Love Beyond Words

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Nikki

I have the most wonderful nephew in the universe. His name is Thomas and at the age of 10, he’s wise beyond his years, smart, charming and funny. What can I say, I love him beyond words. Spending time with him is a joy. I ask him about school, he asks me about business and we discuss everything in between. Not having children of my own I can focus all my love and attention on him and believe me I do. My life is made richer for being his Aunt and I’ll hug him, keep his secrets and be there for him as long as I live.

Gift Baskets and Bows for Summer

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Nikki

Every season I have the pleasure of searching for gorgeous new packaging for our gift baskets at Healthy Gourmet Gifts. After looking through tons of beautiful options, I make a choice, place an order and wait for delivery day. They’re here! The sun is shining and the sky is blue and I’m reveling in the bright colours in our studio. Our fresh new baskets and bows are a celebration of this glorious season ahead. Here’s a couple of examples of what I’m so excited about:

My favourite bow ever!

Customized Gift Baskets – Get Creative

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Nikki

Gift giving is a satisfying and fulfilling experience and especially so when your gift is one of kind. I love creating these special customized gift baskets at Healthy Gourmet Gifts for our customers. When it’s perfectly suited to their diet or lifestyle or when it’s an inside joke only the two of you share it becomes an intimate exchange. The stories behind these unique gifts are endlessly amusing and at times very touching. I’ll never know what’s behind the Carrot Bouquet, but I thoroughly enjoyed making it!

Celebrate Mother’s Day – Sunday May 13, 2012

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Nikki

via @pinterest.com

Mother’s Day is coming up soon and before we know it, we’ll be staring May 13 in the face. If you’re blessed as I am and have a mom to celebrate, then planning ahead could make this the best Mother’s Day ever for her.

Yes, you could pop by the drug store on your way over for lunch, even the grocery store for a pre-made bunch of flowers or potted plant.

Your mom will still be overjoyed to see you but wouldn’t it be nice to make a bit more effort than that. After all, this is the woman who changed your diaper, spoon fed you and cleaned up your up-chuck.

Moms never quit being moms no matter how old we get, no matter how much we accomplish. To this day, when my mother sees me grab an apple, she’s likely to tell me to wash it first. Loving yet annoying. Amazing!

I love this list of Things Our Mother Taught us. I chuckled at #4 and by the time I got to #16 I was howling. Do you hear yourself saying things like this to your kids? Which # are you most familiar with? Please leave me a comment below.

Check out our gift baskets that we’ve selected for Mother’s Day. Have us customize something to suit your mother or create one of your own.

It’s the thought that counts so put a little thought into it and let her know just how much you appreciate her on her special day.

Do It With a Smile

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Nikki

Whatever you’ve got on your plate today, do it with a smile. Smiling, whether you feel like it or not releases endorphins, boosting your mood and your immune system. Apparently, we smile less at work than we do at home, 30% of subjects in a research study smiled five to 20 times a day, and 28% smiled over 20 times per day at the office.

So give it a try at work today and because smiling is contagious, you and everyone around you will have a better day. Have a great day, from the team at Healthy Gourmet Gifts!

A Tourist in Your Own Hometown

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Nikki

As we bustle about going through our daily routines, it’s easy to take what we have on our own doorstep for granted. I spoke to my cousin in Cape Town, South Africa last night. He loves our city and asked for pictures to show his friends. I found this great video showcasing Toronto and it reminded me how much fun it is to be a tourist in your own hometown.

My friend Kelly and I used to do it a couple of times a year and it’s great fun. Go to areas you don’t usually go to, explore. Take it a step further and book a night in a hotel, order breakfast from room service and make it a true stay-cation. I think I’ll take my own suggestion and step away from the gift baskets for an entire weekend soon, put my walking shoes on, head downtown for a little adventure. I know I’ll find something wonderful for sure!

Free Shipping! Really?!

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Nikki

I spoke with a shopper today who had visited my website and left without completing her transaction. I asked her what we could do to serve her better should she decide to visit us again. She told me that she went to another gift basket company because they offered Free Shipping. Free Shipping! Really?!

How do they do that?: UPS charges for shipping, so does Canpar, so does Canada Post. Everyone who ships anything has to charge for it. So I did a bit of research and priced out some gift baskets online that can be shipped for free.

Upon Close Inspection: I chose a gift basket priced at $149. Looks impressive at first glance, its big and full. But here’s the thing: I’ve studied those products carefully. I’ve held those boxes in my hands, tasted those products, seen how small the contents are inside the big boxes and I know what they cost. If I was to offer the same gift basket, it would be more like $120 plus shipping and tax..

The Real Cost: That comfortably leaves $29 per gift basket to cover the cost of shipping. The cost to ship a gift basket from Toronto to Vancouver is vastly different than having one delivered to Mississauga. Would it be fair to charge everyone the same shipping-included flat rate regardless of where their gift needs to be delivered? I don’t think so, doesn’t feel fair.

Unless a merchant is clearing out stock or offers it as a limited time offer for promotion, Free Shipping isn’t free. When the regular policy is “We pay for Shipping”, that’s not really the case. Sad to say, if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

Fun, a Smart Investment

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Nikki

Last weekend Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. I got together with some of my girl friends for a fun night of cards. Yes, I should have been at my desk getting caught up on the admin but you know, taking time out for a little fun is a smart investment in the long run.

The girls and I have been getting together more often lately and I’m very glad that we do. We laugh a lot and we laugh hard! I really care for these phenomenal women – each one smart, funny, strong, compassionate and unique with the most hilarious stories of adventures past.

Even though we’ve been crazy busy this week at Healthy Gourmet Gifts, I’m keeping up, feeling fresh and having a blast.

From time to time, step away from the desk, the chores and the never ending to-do list. Give yourself a break whether it’s 15 minutes at lunch or an evening with your friends. You’ll have a great time and you’ll be more productive, too. And that’s a promise. It’ll all still be there, waiting for you when you get back.

Administrative Professional’s Day

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Nikki

Administrative Professional’s Day is celebrated on the last Wednesday in April to recognize the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals.

This Wednesday, April 25, take the opportunity to show your administrative staff how much their efforts and skills are appreciated. Let them know that they’re a valued member of your team.

May I suggest a delicious gift basket from Healthy Gourmet Gifts along with a lovely Thank You note?… Nah… that would be rude! Just do something nice, thank you’s go a long way.

Earth Day Canada 2012

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Nikki

Earth Day is April 22 and over 6 million Canadians join together with 500 million people around the world addressing local environmental issues. Celebrate our planet in whatever way makes you happy. Take a trip around the world and marvel at it’s beauty!

Ok, so if you’re not able to get on a plane right this very second, this video will inspire you to think about your next trip, and probably the trip after that, too! Created by Canadian artist, Luc Bergeron, this masterpiece is a compilation of 179 of the best online time-lapse videos. Note the numbers on the bottom right of picture and match it to the location list, then update your travel plans! For Earth Day events a bit closer to home, here’s a handy list of what’s happening across Ontario. Happy Earth Day fellow earthlings, from all of us at Healthy Gourmet Gifts!