HillriseFarm.com  GIFT BASKET MAKING GUIDE

Even in today’s economy, gift baskets are a $2.8 billion industry--a pretty staggering figure if you know how much each item in a basket is typically worth.  Putting together pet themed baskets to give to loved ones as a personal expression of your affection and gratitude will give you a feeling of joy and satisfaction that handing them a gift card to the local department store, could never replicate. The following theme basket giving ideas are helpful for an individual person:

1.      Holidays and birthdays of pet owners

2.      Birthdays of family members who have a pet.

3.      As a gift for anyone how is hard to buy for - who has a pet.

4.      Any friend who has just bought a new puppy or kitten.

5.      The easiest way to a loved ones heart is through their pet!

Hillrise Farm gives it’s customers the opportunity to create their own baskets by offering as part of the treat program, some wonderful and appropriately sized baskets and containers to meet their needs.  All of the baskets and accessories are priced close to our cost and should be very affordable to those of you who have a business of some sort and want to make up multiple baskets for your customers. Included in your kit will be the filler for the bottom of the basket, shrink wrap and an over cover of clear plastic and even a paw print gift card. All you will need to complete your package are the contents and a ribbon. Some businesses that really benefit from giving pet theme baskets are:

1.       Grooming Shops to give to your favorite or regular customers.

2.       Kennel owners who want their customers to remember them the following year.

3.       Dog and cat breeders who want to give a gift along with their puppies and kittens that are sized for the appropriate age and size of the breed.

4.       Realtors who need a gift to give at a closing and their client has a loved pet.

5.       Veterinarians who have a special dog in their keeping as a “going home” gift.

6.      Any new pet business that is trying to develop a clientele

Most businesses have some down time when folks are looking for something to do. This is the time to take advantage of a little basket building project. Take the time as part of your marketing budget and know that your gifts will be long remembered. 

GUIDELINES FOR FILLING BASKETS

The size of the container you select, in many ways, determined the cost of the finished produce unless you are careful to select one or two large items to help fill it.  Remember, an over filled basket is always better than an under filled one. A few pointers are to follow to achieve that end but to keep your expenses down.

1.      First and always, first, is to keep in mind the size of the breed of the recipient dog, puppy or cat. You will only need a large deep basket for a large breed dog and a small breed puppy basket should be small to medium sized or it could be too expensive to fill and you will have more trouble arranging it to look attractive. Gifts for cats and kittens should be in a very shallow tray type basket because cat toys and notoriously small and delicate. Hillrise Farm has categorized its products so that it is easier for you to select treats and other items that are appropriately sized. We have a large selection of treats that can be used vertically or horizontally.

2.      Fill the bottom of the basket to almost the top edge with neutral colored filler like the white excelsior that is provided with your kit.

3.      When selecting the contents for your basket, pick your largest product first.  Most people select a large plush toy first because the height and width is the easiest to find among pet products. Plus they are soft and colorful. The largest item should be about 3 times as high as the height of the basket and should be about 1/3 the width. If you get the tallest toy home and it appears top heavy, you can always nestle it down in the excelsior.  Remember that your basket will be tied just above the top of the tallest item, so a cute teddy bear or other little face will be the first thing that will be seen as the basket is taken out of it’s box. First impressions count. Your basket should resemble a pyramid shape on completion. That is most pleasing to the eye and lets the shrink wrap do its job of holding every thing in place. With cat and kitten baskets, some tall wands can be back up with a play pouch or tall scratch board or a book on cat and kitten care to support them. With these tall cat items, it is best to not use a tray but instead a small basket with some depth.

4.      The next step is to select a few mediums sized items of different textures.  This is where the treats come into play. A handful of bully sticks, a few colorful rawhides, perhaps a box of frontline plus, a grooming glove will make you basket attractive and useful too. We will be adding toy products and grooming supplies as time goes on to give you more variety.  You will find that different textures such as a shiny silver comb or a bottle of shampoo, a dog or cat birthday cake mix in its decorative tin etc. will add sparkle to the colors of the background.  Velvety tennis balls or vinyl squeak toys add color as well.

5.      Remember to keep your colors in the same classifications. If you start with a large plush toy in pastel shades of blue and pink and yellow, you will want to repeat the colors in another toy or bandana.  If you use primary colors-follow through with them through out.

6.      Finally, tuck a few small surprise treats in the bottom of your basket. A Greenie or two, Gourmet yogurt cookies will make a big hit and  a rawhide yogurt dipped lollipop will make your package unique.  Another thing that can be suggested is to insert a small gift for the pet owner. On line shopping sites have thousands of places to go for things such as books on the owners favorite hobbies, a monogrammed keychain with his name or your company name engraved, a pretty neck scarf, a wallet, so many things that will make your basket remembered by the pet owner. Take advantage of the shopping services on line. Have a great time!

If you need to study some examples, you can look at the extra photos that are inserted on the Build Your Own Gift Basket pages. They will help give you and idea or two. Don’t be afraid to be creative- not ever!

GUIDELINES FOR THE FINAL TOUCHES

(WRAPPING IT UP)

Try to position your items so that they mesh and support each other. Your pet basket will probably be one sided. This means that it will be most attractive from one side but don’t forget to put some small items in the back so that it gives support and interest.

1.      Place your largest and tallest item in the basket first.

2.      Next put in any medium sized items that are flat, such as a book or pamphlet and you may find it is most attractive to place these items to the rear of the basket and against the side to keep them upright and allow them to be seen.

3.      After this, put in your assortment of medium sized items, one at a time and snuggling them down into position.

4.      Add the little things to the corners and along the sides.

Now your basket is ready to wrap.  You will next need to gather the clear dome ended shrink wrap pocket with your figures of both hands so that it is easy to slide it over the top of the items, just like a cap on your head. The shrink wrap bag that we provide is large enough to fit over any of our items in its basket.  Do not be concerned that it is too big. Anything on the bottom of the basket in the way of extra wrap can be trimmed after you are finished. Once you slide the cap of shrink wrap over your entire basket, it is time to heat things up a bit. A common hair dryer is the only tool you will need.  Turn your hair dryer onto the hottest setting and aim it away from the basket at first. Slowly start at the top and in a circular motion, make your way down the sides all around and watch the shrink wrap melt around each item to keep it in place.  Shrink the whole way down to the bottom and wait a minute to let it cool. After it is cold enough to handle, gently pick it up from one side with one hand, tuck the excess wrap under with the other hand and if there is much too much left over, trim it back with scissors. Most baskets do not require this to be done.  Make sure that you shrink the cap of wrap under the basket too. This keeps it secure.

After the basket is cool, pick up the basket by the top and slide it down into the big clear plastic pocket we provide.  Now is the time to get your selected ribbon ready to tie up the top. With your ribbons nearby, gather the top of the pouch and squeeze. There should be about 4 inches of the plastic left above the ribbons after they are tied.  You can use a bow or better yet, save a rawhide lollipop or a couple of bully sticks or rawhide sticks and tie them into the bow. Last, we provide a paw print gift note card and that can be filled out and tied with the excess ribbons.  You are done.  Now go on line and look at some of the fabulous gift basket sites, compare your basket with theirs. You will find that yours was less expensive and better yet, it is custom made by you!

If you have a small business and you want to duplicate the baskets for multiple clients or even want to make something that is a hit for a Church sale or community program, make one basket first. After you get the knack, order multiple of what you created and start wrapping. You will find it is fun and fast.  If you need anything in a larger quantity than that is shown on the program, or have any questions, feel free to email me, Janet, at the email address on this site.

The following are links to the Hillrise Farm category pages that you will want to visit:

           BUILD YOUR OWN BASKETS (basket selection kits)                              

           Tiny dogs and puppies to 22 lbs.

           Small sized dogs to 23- 44  lbs.

           Medium sized dogs 45- 88 lbs.

           Large sized dogs 89 lbs. and up

           Cats and kitten toys and treats (any size)

Thank you for visiting and please enjoy the experience!