Create gifts that require minimum time to assemble, but are impressive.

2. When a hotel manager requested a $10 gift to give her regular guests at New Years. I filled a cub tote with a perpetual calendar, cinnamon tea and cookies. My total cost was $3.25.

The great thing about placing products in a bag or box is that you don’t have to worry about color coordinating the packaging. Wrap all the products in tissue and place them in the bag or box. You’re done!

3. Hooray for Hollywood can be used for a wide variety of gift-giving occasions. Fill a Hollywood gift box with typical movie candy and a bag of microwaveable popcorn. I also added a pair of sunglasses from a novelty store.

To discover sources for your cellophane, ribbon and enhancements, visit our free online directory RibbonWrap and Pack. In this online directory you will find companies who offer specialty packaging for the gift basket retailer, such as decorative nested boxes, trays, containers, designer printed cello, basket fillers, ribbon, shrinkwrap, raffia, organza bags and more.

 Gifts that require light labor are those that need some wrapping or enhancement, but not much.

1. Each year, stores such as Costco and Trader Joes sell chocolates that are delicious and popular. Wrapping a box of truffles in printed cellophane with a dashing bow works well for low budgets. Don’t worry that your customers will recognize these products. They probably already like them and will be delighted to see them all dressed up.

2. The plastic portfolios found in office supply stores were intended for documents, but make wonderful gifts when filled with snacks and wrapped with bow.

I created such a design for a real estate firm for their associates during Administrative Professionals Week.

3. Fill a tin box, imprinted box or gable box with candy, cookies or other affordable pre-wrapped snacks.

Find out where to get a wide variety of containers from www.GiftBaskets Containers.com, our free online directory, listing over 100 wholesale sources. You will discover companies that offer baskets made of willow, grapevine, bamboo, birch, twig, coco bark, mesh, shabby chic, galvanized metal, wood, ceramic, paper mache and wire.

You can also crates, starter trunks chests, themed boxes, tins, movie reel tins, trays, planters, bird cages, picket fence, picnic baskets. You’ll find companies that carry containers in all types of shapes: round, rectangular, hexagonal and even some shaped like the major states of the USA.

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Short-cuts, low labor and high profits can be yours by incorporating

• Drop-shipping
• Ready-Made Gift Baskets
• Consignment and Partnering

The first time I was asked by a potential client to make $5 gifts I had to hold back a laugh.

Was she kidding? There was no way I could imagine making a profit from $5 gifts, even if she did want to order 100 of them.

If you haven’t already encountered the client who wants low cost gifts–under $25–you will.

Of course you have the choice of turning away such orders or referring them to others.

Many basketeers set a minimum such as $25, and don’t offer anything for less.

By dismissing low-cost gifts, however, especially during tough economic times, you will turn away many corporate clients looking for large quantity orders for special events, conventions, giveaways, tokens and more,  

If you decide to provide low-cost gifts, how will you possibly satisfy such customer demands and make profits at the same time? This week’s blog will be devoted to answering this question.

1. Establish a pricing formula that allows you to profit.

Many basketeers triple the total wholesale costs to determine the retail price of a standard gift basket. A $25 gift basket, for example, would cost no more than $8.33 in materials and contents. 

For gifts under $8, however, I adjust my formula to doubling the total cost, since for these I use stand-alones that require little to no labor. So, for a $5 gift, for example, I’d locate a gift that cost no more than $2.50.

2. Consider the quantity before you accept the order. An order for 1,000 gifts may be  worth your time more than three $5 gifts. This only works, of course, if you can provide the large orders with little to no labor.

3. Become a shrewd shopper and a clever designer so you can find gift items that require little to no labor on your part.

 Short-cuts, low labor and high profits can be yours by considering

• Drop-shipping
• Ready-Made Gift Baskets
• Consignment and Partnering