Starting Your Own Gift Basket Business 

Gift Basket Classifieds offers a free article on Starting Your Own Gift Basket Business - an insightful how to artice outlining the steps to take to start a lucrative home based business selling unique gift baskets.

With the rising costs of gasoline and childcare, it’s no wonder that many parents have chosen to examine the opportunities offered on the internet and home-based businesses.  Seeming to offer the best of both worlds, home-based businesses offer a chance for moms and dads to earn an extra income, while staying home to take care of the children.  Of course, we’ve all heard about various scams and get-rich-quick schemes on the internet - the first time stay-at-home mom or dad needs to be very careful whenever they investigate these routes.  The safest avenue to take, by far, is to start your own business. 

There are many different home-based businesses that one can get involved in, but one of the fastest growing and most lucrative options is to start a gift basket business.  Gift baskets have been popular for years and each year sees an increase, rather than a decline, in the number of gift basket orders placed.  Considered a perfect way to thank an important client or new business partner, gift baskets are also popular gifts for employees and bosses, alike.  Additionally, gift baskets are very popular holiday gifts, as well as serving to provide the perfect present for sick relatives, to surprise Mom on that special day, or just to offer a friend a little pick-me-up.  Gift baskets are appropriate for any time or occasion. 

The Creative Investment 

Putting gift baskets together is simple, but building the perfect basket takes a little imagination and creativity - do you have what it takes?   

Before you get yourself all psyched up, thinking that you can’t do it, take a moment to sit back and relax.  Ask yourself what you would like to receive, if you were going to get a gift basket.  This is always a good base for your future gift baskets and will give you a basic idea of what all should go into them. 

Now, once you have your base idea, ask yourself what you can do to make your gift basket different or unique.  What can you do to your gift basket, that will make it stand out from the competition?  Don’t be afraid to “think outside of the basket” and take some risks.  After all, if your basket doesn’’t sell, you can always take it apart and make something new.  That’s the joy of making gift baskets - they are as versatile as you allow them to be! 

The Financial Investment 

As with most new businesses, you will have some start up costs, just to get on your feet.  Fortunately, because the gift basket business can be started at home, your costs are relatively few.  Mainly, what you are going to want to invest in are enough supplies to make yourself several good baskets of various sizes.  This will include several hollow containers (don’t rely just on baskets - flower pots, watering cans, tote bags or kiddie sand buckets all make creative basket containers too.  Get creative with it - the sky’s the limit!). 

In addition to your containers, you will also want some fillers.  Small snacks and treats can be utilized, stationary items, kitchen utensils, craft items, books - the options are endless, but a successful gift basket designer is quick to learn that the best fillers can be found in the most unlikely of places.  Be sure to keep your eyes open when you shop the garage sales and flea markets, poke around the dollar stores, and don’t be afraid to add more of your own special twist and get crafty with it. 

When it’’s all said and done, you will want to have enough supplies to make a small selection of gift baskets, that will showcase your talents, but do so without stretching your budget too thin.  While these can be your displays or the first baskets to get your name out and noticed (be sure to take lots of good pictures), don’’t be afraid to sell them and try making another one to take its place.  You’’ll soon learn that, with every basket, you become more creative and better at putting them together. 

In addition to your basket and filler items, you will also want to put a little money into purchasing some shrink wrap, some glue, and the materials required for making some bows.  Once again, get creative with it - how you decorate your baskets will be dependant upon the occasions they are being made for and who they are being sent to.  The more creative you get, the more fun you’ll discover your gift basket business to be. 

The Time Investment 

Simply put, your business is what you make of it.  If you invest just a few hours a week into creating and advertising your gift baskets, you will get a little bit of business.  If you treat your gift basket business like a serious career and investment, taking the extra time to meet and greet people, promote and advertise, your business is going to be much more successful.  Don’t be afraid to look at your demographics and target the people that you think will be most likely to buy your product.  Be prepared to work hard and advertise strongly, especially just before the holidays - remember that gift baskets are a favorite last minute present for many people, so be sure to prepare ahead of time.  The last thing you want to do is get swamped and bogged down when business is booming. 

Also, don’t be afraid to invest a little time learning new things.  Community colleges and craft shops frequently offer gift basket or craft design classes.  Additionally, there are any number of books, magazines, and DVDs that offer how-to and step-by-step directions for making the perfect gift baskets.  You can never learn too much or get too creative! 

How to Advertise 

Advertising is what is going to make you sell your gift baskets.  Fortunately, there are many different routes to take, dependant on your dedication level and your willingness to invest time and, possibly, money.  Here are a few good examples of how you can advertise your gift basket business and help it get a leg up: 

• Business cards - Not only can you hand these out to people that you meet, but they can also be conveniently tacked up on local bulletin boards as well as being set out for display on counter tops.  Always be sure to ask before you leave cards behind though - you’ll get a more positive reaction if you’re courteous to other business people (and remember, a lot of bosses give gift baskets to their employees and vice versa).
• Flyers - Perhaps one of the most widely-used forms of advertisement, the flyer is inexpensive, easy to come by, and since it can be created on your own computer, can easily be altered and redesigned to highlight sales items or showcase different baskets for the holidays.  Once again, however, always be sure to ask the business owner before you go leaving a bunch of flyers around.
• Media - Television, Radio or even the Yellow Pages are all good avenues of advertising but hardly necessary for the blossoming business.  While this may be one of your first choices, they are usually the most costly.
• Websites - Advertising your gift baskets on the internet is an excellent way of getting out and getting noticed.  Internet advertising is one of the best ways to reach a large number of people with just a small investment.
• Raffles and Donations - Another good way of getting out and getting noticed is by being charitable.  Don’t be afraid to make the occasional gift basket for silent auctions or church benefits.  A simple business card, nestled in amongst the gift, is a great way to advertise even while doing something nice for someone.
• Word of Mouth - Perhaps one of the most powerful forms of advertising, the favorable reviews of others have launched businesses into the spotlight, time and time again.  Always add a dose of cheer with your gift baskets and do a great job - people are bound to tell their friends and family!

The gift basket business is excellent for the stay-at-home parent, not to mention being one of the easiest and most popular home-based businesses that you can get involved in.  Every year, the number of people who give gift baskets continues to increase.  Whether the gift baskets are for a golfing buddy, offering get well wishes, or are saying Happy Birthday to a friend, there is someone out there looking for a unique and interesting present.  Holidays like Halloween, Christmas and New Years are all great gift basket opportunities, as well as opportunities to offer congratulations, such as the birth of a new baby, moving into a new home, or receiving a promotion at work.

The possibilities are endless, so get those creative juices flowing!