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58 September | 2023 58 Business en, within each theme, curate an assortment of useful gift items. Try to create themes that incorporate products that you either already sell—like gourmet, spa, health or fragrance products—or can procure in relatively small quantities and at wholesale prices. For example, DIY kits, such as terrarium gift kits, could include all the elements needed to create an enclosed miniature garden: glass container, plants, soil, miniature tools, etc. A "Plant Parenthood" gift basket, for plant lovers, could be built around a potted plant in a decorative container and include a decorative mister bottle, an automatic plant waterer, plant-specific fertilizer and so on. Other ideas to get your creative juices flowing include a "Coffee (or Tea) Addicts Anonymous" basket could include a stylish mug or teacup, assortments of ground coffees or teas, stirring spoon, tea strainer, and cookies or scones. A "Seasonal Serenity" spa/relaxation or beauty/pampering basket could feature scented lotions, bath sachets and/ or artisanal soaps, candles and other room fragrances, a crocheted washcloth or loofah, a mani/pedi kit, stress balls, etc. e point is that you want to offer creative collections of high-quality, high-end items that your clients will love and find useful. And when it comes to containers, think outside the basket. Florists often approach the issue from one of two perspectives. One is having a standard "signature" container (or two) in which all of their gift baskets are designed, such as hat boxes, fabric totes, clay flower pots, cylinder vases, wood boxes or crates—you get the idea; something distinctive. e second approach is to select vessels that are usable, keepsake items that coordinate with the basket theme. Ideas include a colander or ceramic pasta serving bowl for a "Taste of Italy" basket; a small insulated cooler for a "Game Day" basket; a metal or crystal wine cooler for a "Wine Connoisseur" basket; a garden trug, flower pot or cachepot for a "Green umbs" basket; a charcoal chimney starter or mini hibachi grill for a "Barbecue King" basket. Brainstorm with your staff about creative containers for your holiday collection. Are you getting the sense that the term "gift basket" might be a bit of a misnomer or completely inadequate? With gift baskets, presentation is nearly as important as the gifts inside. For the winter holidays, dress your gift baskets with fresh evergreens and pine cones, faux berries, cinnamon sticks, ornaments or even tiny twinkling lights (battery pack, of course). 'Ornamental Elegance' packaging products from Nashville Wraps Hendersonville, Tenn. "Bébé" LeBox Gift Collection Viola Floral Los Angeles, Calif.

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