How to Secure Gift Basket Items
Patti asks:
“What do you use to secure the items in the gift basket?”
Designers attempt to match the number of products with the basket’s size.
This matching assures that the products fit snugly into each design so everything is secure and does not shift during delivery.
When necessary, tape-based products are placed on and between products for added stability. This includes:
There was a time when we added lots of tape to a gift basket design. Now we eliminate as much tape as possible in exchange for the snug fit I mentioned above.
How to Make a Gift Basket on a Silver Tray
Mary asks:
“I am trying to do a gift on a silver tray but is having trouble making the items stay. What do you recommend that I do?”
Here are two options.
1. Cut cardboard shaped to fit inside of the silver tray’s bottom, omitting the elevated scalloped edge. Put glue, tape, or another sticky substance between the tray and cardboard to hold the cardboard in place.
Put the gift and/or food items on top of the cardboard and use glue, tape, or another temporary substance to anchor each product. Add shred and enhancements. Close the gift with cellophane, tulle, or shrink wrap.
2. Create your tray gift by placing gift and/or food items in a lay-down position with shred and enhancements between the items to minimize product rolling and shifting. Shrink wrap the gift.
The addition of tape and glue in the No. 1 option may make it difficult for the recipient to unstick the contents, making a messy delivery and unfavorable memories. You’ll have to experiment with this more to determine how to minimize this procedure.
The lay-down gift explained in No. 2 may not be as glamorous as the outcome in No. 1, but it can be elongated and determined to be of great value with the addition of a tall fan and large bow at the top.
What Goes into a Child’s Gift Basket?
Cheryl asks:
“In my business I have never had the opportunity to create a easter basket of children ages 3-5 what you put in these type of basket?”
Although Easter has passed, the types of items that make children (and parents) happy are also the type that are appreciated in summer baskets.
The main focus for either theme is to select gifts that are oversized so they cannot be swallowed and to select foods or snacks that are nutritious rather than sugar filled.
Juices, drink cups, puzzles made with large pieces, bouncing balls (choose ones that cannot be picked apart like the rubber type), oversized building blocks, toy camera, and plush animals come to mind first.
You’ll find other food and gift items that are child friendly in catalogs and sample gift baskets found in trade magazines.
An instructional note enclosed with the gift for the parent that provides tips on discarding the outside wrapping and other safety information will be appreciated by the customer and recipient.
