Posts filed under 'Basket Enhancements'
“As more than 2 million U.S. couples sort out their wedding budgets–which averaged $28,732 in 2007, according to The Wedding Report Inc.–they’ll collectively be spending more than $62.8 billion this year to make the experience as memorable and personal as possible.” Full Article
Wow! So how can you create a niche for your gift basket business within this lucrative industry? Maybe it’s best to start in your own community and find out what goods and services are already being offered to brides and grooms. Over the slow summer months, visit some of these businesses in your neighborhood.
- Florists
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Bridal Shops
- Tuxedo Rental Shops
- Hair and Nail Salons
- Bakeries
- Photographers
- Caterers
At each stop, make sure you leave information about the services that you offer and discuss how you might work cooperatively. For example, a florist who only does bouquets and reception flowers may be willing to give your name to the bride who is interested in “welcome” gift baskets for guests who are coming in from out of town. The photographer might allow you to leave one of your samples in his showroom.
Also check out your Yellow Pages for “bridal or wedding consultants”. In the past decade, the need for someone to “take care of all the details” has grown and consultants are involved in all phases of planning and organizing the wedding. Creating a good working relationship with the local wedding consultant may go a long way to helping you get involved in the wedding business.
You may also want to think about carrying some wedding items that you can include in your gourmet basket. Wine glasses for the couple’s first toast, a guest register book and plumed pen, or a wedding garter would be perfect accessories to add in your wedding gourmet designs.
August 5th, 2008
Looking for a new idea for creative gift baskets? Check out Moviegiftbaskets.net. The author has some great ideas for putting together baskets that include a DVD plus gourmet treats, gift cards and other items that are “educational and inspiring”.
Not only will you read about special gift basket themes for kids, coworkers and friends, you’ll find a list of popular movie titles and step by step instructions for building a movie gift basket.
Delight your clients with this new basket design. Ask them to tell you what types of movies the recipient prefers: comedies, action, drama, etc. Encourage your customers to offer suggestions about what to include in the basket. And don’t forget the popcorn!!
I think you’ll find this to be lucrative and fun! Go to Moviegiftbaskets.net for more information.
July 1st, 2008
I saw an ad in Gourmet Retailer Magazine about a new item for gift baskets: Gourmet Herb Garden Kits. These would be great addition for a gift basket with a “cooking” theme.
Go to Gifts That Bloom to learn more. The complete in-door gardening gift kits are a perfect gift for avid gardeners and beginners alike. In addition to the Herb Garden Gifts, the company offers over 250 gifts including kits for flowers, plants and trees. “Just add water and sun!”
April 27th, 2008
In January, I posted an article in this blog about bans on plastic bags and reusable totes. Well, the gourmet food industry is going green!
Now, at Apex Gift Foods, you can purchase Envirosax Reusable Shopping Bags and spread the environmental message with style.
Lightweight polyester, portable, waterproof and weighing just 1/4 oz., Envirosax Reusable Shopping Bags can hold the equivalent of two supermarket plastic bags thanks to reinforced seams.
Envirosax Reusable Shopping Bags, printed with exciting, trendy graphics, are a perfect gift idea and can easily be included in your gift baskets. Each bag rolls up into itself and snaps shut and is small enough to stow in a handbag or glove compartment.
Or, build your basket in one of these 19.5″ x 16.5″ bags and do your part for our environment.
Go to Apex Gift Foods for more information.
April 21st, 2008
May is National Barbecue Month. Go to the official web site of the National Barbecue Association for information about the history of barbecue, recipes, accessories and anything and everything you might want to know about barbecue!
In the meantime, design a Barbecue gift basket. Include chips, salsa, meats, cheeses, mustards: all the stuff your customers will want for their backyard barbecues. Check out your local Dollar Store and add barbecue mitts or grill accessories to your basket. Make copies of a few great barbecue recipes and include those in your basket. With Memorial Day coming up at the end of the month, add a red, white and blue bow to your basket and celebrate two holidays at once.
Please share your ideas for Barbecue Gift Baskets. Have fun with your basket creations!
April 23rd, 2007
Attending gourmet food trade shows is a great way to jumpstart your energy and get your creative juices flowing. In one location, you can see the newest products and learn about current trends in your industry. Additionally, you get to talk with others who do what you do everyday and can pick up great ideas for making your business better.
If you can manage time away from your business (as well as the cost), I recommend your also attending trade shows that may not be directly related to your business, but may still offer lots of new ideas. In the upcoming months, there are several trade shows that may be worth considering. At these shows, you’ll see such products as dinnerware, serveware, barware, cutlery, giftware and more. So what does all this have to do with gourmet baskets?
Take a look at the newest issues of Rave Reviews Magazine and go to the internet to see Gift Basket Review’s latest online magazine. Both magazines feature gourmet baskets that include lots of products other than gourmet foods. Wine openers, decorative dish towels, cocktails napkins, kitchen utensils, beautiful ceramic mugs, tea accessories, and grilling and picnic accessories were just a few of the “non-food” items I saw in gift basket designs. And you can source these types of products at gourmet housewares shows! Even if you don’t buy at these trades shows, you’ll be sure to come away with many new ideas about how you might accessorize your baskets with products that your customers will love.
Check out these web sites for more information about upcoming gourmet housewares shows and gift shows. You’ll learn a lot even if you just visit these sites.
The Gourmet Housewares Show
The Atlanta Fall Gift & Home Furnishings Market and The Atlanta Gourmet Market
March 21st, 2007
“Pantone Inc., the global provider of professional color standards, named Pantone 19-1557 Chili Pepper, a deep, spicy red, as the color of the year.” See the full story as reported in Gourmet News Magazine.
“Whether expressing danger, celebration, love or passion, red will not be ignored,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute…In 2007, there is an awareness of the melding of diverse cultural influences, and Chili Pepper is a reflection of exotic tastes both on the tongue and to the eye”.
Color trends as predicted by Pantone and other “trend” organizations usually affect home, housewares and clothing markets first. I just returned from a buying trip for our wholesale floral supply business and we saw many shades of red used in holiday decorations. Designers used multiple shades of red in a single display and also paired these deep rich reds with bright lime and sage greens.
If you want your baskets to reflect the popular trends for the upcoming year, include products in bright, bold shades of red in all your designs (not just holiday designs). Look for packaging in other bright colors that will complement the red tones such as tangerine orange, lemon yellow, and lime green. Keep up with the trends and your customers will come back for more!
February 4th, 2007
Gift Basket Review Magazine is now available in a new, on-line version! The first issue has been published and is chock full of information for gift basket business owners.
A section called Business Tools includes several articles about inventory management: how to plan and how to buy. There’s also a comprehensive list of 50 great products that a new business should include when making their initial purchases. These articles are a “must-see” for anyone who is thinking about starting a gift basket business.
Apex Gift Foods wants to help out new gift basket business owners too! Call us and mention that you saw this blog posting about new gift basket businesses. When you place your first order, Apex will give you 15% off the entire order!
Just print out the start-up checklist from Gift Basket Review or ask Apex for a copy of the checklist. Apex carries a full line of shelf stable gourmet food components and gift basket packaging supplies. The sales staff at Apex will be happy to make suggestions and answer your question to help you be successful in your new venture!
January 22nd, 2007
Are you looking for an inexpensive container to use for your holiday designs? Check out these metallic pots and dishes from Syndicate Sales, one of the largest manufacturers in the country of containers for retail florists.
Reflections,a line of lightweight, stable, plastic containers are a perfect choice for your holiday gift baskets. 
Bright, shiny gold and silver pots and dishes are damage resistant for safe shipping. These affordable containers can be put to use after your gourmet treats have been enjoyed. Let your customers know they can drop a poinsettia into the attractive tapered pot once they’ve finished the tasty treats that you sent, or use the attractive design dishes 
for a holiday centerpiece.
Go to Apex Gift Foods to see these versatile metallic containers. Call Apex, at 800-348-2369, to get a brochure showing the full line of Reflections metallic containers.
November 30th, 2006
In today’s competitive market, unique packaging can do much to make your baskets stand out from the crowd!
This year, Apex Gift Foods has added a new line of florals, greenery, printed cellophanes, ribbons, and holiday themed picks that will make your baskets special.
For example, these adorable glass coffee ornaments would be a great keepsake to add to one of your beverage baskets. Silk poinsettias or holly or bright red berries can add just the right touch to a holiday basket. Got some products in packages whose colors don’t match your theme? Drop the item into an organza gift bag for a whole new look.
Go to Apex Gift Foods and get 10% off any item in our Finishing Touches line. Mention TOUCHBLOG to qualify for your discount. Offer valid through October 25, 2006.
October 17th, 2006
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