Starting a Gift Basket Business
© Shirley Frazier
Gift baskets are the most popular gift choice around the world and with good reason. They are made for every occasion, packed in a basket or other container and the foods and gifts used are limited only by your imagination. The most popular themes are birthday, congratulations, good luck, get well and welcome to your new home. Products that fill most gift baskets are popcorn, pretzels, crackers and cheese, coffee, tea and pamper gifts such as foot soaps and body lotions. One Nashville, Tennessee gift basket maker shipped a pamper basket to Guam for Mother's Day. "I put foot and body soaps, bubble bath, lotion a manicure set and nail brush in a hat box."
To understand if this business is right for you, ask yourself three questions. 1. Am I a person who enjoys making crafts by hand? 2. Do I have an outgoing personality, willing to meet and greet new people each day? 3. Will I give myself time to find the products, services and support needed to make this business a success?
"I wanted something that let me be creative," says a Fullerton, California-based gift basket entrepreneur who started her business seven years ago. She made felt bookmarks for co-workers and went to craft shows for ideas before reading a book that said gift baskets were a big business. "Why didn't I think of that," she wondered and has never looked back.
Making gift baskets is fun and easy, and you don't have to spend your life savings to start. You'll need an assortment of baskets, pre-packaged snacks, small gifts such as desk accessories, kitchen utensils, bath products, shredded tissue, cellophane and bows. Begin by searching for products at craft shops, discount stores and warehouse clubs that sell anything from cookies to caviar under one roof.
If you want to use containers as well as baskets, look for items with a hollow center. "I find containers wherever I go," says a Reisterstown, Maryland gift basket professional who uses flower pots and tote bags. Sand buckets are a favorite for her children's baskets because "in the summertime, kids have something to play with." Crayons, coloring books, games and anything that "keeps them active" fill the colorful buckets.
Buy enough merchandise to make six to eight baskets in various themes. This assortment will show your creativity without stretching your budget or causing spatial chaos. The retail charge for an average basket is between $30 and $40, and your cost to make them is half the price. You'll find yourself selling many baskets around Christmas followed by other holidays and occasions.
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