Month: October 2017

Are you attending and baby shower and you've run out of ideas on a nice gift to give to the mom to be and the new baby. Do not fret, there is still time and plenty of ideas you can work with.

One idea is putting together a nice baby gift basket. You do not have to go out and buy a baby basket from a gift basket store, you can put together a baby basket yourself with some crafts from your local craft store, a few newborn baby toys, baby bath products, a couple of onsies or a couple of inexpensive 3-6 month outfits.

Most of your craft stores have many varieties of baskets you can use as the start of your baby gift basket. There are different designs and colors to select from, if you know the new mom to be having a baby girl, maybe a princess style basket would be appropriate for the occasion or choosing a pink basket would be ideal. You can even find character baskets or pails which would be the start of a nice themed baby basket. Many of the craft stores also have an isle with many baby shower favors such as color plastic diaper pins, baby carriages, storks or plastic baby bootie favors you can attach to the basket by hot glue or double sided tape. The little shower favors can be your accents on your basket and even the start of your theme. You can pick up a small spool of baby printed ribbon, such as baby footprints or it's a girl or it's a boy, to make a bow for the front or attach it to the handle of your basket.

Go to a Dollar store and pick up some small baby items such as pacifiers, gel teeth rings, plush baby rattles and sometimes you can find candles in the shape of baby blocks or even a pink or blue baby carriage. You can even find these candles at the craft store and these make a lovely gift just for a decoration to set on a baby dresser. Sometimes you can even find nice baby outfits at the Dollar store but go somewhere like Big Lots or a Burlington Coat Factory who usually has very nice selection of name brand baby outfits in many colors and themes.

Now that you have everything to build your baby basket, let's put it together for your baby shower gift. One good trick is to use some paper at the bottom of the basket so everything does not sit to low. You can use anything as filler for the bottom such as paper towels, newspapers, brown paper bag or if you really want to keep with your color coordination, use tissue paper or use disposable diapers which would also be very useful. Once you fill your basket with the paper, make sure you create a flat top so everything with sit level. If your outfits are in a box, set them in …

It's still summer, and it's hard to realize that the holiday season and the end of the year are approaching soon. But business owners need to look ahead to the winter holidays and plan for that annual issue: gifts for clients and business associates.

Corporate gift-giving is an established part of doing business, but it's not always a simple matter to do it well. Fortunately, there are some established guidelines that apply quite generally.

• Corporate gift-giving should make the participants feel good about their role in the company's life, whether as a valued business associate or a valued client. The gifts should let them know that they are appreciated. The gifts should be reliably uniform, with variations only to suit special circumstances. You do not want customers comparing notes and wondering why one got an authentic basket of fruits and fine wines while another got a box of generic chocolates.

• Gifts delivered in person should be prearranged. Dropping in on a busy client or associate who's in a meeting or consultation can be awkward and embarrassing. Check your recipients' schedules so you arrive at a convenient time. Or simply arrange for shipping with delivery on an appropriate date.

• Choose a gift at an appropriate price level. You do not want to overdo or under something that has a definite business significance. A handwritten card is better than an obviously cheap gift; a particular lavish or obviously expensive gift is inappropriate if your clients and associates know you've had a tough year economically.

• Gifts given during the holiday season should recognize different cultural and religious traditions. Specifically Christian or Christmas-oriented items are not appropriate gifts for Jewish or Muslim clients or associates, but similar gifts can vary for these traditions: wreaths, for instance, can come with decorations in Hanukkah colors of blue and silver or gold. Evergreen table arrangements are simply seasonal and most designs are appropriate for any cultural tradition. Many evergreens firms will custom- design a centerpiece for you and your recipients that reflect the specific traditions you specify.

Wreaths, swags and centerpieces of fragrant evergreens, specifically designed and selected for your gift recipients with your particular needs in mind, are the ideal answer to any gifting situation. They're shipped fresh and fast, and they're the whole holiday season and usually longer. There's simply nothing like their fragrance and elegance. And the whole point of corporate gifting is to say "Thank you. We appreciate you." Evergreens says "Thank you" as well as anything we can think of. Sometimes a little bit better. …

The next time you're invited to a dinner, birthday, cocktail or other party, baby or bridal shower, or get-together of any kind, why not surprise your host and make and take a theme gift basket.

Gift baskets are really easy to make. They can be one of the best gifts you can give, combining the elements of color, variety, surprise. You can do so inexpensively very if you shop carefully. Use new items only though. You might take a look at your local dollar store.

For gift basket themes and ideas, consider your host's hobbies and interests. You want to make a gift basket that is unique and personalized. You could use a cooking theme if your host is a gourmet cook for example. If you do not know your host's interests, consider a relaxation theme, which probably fits just about everyone.

Buy several small gifts that fit your theme. For a cooking theme gift basket choose miniatures or small size olive oils, condiments, herbs, spices, like cinnamon sticks, other food items, and kitchen gadgets. You could include some gourmet cocoa or coffee foil packs.

If your event is a cocktail or dinner party, consider taking a cocktail party theme gift basket. Products or items to purchase could be olives, fancy colored toothpicks, martini or champagne glasses, a box of invitations, an appetizer cookbook, after-dinner mints, bottle openers, or a bottle of wine or champagne.

For a baby shower or baby event, the gift basket will be for the new mom, so consider a new mom relaxation theme.

For a relaxation gift basket you could buy small soaps, lotions, bubble bath, spa items, candles and a CD of harp music or ocean sounds.

Make sure to purchase a sturdy basket large enough to hold all the items and products you've selected.

After you've gathered your supplies and items, fill the basket with Easter grass, if you have some, or use crumpled tissue paper. Look at your local craft store for different colors of Easter grass.

Symmetrically organize the items or products in the basket with the largest items in back.

Wrap the gift basket in colored cellophane wrap or gift wrapping that fits the theme of the event. Make sure to use a large sheet. Lay the sheet on a table and place the basket in the center. Bring the sheet up from the bottom of the basket. Tie it with a ribbon. Make and place a big bow at the top. Attach a gift card if you like, although it is not necessary.

When you arrive at the event, you should immediately present your gift basket to the host. This is a good time to thank your host for the invitation. Making and taking a theme gift basket to your host, that you've personalized with unique items and products, will surely be a welcome surprise. …

There has been a complete turnaround in the concept of manpower management in most leading companies. The focus has shifted from authoritarian style of management to a more personal and caring style, which raises people who make up a company as associates and comrades. This change in attitude has led to the formation of the Associated Acknowledgment program that helps improve employee communication with the management and boost their morale. This kind of a work environment makes the employees feel supported, celebrated and acknowledged. One part of this program is the Employee bereavement policy that conveys sympathy for staff members that have suffered a family death.

Flowers and a condolence card are the most commonly used ideas. However, there are a lot of other options available for expressing support and sympathy to the bereaved family members. A sympathy gift should be chosen keeping in mind the age, family background and the interests of the people in the family. For example, avid gardeners can be given a garden-related sympathy kit that can include some flowering plant seeds, a special memorial message inscribed on a rock to be placed in the garden, as a tribute to the departed soul. The kit may also include a bonsai plant that can be maintained indoors.

Similarly, there are several sympathy kits that can be put together to cater to the special needs of the grieving family. A gourmet basket that contains special ready to cook dishes, soups, cookies or cakes can be offered, along with a sympathy card. Another idea would be to present the bereaved family with a book that provides help for dealing with loss and getting on with life after bereavement. Another idea can be of having a picture of the deceased employee framed and inscribed with a special poem. Any article that conveys a personal and special bonding with the grieving family will serve as a good corporate sympathy gift. …