diaper cake photo edited

Diaper cakes make a beautiful shower centerpiece. On the practical side, it is a useful gift for the mom-to-be. Plus, the diaper cake can provide an activity for the shower when guests are asked to guess how many diapers are in the cake.

This two-stack awesome cake uses 140 diapers. It measures 55 inches in diameter on the bottom, stands about 2 feet tall and weighs over 5 pounds. Each diaper is individually rolled in a cellophane wrapper, keeping the diapers clean and ready for baby. Wrapped in cello, the diapers can be tossed individually into a diaper bag or purse for on-the-go changes.

To make the cake, roll the diapers in a strip of cellophane. Tape the cello end to keep the diaper from unrolling. Line the inside of a hatbox with a shrink wrap bag, sized to fit the interior of the hatbox. Place the rolls upright in the shrink wrap bag inside the hatbox. Keep adding diapers until you can’t squeeze another diaper into the bottom. Pull the bag up just an inch or two above the rim of the hatbox. Apply heat to shrink the bag. Pull the bag up another inch and apply heat to shrink. Continue pulling up the bag and shrinking it until the circle of diapers is firm. Tie off the bag and trim it.

Add ribbons and other decoration as desired.

A video showing how to make this incredible diaper cake will soon be posted for members at Gift Basket Review Online (www.gbreview.com).

(I took this diaper cake to a baby shower and everyone LOVED it! Plus -- I took home 6 orders for future baby showers. This diaper cake with 140 diapers took two hours to make. The cost of the diapers, cello, shrink bag and ribbons was $25. Each cake sells for $75 plus, depending on the gifts attached to the top.)

No one really needs a gift basket . . . or a bouquet of flowers, a bunch of balloons, a cookie bouquet . . . or any other type of gift. What a customer needs is to express an emotion. Gifts help people say what they feel. So, in truth, the customer doesn’t need a gift basket, but the individual does need your help to express his/her thoughts and feelings in a way that gets the message across to another person. A one-basket-fits-all approach to birthday gifting may mean lost sales.

If you listen beyond the initial request, you’ll probably discover that there are at least 7 different reasons for sending a birthday gift. And once you discover the real reason, you can suggest the perfect birthday gift basket -- in the most appropriate price range.

7 Reasons for Saying “Happy Birthday”

1. I want you to know how very, very much I love you. (More expensive, with a romantic tone)

2. Gifts are my way of saying I love you -- without saying it. (Moderately priced with a reserved theme and style)

3. You’re a great friend and I love to share your laughter. (Inexpensive and lighthearted)

4. I treasure our deep, soulful friendship. (Inexpensive, but sentimental)

5. I’d like to develop a friendship with you. Maybe a gift will open the door. (Inexpensive with a personal touch)

6. I want you to know that I recognize you are a VIP, and I hope I’ll score a few points. (Moderately expensive and corporate in style)

7. Remembering your birthday is a social obligation. Here -- take this and have a happy birthday. (Inexpensive and generic)

Now -- brainstorm for 7 happy birthday gifts, themes, and styles, and you’ll make a reputation for your business as the people who know just the right gift to send -- every time!

What is hotter than summer? Fall sales! And with fall just around the corner, it is time to get the baskets ready to roll out a welcome. Businesses pick up the pace, bringing in new staff members; schools welcome new faculty; neighborhoods welcome new families. All across America, the ‘welcome back’ rituals begin.

If you’re ready, your business could be rolling with extra orders. Look through your current inventory for containers and gift components just perfect for welcome gifts. A plain crate can become a wagon, just by adding wheels -- even cardboard ones glued to the sides.

Here are a few places to consider for new business:
- The Chamber of Commerce (roll out a welcome to new members)
- Country clubs (roll out the welcome to new members)
- Corporation Board of Directors (roll out the welcome to new board members)
- City Council (newly elected officials)
- Schools (new principals and/or teachers)

. . . and the list goes on!

Even if the old stand-by real estate market is a little slow on orders, build up other markets with fresh ideas -- to go!!