Recently in Friend Gifts Category

There's no food that's more "comfort food" rich than soup!  Warm, cuddly, aromatic, and healthful ... this ambrosia of good eating is also an excellent theme for a gift basket.

Who wants a soup gift basket?  Anyone who needs a hug.  Any friend who is experiencing a bumpy road -- layoff, broken heart, loss of a loved one, loss of a beloved pet ... even moving to a new neighborhood.

And to celebrate your friendship ... any day!

Here are some ideas for soup gift baskets:

Childhood Favorites

Tomato soup, Ritz crackers, a sprinkle of fresh herbs or cheese...yum!

Alphabet soup ... with a children's book about the alphabet, the more visuals the better! And don't forget animal crackers!

Creamy potato soup...yum, my favorite!  Add some corn and you have corn chowder.

Historic Soups

Holiday Favorites: Make a gourmet splash with exotic flavors such as pumpkin,  eggnog, rum, wine, champagne, and extra thick soups that can be used as a "dip".

America's historic foods are pumpkins and squash; corn; beans and cornbread, of course!  Soup fixings can be cradled in a "souper" gift basket with a cute bowl or big cup, a soup ladle, or even a couple napkins!

Sizzle of the Sea

Seafood soups are so elegant and tummy-warming.  Clam chowder, lobster bisque, and seafood samplers can be ordered from a gourmet deli and added to a basket with sea shells, flipflops...and a ticket to the beach in your own private shuttle.  (That's an idea for people who live near the water and forget to take time to smell the surf!)     

Seasonal Soups

If you're a gardener and you have shut-in friends, neighbors or family, how about taking your excess fresh produce and putting together a quart jar of soup that can be quickly heated in the microwave, and add some fresh break or homemake crackers, or even some scones from the neighborhood bakery?  

Fall vegetables are super soupers!  Squash, greens, pumpkins, tomatoes...add a hunk of flavorful cheese, and you have fall in a bowl!  

Sympathy, Housewarming.... and Thinking of YOU, everyone loves soup.  But many people have allergies or taste preferences, so do some snooping and learn to know the secret whimsy that makes your friend smile that deep, lovin' life kind of smile! 
 
Gourmet Grocery Online is one source for gourmet soups.

Want to make your own gift baskets.  Start with a creative, or unique empty gift basket.  Or make a gift basket out of something unusual...or in an unusual way such as crochet or weaving.

Creating your own standard basket line will help you limit the variety of materials you need to produce baskets with design flair, but at a reasonable cost.  Little touches can completely change the look and feel of each of your products.

A food basket can include a majority of the same basic items, with with just one or two "showboat" items, and a change in color of the basket liner, you can take that creative gift basket from one that appeals to grannies to corporate executives to fathers on their special day!

Your creativity all starts with an empty gift basket. Custom gift baskets usually sell better when customers see your standard baskets...and make changes.  Standard baskets--including gourmet food, toiletry and bath, and wedding and baby shower baskets--can serve as idea starters you can show to prospective customers -- online of in your shop. 

Here are some of the markets for empty gift baskets for the small gift basket businessowner.

• Local craft stores that have seasonal or heavily discounted sales on baskets.  Learn how to nest baskets in your limited storage facility
• Local or regional import stores that specialize in home furnishings.
• Fair trade nonprofits that help people in struggling economies find outlets for their handcrafted goods
• Online supply companies such as Tradekey
• Specialized online suppliers such as Beau Coup

Trade resources such as the Gift Association of America or Gift Basket Professionals Network can connect you with more sources for empty gift baskets and gift basket design supplies.

Creativity is endless with gift baskets!  It's all about filling that hole with unique joy!

Creative gift baskets start with your customers' desires.  What are they using this gift basket for?  Who for?  For what results?  All those questions put you into your customers' heads!  You have to become psychic to understand how gifting works.  If you don't do much gifting yourself, you might want to try it... you might like it!  :-)  And you'll better understand what questions your prospects ask about making their purchase.  What matters most?  What shiny object attracts them?  How do they rationalize the value of one basket over another?  What's the baseline quality level they expect?

Creativity isn't all about beauty...it's also about practical issues such as light weight and sturdiness to handle shipping.  Creativity is also about price points, and how to get the most appeal out of simple, inexpensive materials arranged in a truly memorable way! 

Creative gift baskets can be small, modular, fluffy, tightly packed, or localized.  Your creativity keeps you in this business, so use your creative urges to keep your product line fresh, and your customers coming back for more!

Mix fun toys, books, puzzles, sweet treats, photos, and collectibles for an exciting treasure chest for children.  These gift baskets are especially great to pull out when a child is sick in bed.  Make them up early and store several away in a "Granny's box".

Select new varieties of soy, wax and other non-petroleum candles for healthier air quality...and this, a healthier glow!

In this go-go world, longevity of relationships are something special to celebrate.  Whether the anniversary you are honoring is marriage, friendship, working together, volunteer service... or being good neighbors, an anniversary gift basket is a special solution.  Why?  Because it can be tailored to the event, the number of years, and the people!

Celebrate Shared Times with Anniversary Gift Baskets!

• Anniversary Gift Basket
• Wedding Anniversary Gift Basket
• Employee Anniversary Gift Basket
• Special Anniversary Gift Basket
• Volunteer Anniversary Gift Basket
  

 Is it a TENTH?  Add ten special items to your gift basket.

Is it the FIFTIETH?  Look back into history and find themes from the era that started it all!

Is it ONE YEAR of special, intensity?  Celebrate the high points...and the years to come!

Anniversary memories braid together the past with the present and the future.  Your gift basket can become the table-top container that holds the special mementos of the day.  So choose the basket with as much care as the items that you put into the basket!

What is Easter without a basket... and a gift basket for kids is a no-brainer! Easter bunnies don't just lay eggs any longer...they are not magicians with dolls, toys, special candies and cakes, as well as lots of ribbons! Festive colors and the joy of opening the basket are what matter!

Easter Baskets for Girls

Boys might enjoy a bit different choice of toys, but they enjoy the same candies, cakes and bright colors!

Make Easter a festive hunt for treasures and a time of discovery. Add skill-building toys like tops and puzzles to take some of the emphasis off candy and sweets! Toys last so much longer than candy and are often the focus of delight in a kids gift basket!