What are some intermediate goals for starting a gift basket business?
921057
Breakeven! I would think that you need to figure out your fixed expenses to operate this business and calculate your breakeven point to cover at least your expenses.  i.e how many baskets you need to sell a month/week/day to pay for the business expenses...
796103
Tons of information out there ...\n\nwww.harryanddavid.com\nwww.winebasket.com\nwww.gifttree.com\nwww.theperfectgiftandbaskets.com\nwww.laurasbathandbody.com\n\n...or learn how to have fun, save money, be creative and make your own gift basket!!  www.familytimezone.com/articles/holidaygiftbasket.html
593273
A friend of mine has a framing business. She has fabulous books of art works, prints and posters she orders for her clients. \n\nBeautifully crafted, sophisticated pottery is another option, as well as the (frameable) work of local artists. Instead of putting your own money into their works, contact local talented potters and artists and take their work on consignment. Use contracts and make it a business agreement. This gives them an outlet for their work and gives you merchandise without an outlay of your own cash. It also gives you an artistic 'gallery' atmosphere. \n\nDo you have enough space to rent to artists to give group art classes? These people would be future customers of yours and allow you to make the space pay.\n\nIf you use any of these ideas and it works out let me know. I would be interested to hear. Good luck with your venture!
59998
us an ad program\nstart a ebusiness\nsell stuff on ebay\nmake a million dollar homepage =)
961837
It sounds like you would be great at running a business- something in baked goods or floral baskets perhaps?
520701
Start my baking business.
928497
I would make a nice gift basket that the whole family can enjoy - you could do coffees and teas for the adults, hot cocoas for the little ones, and assorted cookies & chocolates along with nice mugs for each of them. Most of this can be found pretty inexpensively if you look. \n\nOr, you can also do a pasta bowl, loaded with pastas, a couple different gourmet sauces, a pasta server, grated cheese, etc. \n\nOR, you can do a snack basket - popcorn, munchies, soda & beer, and if you wanted to, throw in a game or some movie rentals. \n\nSince you don't know them, it's tough. But you've been with your beau for a while and if he's bringing you to meet them, you're probably going to be around for a while, so buying that first gift without knowing them is hard. Good luck!
941649
**a gourmet snack style gift basket.....asst. cheeses, beef stick/pepperoni, some good crackers, bottle of good holiday wine (or champagne even for new years)-you could even throw a couple of cute wine glasses in there, some good candy like Ferrero Rocher or such, and maybe a cd of holiday music or scented candle.\n**If you make one that is New Years themed, you could add noise makers and other party accessories instead of the cd / candle.\nBaskets are nice because you can control what you spend...and you can make these to fit ANY holiday/occasion/theme-good idea for the group you belong to....\n\n**A really nice throw/blanket makes a great holiday gift exchange gift also...and can also be found at very reasonable prices.\n\n**Newly released movies, cds, books...\n**Nice calender/desk sets...\n**Personal planners - they make some really attractive ones that you can even find in outlet/discount stores.....\n**A t-shirt or sweat shirt of your local professional football/hockey team.\n**A PRE-PAID GAS CARD!!! You could include a note that says "To help you get 'Home for the Holidays' "\n**Movie theater vouchers\n\nI have more ideas, but I could go on forever!\nHope maybe these give you some direction/ideas.....HAVE FUN!!
336550
For the nurse - gift certificate to a nice spa.\n\nFor the marketer - a large, basic black bag.
863733
Make a gift basket you can do \ncheeses, crackers and those rolls of meat\n Movie basket -2 movies, some popcorn and a few big boxes of candy(like the ones you get at the movies) you can now buy them at the stores.\nChocolate lovers basket just put a bunch of kinds of boxed chocolate candy in the basket\nCandy lover basket is with different kinds of bagged candies.\nThat way you don't have to worry if a male or female gets your gift, it works with either one.\nA fun thing to do is play Dirty Santa - first person picks a gift, next person in line can take a new gift or take the first persons gift-if they take the first persons they pick something new,3rd person can take person # 1or 2's gift or get a new one off the table - you do this till all gifts are taken and everyone has a gift.\nHope this helps.
1126936
A few ideas: \n\n1) Flyers & Business Cards - Who are your customers & where do they shop (e.g. grocery, home improvement stores, etc)? Post flyers where your customers frequent.\n\n2) Advertise Locally -- Newspapers, Craigslist, Yahoo! Local\n\n3) Word of Mouth -- Offer a great service & people will talk.\n\n4) Mailers -- Send out coupons, specials, etc.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
694130
Are you referring to food gifts or other types of gifts?\n\nFood gifts: Jazzy Jars- these are jars (like Ball jars or Mason jars).\nInside are the dry ingredients for cookies,brownies, etc.  The gifter decorates the jar and attaches the recipe around the lid.  The recipient follows the recipe1\n\nRegular gifts: gift baskets that would include bath stuff (soap, shower gel, etc.)\nBook lovers basket:  A novel (you choose based on the recipient's taste and interest), book marks, maybe a mug with some tea or coffee\n\nChocolate lovers basket: You name it, anything  chocolate!\n\nGet the idea?\n\nGood luck.
942
This is a tricky question as it may not even be allowed where you are employed. If it is there may be restrictions set by the company on how much each gift can be in cost, what types are allowed, etc. If it is a very small company talk to who is in charge about the gift giving policy. Something small and not very personal are your best choices, things like candles are always welcomed for just one idea
904055
What do you want the money for? have you considered making something simple as gifts?
1130923
If you have the time, create a gift with 40 items. If you have lots and lots of time, find something that will remind them of every year. \n\nFor example, if they went on a honeymoon someplace, try and get a postcard of where their honeymoon was. Year 2 could be a sketch of where they lived, or a toy model of the car they had at the time. For the year they had a baby, see if you can find something from that baby, same with drawings or pictures their kids had made.\n\nThis doesn't have to be something they have to keep, rather it's just a little treasure box of memories. If you'd prefer to keep it really easy and space-saving, look for one special photo from each year, scan the and then create a cd picture album.
755317
take the things that she likes and make gift basket. like hair pieces, make-up,lotions and etc
935616
Most important thing is dont give up. More competition the better. What you must try to do is make some difference from what you were and what is available in the other shop.\nFirst go through your sales history and examine what is in demand mostly,  ex. 1. what type of items 2. the quality etc. \nMay be books or candles are more in demand. See whether you can sneak a peek into the other shop. I'm sure that other person started his business after giving a careful consideration to you who has been in business for 18 years. \nDepending on your finances see whether you can change the stuff you have been selling, 'cos your stuff might be a little outdated. We cannot say from here 'cos it depends on what you have been selling. You can even put a small sale and get rid of the old stuff for a cheap price. that could attract more customers , but not for long. \nTry to change the look too. As someone else has said you can put lanterna and candles to make the place attractive. Also go out of the town to a posh big gift shop and see what they have done. You dont have to copy or I'm not saying you should, but that will give you an idea as to what the trend is. You might not even be able to do everything they have done too. \nMy experiance with gift shops is that they must change with the seasons of the year as well as retaining some for someone who wants to buy something such as a b'day gift etc. Also if a person can get something inexpensive but looks good and of good quality the better. So dont give up. Do a bit of research as to the needs of your community. \nGood luck!