He's Not Johnny Depp

Like lots of kids, I loved reading stories about pirates and their adventures on the high seas.

Unfortunately, there is a modern version of the pirate that is less romantic and more like what pirates of old were really like.  Pirates were outlaws who robbed, plundered and stole. 

Today we are faced with a new version of the pirate, aptly named, Porch Pirate.  These “pirates” scope out homes and rob, plunder or steal packages that are left on doorsteps.

As we kick off the busiest season for shopping on line, be aware that you could be a victim of a Porch Pirate. 

Whether you are purchasing items that you want delivered to your home or to be delivered as a gift to someone else, there are a few things that you can do to minimize becoming a victim of a Porch Pirate.

1.        Have your package delivered to a secure location.  Instruct the delivery service to leave the package in a place not visible from the street such as behind a bush or in a garage.

2.       Have your package delivered to an alternative address like your office or a neighbor who is always home.

3.       If you are going away and having your mail held, ask to have your package delivered to the Post Office where it will be held along with your other mail.

4.       Install a lock box on your property.

5.       Install a security camera.  Even if it doesn’t deter the theft, it will give police evidence for prosecution.

6.       Track the package.  Most delivery services provide tracking information.  If you know a package is going to be delivered on a certain day and time, ask someone (a neighbor) to “keep an eye out” and take the package in until you get home.

7.       If you are having a package delivered directly to a friend or family member, track it so you know exactly when it will arrive and follow up.

If you become a victim of a Porch Pirate.

1.       Immediately contact the seller. Many provide replacements or refunds.

2.       If the seller does not respond or resolve the issue, file a claim with the delivery service.  

             

3.       Call your credit card company.  Most provide some kind of protection.

It is sad that the Grinch does exist but by being aware and being proactive, we can all enjoy a Happy Holiday Season.

Marie          

Sunshine On My Shoulder

Such a beautiful day!  Finally, after months of snow, freezing temperatures, rain and more rain, the sun is shining and there is a warm breeze.

I'm going to take advantage of the gift of this sunny day by getting my rock garden ready for Spring plantings.  I'm sure many others are also going to find reasons to spend time outdoors as well.

But not everyone will be as fortunate.  I'm thinking of my friend John who has spent the last several months in and out of the hospital and will not be able to spend time outside of a hospital room for some time to come.

I'm sure you know someone who is in a similar situation.  A friend or family member who is ill or infirmed.  Someone who is in the hospital, nursing home or even confined to bed at home.

If they can't go out to enjoy the sunshine, why not bring a little to them inside?

At Laurel Mountain Basket Co we are experts at sending sunshine and good cheer.  We can help you design a gift basket full of warm wishes that will bring a smile and shed a little sunshine too.

Check out our site where you can see some examples of our work then call or email us.  We design unique gift basket to fit every taste and budget.

Laurel Mountain Basket Co where gift giving won't make you a basket case.

Happy Spring!

Marie

A Hug In A Box

When I was growing up my Dad’s parents lived across the street.  We played in their yard so saw them every day. My grandmother always had a fresh baked treat for us.

My Mom’s parents and most of my aunts, uncles and cousins were a short car ride away.   We were always visiting one or another and family gatherings happened often.

Today my closest family lives hours away and I have family in every corner of the country. A cousin lives in Washington State another lives in Kentucky.  And one nephew lives in Texas so we rarely get to visit.  We stay in touch via email and phone but it’s not the same.

There are times when I wish I could be with a family member or friend to give them a big hug.  It could be an anniversary, celebrating the birth of a baby, a house warming, a birthday, wedding or getting a new job. Or they are recovering from an illness or dealing with the loss of a loved one.

When a hug is not possible, a gift basket can let them know that they are loved and thought of.

A “care package” to a student away at school or someone serving in the military is also ways to show love and support.

The next time you wish you could give someone a hug, remember that you can always send a custom designed gift basket.  It’s like a hug in a box.

Call today and let us help you custom design a gift basket for someone you love.  (413) 527-1243 laurelmtbasket.com

Marie

The Bruchetta Challenge

Bruchetta Basket

All of our gift baskets are original designs are individually prepared at the time they are ordered.  We talk with our clients to get a sense of who will be receiving the gift basket so that we can include items that they will enjoy.

We even had clients who have provided all of the items and asked us to come up with the design.  The Bruchetta Basket is one. 

Bruchetta is an antipasto consisting of grilled bread, rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil. Many recipes add tomato, veggies, beans, cured meats or cheeses.

The client provided all of the ingredients, including jars of crushed garlic and peppers, flavored olive oils as well as cook books with various bruchetta recipes.  The challenge was to place all of these items on the bread board they also provided.

The board was boat shaped with a very narrow base.  The items had to be placed so that the gift was balanced enough to stand on its own.  We were satisfied with the results and the client was thrilled, which is always our goal.

We are always up for a challenge.  The next time you need something really special, give us a call and let us help you create a gift that is truly one of a kind.

Marie

Thank You Mother Nature

I was born here so I may be a bit prejudice but I believe there is nothing as beautiful as Autumn in New England.  Autumn heralds the beginning of an amazing number of celebrations.  

The County Fair season is in full swing and as Farmers’ Markets are winding down, Craft Fairs are gearing up.

Halloween is followed by Thanksgiving and Chanukah, Christmas and New Years Eve are right around the corner. Of course there are many more holidays that we celebrate at Laurel Mountain Basket Co. Holidays like Bosses’ Day, Mothers – In – Law Day and Cabbage Night.

Cabbage Night, also known as Gate Night, Trick Night, Mischief Night Goose, Night, Devil’s Night or Devil’s Eve depending on where you live, is celebrated on October 30^th.  On this night, mischief makers patrol their neighborhoods looking for gardens that have not been cleaned up.  They collect the over ripe vegetables and bombard the offending gardener’s house with the collected crop.

The trick is not to get caught or fall down while carrying an arm load of the over ripe ammo.

For the record, our vegetable garden is cleared and ready for Spring planting so we’re going to skip celebrating Cabbage Night again this year and go straight to Halloween.

We only have a couple of kids in our neighborhood so we don’t go big on the Trick or Treat thing or spooky decorations but this weekend we’ll be buying pumpkins, flowers and cabbage kale to decorate our front steps.

I also love to bring the colors of Autumn into our gift basket designs. The reds and rusts, yellow and oranges are so bright yet bring a certain warmth.  It may be the many holidays that come along during the season give us a feeling of hearth and home.

Whatever the reason, Autumn and the colors of Autumn are also loved by our clients.

Have an event or occasion coming up soon?  Let us design a gift basket with the colors of Autumn and you too will come to believe that there is nothing as beautiful as Autumn in New England.

Marie

P.S.  To see samples of designs we have created for our clients, check out laurelmtbasket.com and let us design one just for you.

Tick, Tock

Time.  Time is one of the most valuable commodities we have.  We all have 24 hours in our days; that’s 1,440 minutes.  If you are like me, you find that some days those minutes seem to fly by. 

As much as I love certain activities, I have to delegate them or they don’t get done.

You may love shopping for gifts but driving to the mall or even shopping on line can be very time consuming. It’s even worse when you don’t know what you want to buy.

That’s where we come in.  We can be your personal shopper. We design every one of our gifts baskets to fit every occasion and every budget. A simple five minute phone call and you’re done.

Our corporate clients love shopping with us.  When they need a get well or sympathy basket for an employee they just let us know when and where to ship and how much they want to spend and done.  Some of our clients prefer email.  It really can be that simple.

Don’t really know what to get?   We’ll talk about choices and help you put together a gift basket that will be as delightful to give as it is to receive.

Because every gift basket is created to order, you know it is fresh and has not been sitting on a shelf, collecting dust for months.

We will also deliver your gift basket locally or ship it anywhere in the continental United States.  We take extra care to make sure your gift arrives in a timely manner in as beautiful condition as when it left our studio.

The next time you find that you need a gift and are running out of time, give us a call and let us create a stunning gift basket just for you.

Marie

Create A Stress-Free Zone In Your Business

It’s confirmed.  I took one of those on line stress tests the other day and my score indicated I have many signs of burnout like lack of energy, feeling overwhelmed, unable to relax and inability to focus.  Wow, I don’t think I know anyone in business today who isn’t suffering from “burnout”.

All of us are affected by work related stress at one time or another.  Of course, some jobs are more stressful than others.  Air traffic controllers, police and fire personnel come to mind, but would you have guessed that the job of bus driver is highly stressful?  Bus drivers sit for long periods of time, are responsible for the safe operation of the bus in dense traffic while maintaining tight schedules.  They deal with all types of passengers, some of whom may be threatening or violent.

Stress is pretty serious.  It causes everything from headaches to heart attacks.  75 to 90 percent of doctor visits are fro stress related complaints.

But, there is hope.  There are many ways to reduce stress in your life.  Exercise, eat right, get enough sleep, join family and friends in fun activities.  I’ve met with my Board of Directors and we’ve come up with some ways to relieve stress on the job at Laurel Mountain Company.

Stretch, play, nap, yawn (lowers BP), run for no reason, drink lots of water, love unconditionally, and live simply.  Did I mention that my Board of Directors is made up of my dogs, Zeva and DixieLee?

Now that Laurel Mountain Basket Company is a stress-free company, we are prepared to help you become stress-free, at least as far as helping you manage your gift giving needs.  Just give us a call and we’ll do the rest.

Stay Calm,

Marie

Colors of Autumn

So it begins.  The days are still warm but the nights are cool.  I love New England in autumn.  Every year Mother Nature surprises us with a unique pallet of colors and following her lead, we fill our gift baskets with New England treats and wrap them in New England autumn colors.

All of our gift baskets are individually designed specifically to our clients’ needs and budget.  We create gift baskets for any occasion from anniversaries, to birthdays, weddings, housewarmings, new baby, get well, thank you, condolences, or just because.

A sample of our design styles can be seen on our website at laurelmtbasket.com

So when you need a unique gift from the heart, we are just a phone call away.  It's that easy. Just dial (413-527-1243) and your gift giving problem is solved.  In just a few minutes we will help you choose the gift that is just perfect for you.

Remember, “Laurel Mountain Basket Company where gift giving won’t make you a basket case”.

Happy autumn

Marie

Fouls and Felons

What do a baby horse and a home invasion have in common?

Answer:  They are just two of the reasons we make gift baskets

As I was going over the accounts to send to the accountant, I was reminded of the variety of projects we worked on over the years.  Most were for occasions you’d expect like the birth of a child, death in the family, birthday, get well and of course Christmas.  We’ve designed gift baskets for corporate events like annual board of directors’ meetings and regional sales meetings and with schools providing “final exam survival kits” for their students.

We’ve designed some very interesting gift baskets too.  There was the $600 gift basket that included gift certificates to several restaurants, movie houses and golf courses as well as some sexy lingerie.  I was given a list and a budget and went on a shopping spree.

We have a line of pet gift baskets and make a lot of baskets for dogs and cats.  We have even made some for small animals like ferrets and bunnies but the most unusual one was the welcome baby gift basket for a horse.  Not for the owner but for the horse herself.  Our inventory was low on “horse” gifts so this also required a fun shopping trip.  A straw cowboy hat became the “basket” and we filled it with things like a curry brush, shampoo and mane tamer and a package of carrot and apple cookies.  I don’t know what the horse thought but the owner loved it.

Not all baskets are for happy occasions.  In fact, sympathy baskets are a big part of our business.  The most emotionally difficult delivery I’ve made was to an elderly man who had just lost his youngest son.  When I arrived at his home he was sitting alone under an apple tree in his yard.  His wife and daughter-in-law were out taking care of one of the many things that need to be taken care of when planning a funeral.

I handed him the gift basket and offered my own condolences.  He placed the gift basket on a table and did something that made my heart break.  He hugged me and began to cry.  When he was finally able to compose himself I asked if he would like me to sit with him until his wife got home.  He said he was fine and I left.  I cried all the way home.

Oh, the home invasion.  An employee of one of our clients was the victim of a home invasion.  It was horrible!  Not only was their home broken into the occupants were beaten.  Our client wanted to show support and sympathy for what the employee and his family were going through.

As you can see, there are lots of reasons why people send gift baskets and at Laurel Mountain Basket Company we take each one seriously.  We go the extra mile to make sure your gift says just what you want it to say.

Marie

Love Is In The Air

Valentine's Day is right around the corner bringing with it red hearts, stuffed teddy bears, and lots and lots of chocolates and roses. And we mean lots and lots of chocolates and roses.

Americans will buy about 58 million pounds of chocolates and about 198 million roses will be delivered. In addition we will send about 180 million cars.

Heart shaped boxes of chocolates and bouquets of roses have become symbols of affection that we share on Valentine's Day. Some others are romantic dinners and jewelry.

Since Valentine's Day averages 220,000 marriage proposals per year, I'd say that engagement rings are among those pieces of jewelry.

A Valentine's Day gift doesn't have to be extravagant. It really is the thought that counts. Not that you thought (remembered) to get her something but that you put some thought into the gift you did get. Women like to feel special so choose a gift that is about her and don't fall back on chocolates and roses (unless you know she adores either).

Pay attention to what is important to her. Some women would prefer a box of pop corn and a romantic movie at home rather than an expensive dinner in an expensive restaurant. Here is a list of some of the top “romantic” movies, just in case.

Casablanca, Twilight, Love Actually, Love Story, Sleepless In Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, 50 First Dates, Ghost, and Moonstruck.

Cook a meal just for the two of you or treat her to breakfast in bed. Remember that cleaning up is part of the gift.

A final WARNING: 64% of men don't plan in advance. Even if you are planning to send or bring home roses, order early! Valentine's Day is the busiest day of the year for florists (and gift basket companies).

Happy Valentine's Day,

Marie

P.S. We specialize in custom designed gift basket for all occasions including Valentine's Day.

Eat Drink and Be Scary!

Holiday – a day fixed by law or custom on which ordinary business is suspended in commemoration of some event or in honor of some person.

Some holidays. Like Christmas and Hanukkah are religious/spiritual, while others like Mothers' Day and Fathers' day are sentimental. Holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day honor a specific group of people and Halloween, well Halloween is just plain FUN.

Okay, so it does have spiritual roots but for most of us it's simply a day to cut loose and have fun. Witches and goblins, black cats and pumpkins have lost their original significance and have become whimsical decorations.

In many communities schools or civic organizations sponsor Trick or Treating events where children can come together in a safe environment to have fun with rag shag parades, prizes, movies, lots of candy and other treats.

Even the family pets are getting in on the fun. Veterinarians and pet day care centers have parties and hold contests for the best Halloween costumes – dog and cat categories.

More and more adults are getting into the spirit (no pun intended) too. Costume parties are common with all sorts of themed foods and drinks like Black Cat Canapes and Candy Corn Jell-O Shots.

One of my favorite Halloween treats is Black Magic Cake.  Most recipes call for instant coffee but I sort of like it better with coffee flavor liqueur.  

Houses and streets are decorated in anticipation of kids out trick or treating.   Laconia, NH is hosting a huge pumpkin festival where they will try to break their record  of 10,000 lighted Jack-O-Lanterns and pumpkin carving has become an art form.

We don't have kids and don't live in an area with lots of kids so Halloween isn't so much about trick or treat but is more about the beginning of the Holiday Season... my favorite time of year. Halloween leads to Thanksgiving and I love Thanksgiving because, to me, it's all about family.

Thanksgiving leads to Christmas and Christmas is about Peace, Love and Friendship.  What's not to love?

So, I am looking forward to Halloween and all of the wonderful holidays that follow.
Happy Halloween,
Marie

P.S.  Check out our new website at www.laurelmtbasket.com 

What's So Special About October 15th?

At Laurel Mountain Basket Co we pay close attention to traditional Holidays. After all, supplying gifts is pretty much the business we re in.

I've always loved holidays and enjoy finding gifts for people. It's October already and I was just thinking that I am way behind on my Holiday shopping. Really, I don't usually stress around the Holidays because when I see something I think would make a great gift for someone, I pick it up and keep it in my “gift chest”.  This year the gift chest is only half full.

Unfortunately, I'm finding that more and more people don't enjoy holidays. I was saddened a couple of Christmases ago when a tradesman I do business with refused to accept a token gift I brought him. He said he didn't like the idea of HAVING to give a gift and that people have forgotten the Reason for the Season.

I didn't offer the gift because I had to. I offered it because I love giving gifts to people I value and I like that there are special days like Christmas and Birthdays set aside for celebrating and giving gifts. I do see his point though. 

Take Valentine's Day for example.  I wonder how many husbands really give their wives luxury cars and expensive jewelry on Valentine's Day. There was a time when I thought I was the only wife in history that didn't get a Lexus or BMW or February 14^th.

Once upon a time, back in the Stone Age when we sent our newsletters out via USPS, we had a column dedicated to weird Holidays. I have decided to resurrect that practice using our Facebook page. For example, did you know that February 5th is Bubble Gum day or that May 15^th is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day? Now there's a holiday I can get behind! Think about what fun it would be if you brought a big place of home baked chocolate chip cookies in to work on May 15^th to celebrate! Spreading joy around the office sounds like a good idea to me!

So if you think life would be a little more fun if you had something to celebrate every day. “Like” our Facebook page and we will do our best to keep you in the know.

In case you are wondering, October 15^th is National Grouch Day.

Happy holidays,

Marie

P.S. Check out our new website at www.laurelmtbasket.com

The Cookie Monster

Did you know that the average American will eat 35,000 cookies in their lifetime and that Chip Ahoy! Is ranked number one in store bought cookies?

I'm not surprised that a chocolate chip cookie ranked number one since chocolate chip cookies have been around since 1930 when Ruth Wakefield baked her first Tool House cookie. Ruth and her husband owned the Toll  House Inn, so named because the structure, built in 1790, served as the toll house between Boston and New Bedford.

Toll house were where travelers paid their tolls, rested or changed their horses and got a home cooked meal. In the tradition of the earlier toll house, Ruth cooked and baked for her guests. One day, while making Butter Drop Do cookies, a recipe that dates back to Colonial days, Ruth decided to cut up a bar of Nestles semi sweet chocolate into little bits and add it to her cookie dough.

The chocolate did not melt like she thought it would. It only softened and held its shape. The cookie was a huge success and her recipe was published in the Boston paper.

Ruth was approached by Nestles and they eventually came to an agreement. The company could print the recipe on the wrapper for their bars and Ruth would be supplied with chocolate for the rest of her life!

Samoas, Trefoils, Do-si-dos and Thin mints If you recognize these cookies, you've provably bought a package or two from a Girl Scout. The first Girl Scout cookies were baked at home with moms volunteering as technical advisers. It was a way for the Mistletoe Troop of Muskogee, OK to finance troop activities. Being true entrepreneurs, the troop sold their home baked cookies in the school cafeteria. That 1917 troop project went national and today the Girl Scouts sell about 200 million boxes of cookies a year. Amazing what a couple of million girls can accomplish.

Oreos (ranked #8) used to be my favorite cookie until I tasted Brent and Sam's Triple Chocolate Bliss. Okay, so it's not “technically” a store bought cookies but you can buy them on Amazon and we used them and other Brent and Sam varieties in many of our gift baskets.

What is your favorite store bought cookie and which Girl Scout cookie do you buy and keep for yourself?

Marie

P.S.  You can see lots of our gift basket designs by visiting the Laurel Mountain Basket Co website.

When Words Are Not Enough

What do you say to a parent who has lost a child. Even if that child is an adult it is a devastating loss. How can words comfort a brother or sister who lost a best friend or a wife who was looking forward to enjoying a quieter life with her spouse without the strain of jobs and children? And the children. What on earth do you say to the children who have lost a parent?

Our neighbor passed away earlier this week. We haven't lived in the area long but had gotten to know Ron and Cindy a little. Ron had been fighting his battle with Cancer since we fist met him but he always had a good word and smile no matter how poorly he was feeling on any given day.

As I sat down to write Cindy a note I realized, yet again, that I didn't know what to say.

At Laurel Mountain Basket Company making and delivering sympathy gift baskets is a big part of our business. Often the sender will ask us for suggestions as to what to write on the care. “Thinking of you during this difficult time”, Keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers” or “With deepest sympathies” have always seemed appropriate but this time, they didn't work.

I think it was because I was too close to the situation and was forgetting what condolence wishes are all about.

1. They are not about you, not about how you feel. They are not even about the person who has passed. Messages of sympathy are about the ones who are left behind.

2. Messages of sympathy are not about “fixing it”. There is nothing you can do or say that is going to take the pay and grief away. Time will change things but it is NOT your place to point that out.

3. Actions speak louder than words so if you are in a position to help, here are a few things you can do.

4. Remember that everyone grieves differently. Let them know you are there if they want to talk or if they would like your help but don't push or hover. Respect their need to grieve in their own way.

5. Offer to run errands or do chores like picking up people at the airport, baby sitting, cutting the grass, or picking up some groceries.

6. If you are not in a position to personally help out, send prepared meals or a gift basked filled with fruit or other easy to eat foods.

7. Don't question them about the details of the death.

Sympathy may be one of the most difficult emotions to convey and there is not easy way to approach someone who has just suffered a significant loss. Offer what you can whether it is an ear to listen with or a shoulder to lean on. It will be the right thing.

Marie

P.S. For more information or to view some of our recent designs, check out laurelmtbasket.com or call us at 413-527-1243

What If....

When I was six years old I wanted to be a cowgirl, just like Dale Evans or a pioneer like Daniel Boone.

The other day we were watching one of the Jason Bourne movies and I thought being a spy might be very cool profession.

I go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week so I'm sure I could jump from roof top to roof top and swing from bell ropes and utility wires easy enough. I've had my driver's license since I was 16 and only have had one fender bender (the time I backed into my husband's tuck while it was parked in the yard) so I'm sure I could drive 100 mph through foreign streets during the running of the bulls and not pile up.

I haven't field a gun in years but I'm sure I could handle any of the new fancy firearms available today (as long as someone disengaged the safety for me).

Other than sneaking into dark places to photograph secret documents (I get jumpy walking to my car in a parking lot at night), the only problem I see that would prevent me from being a first class spy would be remembering which name I was using on any given day.

In a lot of spy movies the spy has a bunch of passports all in different names. I have been Mrs. Lisewski for almost 40 years and the receptionist in the dentist office still has to call my name three times before I realize she is talking to me.

Come to think of it, I probably don't have the skills or temperament to be a very good spy. Gift basket designer is a much more suitable career choice for me. In fact, I love what I do and I am very good at it so gift basket designer is definitely the perfect career choice for me.

How about you? What would be your fantasy career?

Marie

P.S. Check out some of my custom designs at laurelmtbasket.com and see if you don't agree that gift basket designer is the right choice for me. 

Opportunities In Disguise

While unpacking a distributors order, I noticed that a carton of cookies was crushed on one end and several of the individual boxes were damaged. That wasn't a big deal because I knew my distributor would credit me for the damaged goods (which they did). The problem was that I had a dozen boxes of cookies that I couldn't use in my gift baskets.

I like almost any cookie. I've been known to buy a package of Oreos out of a vending machine on occasion but Brent & Sam's chocolate chip cookies are in a league of their own. They are to die for. So you can see my dilemma. A dozen boxes of my favorite cookies that I can't use, what to do?

As difficult as it was, I chose not to eat all of those delicious cookies myself but I did need to get them out of my sight as quickly as possible. I gave a couple of boxes to my mother, another couple to my husband, who loves to taste test our products, and the rest I dropped off to clients around town. Okay, I did save two for myself but they were small boxes.

The wonderful thing about Brent & Sam's chocolate chip cookies is that they are all about the chocolate chips. My husband couldn't believe the number and size of the chocolate chips in each cookie. The cookies are made from scratch with no added preservatives. Everyone who received a box commented on how delicious they are.

My mom and husband both wanted more….. I created two cookie monsters! I bet my clients were tempted but since they aren't related, they probably felt it would be inappropriate to take advantage of our relationship.

My point, I do have a point, is that not all cookies, coffees, or chocolates are created equal and at Laurel Mountain Basket Company we choose our products very carefully. Not that we don't use Oreos and Pringles. They are practically a staple in our College Survival Kits, but our gourmet gift baskets are filled with wonderfully delicious, quality treats.

When we create a gift basket for you, you can be assured that it will

It doesn't happen often but occasionally we are forced to make sacrifices for our craft, like having to eat a couple of boxes of the best chocolate chip cookies anywhere. (They really were small boxes.)

Marie

P.S.  See lots more Laurel Mountain Basket Company designs at laurelmtbbasket.com  

What Dad Really Wants

After many years of being a daughter and many years of being a wife, I finally figured out the perfect Father's Day gift,

Looking back, I feel bad for my Dad. He's been gone now for 40 years but the poor man got a tie and a bottle of Old Spice Aftershave just about every year for Father's Day. He was a mechanic most of his life and wore a green shirt and green pants to work six days a week. But every year my Dad got a tie and aftershave from his girls and a new shirt from my Mom. I guess it was Mom's way of making sure he looked presentable for Sunday morning Mass.

Although Father's Day was started by Sonora Smart Dodd to honor her father, Civil War Veteran and widower William Jackson Smart, who raised six children as a dingle parent, Father's Day has grown to include all men who love and support their families.

When it came to buying a Father's Day gift for my husband, I thought I'd be smart and just ask him what he would like. That didn't quite work out the way I thought it would. There was no way our budget would cover a new truck or a two week deep sea fishing trip to some place warm. Yup, he got shirts and ties until the year I discovered what all men like.

Food. Add a good adventure flick to to mix and you have the perfect guy gift.

Going to brunch is Vic's favorite Father's Day gifts and this year we might add one of these other great guy gifts to the mix.

1. Book a tee time at the local golf course. You could make it a family affair or not. For those with young children, miniature golf is lots of fun too.

2. Take him out to a ball game. Can't swing Red Sox tickets? There are some really good minor league teams like the Blue Sox in Holyoke, Mass or the Fisher Cats in Manchester, NH. You can take the whole family to one of their games and not bust the budget.

3. Go bowling or fishing. Both are fun activities that children can enjoy. Pizza goes great with bowling and a picnic goes perfectly with fishing.

4. Take a bike ride or a hike. Hiking with the dogs is one of our favorite family activities and living in Northern NH means we'll never run out of fantastic trails.

5. Go to the Movies. Taking in a matinee and stopping for ice cream on the way home brings us back to the gifts that men love…. Food and a movie. You can't go wrong.

However you choose to celebrate Father's Day this year, we wish you the best.

Marie

P.S. If you can't be with your Dad this Father's Day, a gift basket from Laurel Mountain Basket Co is the next best thing.  laurelmtbasket.com

Special Orders Don't Upset Us

Remember the lyrics to the Burger King jingle?  Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, etc.  Well, at Laurel Mountain Basket Co. we also know that tastes differ.

Our website is filled with gift baskets designed for a wide range of tastes and budgets but we know that even this wide assortment doesn’t include something for everyone.  That’s why we’re more than happy to work with our clients to design gifts that are specific to their need.

Most gift basket you see on our site and others are filled with chocolates, cookies and other “feel good” treats.  After all, a gift basket is supposed to lift the spirits and satisfying the sweet tooth usually does just that.  But there are some folks who just can’t enjoy a couple of cookies or crackers and dip without becoming ill.  I’ve discovered that more and more people are becoming gluten intolerant or have other dietary issues.

Thirty years ago I knew one person who had a gluten problem and twenty years ago I knew two.  Today several of my friends or their children are gluten intolerant.

I do have my own briefs about why so many are getting ill from common foods but I’m not a scientist so my opinion doesn’t matter.  What does matter is that I do understand that gluten intolerance and other types of allergies do have a real impact on lives.  That doesn’t mean that a person who suffers from gluten intolerance can’t experience the joy of receiving a beautifully designed gift basket filled with yummy foods they can actually eat and enjoy.

We can design a gluten free gift basket for any occasion and have worked with clients to design baskets for birthdays and other celebrations, various holidays and to express get well or sympathy wishes.

So the next time you want to send a gift to a friend or family member who is gluten intolerant, you can send them a beautifully designed gift basket.  You just need to order it from a company that has years of experience designing gift baskets using products that are suitable for those with gluten allergies.  A company like Laurel Mountain Basket Co where special orders don’t upset us.

Marie

Can't Get That Here

Dom Perigon, Russian Tea Cakes, Pistachio & Almond Croccante and Truffle Oil are just a few of the items you won't find in our gift baskets.

I don't think many of the folks I know would be watching the Sunday game munching on Russian Tea Cakes and drinking Dom. Most folks I know, and I bet those you know too, are more of the chip and dip types. Not that they wouldn't enjoy a nice hot and spicy mustard with their pepper jack cheese and a three pepper cracker with their summer sausage, but you get the idea.

Years ago my husband managed a large warehouse operation. During the Holiday Season he would receive gift baskets from vendors and clients.

The first thing we would do when we opened one of those gift baskets was divide the contents into two piles. One pile was for “Who eats this stuff?” and the other was for “This looks pretty good”. I'm not a big fan of glazed roasted figs or Kalamata olive spread but give me any kind of cookie or chocolate and I'm your friend for life. Another thing about the contents in those gift baskets, by the end of the season , we would have a third pile consisting of all of the Starbrite peppermints.

I realize that sending gifts at the Holidays was a smart way to do business and that a busy executive didn't have time to personally select a gift for everyone on their list. It made sense that they would contact a local company or go on line, choose something in their price range and be done with it. I think the saddest thing was that I knew the gift baskets we received weren't cheap as far as cost but they looked pretty ordinary as far as presentation. Those gift baskets were what got me started in the business. I knew I could do better.

At Laurel Mountain Basket Company we create every gift as if we were personally sending it to our best client or our best friend. We fill our baskets with gourmet treats we know they would like. Sure, we like to surprise your taste buds with treats like yogurt covered cranberries but mostly your find high quality “simpler” items like Brent & Sam chocolate chip cookies or Ghirardelli chocolates. We also know that our clients work hard for their money so we work just as hard to give them the most value for their dollar.

Shopping local is a big deal for us and we are always on the look-out for new vendors, We have a great time attending Farmers' Markets and Craft shows making new friends and taste testing new product.

If you're looking for a gift basket with champagne and caviar, we can recommend a couple of places but if you are in the market for some down to earth, really good gifts for your friends and family, we can help.

Check out our website laurelmtbasket.com for samples of our work and give us a call at 413-527-1243 and we'll be happy to put together a gift basket just for you. Remember, consultations are always free and we can work with any budget.

Bon appetite,

Marie

How Many Empty Coat Hangers Does One Person Need?

Where does it all come from?  A person sure can accumulate a lot of “stuff” in 30 years.  When we moved, over two years ago, I got rid of tons of “stuff”, so how come there is still a huge pile of boxes in the corner of my basement that are still unpacked?

I’ve read lots of articles about how to get rid of clutter.  Most of them tell how to prioritize things and get rid of those items we no long use.  Here are the steps they suggest:

1. Objectively look at an item

2. Decide one of three things about the item;

    a. Do you love it

    b. Do you use it

    c. Will you use it in the future.

3.  If the item doesn’t fit one of those three categories, get rid of it.

When we were moving and I had a house, a studio and a warehouse to clear out, the idea of packing was overwhelming.  The task became much easier when I broke it down into manageable pieces.  After all there is only one way to eat an elephant… one bite at a time.  By starting with a small area, like a kitchen drawer, closet or small room, I was able to de-clutter and pack everything without being overwhelmed.  It took days to clear out the drawers in my office desk alone but it got done.

Don’t second guess yourself.  I made three piles.  They were, the “definitely keep it” pile, the “definitely get rid of it” pile and the “not so sure” pile.  The key to successfully using the “not so sure” pile is to go back the next day and make a decision as to which of the other two piles an item belongs and deal with it.

I also had three “getting rid of” piles.  One was for items I was going to donate to Goodwill or other charitable organization, another was for items I was going to tag sale, and the third was for items that were headed for the landfill.  I made regular trips to Goodwill and the landfill which helped keep reduce the clutter level in the house.

Be ruthless with the “get rid of it” piles.  Yes, there will always be something that you got rid of that you find yourself looking for a year later.  Soon after we moved I bought a can of tomato juice and after I got home, realized I didn’t have a can opener.  We did manger to find one in my husband’s tackle box but I did panic for a couple of minutes.

Those boxes in the basement.  I started going through them recently and since the three pile system worked fairly well before, I’m using it again.  Not many items are falling into the landfill pile but the tag sale pile is growing.  This house is much smaller than our old house so there isn’t enough room to display all of the items I love. The “definitely keep” pile has things like photo albums, books and things like the pretty tea pot that belonged to my grandmother.  I will definitely keep them even if their new home is in a box in the basement. 

Marie

P.S. We've moved.  Check out our new website at laurelmtbasket.com