Creative Gift Giving

Maple Ridge Farms

2010-10-23T21:14:00.005-07:00

It's that time of year to order Thank you gifts to send to your customers and clients. And I highly recommend Maple Ridge Farms Corporate Gifts

We have used them for a number of years and they are beautifully personalized, have excellent customer service, are unique (just look at the train below and you'll see what I mean) and best of all, they taste good!

Christmas Inexpensive Gifts

2008-11-16T08:53:00.006-07:00

It's that time of year again -- when we're looking for ways to say "Happy Holidays", "Merry Christmas", "Thinking of you" without breaking the budget. This year, cost is even more important to many of us.

Click on the title of this post "Christmas Inexpensive Gifts" for some gift ideas that won't create a hole in your bank account.

Housewarming Gifts

2007-06-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

Are you a Realtor looking for a housewarming gift to say thank you for your business? Or perhaps a friend of someone moving into a new home, either across the street or across the nation? What should you give? The answer depends a lot on how well you know the recipients' tastes and personal preferences.

A plant is one of the first thoughts BUT are they allergic? Do they have the time and interest to devote to keeping a plant looking healthy and alive or will it soon die and be tossed in the garbage heap? A picture or home decor gift is, of course, appropriate but only if you know their decorating style, colors, and tastes. A cute country kitchen sign would be welcomed by someone with country decor but you'll see them grimace when they say thank you if their style is sleek and modern.

If they have a collection, this is an ideal time to add to it. But once again, be sure that you know what they will like and appreciate.

Of all the housewarming gifts that we've delivered in the past 15 years, housewarming gifts that contain food are the most welcome. The container can be the gift if you've selected a gorgeous picnic basket or bowl. Pile it high with their favorite gourmet foods, wrap with cello and top with a beautiful bow and you'll have a gift that will be remembered long after the food has been eaten. Foods can be gourmet, snack, or just plain old junk food -- depending on the age and taste of the person you are giving the gift to. Gourmet Gift Baskets make wonderful housewarming gifts.
A gourmet specialty cake, cheese cake, or a special tea gift basket are also welcome housewarming gift ideas. If you are a property manger and need a large quantity of housewarming gifts to give to each new resident to welcome them to your property, inexpensive, uniquely different apartment gifts are the answer.
If you still don't find the perfect housewarming gift, give us a call and we'll create a custom design for you.

Sympathy Gift Baskets

2007-06-15T16:28:00.001-07:00

Death is an inevitable event that all of us will experience at one time or another before our own. We find it hard to find the right words to express our feelings or show how much we care. But remember, people don't always remember what you said to them or gave to them but they do remember how you made them feel. When you want to make them understand how much you care, a sympathy gift basket can make that statement without your having to say a word.

Oftentimes, the bereaved are overwhelmed with flowers, food, and condolences before and during a funeral. But when the flowers have died, the food has been eaten, and the friends have all gone home, a gift from you is like a hug that whispers "I'm still thinking of you!" So, even though you may send your condolences at the time of the funeral, don't forget to follow up with a sympathy gift a few weeks or even a month later.

The anniversary of the death of a loved one, a wedding anniversary, birthday, or any other special time that was spent together can be a particularly sad time for the one left behind. These are occasions to show how much you care--even if it's only a card reminding them that they are in your thoughts or an angel pin for those who are religious.

Teddy Bear Gifts

2007-04-13T14:27:00.000-07:00

. Ever since the first Teddy was developed and named for Teddy Roosevelt, teddy bears have been a gift that is loved by the young and old alike. Grand Canyon Teddy Bears, headquartered in Flagstaff AZ (the gateway to the Canyon), features dressed character bears that will tug at your heart. These 8" high guys and gals come dressed in everything from a police officer to a sports player to a ballet dancer to a dude ready for his next motorcycle ride. Check them out at Teddy Bear Gifts.

There is also a Bear of the Month Club with a 3 month, a 6 month and a one-year program that keeps on giving.

Inexpensive Ways to Market Your Business

2007-04-09T15:46:00.000-07:00

Marketing your business doesn't have to be expensive. A mug, imprinted with your logo, can be filled with coffees or teas and yummy cookies. We get a lot of repeat business for these white mugs with a one color imprint for 89 cents each (minimums and set-up charges apply). Check them out at: Coffee Mugs

Another promotional product that is practical and used is a magnetic memo board. We have a full-color memo board tht is 8 1/2" x 11" for 99 cents each. If that doesn't fit your budget, there's also a half size memo board for 67 cents.

For more marketing products for your business

Difficult Situations - Showing you care

2007-04-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

Simple Ways to Show How Much You Care

There are times when you just don't know what to say. When those we care for are going through difficulties or life-changing moments in their life, we want to reach out--to touch in some way--and to show them how much we care.

But it's hard to come up with the right words or the right things to do that will be helpful to them. Remember that your words don't have to be poetic. Every kind word .and thought, that comes from a friend, is precious. Here are some suggestions:

Read more

Unique Holiday Gift Ideas

2006-11-23T20:01:00.000-07:00

Christmas comes but once a year.
Gee, it's a long time getting here.
Three hundred days and sixty-five,
and just one Christmas,Land Sakes Alive!

You don't need to drive a sleigh to find holiday gifts for all your customers, family, and friends. Our gift ideas create the memories that last. Check out these unique holiday gift ideas!

NOTE that UPS does not guarantee delivery by Christmas for any shipments scheduled for delivery or pick up between December 12 and December 24

Unique Gift Baskets Delivered Nationwide

2006-11-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

Need a gift basket delivered in another town in another state? Gift Basket Network is a network of gift basket professionals located across the United States and in Puerto Rico. Each company is individually owned and operated and deliver in their local area as well as ship nationwide.

This website includes some very unique gift baskets and other unique gifts and gourmet foods. You'll find some of the best in Christmas holiday gift baskets, kosher gifts for Hanukkah, gourmet gift baskets, and much more.

Chosen for their dedication to quality products and service, these companies aren't delivering off-the shelf gift baskets but gift baskets that are very different and much fresher than the ones you'll find in your local department stores or even the large corporate online gift services. So the next time, you need a gift basket delivered across the street or across the country, check out Gift Basket Network.

Yummy Cheesecakes

2006-02-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

We've finally found a bakery that bakes and ships cheesecakes that are as good (in our opinion) as those from the famous Cheesecake Factory. They come in a large number of flavors. Our favorite is the pecan truffle cheesecake with the white chocolate pistachio cheesecake running a close second. If you're a single person that doesn't want to eat a whole cheesecake in one setting, there is even a "mini cheesecake assortment". Eat one and freeze the rest.

Have a birthday coming up -- either you or someone you know? This is the time to treat yourself to yum, yum good! And what could be a more unique birthday gift than a Birthday Chesecake? It's an 8 inch New York cheesecake, covered in Chocolate Ganache. Garnished around the edge with Chocolate Sprinkles. "Happy Birthday" is written on top with a border design in White Chocolate. It's as good as it sounds. To see all the mouth-watering flavors you can choose from, check out these cheesecakes.
If it's your birthday, Happy Birthday to you...happy birthday to you...

The Little Store That Went Away

2005-11-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

Let me take you back to the days when Flagstaff was a small town. When complaints were flying that you had to go to Phoenix if you wanted to shop. And when you could find a parking space downtown. I’m talking about the time before the Flagstaff Mall, Wal- Mart, Kohl's, and Target. Oh, there were still lots of stores, even some large chain stores like Long’s Drugs, Thrifty Drug, and Safeway. But there were also lots of unique little stores owned by folks who lived and worked in Flagstaff .

But that was twenty-five plus years ago. The town has grown and times have changed. Phoenix shopping has arrived in Flagstaff and has brought with it both the good and the bad. Prices, selection, and service have improved. Traffic has increased. Parking downtown is almost an impossibility. And we’ve lost many of the unique little shops that once catered to the needs of Flagstaff and the surrounding area.

To finish this article. . .

The newest fun beverage . . .

2005-11-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

It's not a Margarita
but a wine-a-rita
or even a grape-juice-a-rita if you prefer to go non-alcoholic.

This fun new beverage won the "Best New Drink" award at the National Gourmet Show this year. Celebrate the holidays and welcome in the new year with a wine-a-rita!

Route 66 Memories

2005-06-12T16:22:00.000-07:00

No road has more appeal than legendary Route 66. Most of us who traveled this road weren't thinking about creating memories or making history. We were merely traveling from one place to another and were anxious to get there.

This website is the place to share your memories of traveling this historic road, share your recommendations of the best places to eat, stay, and see along the way.
A Route 66 site wouldn't be complete without a bit of history and a gift shop. This one even has a Route 66 Kids Klub. The most recent Kid's Contest was to name the Kid's LKlub teddy bear mascots.

While you're checking out the gift shop, look at one of my favorite finds. It's a Route 66 Day Bag. Priced at only $12.95, it makes a great purse. It has a cell phone pocket on the side, a roomy inside main pocket where I keep my wallet, lipstick, etc. and another inside pocket which is perfect for all my keys. Another front pocket is the place where I keep my small notebook, pen, and business cards.

Valentine Day - Make It More Than A Commercial Holiday

2005-01-29T22:23:00.000-07:00

Although the origins of Valentine’s Day are shrouded in mystery, when it became a commercial occasion is not. Esther Howland, the woman who produced the first commercial American valentines in the 1840s, sold a then mind-boggling $5,000 in cards during her first year in business. The valentine industry in the United States has been booming ever since. Today over 1 billion valentine cards are sent in this country each year—second in number only to Christmas cards.

When did the Valentine’s Day frenzy begin? Scholars tell slightly different versions of the history of this holiday dating back to the Roman Feast of Lupercalia, an ancient pagan fertility celebration. There’s also controversy regarding Saint Valentine, for whom the famous day is named. Archaeologists, who unearthed a Roman catacomb and church dedicated to St. Valentine are not sure if there was one Valentine or more. The most accepted candidate for the honor is a 3rd century priest who practiced Christianity and performed secret marriages against direct orders from the Emperor who believed single soldiers were more likely to join the army. Legend has it that Valentine sent the jailer’s daughter, who was a friend, a note signed “From Your Valentine” before he was executed on February 14th.

Early Christians were happier with the idea of a holiday honoring the saint of romantic causes than with one recognizing a pagan festival. In 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius named February 14 in honor of St. Valentine as the patron saint of lovers but Pope Paul VI dropped it from the calendar in 1969. However, the blend of Roman festival and Christian romanticism had caught on years earlier and Valentine’s Day was here to stay.

Before Esther produced the first commercial cards in the U.S., they were made by hand. Cards are still the most accepted gift for a non-romantic relationship such as a parent, a child, or a teacher.

But buying a romantic present is a whole different story and, although usually fun for women, it’s definitely not a bed of roses for most men. It isn’t like buying a birthday gift because the gift you choose can not only show your affection but the degree of commitment as well and can signal the seriousness and type of relationship. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to send the wrong signal.

Romantic gifts come in several types—Personal, Traditional, Silly, and Things To Do. While the traditional, which includes chocolates and roses, are the easiest to arrange, the personal and things to do have much more effect, precisely because they take more effort to prepare.
To read the rest of the article go to Valentine Day

Anniversary Gift Giving

2005-01-15T15:14:00.000-07:00

Wedding gifts are easy. Most prospective bride and grooms have a wish list registered somewhere that provides a guide to what they would "love" to have.

But when it comes time to buy that anniversary gift, it's more difficult to choose the perfect thing that will make them ooh and aah. Gift certificates to a favorite restaurant or even a couple of tickets to a nearby theatre can fill the bill. There's always, of course, a bottle of wine or champagne for them to toast the glad occasion.

But for those who enjoy commemorating a wedding anniversary with gifts chosen from the "traditional anniversary gift list", there's a new option. A more moden updated gift suggestion list has been created. In case you are thinking that it's taboo to break tradition, you might be surprised to learn that the "traditional" list is really not all that old. A part of it has existed since medieval times when medieval Germany celebrated the 25th and 50th year of marriage with garlands made of silver (25th) or gold (50th).

But the remainder of the list, as we know it today, was first published by the American National Retail Jeweler Association in 1937. That list is:
1. Paper
2. Cotton
3. Leather
4. Fruit/Flowers
5. Wood
6. Candy/Iron
7. Wool/Copper
8. Bronze/Pottery
9. Pottery/Wilow
10. Tin/Aluminum
11. Steel
12. Silk/Linen
13. Lace
14. Ivory
15. Crystal
20. China
25. Silver
30. Pearls
35. Coral
40. Ruby
45. Sapphire
50. Gold
55. Emerald
60. Diamond

It's unclear who created the modern list but, as with the traditional one, each year the gifts grow more expensive. It has always been a challenge to create a useful gift idea from some of the listings on the traditional list, but when you are sucessful, the effort is appreciated. One suggestion would be to merge the two lists and create a gift that combines the traditional thought with the modern practicality. The modern list of suggestions is:
1. Clocks
2. China
3. Crystal/Glass
4. Appliances
5. Silverware
6. Candy/Iron
7. Desk Sets
8. Bronze
9. Linen/Lace
10. Leather
11. Jewelry
12. Pearls
13. Textiles/furs
14. Gold Jewelry
15. Watches
20. Platinum
25. Silver
30. Diamonds
35. Jade
40. Ruby
45. Sapphire
50. Gold
55. Emerald
60. Diamond Jubilee

Reading through the list makes me wonder if perhaps you might want to jump back and forth between list. For example, if you give your wife an appliance for the 4th Anniversary from the modern list, you sure had better add the flowers from the traditional list. Ivory, from the traditional list will probably be difficult to find since ivory imports are now illegal. A piece of unique gold jewelry from the modern list can fill the void.

And, of course, with just about any gift that you choose, what could be a more appropriate presentation than either hiding the gift inside or accompanying the gift with a gourmet gift basket that both of you can enjoy on this special occasion?
Joyce Reid
Creative Gifts To Go LLC
http://www.shopcreativegifts.com
http://www.giftbasketnetwork.com

Need a gift delivered in town or across the country?

2004-12-31T20:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought, "Ohmigosh, I forgot Dad's birthday...and it's day after tomorrow!"

Or are you tired of sending the same old flowers or box of chocolates and want to find something new and different?
Do you hate spending the time driving out to the mall and searching for the perfect gift only to have to settle for just so-so?

If your answer to any of the above questions is "yes" or "you bet!" or "how did you know?" or something similar, we have just the website for you. Check out http://www.giftbasketnetwork.com and discover your instant gifting solution. This site offers gift baskets that can be hand delivered in a number of cities across the country. All of the cities are not covered yet, but we bet they will be very soon. Even if the city you are looking for isn't covered, most of the gift basket companies can ship anywhere in their state for next day or two day delivery.

This site has more than just gift baskets. You'll find yummy cheesecakes that are shipped overnight from California, cookie bouquets, chocolate covered strawberries, cakes, pies, and even the uniquely-different Grand Canyon Teddy Bears. Check it out. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

A unique gift for kids or adults

2004-12-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

. Ever since the first Teddy was developed and named for Teddy Roosevelt, teddy bears have been a gift that is loved by the young and old alike. Grand Canyon Teddy Bears, headquartered in Flagstaff AZ (the gateway to the Canyon), features dressed character bears that will hug at your heart. These 8" high guys and gals come dressed in everything from a police officer to a sports player to a ballet dancer to a dude ready for his next motorcycle ride. Check them out at http://www.grandcanyonteddybears.com

They also offer a Bear of the Month Club with a 3 month, a 6 month and a one-year program that keeps on giving.

Warrenty cards and Identity Theft

2004-12-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

With identity theft so prevalent, it pays to do everything possible to protect yourself. We don't think of gifts as a potential source for that person on the lookout for information about you. But, Mari J Frank, author of The Identity Theft Survival Kit, reminds us that "warranty cards that ask for your household income, number of children, hobbies and other personal information are just a way to profile you and sell that information to marketers." This makes you vulnerable to junk mail, spam (if you included your email address), and worse of all--the theft of your identity.

Her advice is to write only your name, address, and the product serial number on the card. One thing that most of us are unaware of is that "as long as there is a receipt, the item is under warranty--whether or not you fill out the warranty card."

Recipient Beware: Gift Cards May Lose Value

2004-12-01T11:23:00.000-07:00

Gift cards can be found everywhere--from your local grocery store to your favorite bank. But are you really receiving what you think you are buying?

Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard is pushing for a law that requires disclosure that there are fees for using many of the popular cards and even fees for not using them.

These gift cards are what gift certificates used to be: a way to purchase a gift for someone and let them pick it out. Sounds ideal but it isn't always what it seems. The hidden fees include a "dormancy fee" where the retailer starts deducting from the remaining value on the card if it is not used within a certain period of time. For example, Gail Hillebrand, senior attorney for Consumers Union, said her staffers found that K-B Toys charges $1.50 a month after 24 months. Other retailers who charge similar fees include Kmart, Kohl's, Toys R Us and even restaurants like Red Lobster. And there is usually an expiration date, when the card becomes worthless and the money that was spent purchasing the card is down the drain.

Banks have also gotten into the business by issuing gift cards which can be used at any merchant accepting regular credit cards like Visa and American Express. But these cards also have up-front fees in addition to the maintenance charges and expiration dates.

Posting a sign at the store or on the website where the card is purchased isn't enough. That only informs the buyer. The recipient of the gift card has no way of knowing that the gift card they have been given in good faith is slowly becoming worthless the longer they keep it.

There is another option to a gift card. Select-A-Gift is a program with gift values ranging from $25 on up to over $1,000. You can buy one or as many as you wish. The recipient receives a catalog of gift selections based on the price that you purchased. They can redeem the card online or on the web and there are no fees other than the purchase price. Be aware that this is a "gift program" however and the value of the gift, which includes the catalog, gift card, and shipping to the recipient is usually less than the purchase price. In other words, you could go to Best Buys or Costco and buy the same gift for less money but you would have to pick it out, wrap it and ship it to the recipient. What you are paying for with the Select-A-Gift program is convenience. To check out this program, go to http://www.corporategiftnet.com and click on Corporate Gift Program.