Saturday we visited the Strawberry Festival at The Produce Place on Murphy Road.  The Ross family are long time supporters of The Produce Place and it was fun to get a few friends together and walk down to sample some locally made treats.

One local company that got my attention was Moose Head Kettle Corn owned and operated by Jack and Carol MacDowall.  The company name stuck out because my father grew up in a small community called Moosehead on the eastern shore of Nova Scotia – and you know how it’s easier to remember a name when you can associated it to something important in your life.  The popcorn stuck out because of the huge variety of yummy flavors (including dill pickle) as well as the fun colors.  My daughter really enjoyed the rainbow color bag.

Ask us about using locally made popcorn in your next Tennessee Gift Basket or stand alone gift tins! 

For more information on Moose Head Kettle Corn please check out their website.

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

The phrase “working mother” is redundant. ~Jane Sellmanth

I love my Mom, especially now that I am a mother myself.  I don’t know where she found the energy to play with us everyday and take care of everything she did, but she did, and with three of us!

When I was little, gifts for Mother’s Day were hand made trinkets.  I love that the same kind of hand made touch goes into gift baskets.  This is a wonderful season for gift baskets.  The colors are bright and vibrate with a palette of pinks, greens, violets and yellows.  When I think about gifts for Mother’s Day Too Good Gourmet always comes to mind.  The packaging is beautiful with a touch of flowers and adornments as seen in the hat box cookie tower.

From garden themes to spa moments, a Mother’s Day Gift should say I Love You and Thank You and should have a little chocolate thrown in for good measure!

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

Thistle Farms

These amazing products are hand made by the woman who will directly benefit by their purchase.  Thistle Farms, founded in 1997 in Nashville TN, is a non-profit business run by woman who have survived violence, prostitution and abuse.

Either on their own or as a gift basket, the bath teas, hand poured candles and hand lotions will make a wonderful mother’s day gift that represents, supports and lifts up the spirit of woman.

Thistle Farms products are available in four wonderful scents:Lavender, Citrus Vanilla, Tea Tree Mint, and Tuscan Earth.

For more information on the woman running Thistle Farms please check out the voices of thistle farms blog.

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

When a marathon comes to town everyone gives a little; whether a participant, a volunteer, a cheerleader, by donating to the various charities represented or rerouted due to road closures!

This past weekend Nashville, hosted the 11th annual Country Music Marathon, and despite the severe weather and risks of tornadoes 30,000+ queued up at Centennial Park to run, walk or wheel 13.1 or 26.2 miles.

As a participant it’s wonderful and extremely motivating to see all the cheerleaders and volunteers who come out and keep us hydrated and ring those cow bells!

I like sharing ways we can be involved in our community and I love that participating in a marathon is the ultimate in multi-tasking.  You can set goals and challenge yourself while raising money for your favorite charities or increase company or department morale by registering a team.

Gift ideas for the runners in your life include soothing bath fizzies, cozy socks and my personal favorite, foot repair lotions!  Mint, Tea Tree, Lavender, Aloe Vera and Chamomile are all great scents for the tired body… note that mint will get you a little boost and not the best used before bed.

Good luck with meeting and exceeding your goals this year!  Remember, it never hurts to treat yourself for a job well done!

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

Nashville, TN is a great location to host a convention.  Whether local, national or international, Nashville provides great accommodations, a wide array of events and lest we forget MUSIC!

When considering gifts for conventions hosted in Nashville you have many options.  From the traditional to the themed, a custom package for your attendees, guests or speakers can be localized with gourmet treats from Music City USA.

The Goo Goo Cluster, the worlds first combination candy bar was invented in Nashville in 1912 and is still a favorite item among candy lovers of all ages.

But Goo Goos are not the only yummy treat to come out of middle Tennessee.

Page’s Premiums offers a variety of nut mixes with hints of chocolate pieces and gourmet treats.  Owner, Singer/Songwriter Tracy Page moved to Nashville to pursue music, but found the industry was driving her “nuts”, inspiration struck and she was soon creating batches of nut mixes – original, music city, monkey krunch, Smokin’ Southwest Blend, Asian Persuasion and a skinny mix along with peanut brittle, toffee and gourmet candies.

Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co are my new favorite chocolate bars.  With a yummy list of unique flavors and brilliant packaging, adding Olive & Sinclair chocolate bars to a gift basket or convention package is a delicious treat on all the senses.

Willa’s makes a great cookie (shortbread, praline, lemon pecan, gingersnaps, key lime almond, chocolate mac adamia, mocha almond) and spicy cheese biscuits, both a southern tradition, and offers a full corporate package with private and custom label options.  A great option when looking to brand the event or a special thank you.  The key lime box made the cover of The Gift Basket Association’s “Tips & Trends” magazine this spring.

Just to name but a few.  If you’re interested in learning more about local products please don’t hesitate to contact us or check out the website dedicated to all things made in Tennessee.  www.PickTNproducts.org

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!