Video: Christmas Gift List by Thoughtful Presence

With the holiday season quickly approaching, you're starting your Christmas gift list and soon you'll be trying to come up with gift ideas that are unique and meaningful for the many people on your list. Well, don't fret! Gift baskets don't have to be generic or filled with a bunch of things you don't want. Take a look at our video and see how you can tackle your list quickly and easily with quality products they'll love!

 

 



 

 

Okay, so I know this is a bit of shameless advertising and all of the best blogging advice tells me to do otherwise, but Christmas comes only once a year, and my goal is to make your shopping easier! So indulge me and visit our website.  If you don't find the perfect gift, contact us about a custom order.  

 

And now you can help us with our planning - leave a comment here to tell us what your perfect gift basket would look like!

 

Enjoy and have a happy day! 

 

Video: Custom Gift Baskets by Thoughtful Presence

We recently made this video as a part of our entry into the Intuit Small Business Big Game contest.  We didn't make it to Round 3, the top 20, but that's okay.  There will be other contests in our future, for sure :) There were many awesome companies in the contest, and congratulations to those top 20 who are still in the running!

 

A big thank you to my friend, Sylvia, who put this video together in record time.  She's amazingly talented with a camera.  I hope you enjoy watching our video to learn more about our business!

 

 

If you're interested in hand designed gift baskets made with unique, high quality products, visit our website and join our mailing list.  We put together a fun monthly newsletter with seasonal tips, company news, and other fun tidbits.  Connect with us on Facebook for fun posts and contests. We'd love to have you join us!

Have a happy day!

The World Travel Gift Basket - A Unique Gift for Any Occasion

One of the core concepts that make our gift baskets different than most others is the idea of using functional and decorative products rather than food.  That idea goes into the container as well.  Our World Travel gift basket is a unique collection of travel themed gifts in a uniquely designed decorative box that is fashioned like an old suitcase or travel trunk.  These boxes come from Punch Studio which offers a wonderful collection of elegant decorative boxes and stationery products.  I was crazy for them as soon as I discovered them!

The World Travel gift basket is a great gift for the frequent or occasional traveler for any occasion.  Retirement, graduation, congratulations, bon voyage, birthday...you name it!  It works!

The World Travel Gift Basket includes a photo album to hold 200 photos, 1000 Places to See Before You Die journal, a soy scented travel candle, travel room spray, luggage tags and a Jimeale travel wallet! 



 

Love the box! Use it later to hold and display all of those travel keepsakes!



Finished product all wrapped and ready for delivery! 

 

 

Have a happy day!

The Best of Get Well Gift Baskets

They say laughter is the best medicine, and with that in mind, we discovered this hilarious book, The Best of Stuntology, and thought it perfect for a get well gift basket! Filled with over 300 pranks, tricks, and challenges, all illustrated comic style, this book will certainly bring a smile if not gut wrenching laughter to those feeling under the weather!

 

Here is an example from the "Amazements & Betcha Can'ts" chapter:

Door Stunt:

1. Go up to the edge of an open door.

2. Put your chin and your belt buckle against the edge and your feet on either side, touching the door.

3. Then stand on your tiptoes and count to ten.

4. Ha! You can't, can you? No one can, actually, except for people with prehensile chins.

 

The author, Sam Bartlett, is a professional musician who was looking for ways to stay amused on the road.  The result is this book and other published works on the art of stuntology.  Sam has demonstrated the art of Stuntology all over the United States, and has self-published 32 issues of a Stuntology 'zine, as well as two books.

We think it's a great way to spend a recovery - especially with lots of visitors to try out some of their new found prankster knowledge!

If you like this get well idea, you'll love this get well soon gift.

Have a happy day!

Unique Party Themes and Gift Baskets - In Celebration of the Hot Air Balloon

Yesterday, June 5, marked the first hot air balloon flight in 1783.  That got me thinking about hot air balloons and how I love their vast potential for design - colors, themes - the possibilities are endless.  And that got me thinking what a great idea for a summer party theme!

Whether it's a kids party, bridal shower, or milestone birthday bash, hot air balloons are a great theme for all ages.  For kids, they can be bright and colorful featuring just about any child's theme you choose.  For the bride, they can be elegantly designed in her wedding color choices.  For the milestone birthday, opulence, elegance, or the numbers theme will work! 

So consider these ideas and reply with a few of your own!

For the kids party, consider these well-loved themes:

• Up theme in primary colors
• Disney theme
• Circus or jungle theme

For the bridal shower:

• Vintage styled hot air balloons
• Modern day chic
• Nautical or Beach theme

Milestone birthday:

• Opulent black and white theme
• Traditional over-the-hill theme
• "Coming of age" 21 or 30 theme

Depending on your level of craftiness, you can make many of your own decorations, invitations, favors, or there are lots of great products on the web if you're looking to buy.  Consider making a gift basket with a bouquet of balloons attached for an Up movie look.

Here are some great resources I found for ideas and where to purchase:

Bridal shower theme in silver and gold - easily adaptable to your colors and flower picks: 

Kids Up theme in primary colors - this adorable banner can be found on Etsy:

These ideas from Disney are also easily adaptable to your theme of choice: 

2lovebirdsblog has great ideas and LOTs of printables.  Not specifically for hot air balloon theme, but can be adapted to your hot air balloon theme of choice.  I love the opulent engagement party ideas here. 

Lastly, Scramble Squares brain teaser puzzles can be a great favor for any theme and any age group.  We love them in our gift baskets with their many themes, and their hot air balloon theme is especially challenging!

Reply with your ideas and have a happy day!

Unique Gift Baskets and Products We Love

It's that time again...time for me to highlight some of our favorite products and why we love them!

Although I am actually a huge foodie, when I started my gift basket company, I wanted to focus on something a little different than food with my gift baskets.  I wanted to offer gift baskets filled with functional and decorative products that would be long-lasting and meaningful.  With that in mind, I scour the many gift trade shows looking for unique and special gifts that fit the themes of our gift baskets.  Here below are a few of our favorites:

Kindred Hearts picture frames and quotes - Quality, sentiment, and beauty - With designs for every occasion, and quotes that speak from the heart, these make wonderful gifts alone or included in a unique gift basket.  We currently include them in gift baskets for men, women, weddings and sympathy.  Not to miss!




A beautiful example of Kindred Hearts many designs.

Our Wedding Wishes gift basket with KH framed quote

Bags by Jimeale of New York - One of the basic fundamentals of my gift basket designs is high quality, functional and lasting products.  Rather than throw-away baskets or boxes, I use functional containers of all types to fit my designs.  I use Jimeale diaper bags for my premium baby gift baskets, and toiletry and cosmetic bags for my unique gifts for men and women.  Take a look at these one of a kind designs!

Jimeale diaper bag comes in chocolate brown with green, pink, or blue lining.

Women's cosmetic bag holds our Pamper Me spa gift.

8 Petals handmade fused glass jewelry - I love 8 Petals for their unique and colorful designs.  I also love that they are made in America!  With everything from belt buckles to bobby pins, there is much to choose from.  We currently include necklace and earring sets in our Especially for Her gift basket which is filled with whimsical, personal and fun gifts for women.

8 Petals jewelry set with our Especially for Her gift basket.

Have a happy day!

Color Me Happy - A Unique Gift for Women

I'm so excited that spring is here so I can highlight my newest favorite gift basket for women!  I discovered two up and coming gift designers at last year's trade shows and immediately fell in love with their products.  They are both colorful, whimsical, and inspirational, and I thought they fit together perfectly for a spring women's collection. 

Hope Springs gift items for women feature spiritual quotes turned modern and whimsical!  Lots of great color and spirit! The quote on this mug is: Inspire others to inspire others.  Love it!

Jennifer Jangles jewelry designs featuring original designed ceramic beads are also filled with color and whimsy, with some inspirational words as well!  My favorite Happy bracelet!

I love Hope Springs and Jennifer Jangles collections together in a brightly colored container which can later be used to stash her favorite accessories! 

How would you like to receive this unique gift for your next spring occasion?  Shop Now!

 

Have a happy day!

 

Housewarming Gift Basket - St. Joseph's Day theme

Today is St. Joseph's Day, and I was thinking about what I would put into a gift basket for a St. Joseph's Day theme.  Now I'm quite certain no phones are ringing off the hook with customers looking for St. Joseph's Day gift baskets. But I consider myself an expert in creating custom gift baskets, so as I thought more about St. Joseph's Day and its symbols, I thought it could be quite crafty to make a housewarming gift basket with a St. Joseph's Day theme!

For the container, I would use either a rustic looking basket, considering the time St. Joseph lived, or a nice wooden tray to represent his carpentry.

 

I would then fill it with the following:

• A loaf of fresh Italian bread
• A decorative container filled with salt
• A bottle of Chianti

These first three items represent a traditional housewarming blessing that can be found in different variations.  My favorite comes from the movie, It's A Wonderful Life:
 

Bread - that this house may never know hunger.

 Salt - that life may always have flavor.

Wine - that joy and prosperity may reign forever.

I would inscribe this blessing on a nice card added inside the basket.

I would then add a dessert, Italian cookies or cream puffs, to complete the symbol of St. Joseph's table.

Lastly I would add a framed quote or picture with a family theme as St. Joseph is known as the Protector of Family.

The final presentation would be wrapped in cellophane and decorated with red and white ribbon/bow and a white lily.

What do you think of this idea?



5 Cool Gifts for Men

Men are so hard to buy gifts for, so they say.  It's true that there's more variety in products for women, like jewelry, handbags, cosmetics.  And women can always use another...pair of earrings... handbag...scarf, etc.  Not as easily true of men!

With that in mind, I give you 5 of my coolest gift ideas for men:

Good Fortune bath and body products - Many of the products are actually unisex, but I tend to put them in my men's gift baskets because they are so natural and earthy.  They work well for men who are typically into bath and body or even those who aren't!

NV Candles by Gabriel John - With their sophisticated black and white design and masculine themes like health and properity, they go beautifully in any men's gift!

Inspirational quotes from Kindred Hearts - These wood and metallic styled black picture frames are contemporary in design and will work well in any home or office. 

Travel toiletry bags by Jimeale - In stylish black or limited edition chocolate brown, these are essential whether he travels a lot or just once a year!

BBQ collection - The always popular griller's delight is our unique collection of accessories and food items for a summer full of BBQs.

Which will you consider for your next cool gift for men?

Custom Baby Gift Baskets for Mom, Dad, and Baby - Consider This

Baby on the way? Not sure whether to give a baby gift or a special gift for the new mom?  Here are some ideas to consider: 

New Baby Gift or New Parents' Gift - Which Should It Be

 

 

 

Have a happy day!

 

 



When it comes to Unique Gift Baskets, we choose Quality

I am often asked how I decide what goes into our custom gift baskets.  Well, I have to say it's not always easy to decide as there are many wonderful gift products on the market.  When considering products, my most important criteria are quality, value, and how well the products fit with the theme.  I only choose products that I would give to my own family and friends.

When looking at a completed gift basket, it can be hard to get a clear view of each individual item in the container.  Since every item in my baskets is of high value, I like to paint a very clear picture.  With that in mind, I thought I'd dedicate a post to highlight some of my favorite products!

Statement soaps from Kalastyle - This Joy soap is included in our Especially for Her gift basket.  These bar soaps are beautiful, inspiring and theme oriented - perfect for a gift basket.  They also smell amazing and do wonders for your skin!

Jennifer Jangles jewelry -  This Happy bracelet comes in our Color Her Happy gift basket and is matched with a beaded necklace and other colorful and whimsical gifts for your favorite gal!










Mary Meyer baby products - For our ever popular baby gift baskets, one of my favorite, and baby's favorite, is this unique pacifier, the Wubanub, by Mary Meyer.  We have several different styles for baby boys and girls.  This is an absolute treasure!

 

 

Good Fortune soaps and body products - an absolute fave!  These products are very much unisex, although we currently market this sandalwood lavender soap in our Good Fortune Gift for Men.  I love Good Fortune for their social mission,

eco-friendly methods, and just the wonders of their products!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being selective with our custom gift basket products is an art that we just love and will never give up!

 

Have a happy day!

In Support of a Heart Healthy Month

We're excited to support the American Heart Association during the month of February!  This month we are donating $1 to the AHA for every new subscriber to our mailing list. New subscribers will also receive 10% off their next purchase!  If you haven't already joined, please go to our
custom gift basket home page and sign up for our newsletter!

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the #1 killer in women.  Yet most women don't recognize the risk.  To learn more about causes and prevention of heart disease go to the AHA website.  There you'll also find some great tips on diet and exercise, and some wonderful recipes for delicious hearty healthy meals!

Have a happy and heart healthy day!

Thoughtful Presence Gift Baskets in Chicago - Where We Live

Gift basket companies come in many shapes and sizes, but one common aspect is most do not have a storefront.  When was the last time you walked through your local downtown and saw a gift basket store?  Nada, right?  Yes, some florists and wine shops display gift baskets, and an occasional baby gift basket can be found at a local gift or baby shop, but not a single storefront dedicated to gift baskets. 

So how do you know where those gift baskets you find online are being designed and created?  Many are assembled and stored in a large warehouse where they are drop-shipped to any number of smaller companies selling the same products.  Some are designed and created in homes and studios and sold either through direct marketing or online. 

At Thoughtful Presence, we fall under the latter category, with the added benefit that all of our gift baskets are custom made to order and not stored on shelves for months or years waiting to be sold.  You order it, we make and ship it within a day or two.  The importance of having all of our gift baskets prepared fresh when you order is one of our core concepts.

Even though we don't have a storefront to welcome you, we want you to feel the comfort of knowing where your gift basket is coming from.  So in the photos below, we give you our studio and hope you enjoy a look around.

Have a happy day!

These are the before photos. The original space was dark and dreary,

and we remodeled it just about a year ago!

 

These are the after photos.  That's Ken in the first photo, and although this wasn't actually a DIY remodel job, he likes to pretend!  That's me with Cody on the right. 

 

And a much brighter studio for creative designing!

 

 

These are typical photos of works in progress:

Custom Gift Baskets in support of the American Heart Association

Not only do we love red for Valentine's Day, but this month we are going red for the American Heart Association in support of healthy hearts everywhere!

Today is National Wear Red Day and we're kicking off a month long celebration to support the AHA.  Beginning today through February 28th, we're donating $1 to the AHA for every new subscriber to our mailing list.  New subscribers will also receive 10% off their next purchase!

As if that's not reason enough to love red, check these out:

Red travel wallet by Jimeale -

super cute and comes in our
Women's Travel Gift Basket.

Gabriel John health candles for men -

Okay, the candle's not red;

it's a very sophisticated black and white,

but we'll add a romantic red heart ribbon

 and include it in one of our

custom gift baskets for men.

Braided fabric baskets and bowls
handmade in South Carolina -
the perfect container for our
Kitchen Comforts new home gift!

Oballs by Mary Meyer are included in some of

our favorite baby gift baskets. 

A favorite of babies everywhere!

If you're not already on our mailing list, go to our home page and sign up.  It will do your heart good!

Have a happy day!

WBDC Video: Thoughtful Presence Gift Basket Success Story

I was very pleased to be included in a recent success story feature for the Women's Business Development Center in Chicago.  As I was developing Thoughtful Presence, I took a great entrepreneurial class, FastTrac Planning, at WBDC and came out of it with a completed business plan and action plan for launching Thoughtful Presence gift baskets.  I still have the pleasure of speaking to the classes at WBDC every semester, time permitting, and am always intrigued and impressed by so many ambitious and creative women working on launching new businesses just as I did.  Enjoy the video and have a happy day!

Going Green with Unique Gifts for Women - Emerald Green, that is

Since the start of Thoughtful Presence, we've been going green with practical gift baskets made with reusable, recyclable and functional containers of many types.  Creatively packaged inside our containers are lasting gift items, not a lot of throw away packaging to clutter our earth. 

This year, we'll be going green in a new way - emerald green, that is.  Emerald green is the Pantone color of the year for 2013!  Didn't know there was a color of the year?  Last year it was tangerine, and our Especially for Her gift basket incorporated tangerine in its convenient tote bag container and 8Petals jewelry design.
 

This year, we've added a jewelry set by Jennifer Jangles that incorporates emerald green, tangerine and a loving Happy inscription. You'll find it in our Hope Springs gift basket combined with our favorite Hope Springs gift products. 

Have a happy day!

6 Top Gift Ideas for Men

I've been having a virtual disagreement with some folks about what men appreciate receiving as a gift.  They say a basket full of beer, pretzels and mini chocolate footballs are all the rage.  Really?

I asked my husband, Ken, to weigh in on the discussion, and although beer, pretzels, and chocolates are considered a staple in our kitchen; as gifts go, he felt these items are much too ordinary to be given as a gift.  The idea of receiving something innovative, or something he wouldn't think to buy for himself is much more appealing.

I've actually known this about him for quite awhile, with all of our planning around what to include in our gift collections for men.  So with 21 days remaining until Christmas, if you're stumped for what to get the man in your life, here are our top picks.  Some versions you can find in our store; others are just great ideas to help you finalize your shopping list!

1.    Man Bag – I bought a great Tumi bag for Ken last Christmas and he loves it. Men hate bulky pockets, and with today’s use of mobile devices, sunglasses, flash drives, in addition to money, IDs and credit cards, pockets are no longer sufficient for holding all of his stuff! There are many great stylish bags for men out there, and although he may never ask for one, if he gets one, he will love it, brag to his friends about it, and never leave home without it.

2.     Bath and body products for men – It’s the new age of soap on a rope! He may not seek out specialty shave cream, or pay a premium for skin lotion, but once he tries it, he’ll be hooked (and so will you).

3.     Candles – Candles come in so many fragrances, and masculine style fragrances are becoming more and more prominent.  Fresh cut grass, the scent of a campfire, and worn leather are just some examples of new fragrances for men. 

 

4.      Something inspirational – Whether for home or office, a framed inspirational quote or picture will keep him reminded of what's important in life.  Find something that moves him – inspiring words, values or a wonder of nature will lift his spirit. 

5.     Hobby gifts – Whether he loves travel, music, or the great outdoors, look for gifts related to his passion.  A coffee table book, a DVD series, an unusual styled map or globe would be unique and something he is not likely to buy for himself. 

6.     Food – Rather than those staple foods mentioned above, if you like the idea of a food gift, choose a few of his favorite foods and make a special meal.  If you’re not a cook, get take-out and set it up like a home cooked meal! Prepare the table for a special occasion with a table cloth or elegant place mats.  Use cloth napkins with napkin rings to dress it up. Your attention to detail will not go unnoticed.

For unique gift ideas for men, you might consider one of our collections, such as those pictured here.

Whatever you choose for the man in your life, whether husband, boyfriend, brother, or buddy, don't be ordinary.  Make it something that will pleasantly surprise him.

Have a happy day!