How did you get started in gift baskets?

Sandy

I think I would like to do gift baskets and I have no idea where to even start!

I would like to use my cakes to make themes and create baskets to sell. I also can use cup cake mixes to put in mugs with no sentiments on them or any sentiments on them to make a theme. I would love any help you can give!

Thank you!
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Lauren · Posted: November 22, 2005, 8:51 am Post subject:

I thought about gift baskets too. Even thought about joining Cello in a Box to get discounts on wrapping, etc. I'm afraid I'm not going to be too much help. That's about as far as I got on that idea. What about wrapping them, and tying a little wisk, or spatula to the outside with ribbon? That would be an eyecatcher-might get people asking questions as to what is inside.

hth
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BusyMomma · Posted: November 22, 2005, 9:09 am Post subject:

Well where to start. These are just things to think about, I hope it doesn't overload you.

Do you do homeparties with your cakes or another company? I would suggest making up some gift baskets to have for sale there.

Have you found discount places to buy your wrapping, baskets, mugs and other supplies? Laughing

Do you want to focus online or offline?

If you want to focus offline, then start contacting local chambers and churches for street fair and bazaar dates.

HTH some. I have more ideas if needed. I'm always full of ideas.
Laughing

Feel free to pm or email me if you'd like.
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Sandy · Posted: November 22, 2005, 6:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks Val! I'm putting it on hold for now until after the holidays. I have to much going on right now to jump into something new, but watch out, I may be contacting you after the holidays for some help!!

Thanks!
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Anita · Posted: November 30, 2005, 6:15 am Post subject:

Great ideas Val! Please do keep them coming if you don't mind. Or heck...better yet... you ought to combine them all into article form and send it to me for my Home Business Ideas section at Mommy's Helper Wink

{HINT HINT}

Take care,
Anita Smile

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BusyMomma · Posted: November 30, 2005, 12:32 pm Post subject:

Sure why not add more too my plate. Laughing

Actually there must not be enough on the plate right now because I've been slackin. Must be the time off from school. roflmbo I'll be back on a roll here next week!

PS Anita, if you have topics you would like covered just send me a list.
Wink

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BusyMomma · Posted: November 30, 2005, 12:42 pm Post subject:

To be more specific to your cakes in the gift basket, I would look at each individual theme. You have birthday cakes, I would then go to oriental trading company and find inexpensive stuff to build a goodie bag type basket for kids with. The have a nice day one there on the front page of your site, I would build around the smilies. Add a magnet, post-it's, pencils, anything smiley. Make up a teachers kit that is chocolate for them to unwind after the years over. The sport cakes I would try to market up a coaches basket. Maybe add a whistle, small clipboard, notepad and a cool pen.

My Dad has said that Mom and I need to go into business just going through other's business'. We can walk through a biz and immediately size up what isn't working or find ideas on what they should add. It's really bad if we are together. Laughing

Just something we have no idea how to market. Confused

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Anita · Posted: November 30, 2005, 5:34 pm Post subject:

Why not? My plate keeps overflowing and overflowing, lol (just kidding of course, I wouldn't recommend everything I take on to anyone!! LOL)

Well, maybe you and your mom are really onto something! Kara and I are always talking about commercials, lol. Like how we analyze commercials on tv ALL the time. Good thing we have to two of us to chat with because our families sometimes think we've lost it. We have an obsession with commericials??!?

It's a shame that it costs so much to start up an actual brick and mortor store. Something I think would be cool is start a business where you have a list of items with a certain price on each one and let customers "create their own basket". You would of course put it together but let the customer pick the items to be included. Although, I guess you could do something like that online too.... Eh, just rambling. But it's a thought for anyone looking to get into it. Heck, maybe there's already something like that out there, lol! "Create a Basket"

Maybe I better get a coffee?? LOL!

Anyway, before I forget ... if you do go with an article....Don't forget to check out Oriental Trading has an affiliate program ;)

Take care,
Anita Smile

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Lauren · Posted: November 30, 2005, 9:38 pm Post subject:

I tried to find Oriental Trading Company's affiliate program, but didn't find one. Do they have one? They would be a great resource for gift basket supplies!

You could even create a birthday party in a box! Your cakes, craft kits from Oriental Trading Company, themed paper products. OOOH! I'm getting ideas! The Party Works has great character themed party supplies/paper products. I have a link to them on my Memories blog. Set a price for a party box for 8...I'm rambling!
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Lauren
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Holiday Wrap Party at MomChats! - Black Friday, Nov. 28th 10A-10P

Personalized Santa and Secret Santa Greetings
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Keep them believing for one more year!

Anita · Posted: November 30, 2005, 9:49 pm Post subject:

Yup, they sure do Wink

http://www.orientaltrading.com/otcweb/application?namespace=help&origin=home.jsp&event=link.subHelpOne&tabId=Home&helpDisplay=affiliatemain

If you go to www.OrientalTrading.com and look on the left-hand side you'll see "Affiliate Program"

Great ideas!

Take care,
Anita Smile

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Lauren · Posted: November 30, 2005, 10:09 pm Post subject:

Someone stop time so I can catch up!!!
Thanks Anita-I need to start looking in the right places!
Whoo-Hoo! 150 posts!
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Lauren
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Holiday Wrap Party at MomChats! - Black Friday, Nov. 28th 10A-10P

Personalized Santa and Secret Santa Greetings
SendSantaGreetings.com
Keep them believing for one more year!

michel · Joined: 11 Jan 2007 Posts: 5

you start with home and birthday parties..it's benefit for you..

Anita · Posted: January 13, 2007, 9:29 pm Post subject:

I don't know why I didn't think of this before ...
MyMommyBiz.com has a bunch of "business starting ebooks" available. She does have one for Gift Baskets. Now please keep in mind, I have not yet read this one so I can't say that this is really good or really not, lol. I will say though, the table of contents and everything it says is included looks pretty impressive.

You can check it out yourself:
Complete Gift Basket Business Package
(Remember to scroll down to Complete Gift Basket Business Package)

Ah geez, all this talking about it is making me want to look into it more again ... NO!! ROFL - Don't have time!!! (Gotta keep telling myself this cause I think I could have a lot of fun with this!)

Take care,
Anita Smile

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P.S. You have to check this out:
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