Point of View: The Gift Bag
This week is all about how to get creative with the concept of The Gift Bag and The Gift Basket. The container of the gift bag or basket is just as important as its contents of the gifts. Why not think outside of the box on what else could serve as the so-called box?
It was the brink of my younger brother’s birthday who, at the time, was a personal trainer with his focus set on bodybuilding, high intensity training, and nutrition. I was contemplating all the possibilities of a birthday gift. A wallet - nah, he’s got one. A belt - nah, too boring. Sunglasses - nah, he’d have to try it on to see how it looks. It then dawned on me to do something related to his world of fitness. As I gave it more thought, the gifts evolved into several individually wrapped items of a book by one of his favorite bodybuilders, vitamins and supplements, workout clothes, a workout towel, and an impressive water bottle. Perfect! Now throw it all in a jumbo gift bag, right? Then it hit me (no pun intended on HIT, aka High Intensity Training): use a workout duffel bag as the gift bag!
Want to join me in a secret challenge to yourself to dream up 10 gift bag themes? Here are a just a handful, but try getting creative with some of your own ideas. It’s fun to build gifts around the recipient’s passions: coffee lover, horse lover, motivated musician, avid athlete, beach lover, book worm, health nut.
1) For the housewarming host: a woven magazine basket lined with a tablecloth as the tissue (see foutas here), candle, picture frame, set of coasters.
2) For the treasured teacher: a harvest pail with seasonal fruit, gourmet sweets, and an assortment of flavored tea. Don’t forget an apple, of course.
3) For the aspiring artist: an artist’s toolbox with a sketchbook, oil pastels, charcoal pencils, oil or acrylic paints and a set of brushes.
4) For the green thumb gardener: a flower pot full of gardening tools, gloves, a gardening book, and flower bulbs.
5) For the beloved boss: a photo box with handwritten thank you letters from employees, a picture frame with a team photo, and a personalized coffee mug with goodies inside.
6) For the creative cook: a Dutch oven or casserole dish (such as the ones in the top banner) filled with an apron, a set of steak knives, a mortar and pestle, and salt and pepper shakers.
7) For the hardworking handyman: a toolbox full of new tools, a tape measure, and a Swiss Army knife.
8) For the birthday kid: a monogrammed backpack with toys, binoculars, a camera, and favorite candy or snacks.
9) For the birthday gal: a purse or makeup pouch complete with cosmetics, perfume, body lotion, and jewelry. Consider one of the handwoven rush handbags here.
10) For the birthday guy: a monogrammed leather toiletry pouch filled with cologne, after shave, a watch, a money clip.
Need more design inspiration on possible gifts and gift baskets? Visit our online store here to browse our handmade products and ideas. Make your next gift bundle one that’s creative and sure to wow the recipient. It’s all about your point of view.