Info-Authority: Gift Baskets

Gift baskets are pre-assembled collections of inexpensive items, commonly purchased as a handy present for special occasions. The making of gift baskets has become a popular home business, as it requires little in the way of infrastructure or start-up costs, and takes advantage of a product in high demand. Knowledgeable individuals in the industry have estimated the average revenue for a home-based gift-basket business at $10,000 and up, while commercializing such a business through a retail store or mail order can bring in earnings averaging one million dollars annually.

Gift Basket Themes

Convenience is the watch word for gift baskets. As such, they are usually sorted into simple themes for ease of selection, with baskets for baby showers, birthdays, weddings, and housewarmings being especially popular. Holiday-themed baskets are also big sellers. Gift baskets sell especially well on Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Easter. Such presents have also become an increasingly easy and popular gift for minor holidays such as Secretary's Day.

Creating a Gift Basket

The most frequently found items in gift baskets are food products, particularly candies, baked goods, snacks, cheeses, and fruit. Also common are bath and body items such as soaps, oils, lotions, and candles. Baskets are usually stuffed with colored tissue or some other form of eye-pleasing padding, and colorful bows are often added as well.

Starting a Gift Basket Business

Gift basket businesses chiefly appeal to creative, crafts-oriented people who wish to supplement their finances through additional part-time work. New entrepreneurs are encouraged to register their business and obtain a tax identification number, as this will make it easier for them to purchase products from wholesalers and manufacturers. To reduce costs, these products should be purchased in bulk.

Baskets should be carefully priced to stay competitive while still yielding profits. A 100 percent markup is fairly standard, and will net around 15 to 30 percent profit when the cost of the raw materials is taken into account.

The primary challenge for the seller of gift baskets lies in advertising. A campaign of carefully-targeted flyers can be quite effective, particularly when sent to organizations such as hospitals, schools, medical offices, and non-profit organizations that often find use for simple gift items. Flyers and postcards are usually more effective than newspaper or magazine advertising. Similarly, Internet gift basket businesses have not traditionally netted much profit. However, advertising in the yellow pages can often yield positive results. For a small business, of course, the best advertising is always word-of-mouth by means of satisfied customers.

By Matthew Ingalls




	Gift Baskets Gift baskets are pre-assembled collections of inexpensive items, commonly purchased as a handy present for special occasions. The making of gift baskets has become a popular home business, as it requires little in the way of infrastructure or start-up costs, and takes advantage of a product in high demand. Knowledgeable individuals in the industry have estimated the average revenue for a home-based gift-basket business at $10,000 and up, while commercializing such a business through a retail store or mail order can bring in earnings averaging one million dollars annually. Gift Basket Themes Convenience is the watch word for gift baskets. As such, they are usually sorted into simple themes for ease of selection, with baskets for baby showers, birthdays, weddings, and housewarmings being especially popular. Holiday-themed baskets are also big sellers. Gift baskets sell especially well on Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Easter. Such presents have also become an increasingly easy and popular gift for minor holidays such as Secretary's Day. Creating a Gift Basket The most frequently found items in gift baskets are food products, particularly candies, baked goods, snacks, cheeses, and fruit. Also common are bath and body items such as soaps, oils, lotions, and candles. Baskets are usually stuffed with colored tissue or some other form of eye-pleasing padding, and colorful bows are often added as well. Starting a Gift Basket Business Gift basket businesses chiefly appeal to creative, crafts-oriented people who wish to supplement their finances through additional part-time work. New entrepreneurs are encouraged to register their business and obtain a tax identification number, as this will make it easier for them to purchase products from wholesalers and manufacturers. To reduce costs, these products should be purchased in bulk. Baskets should be carefully priced to stay competitive while still yielding profits. A 100 percent markup is fairly standard, and will net around 15 to 30 percent profit when the cost of the raw materials is taken into account. The primary challenge for the seller of gift baskets lies in advertising. A campaign of carefully-targeted flyers can be quite effective, particularly when sent to organizations such as hospitals, schools, medical offices, and non-profit organizations that often find use for simple gift items. Flyers and postcards are usually more effective than newspaper or magazine advertising. Similarly, Internet gift basket businesses have not traditionally netted much profit. However, advertising in the yellow pages can often yield positive results. For a small business, of course, the best advertising is always word-of-mouth by means of satisfied customers. By Matthew Ingalls Related Links: Gift Basket Business Helpful hints for starting a gift basket business.