How to stand out when buying a gift for anyone including clients and employees...

As long as I can remember, I've taken great joy in being methodical when purchasing gifts throughout the year for friends and family.  It's been a gift of mine to naturally take note of 'clues' left by friends and family of their likes, passions and dislikes which often leads to finding small tokens of appreciation for them throughout the year.  I must admit, I also have a closet of 'gifts' stashed to be able to gift at just the right time as well as a bookmarked section on my internet browser of gift ideas and items pinned to a Pinterest board of online gifting ideas--saved for just the right time.  

At sixteen I went to work for a local gift basket company--our primary focus was to help the customer find the perfect array of items to assemble the perfect gift.  We often heard stories from those customers later of how much the recipient loved the gift and how they felt that great detail went into the gift.  Gifting not only makes the recipient feel appreciated and loved by receiving the gift but the person giving the gift receives great joy too. In the modern day, we're surrounded by activities that often distract us from the time it takes to buy a meaningful gift.  We grab a gift card, send cash in a child's birthday card, send a generic gift from a store or the horrid re-gifting.  When we default to those activities it doesn't mean that we care any less about the recipient (but trust me when I say our lack of detail makes a big difference to the recipient)...it simply means we're busy--don't know where to find meaningful gifts--don't have time to really get to know the person we're sending gifts to--or we rely on the convenience of late night online shopping for a generic gift.  Finding a meaningful gift isn't that difficult but it does take some attention to detail--maybe it means that you have taken the time to get to know the person or have listened to the things they've dropped hints about--knowing their hobbies--their likes--their dislikes--OR--maybe it means that you've put thought into purchasing a gift from a company that has greater meaning so when you've given that gift, the recipient feels like the gift is dual purpose-- it's an item they can enjoy and an item that contributes to a certain organization they like--an item that aligns with their beliefs and morals-- or an item that comes from a local business that uses locally sourced products to make the recipient feel like they've received something that is apart of the community and comes full circle to support the community with their mission. 

Obviously there are certain times of the year we automatically buy gifts-- birthdays...thank you gifts...holidays etc.  BUT, if you really want to stand out and show your love and appreciation-- gift on a date or time of year when the recipient will least expect it.  Maybe that means a fun small gift at Halloween, Thanksgiving, the New Year, their half birthday etc.  Think about the last time someone unexpectedly gave you a gift... how did it make you feel?  It may have been something of small value but it likely made you feel appreciated and left you with a higher regard for that person.  Gifts don't have to be of extravagant value but they should be of extravagant meaning if you wish to build a lasting relationship with that person. Most people aren't natural 'gifters' and we're taught as kids that 'money can't buy love'... HOWEVER, it's proven that gifting can indeed deepen relationships when thought is put into the item you're gifting.  If you're a business owner or someone in charge of gifting within your company... there is a special section with tips below for you.

All of this mumbo jumbo leads me to share this...When I created our signature Salted Whiskey Caramels 5 years ago to gift to friends and family in honor of my late father (see...again meaning for the gift) who loved all things caramel-- I never thought it would lead to opening a commercial business.  However, once we took the leap of faith to open our confectionery commercially one year ago last month--I was insistent on our entire product line having a deep meaning and to develop something that would be a great gift for many. Not just the meaning of the memory of my late father either-- a meaning that could be relevant on many levels.  We're in an era now where things are mass produced--which to many--loses meaning and value.  We're in an era where many of us have fond memories of good old fashion candy our grandparents spoiled us with and the fun candy stores we visited as kids that are barely in existence today.  We're in an era where there is great movement again in wanting to support local businesses rather than chains--even with website sources like Amazon.  We're in an era where people are conscience about what they're eating.  THESE are reason why we're putting the focus on bringing 'Classics Confections with a Modern Palate' to you!  We source as many Oklahoma ingredients as possible and certainly USA sourced--we don't add additional preservatives--we're supporting the other small businesses to provide jobs and grow the economy where some larger companies aren't.  SO, the moral of the store is-- you can see that with my passion of gifting, our company's attention to detail and our artisan quality products we're here to help YOU look good to those you purchase a gift for.  The holidays are upon us... 

XOXOXO,
Melissa 

Okay, corporate gift buyers... we're inundated (speaking from experience) with generic logo items that don't mean anything to the client (unless it's a good ink pen--because honestly no one can turn down a good ink pen).  As the recipient, we often feel like it was a robot gifting that item.  Not that it wasn't appreciated or we don't see that we are valued--but honestly sometimes those items leave us feeling like we weren't individually appreciated (let's face it as Millennials are a huge portion of today's workforce... we like to feel like an individual and don't like to feel as though we are a number).  This holiday season as you're thinking about and locking in gifts for employees, clients and prospects-- while a logo item might help your name standout-- we encourage you to put a little more thought into something that will help the recipient think about your name, branding, values for years to come by gifting something of better quality and meaning than a generic desk set, tote bag or mass produced item (or an item that ends up in the trash or at the next garage sale).  There is nothing wrong with combining a logo item with a non-logo item--OR-- maybe your smaller monetary logo item is saved for a client visit in the off time of year or 'just because'...leaving the holidays for a gift that has more meaning so your gift truly stands out at the holidays among the other gifts they are receiving.  The bottom line is this-- if you want your clients and employees to truly feel appreciated... take the time to put some thought into the gift you're giving.  The additional time and thought spent will reflect on that relationship for years to come.

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Belly Ache Box

$74.00

This is the ultimate gift set featuring all of our products packaged in a gift box (2 options available):

(1) 4oz box Salted Whiskey Caramel

(1) 6oz box Bourbon Pecan Toffee

(2) 2oz Gooey Goober bars

AND your choice of:

(1) 4oz box Salted Espresso Caramel

or

(1) 4oz box Salted Apple Caramel

or

(1) 4oz box of Browned Butter & Honey Caramels

NOTE: We're happy to include a note to the recipient if you wish; just let us know in the 'notes' section at checkout how you'd like the card to read. 

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Caramel Sampler

$52.00

Our Caramel Sampler includes--

(1) 4oz box Salted Whiskey Caramels

(1) 2oz Gooey Goober bar

AND your choice of:

(1) 4oz box of Salted Espresso Caramels

or

​(1) 4oz box of Salted Apple Caramels

or

(1) 4oz box of Browned Butter & Honey Caramels

NOTE: We're happy to include a note to the recipient if you wish; just let us know in the 'notes' section at checkout how you'd like the card to read.

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Mini Sampler Box

$34.00

This gift set features a sampling of all of our products packaged in a gift box:

(1) 2 piece (0.8oz) Salted Whiskey Caramel

(1) 2 piece (0.8oz) Salted Espresso Caramel

(1) 2 piece (0.8oz) Salted Apple Caramel

(1) 2 piece (0.8oz) Browned Butter & Honey Caramel (not pictured)

(1) 1.5oz bag Bourbon Pecan Toffee

(1) 2oz Gooey Goober bar

NOTE: We're happy to include a note to the recipient if you wish; just let us know in the 'notes' section at checkout how you'd like the card to read. 

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Corporate gifting ideas