What sells better than a canister of hot cocoa mix? A WRAPPED one! Here, a can of hot cocoa mix is topped off with a holiday ornament and candy cane. To wrap it for show-and-sell-results, set the ensemble on a narrow strip of cellophane -- just wide enough to overlap. Bring the cello up and gather it underneath the upper portion of the ornament so that much of the ornament peeks above the wrap. Tie it off with a simple 2-loop bow of ribbon. This makes an excellent party favor, Secret Santa gift, or a nice thank you to the postman, Sunday School teacher, crossing guard at school, janitor, or anyone who deserves a sweet token of the holidays.

When you need a bit of gift inspiration, take a scenic drive along Route 7 in Vermont. Near Middlebury you’ll find The Gingerbread Country Store, owned by Deb Wilkinson (pictured with her hubby, Alan). Cheerful candy canes adorn the outside, providing just a hint of the fun you’ll find inside the multi-room shop. Shelves are lined with made in Vermont products plus more -- much more -- than you can see in a quick stroll. Great shop -- wonderful people! Visit it if you’re ever in the area.

Disregard the date on the photo -- I was actually in Vermont in October (cropping is one of those technical things this blog software snags on sometimes). My good friend Deb owns The Gingerbread Country Store on Highway 7 and she was gracious to allow me to take photos of some of her gift baskets. This is one of my favorites -- a wooden old-fashioned milk tote packed with pancake mix, maple syrup, cocoa, and homespun dish towels. Although Deb says most customers forego the container and choose a simple gift parcel (a shipping box), I love the look and the ‘souvenir-sentiments’ of the tote. Deb is a smart cookie for knowing and catering to her customers’ wishes, though, so she packs up their merchandise selections any way they want them. Nice work, Deb!

Made in Vermont is a theme that may not be flashy, but it continues to sell, year after year. The Gingerbread Country Store (Highway 7, Middlebury, Vermont) offers a wide variety of regional food and gifts, and offers gift basket and gift parcel service. Shown here, pancake mix, syrup, maple sugar candies, jams and homespun kitchen towels fill the hand-hewn tree block basket. Due to the cost of the container, customers often opt to have the fine Vermont products packed in a gift box rather than the basket. Samplings of regional products like these are shipped nationwide year ‘round.