Presenting

Business 46 October | 2022 It's All About the Theme e latest gift trends are all about personalization. It is important to off er gifts that impart a sense of personalization rather than a generic feel. Combining items around themes such as special interests or hobbies makes for more meaning ful gifts. While fruit baskets and gourmet baskets have long been popular gifts to give, there are endless possibilities for creating more unique and personalized gift baskets. Some examples of gift themes include spa, local/regional goods, beauty, wellness, gardening, men's baskets, plant lover/ plant propagation, organic and/or gluten free, foodie/chef, sweet tooth and more—the list goes on and on. To set yourself apart from other gift-basket entrepreneurs, consider using uncommon containers that are reusable gifts themselves, instead of—or in addition to—baskets. Crates, hatboxes, fabric tote bags, pottery, tins, wood boxes and large art vases are just a few alternatives to consider. Flowers of Marietta, in Marietta, Ga., off ers some creative themed gift collections. For example, its "Relax & Recharge Basket" includes a mug, tea, bath bombs, fuzzy socks, a scarf, face masks and more. e "Men's Tool Gift Set" comes in a canvas Carhartt tool bag and includes beef jerky, a 15-in-1 multi tool, an LED fl ashlight, an electric bottle opener, a men's manicure kit, a live succulent and a balloon. It is perfect when you can fi nd a container that fi ts the theme for displaying the gift items in. " e men's baskets have been quite popular," shares Lorianne Chappell, business development and administrative executive at Flowers of Marietta. " ey are customizable, and we can add snacks, chocolates/candy, balloons, greeting cards or fl ower arrangements. We keep some on display and ready to go. One recent recipient our 'Men's Spa Basket,' which includes spa and grooming items in addition to some of the same items in our 'Men's Tool Gift Set,' called to thank us, saying, 'Most men won't admit it, but we like getting stuff like this too!'" Jelena Trifunovic, owner of Viola Floral in Marina del Rey, Calif., shares, "Consumers are looking for unique gifts that stand out and baskets that incorporate fun and novel products. Recently, there has been a focus on 'relaxation' or 'staycation' gift baskets versus those that carry the tone for celebrating milestones—but don't get me wrong, those always do great, too. For example, we introduced our 'Serenity Gift Box' for Mother's Day this year, and it is here to stay due to an overwhelming response and the recent focus on self-care and self-love. It features a beautiful seasonal arrangement of fresh fl owers, a Voyage et Cie luxury candle, Rowsie Vain botanical body oil and a smudge stick/ crystal set from Good Witch Emporium, all of which are beautifully displayed in a keepsake wood box with handles." Finding a gift-basket niche is always helpful, Trifunovic advises. "For example, all Viola Floral gift boxes are 'fl oral inspired' or incorporate fl orals in some way, including a fresh fl ower arrangement. From candles to luxury skincare, fl owers are the theme that carries the gift," she shares. "We also source locally, whenever possible, and we buy from only female-owned businesses. Because we are a fl ower shop, this niche has worked well for us." Flowers of Marietta

• Cover