South Australian Style…and Substance!

South Australian Christmas Selection Box

Adelaide artist promotes buying local gifts

• Buying Local
As consumers are becoming more thoughtful about their buying decisions new opportunities arise for local and regional businesses to offer alternatives to imported and mass produced goods. The current enthusiasm for buying local has encouraged an Adelaide artist to take on a venture that celebrates South Australian gourmet and handmade products. ‘We don’t have to go any further than our own backyard to find some of the best products in Australia and the popularity of farmers markets indicates how much people are enjoying our beautiful gourmet foods, bush spices and organic produce’ says Alison Arnold whose Adelaide gift business only sells South Australian products in their gift baskets, hampers and boxes.

• Buying Handmade
This doesn’t only apply to food though, as we consider alternatives to the numerous disposable objects that fill our lives we might look towards the handmade for items that will last and be treasured for many years. We have many fabulous artists in Adelaide, whose work can be found anywhere from markets and art fairs to galleries, so matching their work with our regional produce makes a lot of sense. This concept has been embraced by Alison from The Adelaide Gift Company whose background as a potter and artist provides her with knowledge of local artists work. She has combined this with her love of South Australian food culture to create a unique way for people to back local producers whilst solving the problem of finding distinctive gift solutions.

• Buying Made Easy
Locally sourced gifts appeal to individuals who want to share South Australian products with friends, relatives or colleagues interstate and overseas. The Adelaide Gift Company is an online shop, so buyers don’t have to waste time and fuel driving around for hours looking for the perfect present. Another distinct advantage for businesses using local products in their corporate gifts is that they demonstrate their pride in South Australian products and support for local Adelaide industries.

Adelaide is not only celebrated for its world class wines, it’s equally famous Hills are alive with the tastes of the region and its markets are brimming with gifts of food glorious food!

Gift Baskets, Hampers and Boxes, So Many Choices

• Choosing Gifts

When you’re searching for a special gift you will find a huge range of gift baskets, hampers and boxes offering everything from chocolate bouquets to nappy cakes. You have someone in mind that you want to congratulate, thank, or say that you’re thinking of them, perhaps its a corporate gift, so it’s important to show that you have thought very carefully about the gift you send. Whether it’s a basket, hamper or box, you want them to feel really special when they receive it. It’s always a good idea to choose something that is personalised and relevant, perhaps it’s something special that you can only find locally (Gifts from Adelaide) or reminds them of a special place they have visited. Maybe they have a weakness for a particular type of food, or they love to collect unique ornaments.

• Choosing Carefully

Think about their tastes, what type of things do they have in their home? What is their favourite food? What kind of places do they like to visit? What are their values? You may also have to think about their needs when you are choosing the right gift, do they have any particular health requirements, allergies or special diets. These are things that need to be considered whether you’re thinking about a gift basket of fruit, a food hamper or a box of extra special goodies.

• Choosing Right

To ensure that the gift you send is memorable, the whole experience should be extra special. Most importantly the contents of the basket, hamper or box must be well chosen, but you also want the best quality of presentation. If the contents are individually wrapped and there are surprises within surprises the experience will be richer. Finally you’ll want to make sure your gift is delivered with a handwritten message of your choice.

• Summary

Take a good look at the gift baskets, hampers and boxes available, then consider the receivers personality, taste and needs. Think about the contents, their meaning and the presentation. Then you’ll know that you’ve made the right choice and your gift will be unforgettable!

Corporate Gifts

Corporate Gifts - Custom Design

• Your Guide for Ideas, Inspiration and Considerations

This time of year gets a little busy, we’re racing towards the end of the calender year and you suddenly realise that its time to think about seasonal gifts. Not only are you under pressure to come up with inspirational ideas for your family and friends but you may also need to chose corporate gifts for clients, co-workers and board members. There are many gift baskets, hampers and boxes available but making the right choice is very important and can convey so much about you and your organisation.

• Who and Why?

Firstly you might need to take a little time to consider who you need to give corporate gifts to and why. This may seem obvious but your gift will be more likely to convey what you want to say if you have a clear idea of the motivation behind it and the kind of person receiving it.

• Staff

If you are thanking your loyal staff for their hard work, then a personally selected gift which suits their taste will convey your appreciation more warmly than a standard company branded gift. Don’t forget to be even handed and remember that everyone needs to feel valued whatever their role in the company.

• Board Members

If it’s a company tradition to present gifts to board members this is your opportunity to show your creativity. You’ll probably have to come up with an idea that is very different from last years, so think outside the square. Small boutique businesses are more likely to have something unique than big companies. Look at local specialities and search for inspiration at local galleries and studios, you might even consider giving an experience rather than a tangible object.

• Clients and Customers

When giving to clients and customers you may have to consider how the gift will be perceived, you want to thank them for their ongoing business but if the gift is badly timed it might be misconstrued, if it’s an expensive gift, will it cause embarrassment? Gifts which convey something about you company values are a good idea, perhaps something relating to your environmental policy your location or region. You can convey a lot about your creativity and ethics by the gifts you chose.

• Cultural Considerations

A final but important issue to bear in mind is that of cultural considerations. Think about the recipient’s culture and ethics. Is it appropriate to give alcohol? What festival do they celebrate at this time of year? Remember it may not be the same as yours.

Whatever corporate gifts you choose at this time of year, if you put a little thought and creativity into it the experience will be fun and rewarding, and hopefully you’ll also receive something special!