Basket Cases - Case Studies in Gifting

My Funny Valentine

2012-02-14T16:14:00.000-08:00

We aim to please and love when we get nice feedback from our customers. The following is a response from a new client that wanted to surprise (and embarrass) her boyfriend at work.

Thanks Bonnie! This looks great! He absolutely loved it and was rather embarrassed by the whole thing. haha!!

I will be using your services again and let my friends know about your company.

Thanks again for being so accommodating.

We love our work and emails like this make it all the more rewarding. Keep those cards and emails coming!

Taste Test

2012-02-09T08:14:00.000-08:00

Part of our responsibilities at Baskets by Bonnie is to test new products. We tested these dips right before lunch. The Roasted Eggplant & Pepper Hummus pairs nicely with the Sea Salt Pita Bites and the Artichoke Pesto is wonderful on the Three Cheese Panetini.

I could not stop "testing" and made this my lunch for the day!

Custom Solution: Herb Capital Basket

2012-02-08T08:16:00.000-08:00

Although we have a wide selection of gift options on our website, some situations call for a customized solution. This was the case for the Gahanna-Area Chamber of Commerce. They were in need of a gift basket for a conference that was representative of the city of Gahanna also known as the "Herb Capital of Ohio".

We were brought a cache of products such as herb-infused bath and body items from the Herb Education Center and wine from WyandotteWinery to create an eye-catching basket. To help pull together this theme, we used a metal planter, added a book on Cooking with Herbs and Spices and a pair of canvas gardening gloves. The tulle wrap added a nice earthy-feel.

The result is a one-of-a-kind basket that showcases the city of Gahanna.

Be Mine!

2012-02-07T08:40:00.000-08:00

"Valentine's Day: the holiday that reminds you

that if you don't have a special someone,

you're alone."

from Lewis Black - The Huffington Post

Valentine's Day is one of those awkward gift-giving holidays. Choosing the right gift can make or break a relationship. On this February 14th, we can provide a gift for every stage of romance.

Choose from our website or we can CUSTOMIZE your gift to make it just right for your Valentine. Whether it's a new found love, a marriage proposal or a bitter breakup, Baskets by Bonnie can help you navigate this tricky terrain.

Be Mine...on Valentine's Day For relationships old and new...we have the perfect, sweet gift for you!

This Valentine's snack tin
filled with sugary treats.
And a cute bean-filled animal
can not be beat.
Wrapped with love
and a fuzzy-warm note,
Tis a gift that will keep
your relationship afloat.

Cute reuseable snack tin

And to all a great gift!

2011-12-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

For Your Favorite Elf - Santa's got a brand new bag.... and we filled it with all of our favorite cookies and treats!

This clever felt gift bag adds a new twist to the standard cookies and milk left by the fireplace or tree.

A Delightful Santa Buffet

Let It Snow!

2011-11-23T08:24:00.000-08:00

The weather outside will soon be frightful,
And we have baskets that are so delightful,
Visit our website for great gifts on the go,
Shop from home and Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Let it Snow...man!

When it begins to snow,

the Frosty Brigade is bound to show!

This cute Snowman Tower is four layers of treats to help melt away the winter blues:

Top Hat is filled with Peppermint Candies
His head is full of Mini-Chocolate Bars
Middle layer is filled with instant hot drinks
Bottom layer contains snacks to munch & dunk

This gift will dress up any fireplace, table or tree.

Sweets for Your Sweetie

2011-10-13T09:05:00.000-07:00

Sweetest Day

The "Sweetest" of Gifts

Treat that special someone with a token of your affection on Saturday, October 15, otherwise known as "Sweetest Day."

Sweetest Day was created by Herbert Birch Kingston in Cleveland in 1922 to bring happiness to the lives of orphans, shut-ins and others that were normally forgotten.

Over the years, Sweetest Day has turned into a time to express love and to show appreciation to friends and family.

Baskets by Bonnie has you covered with a nice variety of gifts for all your treasured relationships.

Book Reviews

Books for the Occasion

Romantic Holidays tend to put relationships under a magnifying glass. The scrutiny can either push a romance to the next level or cause a breakup. A good book can help a friend navigate through the various stages of dating and can make a nice addition to a gift basket.

For the Romance that is heating up:

Are You made for Each Other? By Barbara & Allan Pease

about Are You Made for Each Other
After more than thirty years of research into how relationships work and where they often go wrong, Allan and Barbara Pease devised this clever quiz book to help you determine how compatible you and your partner are.

To console a friend in the throes of a breakup:
It's Called a Break Up Because It's Broken
By Greg Behrendt & Amiira Ruotola-Behrendt

about It's Called a Break Up...
It's called a breakup because it's broken, and starting right here, right now, it's time to dry your tears, put down that pint of ice cream, log out of his e-mail, and open this book to Chapter One-and start turning your breakup into a breakover.
For a friend who needs to move on but doesn't know how:
How to Dump a Guy
By Kate Fillion & Ellen Ladowsky

about How to Dump a Guy
Irreverent yet practical, supportive, knowing, and very, very funny, How to Dump a Guy is a wise, refreshing book about how to end relationships. It is a coward's manual that takes the reader's hand from the first sign that it's over to the aftershocks. There are the Dumping Do's and Don'ts.

The Value of FaceBook

2011-10-06T08:17:00.000-07:00

After questioning the value of having a FaceBook page for Baskets by Bonnie, we finally took the plunge a few months ago.

The tipping point was when we were testing new cheeses for our shop. I was really excited about a few of the choices and posted a photo on my personal FaceBook account. I was amazed at the number of friends that were interested and had an epiphany. FaceBook is perfect to post pictures and short updates that don't warrant a blog post or newsletter.

It was relatively simple to set up. What to post, how often and if our customers would find this useful were some of my concerns. I was also worried about redundancy with our website and blog. We were reluctant to beg friends and customers to become "Fans" & "Like" us. However, we remained open-minded.

A little over a week ago, on a whim, I posted a quick photo of Matt wrapping a basket for a custom order.

After posting and "tweeting", we had a good laugh and forgot about it.

Yesterday while taking a phone order from a new customer, I asked how she had found us.

After the usual response of "I found you from the web", she added that she had looked at a couple of websites.

Aside from being impressed with our assortment, she was sold from our FaceBook page; specifically "Matt in Motion". The picture conveyed the idea that we made each basket to order and could customize.

I couldn't wait to tell my staff. After a few chuckles at Matt's expense, I had a shift in my attitude. A simple phone call had turned me from skeptic to advocate.

Status Update: I'm a "Born-Again FaceBook Fan"

How to Be A Good Mother and Avoid a Lawsuit

2011-08-31T07:18:00.000-07:00

I came across this article today about two children, ages 23 and 20 who slapped their mother with a $50,000 lawsuit claiming she caused them "emotional" distress. Among the accusations were that the mom, Kimberly Garrity didn't send her son care packages at college and didn't send money in birthday cards.

If only the mom knew about Baskets by Bonnie. This whole sordid matter could have been avoided with a few well-placed gifts as shown in our Student Care Package section on our website.

one of the many options of Student Care packages
available from Baskets by Bonnie's website

Fortunately the lawsuit was dismissed.

Perhaps the children should consider sending Mom a peace offering. Might we suggest the "Happy Housewife"?

July Newsletter Highlights: Say Cheese!

2011-07-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

The Cheese Extravaganza

A fresh shipment of cheese and gourmet snacks has recently arrived!

Espresso BellaVitano

As a tasty snack for breakfast, dessert or just about any time at all, this freshly roasted, espresso-coated cheese blends the sweet and sugary flavors into a creamy perfection.

Goes best with:

Wines - Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sherry
Foods - Sweet Pastries, Bagels, Chocolate, Nuts, and Dried Apricots

Black Pepper BellaVitano

To bring a little extra "buzz" to your next cheese platter, add the natural zest of this rich, nutty, creamy BellaVitano. Enhanced with the subtle zing of cracked black peppercorns, BellaVitano imparts a buttery richness that blends the flavors of both a premium Cheddar balanced by a full-flavored Parmesan.

Wines - Chianti, Chardonnay, and Light Red
Foods - Dried Nuts, Roast Beef, and Crusty Artisan Bread

Sole GranQueso

A gourmet, Spanish-Styled mini cheese with a distinctive bite and sweet finish.

Grand Cru Gruyère

Cured over four months for quality and versatility, smooth and mellow with light floral notes, melts easily, a cook's best friend.

Pita Crisps

Naturally Baked Pita Crackers with Sea Salt. These tasty Pita Bites taste great and make for a sensible snack. Nine crackers are only a 120 calories w/four grams of protein and zero trans fat! As a bonus, they are even kosher!

Veggie Chips

Garden Veggie Chips with Sea Salt.About 38 chips per serving and only 130 calories! They are kosher, no trans fat, all natural, and best of all....they taste great!

The Deluxe Wine and Cheese
It's time to party...wine and cheese style! Whether it's a picnic, wedding or anything in between, this Wine & Cheese Party is the quintessential gift for the wine and cheese lover or as a token of appreciation for the host or hostess with the mostest!

We've loaded up on all our favorite cheeses as well as tasty crackers and 2 awesome wines from Chile, the EcoBalance Chardonnay and Carmenère, to liven up any party.

June Newsletter

2011-06-13T07:38:00.000-07:00

Just like the weather, the season for weddings and graduations is hot! It's the time of year to celebrate that special occasion between two people, as well as showing support for that recent graduate.

Let's not forget Dad! On June 19th, it's time to thank dad for all he's done for you. What better time to celebrate all these special occasions than with the first day of summer, June 21st, approaching?

At Baskets By Bonnie, we have that special "something" for each and every special occasion!

Wedding | A Most Memorable Matrimony

It can't be overstated that a wedding day is a highly marked occasion. No other event will require so much planning than the day the bride and groom begin sharing their lives together.

To make the most out of every moment, the newlyweds can explore new adventures together with their own Wedding "Picnic for Two" Backpack. In addition, you will have the option to include a bottle of wine of your choosing.

Keep that "spark" alive with a special gift for both the bride and the groom.

Father's Day | R & R for Dad!

It's Dad's turn for a time-out! On Sunday, June 19th, let this Father's Day be a way to show Dad what he means to you. With the Time-Out Basket, you can pay your father back for all the tough love with some sweet-tooth goodies, a great novel, and even some hand-picked items that are fit for a king!

Dad can stand in the corner and think about what he's done with a wide arrangement of snacks, including Peanut Brittle, Butter Cookies, a BBQ nut mix and Espresso Candies just to name a few. Also to keep his mind fresh, this gift includes Magic Metal Puzzles and our featured novel The Appeal.

For the coolest pop, or even the ones striving to be, this basket is sure to be a hit. With salt, spice and some sweets to be nice, this basket is for putting up with you for all these years.

Graduation | Best Wishes & Good Luck (You're Gonna Need it)!

Good luck on your future endeavors graduates! You need all the help you can get, because it is time to start paying for the student loans! Parents, show your support one last time before cutting the apron strings with the "Bite the Bullet" basket.

Along with a few snacks to help you on your way, this basket helps you "Bite the Bullet" both figuratively and literally. In order to keep the kid inside alive, we've included a colorful box of Swedish Fish. For those tough times ahead, don't forget your Bite the Bullet Mints for when things just aren't going your way. Don't fret! Alas, Saint Homobonus, the Patron saint of Business and Good Fortune, will assist in your quest for upward mobility.

Lastly, in order to jump-start payment for those student loans, "How'd You Score That Gig" is a guide to the coolest jobs and how to get them. Growing up won't be so bad after all.

May Days

2011-05-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

May 2011

Making way for the May holidays!

May 3rd - National Teachers' Day
May 8th - Mother's Day
May 12th - Nurses' Day

Today is National Teachers' Day (Don't forget to vote for your local levy), and it's time to start thinking about end-of-the-year gifts for your favorite educators. This Sunday remind mom why you're the apple of her eye, and next Thursday, show your appreciation to your favorite nurse.

Stuck for ideas? Baskets by Bonnie can pave the way this May!

National Teachers' Day/End-of-the-School Year Gifts

A+ Celebration

You get an "A" for effort!

Show appreciation to teachers who provide outstanding performance. National Teachers' Day is a day to recognize the lasting contributions teachers make not only to the classrooms, but also to our lives.

Teachers' Day originated in 1944 in Arkansas. Mattye Whyte Woodridge, an Arkansas teacher, prompted the people to dedicate a national day to honor teachers. Woodridge was able to persuade Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day only 9 years later in 1953. Later, the National Education Association (NEA) would revive it making it an annual event celebrated the first Tuesday of the first full week in May.

Show your gratitude to a teacher that went above and beyond performance this year with our Teachers' Tin. Forget the apple and give teachers a variety of tasty goodies.

Mother's Day

Mother deserves the best!

Mother's Day originated in the early 1900s by Anna Jarvis to commemorate her recently departed mother. Joining with her partner, John Wanamaker, they campaigned to make it a national holiday.

On May 9, 1914, president Woodrow Wilson declared the first National Mother's Day to honor the mothers who had lost sons during the war.

It's that time of year to really show your gratitude for all of mom's effort and support. Gift mom with the "Happy Housewife" basket! Including chocolates, dried fruit mix, cheese, crackers and a bottle of Mad Housewife wine, mom has all of the fixings to have a perfect holiday just for her.

For other ideas to honor and pamper, check out our Spring Seasonal section of the website.

Nurses' Day

Spread the Care!

Doctors may think they know it all, but nurses call the shots!

(Inter)National Nurses' Day is a holiday dedicated to show appreciation for all of the hard-working nurses in the world. Held on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is considered to be the founder of modern nursing, each nurse can receive an extra special thanks for how significantly they touch our lives.

There's no better way to say "thank you," than by sending the "Nurses' Kit." Packed full of treats, this gift is just the right amount of care to give back to those special care-givers.

Spring Holidays

2011-04-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

Spring holidays to remember this April:

Earth Day - April 22nd
Easter - April 24th
Administrative Professionals' Day - April 27th

Whether it's celebrating Earth Day the "Green" way, sending a care package to your college kid for Easter or thanking the administrative professionals who make your life easier, we have you covered at Baskets by Bonnie!

Make your friends "green" with envy.

April 22nd is the 41st Anniversary of Earth Day, which was started by US Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin in 1970 as a "Teach-In".

Earth Day is now celebrated by over 500 Million people around the world and is the largest non-religious holiday.

At Baskets by Bonnie, we practice being "green" here by recycling as much as possible. Many of the containers we use for our baskets serve more than one purpose.

Think your friends have a cool way to be "green"? Well, show them up and help the planet all at once. Help keep the landfills clear of plastic bags with our "My Reusable Bag Makes Me Better Than You" shopping tote.

Send the Easter Bunny to college!

Will your son or daughter be home from college for this Easter on April 24th? If not, Baskets by Bonnie can help!

Get them jacked-up on sugar this Easter with the Easter College Package . It's a great gift for any college student! Packed with Easter snacks, Red Bull, Jones Soda candies and much more.

SAY THANK YOU WITH A CUP OF GRATITUDE!

Celebrate Administrative Professionals' Day on April 27th with Baskets by Bonnie.

Started in 1952 by the IIAP as "Secretaries Week" (Day), this holiday that honors office workers was changed to "Administrative Professionals" in the year 2000 to keep up with the times.

The name of the holiday may have changed but the tradition of honoring your valued associate on this day with cards, gifts and perhaps a luncheon, is still very much in style.

Baskets by Bonnie has you covered with a wide variety of gift baskets that are sure to please, including the Cup of Attitude basket.

Going Green

2011-03-18T09:07:00.000-07:00

March is the month to "Spring Forward". We advance our clocks, become Irish for a day, and rejoice as the days start to get warmer and plants start to spring up. We are becoming more "Green", not just for St. Patrick's Day, but in our growing concern for our environment.

This month we launched a new and improved website for Baskets by Bonnie, which includes some new, Eco-friendly products. In an effort to become more "user-friendly", we've added shopping carts and a secure gateway for credit cards to allow for 24/7 ordering without any "unnecessary" conversation. However, we still offer the same great customer service and availability during business hours to take your order by phone.

A Fresh New Look

At Baskets By Bonnie, we found there was a growing need for more efficient orders and payments . With the new and improved website, all orders can be made quickly, at any time of any day, entirely online, and without conversation. Order a basket with just a click of the mouse to enhance your shopping convenience.

We are still available to work with you by phone for any and all special orders!

Made to Order

We've added the ability to customize your basket of choice on our new, user-friendly website. With the option of adding any mug, book or game to a basket, each gift can be personalized with a click.

First order the gourmet gift of your choice and then visit our special categories:

* Wine
* Books
* Mugs
* Totes
* Puzzles & Games

Simply add the additional items you would like included in your gift to your shopping cart for a one-of-a-kind gift that is sure to be a hit!

"Greening-Up" Our Inventory

We recently added some new, organic Chilean wines from Eco Balance that take a biodynamic approach to wine-making. Eco wines make their vines as healthy as possible without using pesticides.

Eco Balance Carmenére is a medium-bodied, ruby-red wine with a smoky, strawberry-cherry nose followed by a plush-layered finish. A classic match with game, lamb, or beef and hard cheeses.

Eco Balance Chardonnay is a fruity palate with a hint of lime and grapefruit followed by an oaky, lush finish with light tones of butter. Excellent with white meats, smoked meats and creamy pasta dishes.

When shopping at the gourmet grocery for appetizers to accompany these organic wines, further your "all-natural" experience by using our Eco-friendly totes.

Winter Wine

2010-12-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

Put a Sparkle in Your Holiday

The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years are prime time for entertaining friends, family, and business associates. For this time of year, a sparkling wine or unique Hors D'ouevre will add a special touch to your gala.
Below we have a few sparkling suggestions to spice up your gatherings.

Sparkling Wines Around the World

So often we ask for Champagne when we're simply looking for a wine with
bubbles. So, what is the difference between a Champagne and a Sparkling
wine?

Champagne
Champagne must come from the region of Champagne in France. Champagne is
the area that developed the standards for producing the delicate bubbles that add
such fun and excitement to any event.

Then terroir of Champagne is different than any other wine growing region in the world. The soil is layered over thick deposits of chalk. This chalky soil translates onto the
palate as a bone-dry, mineral rich solid flavor.

While many wines that sparkle are produced around the world, only Champagne holds
all of the elements to produce such a dry, elegant and refreshing wine. A perennial
favorite is Veuve Clicquot, because it is consistently sublime in the delivery of teeny
tiny bubbles. Vueve Cliquot also uses more Pinot Noir than most Champagne Houses, which helps create a bigger body and more of a structure than many wines from Champagne.

Also from France
Not All Sparkling Wines from France are Champagne. While they may look as prestigious, French sparkling wines offer a more moderate price-tag. One of our value French sparkling wines is the Charles LaFitte Rose Prestige at a bargain price of around $14.99 (current State-Minimum pricing.)

Closer to Home
Throughout the world, many wine producers use the Method Champanoise, or Champagne Method, to produce a beautiful sparkling wine. While these wines don't possess the super dry, mineral palate of Champagne, they are still excellent wines.
One such wine is Chandon.

Chandon is made in the Carneros region of California by the Champagne House
of Moet and Chandon. What you'll find in this wine is a much more forward fruit than is found in Champagne. The brightness of the fruit shines through in this wine, and creates
a palate that is pure California.

Sparkling Sweetness
Other sparkling wines to consider are Moscatos. Produced from the Moscato grape,
this grape has a tendency to retain its sweetness, and it is an excellent addition to the dessert table.
Opera Prima Moscato is a classic dessert wine at a bargain price of $6.99.*
*(current State Minimum pricing)

Let's Get The Party Started!

Caprese Bite

Place a cube of fresh mozzarella in the shell
Bake for 8 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Top with Robert Rothschild Farm Roasted Red Pepper & Onion Dip & Relish and minced basil.

Your guests will love it.

Check out the Robert Rothschild Farm website for more easy to prepare recipes.

November Newsletter

2010-11-10T04:35:00.001-08:00

The Season Hath Begun

Start making your list,
And checking it twice.
Tis the season for baskets
Full of sugar and spice.

Three weeks til Thanksgiving
And then it will start
The time of giving
Gifts from the heart

A few ideas for the season
Are shown down below
Gourmet gifts that are pleasin'
Now you know where to go!

A Gift of Thanks
Perfect for a Host gift or as a gift of "Thanks"! This basket is filled with a nice assortment of treats and a bottle of Cranberry Wine.

Also included:

a 4.4 oz Box of Premium Assorted Chocolates
Tin of French Hard Candies
Oven-Baked Italian Toast
Ginger Lemon Creme Cookies
A box of Gourmet Sun-Dried Tomato Crackers
a block of Kosher Cheddar Cheese
Gourmet Mixed Nuts
Dried Cranberries
a bag of Caramel Puff popcorn

Giving Thanks for around $66

Let's Get The Party Started!

This extra-large coffee-colored Seagrass basket weighs in at 18 lbs and is filled with a large assortment of treats to feed a small army. There is something for everyone, so bring your appetite to this gathering!
For more details : click here

Go Big to the Party for $148.95

Sugar & Spice

It is said that variety is the spice of life.
The Sugar & Spice Snack Basket is sure to
add some spice and make someone's day!

Included in this delectable assortment of treats:

Anna's Ginger Thin Cookies
JM Caramel Corn
Krema Nut Co. Dried Fruit Mix
a bag of Bali's Best Green Tea Candies
A 4 pc. Box of Belgium Truffles
2 pkts. of Cider House Spiced Cider

A sweet gift for only $23.95Sugar & Spice

Fall Line-Up

2010-10-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

With a gust of wind, summer is over, and school is back in session. We're in the midst of football season, either spent by the TV or tailgating, and the Holiday Season will soon be upon us! Excitement is in the air at Baskets by Bonnie where great new products are streaming in. Whether helping you tackle your Fall entertaining needs or helping you to get a jump on your Holiday Gift List, Baskets by Bonnie has your back!
New to Our Fall Line-Up

We are dedicated to ensuring that we have the best quality of foods for your gift-giving needs. In addition to our expanding Gourmet Kosher line, we've added a handful of Certified Gluten-Free items that can be incorporated into any customized gift.

School is Now In Session

Send The Care Package to show you care
Care Package Feeling a bit guilty about enjoying the benefits of a smaller household now that college is in session? Need to make up for turning your child's room into your bonus room without their consent?

Or perhaps you are actually starting to miss them.

Provide energy and endurance with a Care Package of treats that will help get your scholar through their most challenging school days. It's a great way to show your love and support.

Buckeye Bucket

This bright red tin is the perfect gift for your favorite Buckeye Fan. The Buckeye Bucket is the Scarlet & Gray way to send any message in style. With a combination of snacks, chocolates, pretzels, popcorn, and much more, this gift is the perfect plan for any type of fan!

Go Bucks, Not $ - Great Wine Deals

Barefoot Pinot Grigio
On Promo for $6.99 (Front Line $7.99)
with 10% Case Discount for Pick-Up Only
As leaves begin to fall, we look for any excuse to fire up the grill a few more times before the bitter winds drive us indoors again. When gathering together with friends from around the block or heading to the nearest tailgate party, we like to have something delicious to offer without breaking the bank.
Barefoot Pinot Grigio is a light, yet flavor-packed, wine that comes to us from the sun-drenched vineyards in California. Like sunshine in a glass, this wine will delight your friends and neighbors, and have them asking for more!

Gato Negro Shiraz
On Promo for $4.99 (Front Line $6.99)
with 10% Case Discount for Pick-Up Only
Who says tailgates are just for beer? We certainly don't! This Shiraz is tasty, balanced and ready to take on all foods you can throw its way. With notes of cinnamon and dark fruits, this wine will wow everyone from the wine novice to the wine enthusiast.

*Baskets by Bonnie Wine Policy: prices do not include tax;
we sell at state minimum; sales and shipping are subject to Ohio wine laws.

GiftsExpressed

Gifts Expressed is a new website, subsidiary of Baskets by Bonnie, created for people seeking quick, professional services without any unnecessary discussion. Order baskets at any time, and be assured that we will get it done promptly. We have a diverse selection of baskets in order to send your gift, and your message, via the express lane!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for allowing Baskets by Bonnie and Gifts Expressed to be part of your winning season. Stay tuned for our next episode devoted to the holiday season.

An Ounce of Prevention

2010-09-16T05:15:00.000-07:00

There's an old saying:

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" - Ben Franklin.

When a basket is to be hand-delivered, we request the recipient's daytime phone number. To insure proper delivery, we like to arrange for a convenient delivery time as well as confirming the delivery address.

Occasionally we will have a customer that will question this procedure and ask why we can't "just leave it with a neighbor" or "at the door" if no one is at home.

The answer is simple. We will do this if the sender is willing to accept all liability for lost, stolen or damaged gifts. i.e. " We will get paid no matter what the outcome". Fortunately when put that way, most clients will let us call ahead.

Do You Know Where Your Kids Are?

Recently we received an order where a mother ordered a birthday gift for her daughter. Knowing that this was time sensitive, we left a message the night before and followed up in the morning to arrange for a delivery. Luckily we reached the Birthday Girl just as she was getting ready to go out the door for work.

Turns out the information we were given was five years old!

Had we not insisted on sticking to our delivery protocol of reaching the recipient before sending a local hand-delivered gift, the outcome would have been disastrous .

Fortunately we were spared the "pound of cure"!

Into the Express Lane!

2010-08-09T14:13:00.001-07:00

At Baskets by Bonnie, we make customer service our golden rule. We strive to get to know the customer, and customize any basket to send according to the message. We work hard to take the time to make each gift perfect and sincere. Though in times of a fast-paced world, we want to offer another solution for the customer on-the-go...

Gifts Expressed is a division of Baskets by Bonnie, LLC that specializes in quick customer service with no conversation necessary.

Gifts in the Fast Lane

Gifts Expressed was created for people seeking quick, professional services without any unnecessary discussion. Including such categories as Baby, Bath, Gourmet, Ohio, Wine and Themed Baskets (such as Indoor Gardener),we can have a diverse selection in order to send your message, and your gift, via the express lane!

At Gifts Expressed, we treat all of our clients in a prompt, perky and professional manner, and when making any potential substitutions or minor variations, we want each individual to have complete confidence that their order will deliver the expected message, and for payment conveniences, we have the ability to securely accept credit card information.

Next time you need to order a gift on the fly, give our sister site a try!

Turning Cucumbers Into Peaches - The Power of Twitter

2010-07-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

In his blog post today, "Social Media is not a Vocation", Chris Brogan makes the point that Social Media is "tools and a method", not a profession. Brogan also carefully shows in his book, Trust Agents, how when used the right way, Social Media, helps build a network of trust and influence.

Twitter, a type of Microblogging, is one of the instruments in the Social Media Toolbox that assists in forming relationships, 140 characters at a time.

Jumping In

On Twitter, it's not so much about what you say. It's more about how you respond. The trick is to find a "Tweet" or conversation and just jump in. You never know where it will lead. You can make a new friend, have some fun, learn something new, or as was the case yesterday, "Turn Cucumbers into Peaches".

It all started with a tweet that caught my eye:

July 13th @ 7:57 a.m.From @DraperyDiva : Peaches anyone? http://twitpic.com/24wxri 7:57 AM Jul 13th via Twitter for Android

The rest of the conversation:

@DraperyDiva http://twitpic.com/24wxri - Yum! I'll trade you cucumbers & tomatoes (once they ripen)!

@basketsbybonnie You're on! They were really good last year. So many this year I'm afraid the branches are going to break! 9:28 AM Jul 13th via web in reply to basketsbybonnie

@DraperyDiva We should form a #ProduceExchange for local gardeners. I have some cucumbers left and will have ripe tomatoes soon.

@basketsbybonnie Great idea! Not much time this year so peaches is about all I have ,especially if Alvin & friends have their say! Tuesday, July 13, 2010 12:21:55 PM via web in reply to basketsbybonnie

@DraperyDiva - This is Today's Harvest. Let the garden exchange begin! #GameOn http://twitpic.com/256xc7 Wednesday, July 14, 2010 8:24:17 AM via Twitpic

@basketsbybonnie Mmmm, I can taste the cuc salad now! :) Wednesday, July 14, 2010 8:48:25 AM

@basketsbybonnie is bringing me cucumbers from her garden! Yummo! I'm giving her "peach credits" for when they are ripe! Twitter rocks!
Turning cucumbers into peaches with @DraperyDiva. Now I am waiting for my credits to ripen! #PeachCredits http://twitpic.com/259gqp

@basketsbybonnie The begs the telling of the "10 Uses for a Cucumber Joke" but I'm not even going to go there! Thanks Bonnie!

@basketsbybonnie Cucs are delicious! Thanks. Poor peach tree branches are almost bent to the ground from the weight! Ripen soon I hope!

Twitter Magic

As I wait for my "Peach Credits" to ripen, I am excited about what is possible with Twitter. Not only was I able to trade surplus produce for a desired commodity, I made a new friend.

That is the true power of Twitter!

Fuel for the Engine!

2010-06-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

A glowing review is the force that keeps the people building the business, and helps us help you. Great feedback is pure gold! We jump for joy receiving feedback with comments like "The basket was PERFECT!" or "EXCELLENT JOB!" It's a real motivator to know we're doing a good job, and when one good review comes right after another, we put the gears into overdrive.

Kickin' it into OVERDRIVE!

Just last week, these two precious pieces of feedback came within 5 minutes of each other.

"Thanks Bonnie.....The basket was PERFECT! She loved it. One of the other girls in the office saw the wine and said "OH MY GOSH, I love Moscato" Katie is very excited. You did an EXCELLENT JOB!

Thank you again.
Cindy"

And shortly after...

"Hi Bonnie, I heard the basket was beautiful! Thank you so much for putting it together so quickly, I really appreciate it. I will hold onto your contact information and look forward to working with you again.

Thank you again,
Gina"

It's been an exhilarating week, and we're finally coming off our high. We're ready for a refuel!

Small Business: Saving the economy...one job at a time.

2010-06-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

There's a growing trend to support small business. Consumers are finding it much more fulfilling to shop at a local Mom & Pop's store rather than a "Big-Box" retailer. People nowadays are looking for appreciation as well as service. They enjoy feeling welcomed and comfortable in an environment that satisfies their need. Sometimes, a listening ear and a caring embrace is worth more than that extra little "Rollback."

The Importance of Feedback

It's a real motivator to know we're doing a good job, and it fuels the fire to put the gears into overdrive. Positive reinforcement is a fantastic way to show your gratitude! Whereas Feedback fuels the customer service engine, telling others drives the economic engine. Word-of-Mouth promotion is critical to the success of small business.

Magnet from Ann Taintor, Inc. 2x2 - $4.95

The more places your voice is heard, the greater the likelihood your favorite corner store will be there when you need them. Aside from telling your friends, another way to show your support is by sharing your experience on Google Places, Yelp, Twitter, and many others by writing a review. You have the power to save the economy...one review at a time!

Father's Day Is On Its Way!

2010-06-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Father's Day is approaching, and fast! On Sunday, June 20th, let this Father's Day be a way to have a heart-to-heart with dad. At Baskets By Bonnie, we want to help you send dad the message that sums up a year's worth of hard work. Is he a "Number one dad", or maybe he's the coolest dad in the world? Treat dad to some sweet-tooth goodies, a bottle of wine, or even some hand-picked items that are fit for a king!

Dad's are one of a kind. And let's face it! Being a father can be hard work! So, make him feel extra special by putting that little bit of extra into your gift this year. Besides, dad has taken that little extra step for you! You have the ability to choose from a wide variety of items where the basket can be completely customized by your own hand-picked items. Just give us a call, and tell us what you want and how much you want to spend. Dad has a basket personalized just for him!

Helping you make Dad a happy camper!

Not quite what you want? Visit our brother site!

Oh Boy! Toy Company

Oh Brother!

When dad's retro ties and power tools don't cut it anymore, show him how you really feel with a gift just for him. At our brother company, Oh Boy! Toy, we have a wide variety of gifts just for dad. So, if you just want a hand-picked gift to add to his sparkling personality, the choices are endless! As a bonus, we offer special gift packaging and a tailored card for each gift purchase.

Don't forget about Dad! Give him something to really make this Father's Day a special day!

Make Every Day Earth Day!

2010-04-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

Today is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day which was started by US Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin in 1970 as a "Teach-In".

Earth Day is now celebrated by over 500 Million people around the world and is the largest non-religious holiday.

Going Green for The Kitchen

In celebration of Spring and upcoming holidays of Earth Day in April and Mother's Day in May, we have created this gift perfect for the container or indoor gardener.

This mini canvas tote comes complete with 5 garden tools and a spray bottle perfect for taking care of house plants or container gardens. We've also added 3 packets of popular herb seeds, some canvas work gloves and a cookbook on Herbs & Spices.

At $34 you can send a "green gift" without shelling out a lot of "green"!

Spring Salad

This is my favorite time of year to "Go Green"..... make that "Grow Green"!

Last month I planted lettuce and I am already feasting on Spring salads with garden fresh onions, chives, perennial favorites that come back each year!

I have also started tomato, squash, green pepper and cucumber plants indoors and can't wait until May 15th, when it's safe to put them into the ground.

Garden Tip: If you re-seed your lettuce patch every 2-3 weeks you will have a continual crop until the peak of summer heat and had your fill of salads for a bit.

Towards the end of summer, replant your greens for some lovely fall salads with tomatoes, peppers and other late summer veggies you decide to raise!

Administrative Professionals - Power of Committment

2010-04-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

From The Dictionary of Corporate Bullshit:

administrative assistant " ...3. employees who are highly valued for their attention to detail, in part because their boss claims to be focusing on the big picture and doesn't "do details," but in fact can't balance his own check-book and would be rendered helpless if he had to do his administrative assistant's job; ...."

Administrative Professionals Week is celebrated this year on April 18 - 24, with Administrative Professionals Day falling on Wednesday, April 21. Started in 1952 by the IAAP as "Secretaries Week" (Day), this holiday that honors office workers was changed to "Administrative Professionals" in the year 2000 to keep up with the times.

The name of the holiday may have changed but the tradition of honoring your valued associate on this day with cards, gifts and perhaps a luncheon, is still very much in style. Baskets by Bonnie has you covered with a wide variety of gift baskets that are sure to please.

Thankfully, the staff at Baskets by Bonnie loves to "do details" and we are just a phone call (or click of the mouse) away!

The Office Survival Kit is just one of many gift options available for your valued Administrative Professional.

Going Green

2010-03-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

Waste not, want not. Not only sage advice for tough economic times but also a great way that we can help the environment.

There are many items in our business that can be reused by artists or in the classrooms. We save rolls from paper and cellophane, ribbon scraps, plastic tubs, slightly damaged merchandise that is not saleable and other discards that might still have some use.

We "donate" them to a local organization, the Waste Not Center. Not only are we helping our local art community but we are saving landfills (and $$$) by reducing our trash.

We also have some new fun bags that make being environmentally-conscious fun!

Great for Groceries or Gifts

Coming soon.... we have several new must-have reusable bags that are great for packaging gifts or to use when shopping. Help save the trees AND promote less waste in landfills. My favorite is pictured above.

Also on the way are:

"she had made yet another wise shopping decision"

"WOW! I get to give birth AND change diapers"

Technical Difficulties

2010-02-16T04:55:00.000-08:00

We are experiencing some technical difficulties with our web host at www.basketsbybonnie.com. Something to do with our current web host changing DNS servers and taking time to migrate.

We hope to get this fixed soon and can still be reached by phone (614) 501-4438 and email bonnie@basketsbybonnie.com.

Thanks for your patience!

Seeing Red

2010-02-03T11:32:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, February 14th, the color of the day is Red. The color red is not only symbolic of Love but for other emotions such as Anger and Embarrassment. This much hyped, commercialized and angst-filled holiday is apt to invoke a wide range of feelings.

When it comes to matters of the heart, Baskets by Bonnie has you covered with a nice variety of gift suggestions.

The New Relationship: One of my favorite commercials, is the Target commercial of a young couple on a dinner date. The boyfriend hands a wrapped gift to his girlfriend and anxiously watches for her reaction. She looks a bit put-off by the showy necklace that was in the box. To explain her apparent dismay she exclaims,

"...... It's just that I didn't know we were there yet!"

While his reply of " ...Actually it wasn't really that much." was humorous in the ad, in real life he most likely would have been mortified.

In this case, perhaps dinner would have been enough of a gift or at the very least, the presentation could have been done in private after dinner. I also can't help but think that the girl could have been prepared with a small token gift of her own.

A great solution is to keep a "gift drawer" (or closet) with some emergency presents on hand such as a wrapped bottle of wine, some chocolates or other items that " aren't that much ".

She then could have changed her response to. " I have your gift at home."
(and hope that he doesn't misconstrue the message into thinking he's gonna get "lucky"!)

The Seasoned Couple: For the relationship that has weathered it's share of Valentine's Days, it's time to change things up a bit. Perhaps send an unexpected gift to work and make your Valentine the center of attention!

We have some great ideas on our website or would be happy to customize a basket for you!

The Dead Relationship: Sometimes a relationship can not be saved. Holidays seem to be ripe for break-ups. If you have a friend who is unlucky in love and needs some cheering up this Valentines Day, we have the perfect pick-me-up. The Breakup Box!

No matter what land-mines await you this coming Valentine's Day, rest assured that Baskets by Bonnie has you covered!

Gifts on the Run: Santa Pants & Happy Holidays Wine Bag

2009-12-15T03:46:00.001-08:00

Need a quick gift that is sure to make the recipient smile? The Santa Pants gift bag filled with favorite treats will make someone's day. As shown, this gift is $30.95. The pants are also available for local pick up at a mere $5 a piece.

Only nine more shopping days left till the big guy comes to a chimney near you!

Another idea for a gift on the run is our Happy Holidays velvet wine bag. This is a great way to dress up a bottle of vino for the Holidays for a mere $2.95 plus tax.

Speaking of being on the run, time is running out and I must get back to work!

Hope your Holidays are Merry & Bright! Have a Happy, Healthy & Prosperous 2010!

A Cupful of Attitude

2009-10-07T17:51:00.000-07:00

A fresh shipment of Ann Taintor Mugs arrived this week. Among them are my new favorite coffee mug and a fun mug & napkin combo to add to a Hostess Gift!

Some reason I love this mug. Perhaps because I am not a "Happy Camper"! I'm usually pretty chipper. Just not much of a camper. I'd rather be in a nice, clean, warm bed than to sleep outdoors in a tent.

I think I'll save this mug for my weekend morning lattes!

I had to pull a set of these napkins and a mug to include in a hostess gift to take to my sister for Thanksgiving. The perfect sentiment for a Holiday dinner where there are usually too many cooks in the kitchen!

Sticky Situation

2009-10-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year. As we gear up for the "Holidays", there is a steady flow of products coming into our warehouse. Many of these items are new to Baskets by Bonnie and we have a lot of taste-testing going on.

I also love to take time to marvel at innovations in packaging.

When I saw this carton of gourmet Potato Chips that was in yesterday's shipment, I remarked that I had never seen a box with cutouts labeled "A Hand Hole". For some reason this had caught my eye. And made me chuckle at the attention to detail this manufacturer displayed.

Importance of Getting the Real Message

A short while later, I saw the opposite side of the cardboard box. The side where I could see the full message. A warning that was not partially obscured by a poorly placed sticker.

Ooops! NOT A HAND HOLE! Whole different message. While I was slightly troubled by my initial interpretation, I used this as a "teaching moment" to my staff.

Detail Orientation
This is why we need to pay attention to detail in ALL steps when processing orders. Every associate should be knowledgeable on procedures and policies so they understand how their function needs to be executed as part of a bigger picture. Cross-training staff members not only leads to higher job-satisfaction but creates a more productive and efficient team.

Fortunately none of our staff was injured. But if someone was, we are always prepared. We at Baskets by Bonnie take safety very seriously.

Just in case, we also have cute Bandages as well!

Portable Picnic Table Saves The Day!

2009-08-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

One of the perks of being a "product tester" is getting to try out cool new items for our store. The portable picnic table has been a big hit this summer. It has gotten a real workout at the local pool and other summer events. This table with seating for four, when compact is not much bigger than a briefcase and weighs in at about 22 lbs. Because of its portability and in preparation for a spontaneous picnic, this gem of modern design can usually be found in my car.

This weekend, when visiting family, we found ourselves short on outdoor seating. Suddenly I remembered the table in my vehicle. When I volunteered to go fetch my table, I was met with amused smirks from skeptical family members. Those expressions were changed into slack-jawed gazes of amazement as I quickly assembled what was to become "The Children's Table"!

While I was happy to save the day and impress my in-laws with one of Baskets by Bonnie's finest in gadgetry, I am afraid there is a down-side....

I am now on the hook for a few of these as "family gifts" for the December gift exchanges. Luckily I get an employee discount. Better make sure we're stocked up!

Putting the Fun into Functional

2009-08-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Summer, summer, summertime
Time to sit back and unwind - Will Smith

Just a few more weeks of Summer left. Parties are in full swing. Birthday parties, Wedding parties, Going away parties, Party parties, the list is endless...

Places to go, people to see and gifts to buy on the run. We have some cool items that make great gifts. You might even want to buy them for yourself!

For Hands-Free Picnicking, How About A Picnic Backpack?

Picnic in comfort and style with this deluxe picnic backpack for two. With a unique combination of polyester canvas and simulated suede, this attractive hands-free carrier comes fully equipped with all the accoutrements.

Our Favorite New Summer Find: The Portable Picnic Table
Perfect for a spontaneous picnic, this portable picnic table can be stored in a trunk or back seat and pulled out when ready to use.

Just give us a call..... "To hit you and get you equipped for the summer time"

Win This Backpack: For Contest rules visit:
http://www.facebook.com/skyepr

Going Green in the Garden

2009-08-03T12:15:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite Summer hobbies is gardening. As part of our ongoing product testing, we like to try out the seeds left over from our Spring Gardening Basket. (pictured above)

This year we grew lettuce, peas, basil and squash in our vegetable garden and Zinnias in our flower beds.

The book, "Slug Bread & Beheaded Thistles" by Ellen Sandbeck (which you can purchase at Baskets by Bonnie @ $10.95 plus tax) is a wonderful resource of non-toxic remedies for both garden pests and for housekeeping. I have found the book full of useful tips to help rid my plants of aphids, slugs and Japanese beetles without having to use harmful pesticides.

Not only are you being kind to our environment and creating a healthier garden, the bees will love you for it!

Wordless Wednesday at the Creekside Farmer's Market

2009-07-29T18:52:00.001-07:00

Be Careful What You Tweet For

2009-07-18T13:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a happy day at Baskets by Bonnie. A shipment of cookies and treats arrived with three new items for the staff to sample. Once again we sacrificed our diets to insure the products were up to our high standards. We were not disappointed. They were all yummy!

When I "Tweeted" the above TwitPic photo on Twitter, (try saying that 10x fast) Barb from Honey Grove Botanicals tweeted back:

@basketsbybonnie re: http://twitpic.com/ao4b8 *swoon* Need a drool guard on my keyboard. Yah, probably my monitor too.3:58 PM Jul 17th
and then a few minutes later this:
@basketsbybonnie, anything new and interesting on your wine list? Need a tester. I have the glasses. Don't forget the cookies.4:04 PM Jul 17th from web

We couldn't resist indulging Barb and brought a variety of cookies for her to sample. We even brought her a pot of freshly-made coffee ( Coffee Masters Caramel Creme) instead of wine due to potential liability issues. ( drinking alcoholic beverages while working with hot wax at her shop would probably not be approved by OSHA)

After much deliberation, a winner was chosen. Elsa's Story Raspberry Filled Strudel. They were our favorite, too. In addition to being irresistable, these cookies from Israel are also Kosher!

What's your favorite cookie?

Good News for Coffee Lovers

2009-07-07T06:47:00.001-07:00

Ann Tainter Coffee Mug - $7.50 (click here for more styles)

Dateline: Monday, July 6th 2009. 2:47 PM from the Daily News Health Desk:

Coffee may help treat memory loss... http://tinyurl.com/me9yqm

The entire staff at Baskets by Bonnie are fans of our daily cup(s) of "Joe". As a matter of fact, the first thing we do upon entering our HQ (secret lair) each morning is to make a fresh pot of what we consider to be our "Black Gold". This is one of the "perks" to working here.

It looks like our good friend, Coffee, is well on its way to be considered a health drink. Our next project is the re-classification of Chocolate! (as a vegetable perhaps??? Hey cocoa is derived from a bean! ;p)

Send someone special a Coffee Break gift basket from Baskets by Bonnie. This is a great "pick-me-up" gift that will surely brighten their day.

Well, gotta go. Cup's empty. Time for a memory boost (refill)!

Confidence is Contagious

2009-07-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

con·fi·dence \kän-fə-dən(t)s, -ˌden(t)s\ noun
1 a: a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances
b: faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confidence

Consumer Confidence is based on feelings and faith, rather than factual data ( i.e., it's all in our heads). We all have the power to turn the economy around, one small act of faith at a time.

There are three paths one can follow:

Path one: Cut back, trim budgets, tighten up, react and prepare for the worst.
Path two: Do nothing. Sit back and hope things change.
Path three: Do something. Take positive action. Be pro-active.

We think the best path to pursue is being pro-active. Reach out and touch someone. It’s never too early to say thank you, don't wait until the traditional end of the year to send gifts and cards. Another great idea is to acknowledge life events such as birthdays, new babies, or accomplishments such as a promotion or new home. Random acts of gifting are also a great morale booster. Not only are you doing something to help turn the economy around, you’re setting yourself apart from the pack.

In what ways are you showing your confidence? The first three confident answers will receive a gift-prize from Baskets by Bonnie.

Today is the "Present"

2009-06-13T10:26:00.000-07:00

Every Basket Tells a Story

2009-06-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

One of the many local organizations that we are involved in is the Columbus Chapter of NAWBO (National Organization of Women Business Owners). If you are a woman business owner, this is a great group "... representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs in all industries."

Because of our creative talents, Baskets by Bonnie has been recruited to help package goods and services that are donated as a gift to new members. These baskets are a great way to highlight the various talents within our organization.

Every basket should set a scene. The following article that was submitted for publication on the NAWBO-Columbus website illustrates this idea.

Soup’s On! - June 5, 2009
by Bonnie Segel, Baskets by Bonnie

Our best-ever round of new member baskets just went out this week. Best Courier hand delivered to our local new members for April. Mary McPhail, was so delighted that she even Tweeted about it, “Just got my NAWBO new membership basket! So many women-as-resources to reach out to. Thanks!”

I would agree with Mary. This gift, valued over $1,500, actually made me consider dropping my membership and rejoining so that I can get one!

If I was a new member who received this gift, I know exactly what I would do.

Refreshment Time

First, I would start with Kaira Rouda’s book The Real You Incorporated while sipping coffee out of my NAWBO mug and munching on delightful cookies (coffee & cookies from Baskets by Bonnie). As I uncover “the real me” I would sign up for Kaira’s free weekly inspirational news blast. Then I would call Meredith Liepelt at Rich Life Marketing for my client attraction strategy session and Amanda Sage at Gong Gong Communications for my free marketing evaluation.

At this point I would take my inspiration to Dee Hodgkiss at Creative Interiors to help me with a new room design that would incorporate wall graphics from Mary McPhail at Wonderful Graffiti. Next would be a wardrobe audit and makeup consultation from Donna Musilli with CAbi, and Shelly Menduni with Arbonne,. And, finally, to ensure that I have all of my ducks in a row legally and financially I would use my hour of free legal service with Caroline Worley / Anthony Law and my Living Balance sheet compliments of Andrea Nameche and Maureen Kominar.of Columbus Financial Group.

What a great way to welcome our new NAWBO sisters! Thanks to everyone who contributed.

For The Special Dad

2009-05-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

“Any man can be a Father...but it takes a special person to be called Dad.” –Author unknown

The first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910. This holiday was inspired by a father, William Jackson Smart, who raised his children after the death of his wife.

http://www.history.com/content/fathersday

We, at Baskets by Bonnie, draw our inspiration from our favorite fathers.

For a dad who tries to be hip and relevant, but sometimes needs a little help:
For A Cool Dad

For a dad who likes to golf and to help make up for all the times you’ve teed him off:

Tee Time Golf Bucket

For a dad who enjoys a good snack, a bribe for putting up with you all of these years:

Number One Dad

These are just a few of the many ideas we have. For additional gift baskets, visit our Seasonal page on our website. Anything can be customized to fit your specific needs. Please make sure you’re allowing enough time for delivery. It’s never too early to get an order in.

Customer Service - Do the Right Thing

2009-05-20T05:31:00.000-07:00

Never Underestimate the Value of Good Customer Service

At Baskets by Bonnie, we make customer service our Golden Rule. We feel it is important to do the right thing, even when we may lose some money. If you treat people the way you would want to be treated in their situation, you will gain customer loyalty. Sometimes you get much more in return. Such is the case in a recent transaction with Tina W. in Castro Valley, California.

Tina had ordered two Tiki Drummers for her boys. One of the drummers was not working properly. Common sense told us that :

a. Tina was being truthful and
b. It would cost as much as the value of the drummer to have her ship it back to us.
We did the Right Thing and sent her a replacement, "no questions asked". Case closed.
Or was it?
We were totally unprepared for the Over-The-Top customer review she gave us on Yelp. You can't put a dollar value on this kind of endorsement! This really made our day.

By the way Tina, if you are reading this, make our flavor Triple Chocolate Delight!!!

Yelp review from Tina W., Castro Valley California
http://www.yelp.com/biz/baskets-by-bonnie-columbus

If I ever make it to Ohio, Baskets by Bonnie is the first place that I will stop at to buy some presents for my friends and fam. The customer service is unbelievably good and undeniably one of the best I have ever encountered. My phone order which was placed after hours was returned immediately, taken down with detail, filled with love and wonderfully packaged - as well as shipped out instantaneously. I was notified by email of the tracking number and ship date. The box included a cute HAND WRITTEN note and the sales receipt. I was ecstatic and did a little happy dance.
When I realized a couple of days later that part of the order was malfunctioning (mind you, NOT the fault of Baskets by Bonnie) I called the store and inquired about any possible return or exchange policy. I was immediately shipped another item, no questions asked and was told to just keep the damaged one. I didn't even have to pack a box and send the broken one back.
This is truly as good as it gets. In a time where consumerism and Walmarts crush customer service, stores like this leave people with a huge smile on their faces. Baskets by Bonnie deserves a new ice cream flavor named after them if you'd ask me.

Ode to a Discontinued Friend - The Beloved Tiki Drummer

2009-05-18T05:54:00.000-07:00

Last week I called my supplier to reorder this Tiki collector must have. Much to my dismay, I found the Tiki Drummer had been discontinued. Currently, at the time of this post, we have one left. I could not let our dear Tiki friend disappear without a final concert. Without further ado, I give you Tiki Live, the Farewell Concert.

Wine Emergency Uncovers a Great Find - Sterling Vintner's Collection Meritage

2009-05-14T05:25:00.000-07:00

At Baskets by Bonnie, we like to under promise and over deliver. Many times we go beyond the call of duty. We are sometimes questioned "Why?" I believe in Karma, and that there are paybacks for exceptional service. Last week was a good example of this.

We had a client who needed a quick turnaround and had a tight, moderate budget. We needed to find a wine to go in baskets for executives with high-end taste buds. Our mission was to find a red wine that retailed for under $15.

Thankfully we have exceptional partners. I was able to reach my Glazer's wine representative, Jackie who came up with this brilliant recommendation: Sterling Vintner's Collection Meritage.

Within the hour, we were able to pick up a case from Glazer's warehouse. The baskets were quickly made and delivered on time. I had to buy a bottle to try later that night.

The verdict: Both Jackie and Sterling Vineyards totally rock! Had we not gone the extra mile, we might not have discovered this great find.

This is by far the one of the best wine values I have come across in a long time. Everyone who sampled this delightful blend was impressed. I rate this wine 2 Stems Up!

For a more technical review, see below:

Sterling Vineyards Wine Makers Notes:

Meritage (rhymes with “heritage”) describes a unique blend of classic Bordeaux varietals. Handcrafted by our winemakers, Sterling Vintner’s Collection® Meritage is a distinct blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Each grape varietal contributes layers of flavors and aromas that live together in perfect harmony. This richly textured wine has hints of cherry, chocolate, black raspberry, and vanilla, which leads to a full, lingering finish. Enjoy!

The Meritage Association: http://www.meritagewine.org//

In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify handcrafted wines blended from the traditional "noble" Bordeaux varietals. Meritage was coined to identify wines that represent the highest form of the winemaker's art, blending, and distinguishing these wines from the more generic moniker "red table wine."

Sterling Vintner’s Collection® Meritage is 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 3% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot.

Gahanna's Girls Night Out

2009-05-10T17:31:00.000-07:00

Mill Street in Olde Gahanna on Thursday, May 7th was the location of the 2nd Annual Girls Night Out presented by Portraits by Knight.

While the weatherman had predicted rain, partly-sunny skies prevailed and Mother Nature provided a lovely backdrop for this pre-Mother's Day event.

Among the food donated by area restaurants was a platter of fruits, cheeses & meats from Mezzo Italian Kitchen and desserts from Ganache Dessert Kitchen. Participating vendors such as Tastefully Simple - Angie Hendershot also provided munchies.

Two massage therapists contributed chair massages to invigorate the busy shoppers; Nick from Sound Touch was stationed at Portraits by Knight and Holly from Center for Therapeutic Massage worked her magic in the window at Honey Grove Botanicals.

I also had a chance to pop over to Zodiac to pick up a Cosmic Cake Cupcake but didn't have enough time to take in a reading. Afterwards a group of us took over a pit-group on the patio at Mezzo's and grabbed a bite to eat. A good time was had by all!

I can't wait for the next Girls Night Out! ( or should I say Knight Out). Kudos to Sara for organizing such a neat event!

Portraits by Knight is where the conga line of participants started at 3:30 p.m.; 30 minutes before opening time. Sara Knight had put together 50 cool canvas totes jam-packed with goodies from over 20 participating businesses.

Within half an hour, the goodie bags were all snatched up!

Sara Knight and her trusty assistant, Adrienne making everyone feel welcome!

A few of the many participating vendors.

Unusual Window Display in Honey Grove Botanicals: A relaxing chair massage being given by Holly amongst the intoxicating aromatherapy fragrances.

Customer Retention - When Things Go Terribly Wrong

2009-05-03T04:19:00.000-07:00

Even the best of companies can have a service failure. How these issues are resolved are key to customer retention. To paraphrase a line from Lilo & Stitch, "we are the ones you call when things go terribly wrong".

We are all human and therefore it is safe to assume we all make mistakes. What the recipient of a service failure needs most is validation of their concerns and correction of the error. Upon resolution of the issue, our Service Recovery Clients will call us to send a gift to their customer that includes a nice note. This reinforces the value of their relationship. The best part of our program, it doesn't cost a dime if you don't have any service gaps.

There is an excellent article from GreatBook that discusses Service Recovery Practices. Spot-on advice!

By the way, we are also the ones to call when things go exceedingly well!

"Make New Friends But Keep The Old"

2009-04-16T10:48:00.000-07:00

"One is silver and the other is gold......" is the start of an old Girl Scout song whose author is unknown.

This principle holds true with your customers. Statistics vary by industry and method of calculation. The general rule of thumb is that it costs 5x as much to acquire a new customer as it does to retain an old one. In a recent business luncheon we were told that our current customers have the capacity to provide 30% MORE business than they currently are.

I just received this email from a repeat customer the other day:
"...Thanks a lot for again coming up with a fabulous basket. .... I look forward to more wonderful baskets in the future." Carol K. from Barrie, Ontario.

This is Pure Gold in our world!

New Customers Wanted - Current Ones Do Not Apply

2009-03-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

Just the other day, I received a coupon in the mail for a discount at a business I have not been to in over a year. I have also seen similar coupons in mass mailers from this company and one of its competitors.

You must be a new customer or have not been a client for over a year to be able to redeem this 20% off discount.

Funny thing is that once you become a customer, there are no deals. What do you think this trains the consumer to do?

Caption This

2009-03-02T06:43:00.000-08:00

Peanut Butter Recall - When In Doubt, Check It Out or Throw It Out.

2009-02-17T10:58:00.000-08:00

Over 2,000 products are on the FDA List of potentially contaminated items with the Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria. If you are unsure about any food products that contain peanuts or peanut butter, you should check with the FDA Website before consuming.

Taken from the FDA Website -
Update on FDA's Investigation:

A joint investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of the ongoing outbreak of illnesses caused by Salmonella Typhimurium, identified peanut butter and peanut paste made at a peanut-processing plant in Blakely, Georgia, as sources of the outbreak. The plant is owned and operated by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). In response to the outbreak and accompanying investigation showing violations of FDA requirements, PCA has recalled a number of ingredients from the market.

This is an ingredient-driven outbreak; that is, potentially contaminated ingredients affected many different products that were distributed through various channels and consumed in various settings. The recalled products made by PCA, such as peanut butter and peanut paste, are common ingredients in cookies, crackers, cereal, candy, ice cream, pet treats, and other foods. Consumers are advised to discard and not eat products that have been recalled. To help consumers identify affected products, FDA has initiated a searchable database of recalled products that is updated daily or as additional recalls are identified. To date, more than 2,100 products in 17 categories have been voluntarily recalled by more than 200 companies, and the list continues to grow.

In January, the recall list was expanded to include some pet-food products that contain peanut paste made by PCA. Salmonella can affect animals, and humans who handle contaminated pet-food products also are at risk. It is important for people to wash their hands – and to make sure children wash their hands – with hot water and soap before and, especially, after handling pet-food products and utensils. More information for consumers is available in the Frequently Asked Questions section of this web site. The recalled pet food products are also included in the searchable database of recalled products.

The large number of products and brands recalled already, and the large quantities of some products recalled, makes this one of the largest food recalls ever in the United States.

Major national brands of jarred peanut butter found in grocery stores have not been among the products recalled.

Affected Products at Baskets by Bonnie
We were lucky to have used just 2 products that have been recalled. These products are Austin Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies and Kashi Granola Bars.

We have contacted any recent customers that have received a basket with these items, however if you have any questions or concerns please give us a call.

Category: Cracker
Brand Name: Austin Quality Foods
Product Descriptions: Cheese & Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
Toasty Crackers with Peanut Butter
Recalling Firm: Kellogg Company
Size: All
Lot Numbers: All
Stock Numbers:
Product Code:
Label: http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/kellogg01_09.html
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/photos/kellogg7.jpg

Category: Snack Bar
Brand Name: Kashi TLC
Product Description: Chewy Granola Bars in Trail Mix and Honey Almond Flax varieties "Best if Used Before" SEP 19 2009
Recalling Firm: Kashi
Size: 7.4-ounch box
Lot Numbers:
Stock Numbers:
Product Code: 1862703000, 1862703001, 1862723959, 1862728409, 1862731567
Label:

Basket Cases - Case Studies in Gifting

My Funny Valentine

Taste Test

Custom Solution: Herb Capital Basket

Be Mine!

And to all a great gift!

Let It Snow!

Sweets for Your Sweetie

The Value of FaceBook

How to Be A Good Mother and Avoid a Lawsuit

July Newsletter Highlights: Say Cheese!

June Newsletter

May Days

Spring Holidays

Going Green

Winter Wine

November Newsletter

Fall Line-Up

An Ounce of Prevention

Into the Express Lane!

Turning Cucumbers Into Peaches - The Power of Twitter

Fuel for the Engine!

Small Business: Saving the economy...one job at a time.

Father's Day Is On Its Way!

Make Every Day Earth Day!

Administrative Professionals - Power of Committment

Going Green

Technical Difficulties

Seeing Red

Gifts on the Run: Santa Pants & Happy Holidays Wine Bag

A Cupful of Attitude

Sticky Situation

Portable Picnic Table Saves The Day!

Putting the Fun into Functional

Going Green in the Garden

Wordless Wednesday at the Creekside Farmer's Market

Be Careful What You Tweet For

Good News for Coffee Lovers

Confidence is Contagious

Today is the "Present"

Every Basket Tells a Story

For The Special Dad

Customer Service - Do the Right Thing

Ode to a Discontinued Friend - The Beloved Tiki Drummer

Wine Emergency Uncovers a Great Find - Sterling Vintner's Collection Meritage

Gahanna's Girls Night Out

Customer Retention - When Things Go Terribly Wrong

"Make New Friends But Keep The Old"

New Customers Wanted - Current Ones Do Not Apply

Caption This

Peanut Butter Recall - When In Doubt, Check It Out or Throw It Out.

Major national brands of jarred peanut butter found in grocery stores have not been among the products recalled.