Recently, I was asked to put together a gift basket for an auction at church. While I was super happy to oblige, I cringed at the prospect of the actual task. Last year, I donated two baskets, one filled with craft supplies for grown ups and one filled with crafts for kids. They looked beautiful, were easy to put together and they generated a lot of raffle sales. A hit!
Super.
Doing it again. Ugh.
I don't mind the donating or the wrapping of the items. I've got that part down. What I find daunting is shopping for a spectacular theme idea, because let's face it, if your basket doesn't have great items in it, no matter how pretty you wrap, who's going to want it...and when the objective is to get people drooling so they open their wallets to bid on it, you want people to really want it.
Last year's idea was easy, but I needed something different for this raffle. I tried to brainstorm at home, but I came up empty. So I went to the store for some inspiration. It was a great idea, I was actually able to come up with a fabulous theme just from browsing the aisles.
NUMBER ONE: SET A BUDGET before you leave the house
This is probably the most important consideration. If you don't have a firm number set in mind, it's very easy to overspend. With a firm budget in mind, I was able chose items, fill my cart and then prioritize, keeping only what packed the most punch for my dollar.
NUMBER TWO: KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
My basket was going to a fashion show, featuring clothing for women. There would be a few patient men in attendance, but generally speaking, the audience would be women, adult women, most of whom owned homes. I tailored my basket accordingly.
Spring merchandise was everywhere, I was drooling over all the pretty outdoor accessories. It was a long winter; the fresh colors grabbed my attention and the thought of entertaining alfresco was very appealing. I guessed that if I were smitten, others would be, too.
NUMBER THREE: CHOOSE A USEFUL CONTAINER
A lot of people take the basket in gift basket very literally. Don't. Shake it up and wrap everything up in something that ties in with the theme and is a treasure in and of itself. A dog bed for a pet basket base, a metal tin to use as a cooler for a party basket or in my case, a hanging basket for plants to decorate your patio when dining outside.
NUMBER FOUR: PICK A FEW BIG TICKET ITEMS
Big ticket does not necessarily mean pricey. I just choose two or three larger pieces that really stand out to peak interest. In this case, an outdoor pillow ($9.99) in classic blue and white, pretty patterned outdoor plates ($3.99 each) and bright green placemats ($9.99 for four) make my collection pop.
NUMBER FIVE: TUCK IN A FEW SURPRISES, WITHIN THE WRAPPING
I make full use of all the space in my basket, stuffing it with the rest of the items I have chosen. When a bidder sees a really full basket, it is very tempting. If they can only catch of glimpse of things, curiosity brews. That is always a good thing!
I stack everything inside, use shrink wrap to seal it, throw on a bow and include a list of items for bidders to see what they will get if they win and hopefully make them dig deep!
Of course, the same principles apply if you are giving the basket as a gift. Excitement is the name of the game.
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The hairdryer shrink wrap really gives the finished product a professional look.
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I am very pleased with the way this basket turned out. I actually received a text from a girlfriend who bid heavily on it and did not win. She wanted to know where I got my goodies, so she could go grab a few of the items herself!
Now that's a basket that really stands out!
Are you a basket maker?
What are your best tips?
Your basket looks great. Very professionally done. And a great theme. I have only had a couple of opportunities to make gift baskets. I don't generally give them as gifts so mine have gone to fundraisers. I agree with the 'having a theme' idea. Having the container be something useful is a great tip. I have never used the shrink wrap but now I will have to give that a try. These are the themes that I used for the baskets that I have donated:
ReplyDeleteS'mores basket: marshmallow roasting sticks from the camping aisle, homemade graham crackers, homemade marshmallows and assorted flavors of fancy Ghirardelli candies (minis?) I packaged the homemade cracker and marshmallows in treat bags with a bow and sticker label on them. I think I added a couple of homemade firestarters and some fireplace matches.
I also made a dog treat basket: several flavors of homemade dog treats bagged in treat bags with sticker labels and tied with ribbons and a dog themed canister. A mason jar or other glass jar with a ribbon with dog prints on it would also work.
These were for my brother's fundraiser. One other one that I thought was clever that was done by someone else was a margarita or daiquiri basket that included a couple different flavors of bottled mix, some nice margarita glasses, the salt and sugar for rimming the glasses and a small bottle of rum and tequila. Not sure if they were breaking any alcohol laws but no one hassled us and it made a really cute basket, kind of beachy in appearance. It might have included some napkins or placemats, I don't recall all the details.
Great idea for a post. Thanks for sharing. It will be fun to check out the comments.
Lorri, those are really awesome ideas! The cocktail basket is a fun idea and if people are wary about adding the alcohol, it can be left out. It can be purchased by the winner and if not, there are plenty of people who enjoy the alcohol free versions...this girl included!
DeleteThe S'mores basket would get my bid. I'm salivating already and I know tons of people who would go mad for the homemade doggie treats! I think the key is to offer people something that they would love to have, but wouldn't necessarily splurge for on their own. All of your ideas fit the bill!!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kim,
ReplyDeleteI love the theme and how pretty the basket looks. I am sure it will generate a lot of interest for the raffle.
Great job.
Kris
Thanks Kris! Once I got the theme down, it was fun to make. I just had to hold myself back from keeping everything in the basket. Blue and white is my new obsession!
DeleteFantastic basket I would certainly bid on it! Thanks for the tips...very helpful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feedback, Kim. You are always so kind! Have a super weekend ~ Kim
DeleteI always bid high on the booze basket lol I guess that wouldn't be at a church auction though ;)
ReplyDeleteI haven't made a basket in years, but I always go with a theme. Yours turned out beautiful!
xo,
rue
Thanks Rue! Agreed, haven't seen the booze baskets at church, but funny enough, at the preschool auctions the alcohol basket is always the big draw. Ha!
DeleteI made a basket once. It was fun, but like you said, daunting! Yours are lovely, Kim!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kimberly! Maybe I take the responsibility a little too seriously! ;)
DeleteHi Kim, you gave such great tips for making a pretty basket. Thanks! I love the things you added to it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie! It was fun to focus on a colorful spring project after this long winter! Brrr! :)
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI am a basket maker. I do a lot of arranging with my Fresh Flower and Produce Stand with baskets. I like to do theme's when I do make a basket up for a gift.
Great idea and I love all the goodies you picked.
Carla
Fresh flowers and produce baskets sound lovely, Carla! Now that is a gift I would want to receive for sure! :)
DeleteI think you've given me a great idea for gifts! I love putting a few cute things together in a theme or to suit the recipient. I love the way you did this so attractively :)
ReplyDeleteJane x
I’m glad you liked the idea, Jane! I just really liked those colors!
DeleteI love all your goodies for the basket, Kim - great choices and beautiful spring colors! Who wouldn't want to receive or win this.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan! I'm tempted to make another...for myself! ;)
DeleteWhat an exquisitely remarkable basket you put together! I just loved the way you approached it - brainstorming, and then just going to the store to see what clicked - and wow! Just LOVE the blue and yellow colors that you chose and all the lovely items to go with it! The basket would stand out in a crowd! I've made baskets before, mostly for school auctions, and once or twice for church auctions, and some for birthdays. Nothing as spectacular as yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have found that when I brainstorm at home and then go out to find the items, I strike out or worse, go over budget! When I am at the store, I can poke around and see what I can reasonably pull together. I went to Tuesday Morning and there were a lot of choices actually. I could’ve gone with lovely gardening items or pamper your pet or a baking basket. They had the sweetest cupcake pans and liners, even baking books! In the end it was those plates that kept my attention. Not red, but that’s ok! ;)
DeleteReally great tips Kim. I'm going to a baby bar-b-que and putting together a basket like this would be perfect. Thanks for the ideas!
ReplyDeleteHave fun and happy basketing! ;)
DeleteLots of good tips here - thank you! The colours you chose are so attractive - the basket is a winner!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I like these colors, too. Very springy after a long, grey winter.
DeleteHi Kim, love your basket and the color really stand out. Anyone would love a gorgeous gift basket like this. I love putting together theme baskets like this too. Thanks for sharing and the great tips and inspiratioin.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
Hugs, CM
Thanks so much! I do love bright color and I was betting that others do, too!
DeleteThose are some great tips. I've given a few gift baskets as presents before, and I always went overboard and ended up spending too much. I never thought about making the holder a useful container, either--that's an awesome idea.
ReplyDeleteBaskets are really fun to give.
I have to set a budget or I totally go over! I’m glad you found some useful tips. Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteKim - what great tips and the colour scheme couldn't be better. I would have loved to have won the basket, and would have bought more than one ticket!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend
All the best Jan
Jan, thank so much. I guess my instincts were on target this time around! Phew!
DeleteI would have bid on your basket immediately . . .
ReplyDeleteWell fine . . .
Some other good ideas in the comments . . .
Thank you, Lynne! Maybe those people with the blue fence would’ve liked it too! ;)
DeleteWell done, not well fine . . . now how did iPad go if that up!
ReplyDeleteMy phone autocorrects me all the time, Lynne...only it's not correct at all!! Who says technology knows best? ;)
DeleteGorgeous colors! So beautiful Kimmie! I don't normally do gift baskets, but these are fab tips dearie! I might just give it a whirl! xoxo Jen
ReplyDeleteI can see you sending one to a friend, filled with your lovely flowers, homegrown garden goodies and a sweet sewn treasure or piece of original art. Now that would be some basket!! :)
DeleteI found this to be helpful. I've never read about the how of making a gift basket, but I like them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura! I remember the first time I made one, it looked so easy to put together…until I actually tried to put it together! ;) Figured I’d share my tips and save somebody else a few moments when attempting it.
DeleteI love giving and receiving gift baskets. The possibilities for gift baskets are endless and are a very thoughtful gift! Even though I set a budget, I usually end up blowing it because I always see that "something else" that will look good in the basket.
ReplyDeleteI received numerous baskets full of wonderful items at my bridal shower. It is a "two-fer" gift -- all of the items in the basket and then the basket itself is a wonderful gift to be used over and over again! I love your presentation for creating these baskets...and the blue, sparkly nail polish! :-) Lots of money will be donated, as this basket is wonderful!!
I used to go way over budget too, Benita, but after a while that gets old...and I get broke! I stick to it now and go for bigger items, that are pretty cheap, to pack a punch. This way my wallet doesn't get walloped and I can donate baskets more often! ;)
DeleteI love gift baskets. It's so pretty and fun idea to give someone. Your gift basket is beautiful
ReplyDeleteThanks Vanessa! Truth be told, I wanted to keep this one for myself! Shhh! ;)
DeleteHA now I know that not only are you clever and crafty but you are a saint ! : )
ReplyDeleteMy gift basket skills have been limited to kid's easter baskets :)
You're so nice! Yes, Easter baskets are fun too...and there's a lot less pressure to impress. Chocolate pleases everyone! ;)
DeleteKim, this is a gorgeous basket, and I love the color of the items! I remember the ones from last year, and you really are good at this. I don't think I have ever made a gift basket other than for my daughter, who loves to empty something themed. Yours are so pretty, and you provide such good instructions. xoox Su
ReplyDeleteThanks Su! I used to dread making them…so much pressure, but I think I’ve got it down now! :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful basket of goodies, Kim! Anyone would have been lucky to win that one. I use to do gift baskets quite often, but haven't had the need in awhile now. I always did pretty much what you did -- the basics of putting a gift basket together just never go out of style. Hope you are having a great week!
ReplyDeleteI hope the winner was satisfied, Carol. I always try to put in a nice mix of things to draw a larger crowd!
DeleteGreat tips and beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! :)
DeleteMy mom loves putting together gift baskets. I'm forwarding this to her. I think blue and white is a timeless classic. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ronda. I do love that blue and white in spring and summer!
DeleteGreat idea for a gift basket. I think gift baskets are wonderful to give as gifts. You give thought and your own personal touch in the gift giving. Thank you for sharing. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathy, I really do like putting them together…once I have nailed down the theme!
DeleteThat sounds like a great basket, Teri! You certainly had your target audience in mind and apparently hit the nail of the head! Hiding items is a sure sign! ;)
ReplyDeleteKim, you do an amazing job at making gift baskets! I use to make them, but haven't for a long time. I love what you put together and it would definitely be one that would catch my eye! I love themes and using things to corral them that goes with the theme like you said instead of always a basket. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Once I get a theme down, I’m usually pretty good to go. Until then…yikes!
Delete