Community Chat

[Goodie2shoes]

Have you ever given or received a gift basket and for what occasion? Example:  Beauty, Housewarming, Birthday, corporate gift? Did you like what you received? I have a friend who's thinking about starting a gift basket business and I'm just trying to help her come up with ideas so I just thought I would ask my forum friends if anyone has received or sent a basket and maybe if it's even a good idea to move forward with it.  

I have sent a couple of baskets with beauty products and they enjoyed what I sent. ( Nail polish and remover, lip gloss, makeup remover, eye liner etc)  I think she's going to be a busy girl ! I retired in 2016 so my working days are over ! Happy girl   just trying to help a friend  Thanks !    

[smoochy]

I think gift baskets have a solid footing in the marketplace. I especially like the ones that feature items specific to a particular region or state

[Desertdi]

I can say only one thing:   Don't give a food gift basket to a person who lives alone.    

[Bookplate]

I received a gift basket of spa-type products when I was recovering from a surgery.  I have given food gift baskets to bereaved friends.  Also when I was working my department received a corporate-type basket of snacks. In each case the basket vendors were local, with unique products.  I personally don't care for the more generic baskets with nationally available brands.

[Biftu]

I have received gift baskets, some with breakfast items, some food baskets, and those with a variety of beauty items.  Never use all the food items, or just don't like the food.  Beauty baskets, no thanks.  I like the brands I like.  Don't send me a gift basket, and I will never send one to you.

[rockygems123]

@Goodie2shoes 

Don't particularly like gift baskets. Quality usually isn't great and seems to be a waste of money and product to me.

[Tori3569]

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@rockygems123 wrote:

@Goodie2shoes 

Don't particularly like gift baskets. Quality usually isn't great and seems to be a waste of money and product to me.

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Not to mention packaging--always takes forever to open / dispose of all the pieces.  Personally, I think there are too many basket vendors online--including on Etsy.  Unless one has a legit way to source products at wholesale, it wouldn't be cost effective to sell.  

[AuntMame]

I've received gift baskets, some great, some not so good. 

Love Harry & David fruit baskets especially at Christmas. I love fruit and our local grocery stores don't have the best fruit in winter. 

Love gift baskets with sweets and nuts, but the items need to be fresh, especially the nuts. 

Received a gift basket of wines and ended up regifting all the bottles because I don't drink wine. 

Not a fan of beauty gift baskets. Most of the items are not things I use. 

[AuntMame]

I once received a gift basket with different kinds of honey. I thought that was pretty cool. Had no idea there were so many types of honey. 

[FancyPhillyshopper]

I have given LOTS of gift baskets in my life, and received a few as well!

Nowadays anything can be put together in a basket!  Traditionally it was fruit, foods, chocolates, coffees, cookies, etc., etc. Often it was just one specific brand, like Harry and David. 

Then baskets were developed for housewarming, baby showers, and who knows what else. Yes, beauty boxes and fashion boxes have now become a real fad.

There is a company called Happy Box that lets you design your own boxes-- I have sent these boxes to family members.

I am sorry to say that I do not really think your friend will fare too well with this idea as a money-maker as the market is saturated. She would need to have a very wide field of supporters, and would have to establish some standard of quality and efficiency that would make people want to purchase through her.  

In my case when shopping for gift baskets, I always prefer well-known companies. I wish her good luck, as it seems like it would be a fun work experience if she can get the customers.