Wicker & Ribbon Gift Baskets Blog

Stress Free Holiday Gift Giving

2010-11-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

Crowded shopping malls, no parking spots, terrible road conditions, and freezing weather, who wants to deal with that? This year you can avoid it all by sending Holiday gift baskets to your clients, friends, family and colleagues. Here are four great reasons to send Holiday gift baskets:

It‘s fast! The perfect gift is only a few clicks away! Browse through the gourmet selections and choose the perfect something for that special someone. Then click, pay, send.

It’s easy! You can order your gift baskets from the comfort of your own home or office. You pick the gift and we take care of the rest. A beautifully selected and packaged gift arrives where you want it when you want it there.

It’s a great gift! Who could resist a basket filled with goodies? No one, right? Perhaps that's why they make such great gifts. With so many types of gift baskets to choose from; mouth-watering gourmet delicacies, scrumptious sweet treats and snacks, decadent chocolates, and so much more. You are sure to find the perfect gift for anyone on your gift list.

It can be customized! Although most gift basket companies offer a selection of pre-designed gift baskets, there is always the option to substitute some items or to personalize your very own gift basket to meet your needs and budget. With a bit of planning, even the wrapping or items in the basket can have your company logo.

Make this holiday season stress free. Order your gift baskets early and then sit back, relax and enjoy your family and friends.

Wicker & Ribbon Gift Baskets, www.wickerandribbon.com, (450) 314-0570

Gift Baskets to Acquire New Business

2010-08-26T07:38:00.000-07:00

Promotional Gift baskets are a great tool for any company or small business. If you are a business owner and understand brand marketing, then you know that using incentives can help increase brand awareness and repeat business.

Promotional gift baskets are a clever way to attract new clients. They can be used at sales conferences, trade shows, investor conferences or off site meeting. Have your gift basket custom made according to the theme of the event. If the sales conference is taking place in Quebec consider including products made in region such as maple syrup, blueberry jam and ice wine chocolates. If the event is a Home Improvement Show you may want to include a hammer and some assorted nails. You could also include business related information such as a brochure, business card or a branded promotional gift item.

If you choose to be more subtle and not to include business information in the gift basket, you can still add your brand and/or business name to the gift using a logo ribbon or your company colors in the packaging.

All business owners want to generate more leads and increase profits but many don’t know how to achieve this. The key is to make your business unique so that it stands out from the competition. Get new customers and keep them by making your business unique and memorable with a promotional gift basket!

Contact a gift basket professional today to help you create promotional concept for your next event!

Wicker & Ribbon Gift Baskets, www.wickerandribbon.com, (450)314-0570

Gift Baskets to Show Client Appreciation

2010-08-07T09:07:00.000-07:00

Gift giving done right can affirm business relationships, improve customer loyalty and stimulate more referrals. When you and your company are perceived in a positive light, and when clients feel that their business is valued and appreciated, then goodwill and loyalty improve.

When sending a "thank you" gift to a client for a purchase or a contract, logo merchandise is not appropriate as it is not seen as personal. Instead consider a personalized gift basket filled with items the recipient will truly enjoy. The person receiving your gift should get a sense that you personally shopped with them in mind so consider their personal preferences and dietary restriction when making your choice. If you are sending it to an office staff, it is best to send a basket filled with a variety of snacks and sweets that everyone can share and enjoy.

Business gifts are often sent during the holidays, however sending them throughout the year is a great way to stand out, let the clients know that their business is valued and also to keep your company name top of mind.

Business gifts will never take the place of good service, great product and integrity which are most important in any business relationship however an entrepreneur should never underestimate the edge they gain with a memorable gift.

Read more about “Why should Gift Baskets be a part of a Marketing Plan?” on our next blog post: Gift Baskets to Acquire New Business

Wicker & Ribbon Gift Baskets, www.wickerandribbon.com

Why should Gift Baskets be a part of a Marketing Plan?

2010-07-28T13:15:00.000-07:00

To answer that question, it is important to understand the power of business gifts. A well thought out corporate gifting program is an excellent way to help any business with customer retention, brand building, customer acquisition and building lasting relationships with business partners.

Every business has a marketing budget. How they spend their marketing budget depends on their business model and overall business goals. Typically the largest part of a marketing budget is used for new market development and customer retention. It is important to remember that it costs more money to acquire new customers than it does to keep your existing clients.

Corporate gift baskets are great way to say “thank you” to existing clients and business partners for their continued support. They can also be a used to help you win over new customers as well as when launching a new products or services.

Gift baskets are not the only types of corporate gifts, but they do have a powerful impact when used correctly. A corporate gift program is an essential part of a business marketing strategy and is money well spent when done correctly. If your business does not currently have a business gifting program, consider setting one up.

Read more about it on our next blog post: Gift Baskets to Show Client Appreciation

Wicker & Ribbon Gift Baskets, www.wickerandribbon.com

Custom Gift Baskets as Easy as 1,2,3 ..and 4 and 5

2010-06-30T13:32:00.000-07:00

5 Steps for placing a Custom Gift Basket Order

You’ve been searching the web for the perfect gift basket. One design fits your budget but the content is not quite what the recipient would enjoy, the other has the perfect products but it doesn't quite fit your budget.

You don’t have all day to search all over the web looking for just the right gift basket that will fit your budget, content needs and still get there on time?

Customizing the perfect gift basket is a lot easier than it may sound.

Here are 5 steps for placing a custom gift basket order:

1. Find a Local Gift Basket Company
Check the yellow pages or do a Google search for a gift basket company in the city where your gift will be delivered. Take a look at the company's website to find out about their delivery delays, check out some gift basket photos and read client reviews.

2. Call the Gift Basket Company Directly
Find out if the company can easily create a custom gift basket arrangement for you, if they cannot it may be that their gift baskets are premade or drop-shipped.

3. Know Your Budget
It is important to have a good idea of your budget. The designer can offer some customization suggestions for your gift basket arrangement once they know your budget.

4. Tell the Designer your Customization Specifications
If you are unsure of what type of gift basket your recipient might enjoy, tell the designer a little about his or her likes/dislikes, dietary restriction and the occasion. This information helps the designer make suggestions for a custom gift basket within your budget.

5. Finalize the Order Details
You will need to know the recipient's delivery information: including name, (company name), address, phone number, delivery date any details necessary to ensure a smooth delivery. You will also have to provide them with a personalized message to include on your gift card. Make your payment and you're done!

It’s that easy! Placing a custom gift basket order is almost as easy as picking a standard gift basket off of a website.

Wicker & Ribbon Gift Baskets, www.wickerandribbon.com

Corporate Gift Basket Etiquette

2010-06-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

Who could resist a basket filled with goodies? No one, right? Perhaps that's why gift baskets make such wonderful gifts. However, like any present, it's important to know proper gift-giving etiquette, especially in the business world. In fact, the first step should be to contact the recipient's organization to find out if there are any restrictions on gift giving.

Once you’ve decided that a gift basket is the way you want to go, it's important to look for one that captures the occasion. Being it Christmas, a client’s wedding, a birth or adoption announcement or a promotion, a well though-out gift basket will be remembered and appreciated.

• Try to select a gift basket that the recipient will enjoy, but also one that enhances the image of your company or organization;

• Look for one that reflects the recipient's job, interests, and the value of the relationship; and

• Don't send anything that could embarrass the recipient or be misconstrued.

If the recipient’s organization does not look favorably on their employees receiving gifts, you may want to consider offering a gift basket for the company’s golf tournament, summer picnic or annual holiday party.

Just remember, everyone loves discovering all the little goodies tucked inside their unique gift basket.

Wicker & Ribbon Gift Baskets, www.wickerandribbon.com

Mother's Day Gifts

2010-04-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is Sunday May 9th 2010.

Mother's Day is the time to celebrate and honour the special bond of love. It is the time to express gratitude, acknowledge her hard work and her selfless love for you. A mother does so much for her children and mother’s day is the perfect occasion to pamper your mom with special gifts and lots of love. Take this opportunity to treat all women who have loved and cared for you like a mother. Your grandmother, mother-in-law, aunts, sisters and the other mother figures in your life, shouldn’t be forgotten.

A very thoughtful and appropriate Mother's Day present is a gift basket. When you want to pamper mom with loads of gifts on this very special occasion, a gift basket makes an excellent gift idea. You can include all of mom’s favorite things, whether it is chocolate or candy, coffee or tea, gourmet treats or spa products, you can find a gift basket that’s just right for mom!

When selecting a gift basket for your mother, start by thinking of some of her favorite things. If mom loves sweets along with her coffee, then the coffee break gift basket can be a great choice. If she prefers to unwind with a cup of tea then the tea time gift basket would be an excellent choice. If she loves to spend the day at the spa, you can help her create a spa day at home with a relaxing spa gift basket that will energize her body and soul!

Visit us at www.wickerandribbon.com to browse our vast selection of mother’s day gift baskets to find the perfect gift for your mom.

Administrative Professionals Week

2010-04-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

National Secretaries Week was created in 1952 to encourage more people to consider careers in the secretarial/administrative support field. This event was celebrated in June. In 1955, National Secretaries Week was moved to the last full week of April. The name was changed to Professional Secretaries Week in 1981, and became Administrative Professionals Week in 2000 to encompass the expanding responsibilities and wide-ranging job titles of administrative support staff. Over the years, Administrative Professionals Week has become one of the largest workplace observances. The event is celebrated worldwide and it is often celebrated by giving one's assistant gifts, lunch at a restaurant, or time off.

This year Administrative Professionals Week is from April 18th to April 24th. Administrative Professionals Day is on Wednesday April 21st.

It is customary to say thank you to secretaries, assistants and coordinators who keep the office running and often accomplish near-impossible feats keeping track of deadlines, juggling schedules and ensuring that everything runs as smoothly as possible.

Here are a couple of ways to show your care and appreciation during Administrative Professional's Week:

1) Send a gourmet food basket. Why not treat their whole family by sending a basket of goodies to the home? It will show their family that you appreciate the sacrifices they have made in allowing the Administrative Professional spend such long hours at work.

2) Send a hand-written thank you note. These are noteworthy because in this fast-paced life of emails and instant messaging, very few people take the time to write a card or letter.

3) Take him or her out to lunch. Pick his or her favourite restaurant and use this opportunity to talk not only about work but also to find out more about your assistant.

4) Send them a spa gift basket. Give them the gift of relaxation! Help them relax and rejuvenate with a spa gift basket. Make it stress-free for you too by ordering online or by phone and having it delivered.