In this economy, many businesses did not have the budget to purchase gifts to give their clients.  With that being said, I really didn’t anticipate many large orders for gift baskets this holiday season.  Boy was I proven wrong!

Our regular clients were ordering up to 90 gift baskets.  We were making deliveries during the day (using a cargo van we had to rent) and packaging gift baskets at night.  Our office space was filled with thousands of cookies and other delectable baked goods made by the Little Oven, stacks of assembled gift boxes, spools of ribbon hanging off shelves, and glitter all over the floor.  It was crazy yet so exciting!

What was exciting is that the people receiving these Little Oven baskets started contacting us to find out if there was still time to order baskets to give to their clients, friends, and family.  They commented on how wonderfully packaged the baskets and didn’t want to open them because of how nice they looked.  We also heard that bosses took the gift baskets home to their family instead of leaving it in the break room for their staff.

After reluctantly tearing open the baskets, everyone raved about the cookies and cakes.  What were the most popular items?  The brownie, java, berry, and Melona lavosh.  Coffee cake, guava shortbread, and chocolate mac. nut cookies were also a fan favorite.

Want to know why there is so much talk about the Little Oven?  Follow them on twitter www.twitter.com/liloven.

As I prepared for the holiday season, I spent time much of November securing gift basket orders and opening wholesale accounts with local vendors.  I met with the sales and marketing team at Diamond Bakery in Honolulu, Hawaii to introduce myself as a new, up and coming business owner that specializes in custom gift baskets on Oahu.  What resulted out of that short meeting was an opportunity that came unexpected to me - packaging their cookie and cracker selection into gift baskets to be sold at various Longs Drugs stores!

I just visited the Pali Longs this morning, and there were just six baskets left on the shelf.  What is amazing is that the baskets were put out just two days ago!  Of course I am very happy with the outcome and rapid sales.

Diamond Bakery has been making people smile since 1921… celebrating their 88th anniversary.  To be a part of their growing success is an incredible feeling, and I am appreciative for their trust and supporting other small businesses in Hawaii.

How about hosting a party this Halloween?  With these easy recipes, you’ll impress your guests and enjoy the night!

Skeleton veggie platter

Crescent mummy dogs

Creepy deviled eyeballs

Red velvet brain cupcakes

Recently, The Bess Impression was contacted by a woman in California who was getting married in Hawaii.  She wanted custom gift baskets made for her family and friends attending the wedding.  After having an idea of what she wanted in these gift baskets, I helped her to create gift bags filled with all the essentials of a Hawaiian getaway.  On the delivery date, I woke up at 4:30AM to drive to the North Shore of Oahu.  Dropping off the gift bags and setting up the beach home where the guests were staying at made me feel fortunate to have clients thousands of miles away who trust me and feel confident that The Bess Impression will do a spectacular job.  It was a wonderful experience, and I feel blessed to have been a part of the couple’s special occasion.

Giving personalized gifts can take a little more time, effort, and sometimes more money, but I think it’s an added touch your gift recipient will appreciate.  Here are just a few items any person would love to recieve…

1. 1. Personalized correspondence cards - click for image
2. 2. On-the-go personalized aluminum water bottle - click for image
3. 3. Monogrammed letter opener - click for image
4. 4. Personalized golf balls - click for image
5. 5. Monogrammed towel sets - click for image
6. 6. Personalized lunch boxes - click for image
7. 7. Engraved key ring - click for image