with a few homemade items for a personal touch. Some ideas for homemade gift basket treats:
· Cookies
· Quick breads
· Mini muffins
· Fruitcake
· Rice Krispie treats
· Hand dipped chocolate covered fruits and cookies
· Sealed jars of jam or jelly
· Sealed jars of salsa
2) Gourmet food gift baskets make great housewarming or holiday gifts. They’re great for foodies who love to cook, or for anyone who could use a few gourmet meals. Gourmet condiments often are available in small containers, so you can fill a basket with a variety of gourmet treats. Some ideas:
· Olive oil
· Balsamic vinegar
· Chutney
· Gourmet mustard or similar jarred condiments
· High quality chocolate bars, truffles, and other gourmet chocolates
· Marzipan candy
· Gourmet coffee or tea
· Gourmet cocoa for hot chocolate
· High quality, expensive spices, like saffron
· Cheese (but check the shelf life)
3) Healthy food gift baskets. These will make a welcome change of pace during the holidays, when everyone’s bombarded by cookies and candies. For a good balance, add some of these healthy treats into other gift baskets as well. Some ideas:
· Fruit with a long shelf life (apples, oranges, pears, etc.)
· Dried fruit, nuts, and trail mix
· Herbal tea or green tea
· Organic cookies, crackers, or similar healthy snack foods
· Mixes for hummus, vegetarian chili, fat free brownies, or other healthful items
· Low fat granola
4) Convenience food gift baskets. These are ideal for a new mother who doesn’t have enough time or free hands to eat! Fill these gift baskets with foods that are tasty, energizing, and ready to eat. Here are some ideas:
· Energy bars
· Cereal bars
· String cheese
· Bananas
· Goldfish crackers
· Microwavable containers of soup
· Cracker sandwiches with cheese or peanut butter filling
Food gift baskets are popular gifts for birthdays, the holidays, or for any special occasion. Unfortunately, prepackaged gift baskets can be expensive! They also can be wasteful, as what are the odds that the recipient will like all the foods in the basket? So why not be creative and make your own custom food gift basket? You can fill it up with foods the recipient will appreciate, and you can control the cost. You also can include homemade treats, and what’s more personal than that?
When making a gift basket, it’s a good idea to include foods that are nonperishable, or at least foods that don’t go bad quickly. Choose food containers that are attractive and look nice together. Try to avoid foods that are too bulky. And most important, choose foods the recipient likes!
Here are some ideas for homemade food gift baskets, gourmet food gift baskets, healthy food gift baskets, and convenience food gift baskets. Choose one of these themes, or mix and match!
1) Coffee or tea gift baskets are great ideas – they work well for the Holidays and for birthdays and special occasions. Plus they are so easy to accessorize and add little nuggets of joy. Start with 3 or 4 different types of gourmet coffee – using a good assortment. Mix heavy with dark and light and even throw in coffee from different regions. A good variety is always well received. Then add some nice accessories like coffee mugs and travel accessories. Finally add some biscuits or crackers and even some flavored creamers if you like. Chocolates, Nuts and candies add a wonderful final touch.
2) Homemade food gift baskets are great for the holidays, college exam week, or anytime a little comfort food is needed. Dress up a gift basket of prepared foods with a few homemade items for a personal touch. Some ideas for homemade gift basket treats:
· Cookies
· Quick breads
· Mini muffins
· Fruitcake
· Rice Krispie treats
· Hand dipped chocolate covered fruits and cookies
· Sealed jars of jam or jelly
· Sealed jars of salsa
2) Gourmet food gift baskets make great housewarming or holiday gifts. They’re great for foodies who love to cook, or for anyone who could use a few gourmet meals. Gourmet condiments often are available in small containers, so you can fill a basket with a variety of gourmet treats. Some ideas:
· Olive oil
· Balsamic vinegar
· Chutney
· Gourmet mustard or similar jarred condiments
· High quality chocolate bars, truffles, and other gourmet chocolates
· Marzipan candy
· Gourmet coffee or tea
· Gourmet cocoa for hot chocolate
· High quality, expensive spices, like saffron
· Cheese (but check the shelf life)
3) Healthy food gift baskets. These will make a welcome change of pace during the holidays, when everyone’s bombarded by cookies and candies. For a good balance, add some of these healthy treats into other gift baskets as well. Some ideas:
· Fruit with a long shelf life (apples, oranges, pears, etc.)
· Dried fruit, nuts, and trail mix
· Herbal tea or green tea
· Organic cookies, crackers, or similar healthy snack foods
· Mixes for hummus, vegetarian chili, fat free brownies, or other healthful items
· Low fat granola
4) Convenience food gift baskets. These are ideal for a new mother who doesn’t have enough time or free hands to eat! Fill these gift baskets with foods that are tasty, energizing, and ready to eat. Here are some ideas:
· Energy bars
· Cereal bars
· String cheese
· Bananas
· Goldfish crackers
· Microwavable containers of soup
· Cracker sandwiches with cheese or peanut butter filling