Purple Majesty Gift Basket

Consider a change in color motif for the Thanksgiving season: purple. Taking a cue from the beloved song, America The Beautiful, a gift basket in this motif makes a beautiful sentiment and exquisite centerpiece before the gifts are taken out and enjoyed.

Pack a basket with grapes, pasta, bread, wine, and other meal-makers. BEAUTIFUL!

Wrap It Tight!

Is your cello sagging, or do you pull it tight for a crisp, professional presentation? To achieve this neat wrap, try these techniques:

• Pull the cello tight at the neck, tie it, then pull stright up on the top edge of the cellophane. Pull TIGHT!

• Pull the cellophane across the front of the basket. Roll up the exess tightly on both sides (vertical roll). Use wide clear
shipping tape (one long strip on each side) to hold the excess cellophane in place.

• Pull the cellophane tightly across the front, and make a vertical roll of the excess cellophane in the back.

That should do the trick!

Stress Relieving Tips In 60 Seconds Or Less

(StatePoint) By the time you finish reading this story, you could have stared at the shapes of the clouds in the sky, enjoyed an indulgent snack or sent a long overdue e-mail to a close friend. More importantly, that 60-second break could keep your mental health and wellness in check.

With 92 percent of Americans looking to "take a break" from their daily routine according to a recent study, people need an escape, even if it's brief. Many individuals don't realize how empowering a short break can feel -- or how to go about setting aside the time.

"Finding time to treat the 'you' in yourself is important to maintaining a balanced life, especially during these hectic times," says Stephanie Marston, lifestyle expert, speaker and accomplished author on topics surrounding life balance techniques. "Some people just need a little help getting started."

Marston recently partnered with Kellogg Company to develop a list of these quick, stress-relieving tips as part of its launch for Kellogg's Cinnabon Snack Bars. Enjoying a sensible but indulgent snack is one of many simple ways to hit the reset button on the day. These short breaks can take place between meetings, waiting to pick up the kids or on the way to the next appointment.

Other relaxing "Cinnaminutes" include:

* Sing out loud to your favorite song while driving home from work.

* Smell something refreshing like lavender.

* Indulge by serving yourself your morning tea or coffee in a pretty cup.

* Check out your favorite blog or Web site before diving back into your task.

* Spend some time today rereading a book you loved as a child.

* Post an inspiring quote on your computer or mirror, where you'll see it every day.

* Say or do something nice for someone you don't know.

The full list of Kellogg's "Cinnaminutes" can be found at www.KelloggCinnaminutes.com.

"There are plenty of ways to combat stress," Marston continues, "but no one is going to force a minute on you to relax. Keep your mental health top of mind by writing yourself a note, scheduling time for breaks or even taping up this story at your desk as a reminder."

After 64 Years, Gourmet Magazine Ends
What The News Brings Brings To Your Business

Conde Nast announced yesterday that it will cease publication of their popular Gourmet magazine. Citing an advertising dive of 50% since last year, the company made the decision to shelve the magazine. The news was shocking, especially noting the 64-year successful history of the title. Other titles were also dropped in the cut.

Yesterday, fishing around for commentaries from the gourmet trade magazines, it was troublesome to discover the void in the blogs. Is the news almost too much to digest? Or, could the trade blogs be assimilating the information, as the authors take time to sort through what this development may mean to the trade?

There are implications to the overall market, but I’m not completely confident to say how the fallout could translate to your business, but I will make some guesses, based on our own personal experiences in the publishing trade.

When our company made the decision to discontinue printing Gift Basket Review magazine, the absence of the publication sent a signal across the board that the gift basket industry had changed to the extent that a print magazine could not be properly financed and marketed -- at least temporarily. At the time, I spent many sleepless nights, tossing the closure decision for months until I was certain there was no better choice. Now, with the dead fall of the consumer Gourmet magazine, I am reassured that my take on the market changes was accurate. Consumer trends in the publishing biz generally follow trade events.

Gourmet foods are luxury purchases, and that market has suffered in this recession. People still love a small indulgence and enjoy giving them. But in tough times, the luxury splurges become less frequent. As more people find it socially acceptable to forego the splurge, choosing more affordable options (in other words, all their friends are backing off on spending, too), the effect snowballs and the market experiences overall decline.

I believe the demise of Gourmet is a clear signal to tighten up and get more value centered in the gift basket business. The pendulum has swung back, and highly ornamental baskets are likely to take a backseat to full food value. I expect consumers and corporate clients to continue to buy thank you and appreciation gifts this holiday season, but I also believe the orders will be for tins and boxes of treats, stacks, and wrapped stand-alone gifts. When gift baskets are ordered, the signs of the times prepare us for more modest gift basket choices. To be sure, a segment of buyers will still want lavish, huge gift baskets, so be prepared with at least a couple of designs in the line. But overall, especially with the emphasis on obesity figured into the equation, the trend is likely to go with smaller portions and presentations.

This may simmer down to less labor-intensive orders which could mean less hiring of temps in the gift basket business. More food value and fewer enhancements also points to savings in floral supplies. Overall, a gift basket business might be able to pull the same profit as previous years by cutting back on labor, inventory, and costly decorative enhancements.

In light of the market changes, consider saving the budget by putting scant enhancements on the outer wrap of the gift basket. One floral pick used wisely in combination with streaming trails of ribbon can give the basket a beautiful outer presentation. Use tissue paper generously inside the basket to fill in any empty spaces.

Think positive and PLAN to succeed. There’s a good chance your well-thought plans will be successful.

Imagine this beautiful angel as the party favor for the next event you’re asked to decorate. Or, put her as the focal point of your inspirational blessing baskets. She would also make a lovely stand-alone gift for corporate clients, wrapped in glittering gold paper, or enhanced out in a clear acrylic tube. The wholesale price is affordable, and that makes the angel attractive in a budget-crimped year.

As enchanting to customers as she is to her furry and feathered friends, the “Cherish Angel with Animals” appeals to a growing group of collectors and people who simply love angels and innocence as a motif in life. The angel is part of the Nature’s Blessings ® collection by Robin Davis. The hand-painted resin angel stands almost 5 inches tall. www.BLOSSOMBUCKET.com