First Things First

Do you have a passion, a desire or talent you feel you are not spending enough time cultivating?  Perhaps you feel there is just not enough time in the day.

Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things with matter least. ~Johann Goethe

 Steven Covey’s, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, may help you change your ideas of how to approach and achieve the goals you have by looking at what and how you are spending your time on.  Habit 3- Putting First Things First focuses on top priorities, by eliminating the unimportant.  The result is increased organization and productivity, and fewer crises for a more balanced life and piece of mind.

One of the best ways to focus is to write down your goals and objectives.  The balancing act comes after you know what it is you desire.  Next, map out the time frame in which you would like to accomplish your goal.  Keep a journal of your progress so you can evaluate and make adjustments.

Last year, I decided I was going to train for an Ironman triathlon.  This event consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike, and a 26.2 mile run. The question became how to train while holding a full time job, running a basket business, and being secretary to an active Arts Council board.  While time doesn’t sit still, and neither do I, I had to find a way to work smarter rather than harder.

2011 was a balancing act.  When I decided to do Ironman, I knew that some things were going to change in my daily life.  I used a calendar to chart out my workouts, basket business duties and board assignments. By seeing everything written down, I knew where I could make the most impact with time by continually re-evaluating the important tasks.  My support system was such that asking for help was an opportunity to delegate more.  Which, I gladly did.

In October, we received an order for 2,000 hand-made bows. Knowing that I needed to get my long training rides in

A bike and a bow

was going to be a challenge if I had to be at the shop making bows.  The solution became clear when the weather became cold.  I’d have to train inside.   Seeing an opportunity to multi-task, I brought my stationary bike trainer to the shop and set up a system where I could “ride” and “fluff bows”.  I did this several times. One afternoon, I even put in a few movies, so I was entertained in the process.

Look for ways you can consolidate tasks.  Whether it is making a list and managing it by the part of town you will be in, or managing your time using a Day-Timer.  Outline First Things First.

What’s important to you?  Not everything can be a priority.

1.         Write down your goals and objectives

2.         Keep a journal

3.         Re-evaluate

You will find that there IS time to cultivate the passions you have for your favorite pastime, and have balance and happiness in the process.  Happy New Year

Respectful Gift Giving in Times of Grief

Every culture has their own ways to celebrate life and death.  As gift basket professionals, we love to create beautiful baskets because they celebrate happy occasions and joyfulness.  But sometimes we get the occasional request for a bereavement or sympathy basket.

We’ve all lost someone dear to us.  When we face the loss of parents, friends, and even pets, we grieve and mourn, and come to understand that death is merely a part of the cycle of life.  When we get the call for a bereavement basket, we ask the same types of questions of you (our client) as we do when you call to order for a joyous occasion. You’d be surprised to find that many different cultures honor the deceased in different ways. 

Many Christian religions approve of sending flowers, cards and gift baskets to surviving family members.  As popular as flowers are to send for funerals for Christians, there are some religions where flowers are not appropriate.  Judaism, Muslim, and Hindu customs are just a few.   With the Buddhist religion, food gifts are not fitting, but flowers are.  However, it is important to know what the etiquette is, and that white flowers should be used as their color of mourning.  Using red flowers is not appropriate.

While many extended family members provide food for visiting mourners, it is often the immediate family that will need help with daily tasks and chores.  Baskets that offer grab-and-go items are helpful when time is limited or refrigerator space is not available.  We fill baskets with teas and coffee, dried fruits and nuts, chocolate and bottled water.  These are quick and healthful.

Gourmet, non-perishable foods are a major part of the gift basket industry, but fruit is usually an approved staple to share in times of loss.  And we’ll check for Kosher products and guidelines when creating a basket for the Jewish faith.

Healing Wishes

Just a few weeks before Christmas, a client of ours called to order a sympathy basket for a friend who had just lost a parent.  She was distraught, and did not want the basket to reflect Christmas like many of the baskets do that time of year.  With her feedback, we created a simple, sincere gesture with fruit and flowers.  The family was delighted when the gift basket was delivered.  It was obvious they were thankful for the gesture from their friend. 

Since individual cultures mourn and grieve in different ways, here are some suggestions on items you may consider adding to bereavement gift baskets. 

• Picture frames. 
• Scrapbook/Memory Box
• Journals with pen
• Thank you cards, stamps, return address labels, note pad
• Book of inspirational quotes
• Books on grieving
• Chicken Soup for the Soul books
• CD of inspirational or soothing music
• Box or package of tissues or a handkerchief
• Pet supplies/products for the “fury family member(s)” that must stay home

We are often asked by our clients to help with the writing of the sympathy card.  You are already at a loss for words, so below are a few tender ideas.

• Peace, prayers and blessings
• We share your loss
• Thinking of you
• With deepest sympathy
• Our sincere condolences
• In loving memory
• Healing wishes for you and your family

No matter the religion, common themes are apparent in many cultures.  Humans honor and celebrate the life of the deceased.  Our rituals range from sad to uplifting.  Whether we honor with food, flowers, candles or prayer, the tradition of our cultures celebrate life.

You ate that?!

It’s a quiet Sunday afternoon, and you are bored.  You walk into the kitchen and open the refrigerator door “looking” for something to quiet the boredom. When was the last time you looked at the expiration date of your condiments?  I know it sounds like an unusual task unless you are doing a major overhaul of your refrigerator, but many foods actually have dates of expiration.

While most foods won’t hurt you if you eat them past the expired date, the flavor or the visual aesthetics may be affected. Use your best judgment, but understand consuming them is entirely at your own risk.

Below are just a few of the shelf lives of popular gourmet foods.

• Chocolate         6 months
• Jelly Beans       9 months
• Tortilla Chips    4 months
• Popcorn           6-9 months
• Cookies           3-9 months

And here is a helpful guide of 77 foods, beauty products and household goods to check for “best by”.  And just as a precaution, question food stuffs sold at specialty department stores.  Often they are odd lots or have been sitting on the shelf for a while.

Be safe and be healthy.

Holiday Gift Ideas

If you are considering purchasing client gifts this year, remember to keep in mind that some items may not be appropriate.  A few weeks ago I shared a story of a client that wanted to give a gift to a neighbor who is Jehovah’s Witness.  Oftentimes people are afraid to buy gift during the holidays because of religious affiliations. This week, I’ve spoken with a client who is Mormon, so I could share some ideas on suitable gifts for Latter-day Saints.

“You don’t choose your family.  They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” ~Desmond Tutu

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are family oriented.  If you are giving gifts to a family consider movie tickets, sports tickets, and games the family can enjoy together.  Dietary restrictions include no coffee (caffeine) or black teas (tannic acid), and no alcohol or cigarettes.   For more ideas visit:  http://www.mellymormon.com/

This year our holiday selection is a nice selection of gifts for families, co-workers, clients and friends.  And we’ve included sparkling cider as a nice substitution when you are not sure what is appropriate. 

Grand Holiday Tray

Over the last year, I’ve achieved some athletic goals, by training for four triathlons and a marathon.  With all the workouts came the need to treat myself better, inside and out.  This year you will notice gourmet gifts baskets with more sensible gourmet products than the typical junk food basket.  Olives, sparkling cider, teas, mustards, salmon and cheeses are paired with elegant serving trays.  And you’ll find trail mixes, nuts, dried fruits, pretzels, jerky and granola as alternatives to chips and candy.

Whether you need to give a healthy gift, a family gift, or even a gift for yourself, our designs are great to give and get anytime of year.

Visit our new selections at http://giftbasketjunction.com

Gift Giving Customs

We’re heading to Greece next week!  While we are away, we will be meeting and visiting family we’ve never met.  The custom when coming to visit is to bring a gift from the area in which you live.  Greeks don’t visit people without bringing gifts!  We’ll be bringing fruit and nut trail mix by Timber Peaks Gourmet of Parker, CO.  http://www.timberpeaksgourmet.com/main.php

Before you go to another country, research their gift giving customs.  You may be surprised to know that giving a clock as a gift to a Chinese businessman, will surely make him upset.  The word ‘clock’ have a negative translation meaning death.  You could be ending your business relationship before it even gets started.

Visit us at Gift Basket Junction or Facebook for more ideas.

 

Gift Giving Etiquette

A client of ours recently asked about gift giving etiquette to a neighbor of hers whose family is Jehovah’s Witness.  I spent some time doing research and found that while the faith does not celebrate holidays (Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, birthdays – basically pagan holidays – or nationalistic holidays), they do accept gifts just like everyone else.  The only “holiday” that is celebrated is “Memorial of Christ’s Death”, which is typically observed roughly the same time as Christian Easter and the Jewish Passover.

As the holidays approach in the next few months, use your best judgement when shopping for gifts for clients, new family members or friends who are practicing Jehovah Witnesses.  “Also when you give a gift, do not wrap it in holiday wrapping paper. Always give gifts out of genuine love, not because it’s a holiday gift.”  Taken from:  http://thejehovahswitnesses.org/can-jehovahs-witnesses-accept-gifts.php

Thank You

We are thrilled to have finished in the Top 5 for Best Gift Shop in the Denver area.   Thanks to all who voted for us! 

Gift Basket Junction in Golden CO on Denver’s 7 ‘s A-List

kmgh.cityvoter.com

Gift Basket Junction presented with three design awards

Gift Basket Junction was presented with three design awards from the Gift Basket Association in the categories of:

1st place – Creative Genius: Into The Woods 

1st place – Decadent: Delectable Dolce

3rd place – Happy Hour: It’s Happy Hour Somewhere

The designs are for sale on our website at www.giftbasketjunction.com.

Last Day to Vote on Denver’s A-List

There are some pretty teriffic businesses that have been nominated for Denver’s A-List, sponsored by Denver’s KMGH-TV (Channel 7, ABC).  It’s your last chance to vote! Voting ends September 17th. There are some very tight races so don’t wait. Make your voice heard now.

My favorites:  Denver’s 7 A-List

KompetitiveEdge  Best Sporting and Fitness Gear

Bungee Bootcamp  Best Boot Camp

Progressive Sound Entertainment  Best Entertainment

Gift Basket Junction  Best Gift Shop

Vote now at www.cityvoter.com

We’re Running A Fun Campaign

We love humor.  Steve Caulk wrote a great piece on Gift Basket Junction and our quest to be the #1 Gift Shop in Denver. 

Read:  Gift Basket Junction Pledges Clean Election Campaign :  http://denver.yourhub.com/Golden/Stories/Business-News/Story~861963.aspx