Building an Inspired Gift

Sep 15, 2014 by 2sistersgiftbaskets

Use Your Imagination for a Truly Inspired Gift

At 2 Sisters Gift Baskets we love the gift basket business and we have a passion for inspired gifts. There is nothing wrong with giving someone a gift card. They’re great when you’re out of time, sending a gift to someone at a distance or you just don’t know what to give, but with a little more thought you can turn a gift card into an inspired gift. It requires minimal thought and effort on your part.

Choose the theme of your gift. It could be an occasion, a special interest someone has, or even a stage in their lives. Start with an appropriate “basket” container, almost anything will work, but it’s especially nice to use something that has a practical purpose. Assemble items that go with your theme, being sure everything will fit inside. Sometimes it’s best to choose the container after you have assembled the contents to assure a good fit. Add your gift card, finish with a bow, curling ribbon, or rafia, whatever you like. Voila you’ve  made a one of a kind gift that will make someone’s day.

Here are a few examples of how to do this.

1. Yoga Buff

•    Canvas Tote Bag
•    Yoga Mat
•    Yoga Blocks
•    Water Bottle
•    Yoga Meditation CD
•    Headband
•    Mat Cleaner
•    Gift Card to a Local Yoga Studio

2. Mom’s Day Off

•    Pretty Straw Tote Bag
•    Eye Mask ( the kind you cool in the refrigerator)
•    Pretty Rubber Thongs
•    Head Band (keeps the hair back during a facial)
•    Single Use Facial Pack
•    Small Size Facial Moisturizer and Eye Cream
•    Tube of Luxury Hand Cream
•    Meditation Relaxation CD
•    Gift Card for Facial or Massage

3. New College Student

•    Laundry Basket
•    Laundry Soap
•    Dryer Sheets
•    Iron
•    Set of Sheets
•    Set of Towels
•    Light Bulbs (spring for the LED, they last forever)
•    Gift Card for Target

I warn you, once you start down this road you may become as addicted to this type of gift giving as we are. You’ll never walk through a store and see things the same way again.

2sistersgiftbaskets.com

Gift Giving Plan Ahead

Sep 13, 2014 by 2sistersgiftbaskets

Plan Ahead to Make your Gift Giving Smooth as Silk – 2 Sisters Gift Baskets

Keeping ahead of your gift giving obligations can be challenging, especially if you’re responsible for gifting on the home front and in the workplace.  If you have children at home and a list of relatives at a distance that goes on for days you may feel like throwing your hands up in despair of ever getting anything done on time. We need to plan ahead.

With a little bit of time spent planning ahead you can streamline the whole process and keep your sanity intact. As an additional bonus people will be wickedly impressed with your skills.

Even if you’re not the most organized person in the world you CAN organize yourself once a year. This is a time to go old school! Go to the office supply store and get yourself a notebook with 12 sections divided by pockets. Each section is a month. For each month write the occasion and name of the event you want to remember. Include the date, email address, shipping info and any other important info. The pockets are to hold receipts and greeting cards you want to send. They sell books like this in greeting card stores but I like notebooks as they are expandable.

1.  Keep this book handy and buy greeting cards for people when you’re out doing other errands. How many times have you bought the perfect card and then misplaced it in the black hole that is your desk? If you find something you like better along the way, so be it, but at least you won’t be at the all night drug store the night before your mother’s birthday looking for a card that expresses how you feel.

2.  Use the book to note the gift you bought for someone, how much you spent and when you shipped it. Keep receipts and tracking info there in case something goes astray. You can also use it to note things people have mentioned they like or want for those times when you have no idea what to give.

3.  If it’s hard for you to get cards sent out on time consider subscribing to a service that sends cards for you. This is great for people you’re not that close to but still want to remember. It’s great if you’re running a business and want to send cards to business associates. DO NOT use this to send cards to your mother.

4.  Wash, rinse repeat! Keep your gift system in one place and it will become your bible. Each year you can eliminate some things from the list and transfer the information you want to keep along with new dates to your new book.

You can of course manage all this in your computer, but I find using a book is easier and more fun!

Good luck and remember gifts are supposed to be fun, not a chore. Keep that in mind above all else and you can never go wrong.

2sistersgiftbaskets.com

A Gift for the Guests

Jul 30, 2014 by 2sistersgiftbaskets

Planning a wedding is part great fun, part huge stress. This is especially true if you’re having a destination wedding, or an event with many out of towners coming in for the occasion.
Since you can’t be there in person to welcome your guests it’s a nice gesture to leave them a little arrival gift in their rooms. Just a little something to thank them for spending their money and time to be with you on your special day.
The number of people coming, and your budget will determine what you put inside. You can use a nice gift bag in your wedding colors, or a small basket, or crate. Again, what you put inside will determine the size of the container you choose. Here are a few suggestions:
A welcome letter on good quality paper or cardstock. Use your computer to write and print it, being sure to use your guest’s name in the greeting. Each letter should be signed by the bride and groom. If time allows or there are only a few guests consider writing these by hand.
A copy of the event agenda, with times, locations and a map. A list of local restaurants and some local attractions is also nice to include.
A small fashion rescue kit is a nice addition. Some things to include might be a lint roller, a sewing kit, a shoe shine sponge, safety pins, headband or hair elastics, hair pins, band aids, individual packs of Advil, Alka Seltzer, and Pepto, an emery board, gum or mints.
A small picture frame with a nice photo of the happy couple.
Keep in mind how your guests are traveling. If they arrive by car it’s easy for them to tote their goodies home. If traveling by plane be sure what you leave is easy to pack and put into a suitcase.
If you don’t have time to do this yourself, (and who could blame you) talk to your wedding coordinator, or the concierge in the hotel.