How to Pack the Inside of a Gift Basket

Posted on January 8, 2010 
Filed Under Design Tips

From The Gift Basket Design Book, by Shirley George FrazierPaula asks:

“Can I use Styrofoam peanuts to elevate products in my gift baskets, or is newspaper better?”

Unprinted newspaper, the type that resembles brown grocery bags, is a popular item that’s placed inside of baskets or containers. Newspaper is also acceptable. Many designers shun newspaper because of the ink transference from the paper to hands.

Some designers add peanuts inside of baskets, but this technique seems to be reserved for those who know how to stabilize them properly.

Peanuts have a habit of shifting inside of a basket or container, and if products are not set on top firmly, snacks and gifts can shift, causing the design to become unattractive when it finally reaches its destination.

Try adding peanuts as part of your exploration into gift basket designing. You’ll know if that material is best or if newspaper will make gift basket creation more manageable.

Comments

2 Responses to “How to Pack the Inside of a Gift Basket”

  1. Flora on January 8th, 2010 3:01 pm

    I prefer the unprinted newsprint. It has more body, and no ink. Peanuts are awkward when I want to make a well in the shred to position products.

  2. Shirley George Frazier on January 8th, 2010 3:34 pm

    I’m with you, Flora. Peanuts seem to have a mind of its own, and the static cling is irritating.

    I can also imagine recipients having a hard time getting rid of the peanuts as they sprout wings and “fly” all over the place.

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