Gift Baskets by Shirley!!! We need ideas and pictures!!!

[pearljammer]

We sailed on 3/27/11. Here's the gift basket I ordered for my family.

Here's what was inside:

If you don't mind me asking, how much did something like that run you? I'm asking because if you were to price those items out individually, it wouldn't come to a lot. I've viewed her website and the prices seem high for what you get in them. We're considering carrying out own items on and putting it together once there for our son. Just wondering cause I'm guessing those may be some expensive "snacks". Thanks.

 

[princssdisnygina]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did something like that run you? I'm asking because if you were to price those items out individually, it wouldn't come to a lot. I've viewed her website and the prices seem high for what you get in them. We're considering carrying out own items on and putting it together once there for our son. Just wondering cause I'm guessing those may be some expensive "snacks". Thanks.

I can't answer that... but if you were to buy those things out right it would cost you MAYBE... $25. I would be interested in knowing how much it was too.

 

[whamma]

Not cheap. It's not in the picture but I also got my husband a "Beers of the World" package and a small crystal block (hard to explain). The total for all of it was $135. I can't remember the breakdown about how much of it was for the beer. Sorry. There is no way I could put this together myself, get it in the room and surprise my family. For me it was worth it.

 

[pearljammer]

I'm in the wrong business. Ok, thanks for answering. It's a great idea. We're sailing in Oct and we're going to do our own gifts for our kids (as we're cruising with another couple). I can get a LOT more and better quality with my $135 than snacks and dollar store items (yes, I've seen at least 2 of those items at the dollar store). I understand though that a lot of people fly in and for mere convenience it may be worth it. Luckily for us, we'll get to drive. Thanks for sharing.

 

[tracy51]

whamma - I agree, its not about getting it for cheap, it's about the surprise and the presentation. There's just something fun about having a basket waiting in your room. Haven't done it for a cruise yet.

How far in advance should I call to place an order? Our cruise is almost 2 months out. I don't want to call too soon but also don't want to wait until its too late.

 

[lillygator]

I can tell you - we've used Shirley before and I have also made our own before...since we live in FL and drive over I thought it would save $$....what a PAIN....I had the baskets/bags hidden in a huge bag that I had to lug through the port and with us to lunch and around the ship until the room was ready. It's honestly worth the $$ to have Shirley and her crew make and deliver!

 

[snelsonbrown]

I'm in the wrong business. Ok, thanks for answering. It's a great idea. We're sailing in Oct and we're going to do our own gifts for our kids (as we're cruising with another couple). I can get a LOT more and better quality with my $135 than snacks and dollar store items (yes, I've seen at least 2 of those items at the dollar store). I understand though that a lot of people fly in and for mere convenience it may be worth it. Luckily for us, we'll get to drive. Thanks for sharing.

Pearljammer, I have never ever used Dollar store items - all my items are ordered in from a number of reputable companies AND the 2 dollar store here are not worth going into - there is a great deal that goes into our gift baskets and they really turn out beautiful with a great presentation for those that receive them. remember the cost includes delivery and tax since DCL charges us $12.50 for every delivery unless we can tie two together to say our customer's $$$
I appreciate your imput though and realize some folks do believe that we use items of a cheaper quality - never have and never will.
thanks again and again comments are appreciated regardless of pro and cons
Reminded me of a customer several weeks ago that made her kids baskets and then called and asked if I would deliver them for her - she was here locally and decided to do so - she brought the gift baskets in and we had to completely redo them since they would not survived the delivery to the room.
She was stunned as to what the final end results were -
Anyhow hugssssssssssss to all

 

[pearljammer]

Pearljammer, I have never ever used Dollar store items - all my items are ordered in from a number of reputable companies AND the 2 dollar store here are not worth going into -l

Hi Shirley, never said you did. Just that I'd seen two of those items in the dollar store is all. Perhaps you should since you can get the same thing there and perhaps pass along those savings to your customers. Not to mention, those are some expensive snacks so those MUST be coming from a top notch store!!

 

[GoHerd1028]

Pearljammer, I have never ever used Dollar store items - all my items are ordered in from a number of reputable companies AND the 2 dollar store here are not worth going into - there is a great deal that goes into our gift baskets and they really turn out beautiful with a great presentation for those that receive them. remember the cost includes delivery and tax since DCL charges us $12.50 for every delivery unless we can tie two together to say our customer's $$$
I appreciate your imput though and realize some folks do believe that we use items of a cheaper quality - never have and never will.
thanks again and again comments are appreciated regardless of pro and cons
Reminded me of a customer several weeks ago that made her kids baskets and then called and asked if I would deliver them for her - she was here locally and decided to do so - she brought the gift baskets in and we had to completely redo them since they would not survived the delivery to the room.
She was stunned as to what the final end results were -
Anyhow hugssssssssssss to all

Shirley....to me...the look on my kids faces when they walked into the cabin to find your basket from "Catpain Jack" and "Cinderella" was worth it all. Something you just can't put a price on! We will be using your services again next June!

 

[whamma]

Shirley and her staff are worth every penny. This was our second cruise basket from The Perfect Gift and I will do it again!

 

[Jennifer in MI]

We are the frugal family. We ordered from Shirley and we'd do it again!!! LOVE her! I didn't want food because I knew there was going to be a LOT on the ship. She talked with me a lot on the phone and got to know my kids. She really listened!!!! My dd got a basket from Snow White full of princess things that she could use on the cruise - an autograph book, a cup, etc. She still uses these things!!!

My boys had one signed from Captain Jack. They had sand toys and pirate things for pirate night.

Both were perfect. BOTH were HUGE and only cost us around $75 total.

 

[angieleia]

Amazing baskets!!!!

 

[sammydent]

I ordered two baskets from Shirley in 2009, for my then 12 year old son and 8 year old daughter. The baskets were incredible!! My kids were SO surprised and loved everything in their baskets. The presentation was phenomenal. I knew that I wanted to get these baskets so I budgeted for them in advance. They were worth every penny and then some! I can't recommend Shirley and her gang enough!!

 

[snelsonbrown]

I just wanted to take the time to say thanks for all the kindness shown - believe me, it may sound like I make a fortune, but I really don't - I shop for very special items and sometimes the "shopping for that special item" has cost me more than I charged -
Over the years, I have donated a number of gift baskets for MAW children or children in challenges and with the help of D.A.I.D, so many were given so many smiles.
everyone here is extremely very special in my life and when the times comes that I can no longer continue, my memories will be very blessed because of you.
Blessings always
Shirley and Norm

 

[AmandaRG]

I consider myself quite frugal as well, but for me it was just the goofy grin on my DH's face, and the awe on our girls'. It was great fun to see them "open" their baskets. It was very similar to what we decided about vacationing on DCL, our girls had a sense of wonder every day and the bliss is just something we decided can't have a price tag.

Now, go with me to the grocery store and watch me walk up and down the aisles with my coupons looking for a sale!

 

[su_kraft]

Chiming in... We did the WBTA last year and had Shirley and her team build survival kits and cooler for our drive back to Atlanta. It was AWESOME! They worked with the rental car agency and were able to deliver it there. It was perfect! Snacks, drinks, activity books...

Other people in line to get their cars watched as we peeked inside and they wanted one too!

I was worried about the proce, but knowing that I didn't have to hit a convenience store find a cooler, etc. or but it at a port and haul it around made it well worth the value. Not to menntion the "this saved moms sanity" factor... THANKS AGAIN SHIRLEY!!!

 

[snelsonbrown]

Chiming in... We did the WBTA last year and had Shirley and her team build survival kits and cooler for our drive back to Atlanta. It was AWESOME! They worked with the rental car agency and were able to deliver it there. It was perfect! Snacks, drinks, activity books...

Other people in line to get their cars watched as we peeked inside and they wanted one too!

I was worried about the proce, but knowing that I didn't have to hit a convenience store find a cooler, etc. or but it at a port and haul it around made it well worth the value. Not to menntion the "this saved moms sanity" factor... THANKS AGAIN SHIRLEY!!!

I remember this one very well and it took me back to when my children were very young (all 5 of them) and would start from the time they got in the station wagon (before auto TV, computer games etc) the questions "how much longer", can we stop, I am hungry, gotta go to the bathroom (of course none would go all at the same time) etc" - at that time the only games provided was looking at car tags to see how many states they could find OR the ABC game - by the time we got to Key West (8 hours from here) - the only thing that kept me from throwing them over the bridge was knowing we were almost "home" and my daddy and mama had stuff to entertain them - so Becca you are most welcomed and it was my sincere pleasure as usual AND BTW thanks for the memories

 

[disneyfool_1202]

I am doing the dance right now!!! I just ordered a double pirate basket for my kids for our 5/29 cruise. Brooke was AWESOME to work with - especially since I'm dealing with food allergies AND a kid who is so rigid he will ONLY drink from a juice sac if it says "Kook Aid Jammers" - even if the same bloody stuff is in Capri Suns!!!
I can't WAIT to see it! The kids are going to be SO surprised!!!!!

 

[pjstevens]

Not cheap. It's not in the picture but I also got my husband a "Beers of the World" package and a small crystal block (hard to explain). The total for all of it was $135. I can't remember the breakdown about how much of it was for the beer. Sorry. There is no way I could put this together myself, get it in the room and surprise my family. For me it was worth it.

I have to say that as a former customer of Shirley's, yes, it might be a little pricey, but so WORTH it! It was just hubby and I the first cruise and he was so tickled that I thought to get him somethings he'd like and not be able to get on board. This year we are cruising with our kids (two adults) and I'll be ordering again! Shirley offers not only an awesome service, she's been there to help many of Dis-ers when things just go wrong. She's given others her personal phone number and constantly updates the one thread with tips for the Port area! I was bummed that we didn't get to actually 'meet' her on our last cruise since we got into port on a Saturday afternoon and their shop was closed when we drove by later. Hoping since we are cruising a weekday this year, we'll get to go by and say "HI"!

 

[disneykelly73]

I just ordered a basket for our trip on Mother's day!!! I ordered one for my dh's first trip back in Oct of 2006 and since this is our babies first cruise, I ordered another!!

I went with a giant sand pail and drinks and snacks, as well as added on some booze for the adults!!

Can not wait!! Will post pictures when we get back!!