Blog

If you’ve ever received a gift basket, chances are you know just how special they can make you feel. And, as a business owner, you know that gift baskets allow you to tap into new markets, unload excess stock, and provide customers who may be struggling with ideas for the perfect gift a much-needed solution.

Don’t forget your shoppers who are looking to hand-pick several smaller gifts specifically for their recipient – gift baskets offer the opportunity to do just that. But gift baskets aren’t just about sentimental value. According to Gift Shop Magazine, gift baskets have generated well over three billion dollars in revenue – and the industry is only getting bigger.

So, if your store hasn’t been offering shoppers the chance to create their own baskets, now might be the perfect – and most lucrative – time to start.

5 Inexpensive Ways to Add Value to Your Gift Baskets

Gift baskets can work in just about any industry, whether your business sells baked goods, beauty products, or even school supplies. They can be tailored to fit a theme ( Back to School) or a special occasion (Bachelorette Weekend Necessities). They’re also an amazing addition to, or a great way to jumpstart, your online shop.

So, now that you know just how important and dynamic gift baskets can be, you probably have questions about how you can make them work for your business. You may have questions like:

• What will you need?
• Which gift basket supplies should you buy?
• How can you make your gift baskets stand out from your competitors?

Don’t worry – we’re here to help clear up any potential confusion. So how can you make gift baskets work for you, and your customer? It’s easy!

#1 Get Personal!

Even if dozens of customers end up buying the same gift basket from your shop, giving them the opportunity to personalize specific items will help ensure the recipient feels as if the basket was tailored “just for them.”

For example, you could include the option to personalize a coffee mug, mouse pad, magnet, or even add a handwritten, personalized notation in a book. Of course, the item you offer to make customizable depends on what kind of products you sell, but it’s generally a good idea to make it a smaller item that’s likely to be seen and used frequently. Try to choose something you can creatively add your logo to, so everyone can be reminded that you offer this option when it comes time for them to buy a gift basket for someone else! Don’t have something you can customize? You don’t have to miss out on this branding opportunity…a custom branded tag or ribbon adds a nice festive touch while letting recipients know where their awesome gift came from.

#2 John Hancock It!

Just like your custom shopping bags proudly display your logo, your customers also want the chance to add a personal touch! Make sure you order several different gift cards with options for many celebrations and holidays. Let customers fill them out while they’re in your store, or they can add a special message later at home, before they give their special gift.

#3 A Little Something Extra Goes a Long, Long Way!

Good gift-giving is all in the details. Sure, what your clients choose to put inside the basket and what they write in their cards is important, but you didn’t really think we’d write a post without talking about how important the basket itself and the packaging surrounding it is – did you?

Gift baskets are inherently fun in nature, and needn’t be overly formal. Still, they shouldn’t look empty, thrown together, or dull – and you want to project the image that you care about your products enough to package them with panache. To add some extra excitement, why not include some shreds (a longer type of confetti) in several colors? For brand recogn
ition, you can also just choose to go with your store’s colors. We have options in holiday colors or single tones, and those made from cello, parchment, and even crinkle cut!

#4 Fill it to the Rim (or at least make it look that way…)!

One way to make a sparse-looking basket appear chock-full of items? Individually wrap items in cello bags. Your clients can choose a holiday-themed print, or simply a transparent option for a more minimalist look. Giving someone individual items to unwrap makes them feel like there are more items in the basket, plus it’s just more fun! Your customers are sure to thank you for making what is sometimes less, seem like more.

#5 It’s a Wrap!

You and your customers have worked hard to create the perfect gift basket – the last thing you want is for its contents to spill all over the back of a car or trunk when it’s in the delivery process. To make sure that everything stays put, there are several simple gift basket supplies you can purchase to make sure your basket stays intact and is a hit. For example, glue dots are the perfect way to keep product in place. And you may want to invest in some shrink wrap film which provides stability when transporting. Or, you could use shrink wrap bags for a sleek, clean look. The options to finish your gift basked are endless. You could even create a themed or cheery touch using cello rolls. We have printed options with pumpkins, peppermints, four-leaf clovers, candy canes, and much more! Tie with a beautiful bow to give it the perfect finishing touch.

Why You Can Trust Our Advice

At Mid-Atlantic Packaging, we don’t only offer customizable shopping bags, a variety of different kinds and sizes of boxes, and labels and tags – we also offer unparalleled industry expertise that you can trust to take your company’s branding from good to great.

Want to learn more? Keep checking our blog for the hottest tips, tricks, and trends in the industry.