AA Gifts & Baskets Idea Blog

Posts Tagged ‘thank you gift baskets’

When it comes time for someone special to you to retire, what do you say in the card? Chances are you’ll be at a loss for words to tell your friend just how you feel. Here are some ideas you can use to help you get started.

First, choose a card that’s appropriate. If he’s the office jokester, you may want to select a funny card. If he’s the quiet type who’s always been there for you, you might want to go more serious. It’s up to you. Judge by the situation and the person.

Next, use your best handwriting and a dark pen. Often people can’t read gel pen ink that’s in funky colors. Also, never computerize your message. Hand writing is best here. Finally, don't forget to get them a thank you basket showing your appreciation for all their years of hard work.

So what can you say?

• You’ve worked hard for this day. You deserve all the best in your retirement and for years to come.

• I’m so jealous! You get to go enjoy those grandkids and I’ll still be here in the office. But I am so happy for you! Enjoy every day and think of all of us here. It won’t be the same without you.

• All the very best for a person who showed a true work ethic that is rarely found these days. You will be missed around here.

• Dear Mom, You’ve been a real inspiration to us all with the way you worked and raised us all. We are so thrilled you’ll be able to spend more time doing the things you love now.

• Congratulations on your retirement. It couldn’t have happened to a better guy!

• Thank you for all the years we spent together working side by side. You’ve made it fun to come to work each day. I’ll miss you very much.

• The old office won’t be the same without you. But we are so happy that you’ll be able to start enjoying some of the many hobbies you have.

• As you’re running after the grandchildren, take a moment to remember all of us here at the office. We’ll miss you.

• You gave your all in everything you did. Here’s to the best retirement a guy could have.

• Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Get out there and enjoy every minute of it.

• May you and Margie enjoy many happy years of retirement together.

• As you retire, look forward to all the good things yet to come. Like sleeping late, throwing your alarm clock out, and eating dinner at 4:30 in the afternoon!

• Many happy thoughts go with you as you leave this place. And you’ll always remain here in our hearts.

• Today you retire. We’re so stinkin’ jealous.

• Retirement starts a brand new chapter of your life. Here’s to writing a great one!

• Now you’ll have time to do the things you always wanted to do. Make the most of every single day.

• We may not see you every day anymore, but we’ll be thinking of you out there sunning yourself during business hours.

Retirement cards are not hard to write. Get everyone in the office to go in together on a card and a retirement gift so you can all express your well-wishes together. If it’s a family member, consider gifting them with a day out with you or a special trip rather than just a present.

Aromatherapy has been around for a long time. It’s simply the use of scents to target benefits like relaxation, sleep, well-being, headache relief, etc. If you want to give an aromatherapy gift basket, it’s really easy to make one yourself.

The first thing you should do is choose a scent. If you’re not sure what scent your friend would like, do some thinking. Have you smelled candles burning in her home? What scent and color were they? Does she wear a certain perfume? What does it smell like? These are some clues into some of the scents she may like. If you still don’t have a clue, go with something like vanilla or buttercream which just about everyone likes.

Once you have chosen your scent, choose a vessel to put it all in. Often times inexpensive baskets work well, but you can also place everything in a decorative hat box or other display box that she can use again. If you want to make her a travel basket, put it all in a large cosmetics pouch that zips so she can take it with her on the road.

Aromatherapy baskets can include just about anything. Most include relaxing elements designed to help the recipient de-stress and unwind. Candles with strong but pleasant scents are nice as is incense. You do have to be careful to choose a scent that is meant to relax, like lavender, if you intend it for stress relief. If you give a basket full of peppermint or spearmint scents, the opposite effect will occur. Your friend will be much more alert instead of relaxed. Peppermint makes a great gift to give as an aromatherapy pick-me-up basket for someone at work who always hits that 3:00pm slump.

Arrange all your items on some sort of packing material. This can be shredded paper, recycled Easter basket grass, or even just tissue paper. The idea is to make each product stand alone in its own little spot so the basket doesn’t look thrown together. Include a simmering pot for spices or a candle warmer, which allows wax to be heated without a flame. Great for the office or around kids.

You might want to include soap and a soap dish, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, a neck pillow, or an herbal pillow filled with buckwheat that can be used hot or cold for neck pain relief. There are hundreds of scents and thousands of products to choose from. So your options are limitless when putting together an aromatherapy gift basket. Include natural bamboo towels and face cloths, slippers, or a robe.

Tie it all up with a big ribbon and present it. Your friend will absolutely love getting a basket filled with products she can use right away to change her mood and her day. Whether it’s relaxation or alertness you are going for, research the different scents and what each one is thought to enhance. There are so many out there that you will definitely find one for the lady in your life. Don’t settle for the first one you find. Do some sensory research. You’ll have fun doing it and just may relax yourself, too.

When someone has been exceptionally kind to you or gone out of their way to help you, a traditional thank you gift just won’t do. You need something extraordinary to show them how thankful you really are. Be sure to get your thank you gift out as soon as possible and include a note detailing just how thankful you are for your recipient’s kindness.

Here are some ideas that are far above the ordinary dozen roses.

1. Tickets to a sell-out event
   Your recipient will flip when they find out they’ve got seats to the hottest event in town. The one that’s sold out for every date. Try to check with a personal assistant or secretary before purchasing tickets to see if your recipient’s schedule is clear on that date.
2. A dinner cruise
   Send your friend on a lovely dinner cruise. Just about every city that’s near water has them. It’s a fun-filled night that your friend won’t soon forget.
3. Dinner at a fabulous restaurant with a wait list
   Get your friends on the list at a hot new restaurant and they’ll be thanking you.
4. A culinary walking tour
   If your friend is a foodie, give them a tour that hits all the culinary hot spots in town. If you’re lucky enough to live near New York, you can hit Little Italy, Chinatown, and many more neighborhoods known for their culinary greatness.
5. A flight lesson
   For the adventurer who has everything, give a flight lesson. Your friend can be copilot for a few hours along with a trained pilot. He will see the world from a whole new perspective.
6. Race car driving lessons
   For the hot shot who likes to drive fast, a race car driving lesson is the thing. You can gift your friend with a few hours of lessons on a real race track. Many tracks around the country will be able to handle your request.
7. A fishing excursion
   An avid fisherman will need no excuse to get away from it all. Give him a fly fishing day trip or rent a cabin for him so he can spend his down time doing something he loves.
8. An elite spa day
   For the lady who has always been there, treat her to a spa day at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon or another prestigious locale. Get her a full day’s worth of pampering so she can relax away her cares.
9. A personal shopper for the day
   A style maven will love having a personal shopper on hand to help her select the trendiest outfits. Treat her to a day in the city with a shopper all her own.
10. A song all their own
    For someone too special for just a gift basket or a gift card, have a song written. A songwriter will write and record a song just for your recipient. This service is available through companies on the web and will surprise your recipient like nothing ever has before.

If these gifts are too extravagant for your tastes, you can still be thoughtful without breaking the bank. Send over a wine gift basket filled with an assortment of fine cheeses. Or offer to babysit your friend’s children for the weekend. That’s worth its weight in gold.

No matter what the season or occasion, we all have times when we need to show our appreciation and say "Thank You" to a friend, client or family member. Sending a thank you gift with a hand-written note is a great way to show just how much you appreciate them and their efforts.  I've also found in this new technology age that sending a simple thank you e-card can be fun.  I personally love the Hoops & YoYo characters at Hallmark and now you can send those funny characters via e-mail to express your sentiments.

Over the years, I've seen people send thank you gifts and cards for many reasons, but the top 10 seem to be those listed below:

1. To Say Thank You For A Gift (e.g. you've received a new baby, holiday or bridal shower gift)
2. To Thank Party Attendees (e.g. retirement, graduation and birthday party attendees)
3. To Thank A Host or For The Hospitality(e.g. you been an overnight guest in someone's home)
4. To Thank Customers or Clients (e.g. some sent you a referral)
5. To Say Thanks to a Good Samaritan (e.g. someone returned your lost wallet or helped you change a flat tire)
6. To Thank A Friend - (e.g. someone had you over for dinner or house sat while you were on vacation)
7. To Thank A Professional (e.g. a great nurse for cared for your elderly parent)
8. To Thank Your Employer (e.g. you got an big bonus, promotion or raise)
9. To Thank Your Employees (e.g. they did an all-star job & worked long hours on a big project)
10. To Thank Charity Volunteers (e.g. during Volunteer Appreciation Week)

Last year, I organized a charity event to benefit our local food shelf.  I sent hand-written thank you notes to each of the volunteers that helped man the booth and sell raffle tickets.  We raised over $4000 for the food shelf and hopefully those people will help out again this year.  If you've got reason to be appreciative, don't forget to say thanks...it makes everyone feel good!

Photograph: Thanks A Million Care Package (priced today at just $37)