4 Tips to Make Your Holiday Gift Baskets a Slam Dunk
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Diffuse Customers’ Holiday Stress with Show-Stopping Gift Presentations

While those select type-A consumers have already started ticking gifts off their holiday to-do list, the majority of us will wait until the last minute. (We’ve got plenty of time right? Right?!) We’re not simply justifying our procrastination — it’s fact!

A 2018 survey by the National Retail Foundation found that 4 out of 10 consumers plan to start their holiday shopping November 1. Although dragging our heels gives us more time to sip gingerbread lattes and munch on homemade cookies, procrastinating can make the holiday gift hunt even more stressful. You can be the remedy for customers’ holiday stress, while encouraging repeat business.

The solution — holiday food gift baskets. Gift baskets are the complete gift package – unique items gift recipients will enjoy that are fully wrapped, and ready to give. Customers will love the bonus of eliminating extra steps that are time-consuming and costly; finding boxes and bags, buying wrapping and ribbon, and fumbling with scissors and tape. Pro tip: Use signage to highlight the time and $ savings for your customers.

Designate a Theme

Most holiday shoppers are in a rush. You only have a few precious seconds to pique their interest. By selecting a basket theme, customers instantly understand the contents and can decide if it fits the profile of a person on their shopping list.

Don’t stress over themes. We recommend crafting baskets to fall into one of the following 3 categories:

  • Activities
  • Product type
  • Color

Activities: Everyone likes a streaming binge or movie night at home. A basket with a variety of theater boxed candies, gourmet popcorn, and chips will have them happily munching to the final credits. For those ‘Martha Stewarts-in-training’, a gourmet cheese board basket featuring hard-to-find crackers, fruit spreads, nut mixes, and even gourmet chocolate bars will delight. For cold nights, a hot chocolate basket full of gourmet hot chocolate, artisan marshmallows, and other fixings will bring a cozy evening to the next level. Game night baskets with sweet and salty snacks, card games, or Mad Libs are also crowd-pleasers.

Product Type: Offer smaller containers with a few hard-to-find items. A grouping of like items, whether it’s the same product or color, can make an impactful presentation. For chocolate lovers, a basket of gourmet chocolate truffles or chocolate covered pretzels are elegant and well received. For peanut butter fans, a basket of assorted gourmet candy filled with peanut buttery treats will score bonus points.

Color: Gift baskets with all red, green, or blue-and-white candy are lifesavers for last-minute shoppers. They automatically fit a holiday theme without needing to know the intended recipient.

Layering is Key

Layering is critical for visual impact. Start with the largest items, then medium, then smallest. Use filler like smaller bulk foil-wrapped candies for stability, color, and interest — sustainable and appealing.

Get Personal

Include personalized drinkware, bags, aprons, or other items with your logo to let recipients know where to purchase again. It also increases your exposure at larger gatherings.

Gift Basket Back-Ups

No time or design skills? Ready-made gift sets save the day. Favorites include AmuseMints Hot Cocoa Kit, Wonka’s Gingerbread Pal kit, or Popin’ Cookin’s Tanoshii donuts from Japan. Have these pre-wrapped for immediate gifting, with one unwrapped display item for customer reference.

Wrapping it Up

Whether pre-planners or last-minute shoppers, customers want easy yet perfect gift presentations. According to Packaged Facts, 54% of food gift purchasers in 2018 bought them for winter holidays. Use themes, colors, and product choices to create gifts that are simple to sell, ideal to give, and delightful to receive. Factor in retail pricing, wrapping, and time, and highlight customers’ savings in both time and money.