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