A Look inside the business of Gift Baskets

Today, I will be designing my Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day baskets.  Yes, I know that it is February 24th. Yes, I know many of you are moaning and saying “Are you kidding me?”, but for me, this is a great thing.  Those who know me, know I am not a huge fan of winter.  That I would prefer to hibernate until it was all over. But being able to design spring inspired gift baskets in February really gets me out of the winter doldrums.  I’m looking at bright colors and butterfly enhancements.  What better way to beat the winter blues!

Due to the size of our business and the amount of gifts we ship, it is not really a choice for me.  I must order early to ensure I can get adequate stock to meet customer demand.  I need to get my designs out early to ensure our drop shippers have time to prepare their sites as well.  It is like Spring is forcing itself on me early.  Not that I mind :).

If I really think about it, these holidays start, for me, right after Christmas.  Some items were ordered long before, but since I have such a bad memory, I’m thrilled when my shipments begin arriving in January so that I can see what I ordered!  I get excited all over again when I see the new containers and accessories that will be adorning our Easter baskets and Mother’s Day Gifts.  Father’s Day baskets are also a big seller for us, so I always order stuff for Dad at the same time.  I then peruse the catalogs  to order the food samples I need. (The actual food product for the baskets won’t be ordered until just before the holiday to ensure freshness.)  Once everything arrives, I begin to create!

So although they are predicting more snow and there is a winter storm watch, I’ll be in my workshop creating Spring in a basket!  I can’t think of a better way to spend one of the last days in February.