How to Make a Gift Basket

While many people get excited about the idea of starting a gift basket business at home, when it comes to actually putting a basket together, results are often disappointing. Here are some tips on how to make beautiful gift baskets that will sell like hot cakes.

1) Anything goes. While gift baskets have traditionally used cane baskets, these days' people are using other objects as well. While baskets may make up 80% of your product range, think outside the box and come up with some other great ways to package an assortment of gifts. You can pretty much use any kind of box, container, pot or bag to suit a specific theme and if packaged well for the right occasion it can work really well.

2) Shredded paper can be put at the bottom of a basket to protect breakable products or to elevate products so that they sit higher in the basket and can be seen more clearly. If you use colorful shredded paper it can also enhance the overall effect of your presentation.

3) Make sure that your basket looks great from all angles but try to give it an obvious front side that looks exceptional as customers will often want to photograph it. Layer your products, starting with taller items in the center and working towards the outside where you place smaller items.

4) Fill the basket to an appropriate level. Baskets that have empty space can make your business look cheap whereas those that are too cluttered can make your products look untidy and ugly. Try to get the right balance when filling a basket.

5) Try to make sure that items are secure in the way that you place them. People are paying for the 'look' or presentation when they buy a gift basket and if everything falls out of place by the time they get to the party it is disastrous for them and you. Use tape in a subtle way that allows you to secure the products in place without revealing any tape until the basket is unpacked.

6) Clear cellophane is king. Most gift basket operations wrap their final product in cellophane and then decorate them with ribbons, bows and other decorations. Having ribbons with a printed message on them adds a nice touch.

7) Attach a card. Ask customers if they want a message or greeting printed on a small card or tag and offer to attach this for them. If not, attach a blank card for the client to complete themselves.

8) Think of ways that you can send every basket out with your company branding on it to encourage people to order from you again. If you put your business card at the bottom of the basket then the person who received the gift will see it when they unpack their basket. However, if you manage to get your company branding on the outside of the product you will be seen by possibly a lot more people.

9) If you won't be having somebody doing your gift basket business deliveries personally then you may have to look at additional packaging if the basket is to be delivered by courier. Ideally you can wrap them with bubble wrap, pack them into tight fitting cardboard boxes, stuff the box with Styrofoam peanuts or another product that offers padding and then you are good to go. Don't forget to label the box with 'fragile' and 'this way up' stickers.

10) If you do get stuck for new product ideas or find that your plans just aren't coming out right don't get discouraged. Remember that all creative people encounter these problems from time to time. Take some time to do some more research, seek inspiration from other areas of art or crafts or have a nosy online at what some of the other designers around the world are doing. When you are feeling refreshed and inspired then get back to creating beautiful gift baskets for your business.

Having a range of products for all occasions, that can be quickly and easily put together in a way that will satisfy customers and recipients is one of the keys to success when you start a gift basket business.