In this video Kelly will show you how to make your very own gift box in a matter of minutes.

ShareIf your dad loves golf then here is a simple gift basket idea to create the perfect gift basket for him. Buy a pack of golf balls, a tee pack and a Golfers Book. I can guarantee your dad will love you for it. Pack it into a sand bucket; add some wrapping and its finished!

For your busy friends – grab a coffee cup, fill it with some interesting pens and pencils. We have a store called Smiggles here in Australia and everyone loves their pencils. Not into pens and pencils, find some lovely coffee beans. The coffee armour will fill their home for days.

My mother has the painting bug. Head off to the craft store and buy some new colors, sheets and brushes. Buy a nice container to store all her paints in and stack the items inside it. Add a big bow and it’s done.

If you are stuck for ideas – find out what they love, and then make a list of items that might be helpful for their hobby and build your gift basket around the theme.

A Gift Basket could be just the thing! If you have been from shop to shop and thought “Yes This is It” and then discounted the gift because it wasn’t really what you wanted then read on ….

Is it just me or do you also get excited when you give a gift to your friends and family and you know they love it!

Take my mother for instance, if you don’t buy her a gift say for Mothers Day you will be in the bad books for weeks. Now before you agree with her, let me ask you this “What do you give someone who has everything?” If you could walk around my mother’s house you would understand my problem!

Well over the years I have learnt how to stay in her good books by creating something different and unique every year. I also like to make it a gift that I make, so its personal and comes from the heart. Yes you guessed it …… a “gift basket”.

Gift Baskets can be all shapes and sizes, you are only limited by your imagination and of course your budget. A gift basket doesn’t have to be big and elaborate it can be something small. Presentation is the key to a stunning gift basket!

I have always struggled with “creative talent” so when I discovered that making gift baskets was very simple, I became a talented person over night!

I give “Gift Baskets” for all occasions – from Christmas to Marriages, Arrival of a New Baby, Birthday Gifts for Boys or Girls, Leaving Party in fact the reasons are endless.

For a boys birthday, how easy is it to get a bucket, spade and sand digging equipment. A cool towel, hat or cap (write their name on the hat to give it a unique look), a stick of sunscreen or zinc cream. Then wrap it up !!

For a girl, they love lots of knick knacks or things they can make. Try putting together packets of beads in a container with compartments. Include some wire and hooks. Your local craft store can help you with the items required. You can create this “Gift Basket” for less than $15.00 and they love it !

When you are finished, wrap the Gift Basket with cellophane paper and a nice ribbon to give it a finishing touch. Use shredded paper inside the basket to hold the goodies in place. Tie a humorous gift tag with a message for that added touch.

1) Know the company and their culture. Are they trendy and artistic or conservative and elegant? Your gift should reflect this. Also, global customs vary significantly. Ensure you understand the proper gift etiquette before offending overseas clients!

2) Know the client – their likes, hobbies, and interests. Quick call to one of their administration staff will give you the answer. When possible, personalize your gift. A theater or sports buff would really appreciate and remember tickets to an event.

3) Avoid religious themes or messages. Seasonal themes such as “Happy Holidays” work for everyone.

4) Stand out from the crowd! Think about sending your gift on an unexpected holiday. For example: “Thank You For Your Business” on Thanksgiving, “Looking Forward To Another Year of Doing Business With You” on New Years, or even “We love Doing Business With You” on Valentine’s day.

5) Sending the same gift each year is boring and will definately be taken for granted. Keep a list each year or what clients receive which gift and ensure that you give something new and different.

6) Stay away from anything too personal or that can be misconstrued. You probably know not to buy lingerie, but the recipient’s shortcomings may also need to be considered. A person with bad skin may be offended by a gift certificate for a facial. Also, be careful with wine or alcohol. The company may view it negatively or the individual may be a reformed alcoholic or non-drinker. Finally, consider whether the price of the gift is too extravagant. This may be a problem with company policy or at tax time. Food is always appropriate.

7) Don’t use logo items if: You want the gift to be from you personally or if feel a huge logo across your gift may be viewed by the client as cheap.

Do use logo items if: You want to get the most bang for your buck. Just do it tastefully. Examples: Your company name imprinted on the ribbons in a gift basket or discreetly as a “private label” on a quality product in the basket. One of our clients prefers ribbons used inside the basket to avoid imprinted ribbon being removed and forgotten.

9) Idea for out of state clients: A regional themed food basket can work really well here – Greetings from Texas, New York, or New Jersey for example. Some companies even send these types of gifts to visiting VIPs or new hires as a “Welcome To Town.”

10) Plan your holiday gift giving early. Think July or August! This will allow you to take advantage of big early purchase discounts and avoid rush delivery charges. It will also ensure that you get exactly what you want before it’s sold out.

Making Corporate Gift Baskets for clients is a great way to stay in contact with your clients.

To get started making gift baskets you will need to gather some essential items.

• Baskets
• Scissors
• Cellophane
• Ribbons
• Bows
• Decorative Items for Ribbon
• Tape
• Wooden Skewers
• Shredded paper filing
• Gift Cards
• Gift Certificates
• Vouchers
• Tissue Paper
• In fact lots of different goodies for fillings

Lay out all the items you have so you are ready to create your basket.  Any items you don’t use today can be placed away from the next gift basket you make.

Follow these seven simple steps to get started creating your own stunning “Gift Baskets”;

(1) First choose the theme or design of your Gift Basket next;

(2) Choose the type of Basket you are going to use;

(3) Decorate the Basket (if required);

(4) Purchase or make the goodies for your Basket;

(5) Once you have assembled everything, fill the bottom of the Gift Basket with straw, tissue paper, shredded cellophane or foam. Place the straw or whatever you are using in the bottom of the basket to keep the “goodies” in place.

(6) Next, fill up your gift basket with the goodies. If the goodies won’t stay in place try using tape to hold them in place or alternatively use wooden skewers. Stick items to them and push the skewers into foam in the bottom of the basket to hold everything in place; and last but not least;

(7) Presentation of your Gift Basket. It doesn’t matter if you are on a strict budget or not – presentation is the key to success with a great gift basket.