Gift Basket Ideas needed please!!!

[~*Belle 2003*~]

I'm toying with the idea of starting up a small business making gift baskets from home. I would really enjoy this type of thing and any extra pennies I make would be even better!

EsmeraldaX, if you see this post, thanks for the inspiration - it was your kitty basket that started this idea off!

Anyway, I would want to start with just a few ideas at first to see how they sell then hopefully branch out to more choices.

I fancy doing some themed baskets and traditional ones too but what ones do you think would be best to start with?

Make your lists as long as you want - all help is very much appreciated!!!!!

 

[Pooh67_68]

Gift baskets with snacks are always good.
Candle gift baskets

 

[Otto's Doll]

Baby baskets
Welcome to the Neighborhood
Christmas/Easter/Fourth of July
Chicken Soup (soup, mug, Chicken Soup book...)
Cookie basket

Sounds like fun, Best of luck!

 

[mommytotwo]

I want to also start a gift basket business, but need that extra push one day.

Baby basket-Hooded baby towel, baby wash, shampoo, baby powder, soft animal mitts, rubber ducks, and a small it's a boy or it's a girl onsie.

Garden basket-Shovel, seed packets, gardening gloves, flower bulbs-when avaliable, gardening book...

Baking basket-Cookie mix, bread mix, measuring spoons, spatula, kitchen towel, oven mitts, and cake mix.

Spa basket-Lotions, bath salts, face mask, shower gel, candles, incense, a nice relaxation book.

 

[Feralpeg]

Just let yourself go. Think of what you'd like to receive if you were that person and go for it. I recently started making candy bouquets. I have no training. I just looked at pictures of different ones available on the internet and then gave it a shot. It's fun. I am now looking at turning it into a business. Below are a couple of example of bouquets I put together.

 

[clh2]

Just a theme - can't tell you what would be good in them since my parents never sent one to me! But baskets geared to "College Survival during Exams" is a great theme!

 

[mudnuri]

I'd pick themes, then go from there.

Mother of the bride- relaxing tea...bath salts...loafa's...etc...

16th birthday....gas card...AAA membership....guardian angel clip for visor...car wash...etc.

Child leaving for college....phone card....wal-mart card...restuarant gift certificates...micro popcorn...

teen's birthday...stuff for sleepover/makeovers....finger nail polish, files, pedicure toe things, facial masks....cool eye covers for sleeping

superbowl sunday baskets- chex mix...team flags..m&m's....pizza gift certificate...couple cans of beer (??)

nascar fan's basket- mini flags for fav driver..matchbox of fav driver/car...snacks...t-shirt of driver....ball cap of driver ??

hope these help, if I think of anymore I'll let ya know.

oh- just did

New Mom basket- moisturizing lotion....gift cert for pedicure/massage... gift cert for restaurant....coupon for babysitting....subscription to family fun, or some magazine like that....what to expect the first year book

New Dad basket- little ear plugs (its a joke people!)...gift certs for restaurants....daddys little girl/boy bib...." Bill Cosby book "fatherhood"...

okay- I'll keep wracking my brain!

Brandy

 

[MerryPoppins]

What good ideas.

 

[Kallison]

Love your candy baskets -- how do you get the candy to fan and stand so high up in the basket? I just did a candy bouquet search, yours rival some of the nicer ones. I looked at one website where they were lame for $40 each!

 

[orvilleair]

I don't have a name for it, but a basket with goodies to remind your loved ones whom live far away from home. For example, I live in SW Ohio and I would put stuff like this:

Can of Skyline chili, Ester Price Candy, Mike Sells potato chips, issue of Cincinnatti magazine etc...

My aunt lives in New Jersey, and she can't get the above mentioned items. We send her a box of that stuff for Christmas to remind her where she grew up.

 

[leighe]

What about a "Date Basket" with a DVD, popcorn, candy, maybe a bottle of wine or those cute little cokes in glass bottles. You could even theme the snacks or other stuff in the basket to go with the movie.

 

[princessariel]

Coffee Lovers Basket- a couple of coffee mugs, a few different gourmet coffees, coffee creamers, coasters.

Golf Lovers basket- Tees, golfballs, certificate for a round of golf, visor, golf towel.

photo theme- film, photo album, picture frame, disposable camera.

Collectors basket- say you collect Angels, then an angel pin, a mug with a picture of an angel, a book on angels, an angel ornament, t-shirt with an angel on it. You can do similar with other collectables....Disney character, cats, trains, classic cars or whatever.

 

[clh2]

Don't forget about a Green Bay Packer basket!!!

Or if you must - substitute the preferred team.

 

[~*Belle 2003*~]

Thanks all - some great ideas!

Feralpeg - your candy baskets are really great & thanks for posting pictures. Love the Disney theme!

What do you use to keep the items in place though? The only thing I can think of is a flower oasis right now?

Keep those ideas coming!

 

[dizagain]

Originally posted by clh2
Just a theme - can't tell you what would be good in them since my parents never sent one to me! But baskets geared to "College Survival during Exams" is a great theme!

That's what I was going to suggest...especially if your location is close to several colleges/universities. Our SGA sold them in college to the parents - they just sent out a letter with the offer and then put baskets together and delivered. Ours were small scale, but now there are so many cute and fun little items out there. Good luck - sounds like a fun business to get into!

 

[Feralpeg]

I use floral sticks which I stick into a floral foam frog. I use floral tape or hot glue, depending on what I'm working with to fasten the candy to the sticks.

 

[~*Belle 2003*~]

Originally posted by Feralpeg
I use floral sticks which I stick into a floral foam frog. I use floral tape or hot glue, depending on what I'm working with to fasten the candy to the sticks.

Aha - floral sticks!

I forgot all about them but it's a really good idea!

Thanks Feralpeg.