One of the great things about Nashville is the variety of yummy local treats available for corporate gift giving.

My showcase this week brings you one of my favorites.  They are new to me, as I just found out about them this year, but for anyone who loves curling up with a good book and a box of cookies (oh come on I’m not the only one!) should know about Willa’s.  The short breads are to die for!

Not only are the variety of cookie’s available from Willa’s a wonderful yummy treat, the packaging is second to none.

Check out the wonderful new design for their “Spirit of Nashville” line.

Willa's "Life's Too Short Not To Eat Cookies"

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

My daughter turned 4 last week… I know, WHERE DOES THE TIME GO!

She is a little sweetie and the day was filled with lots of pink, princesses and a fairy hunt at dusk.  She had a wonderful day and felt like a princess, but it wasn’t until the next day that I truly understood how our children mimic us.

As you know I’m a big fan of the Thank You Note, but I have to say I was beaming with pride when my 4 year old got up the day after her birthday and busily put pen to paper.  She had written pages of squiggle lines when she came to me and asked for envelopes and stamps.  I was amused, so I asked her to read the first letter to me and she began with ‘Dear so and so, thank you for my “birthday present”, it was very sweet of you to think of me on my birthday.  I will have fun using my present with my friends.  Love Peyton.’ It was so cute I wish I would have recorded it!

I know that sometimes it’s hard to know what to say in a thank you note so here are a few basics to help get you started.  A couple of sentences is all you need.

1.  You want to say thank you for the actual thoughtfulness

2.  Say how it made you feel

3.  OR how you plan to use it

Note that you can use this format in note or via a video.  A quick personally recorded video message sent via email or a video host such as YouTube can be a huge hit and shared among your friends.

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

PRODUCT PICK OF THE WEEK – Recyclable Cellophane

Usually I pick a yummy treat, but this week I came across a great video I wanted to share.  During some of my getting-to-know-you meetings I learned my customers were interested in supporting the Green Initiative and I was able to meet their desires by using Nashville Wraps for my cellophane products.  Although I’m not using the biodegradable cello… yet, the product I am using can be recycled and doesn’t have to add to landfills.

Take a journey with Nashville Wraps and see How Plastic Bags Are Recycled:

Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville

Be Original! Give Original!

I love celebrating my birthday in the spring… everything is about to bloom and it’s warm enough to put a log in the outdoor fire pit and have a little get together outside!

Thinking about it is enough to make me feel sad for all the people celebrating their birthday in the winter! Great gift ideas for winter birthdays are comfort items… throws, candles, teas and hot chocolate… and those warm cozy socks. Makes me want to curl up on the couch during those long nights with a good book or movie.

A fun themed gift could be a car kit. Complete with an ice scraper, a pair of warm gloves and a snack to eat while waiting for the car to warm up!

Kids might enjoy one of those rolled up crazy carpets. With a cellophane wrap you can hide a few treats and indoor games inside the roll and tie the ends with curly ribbon and make a big tooties roll out of it.

Thoughtful gifts are always original because the receiver can feel the time spent in picking out the perfect thing!

Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
www.obbgiftsnashville.com

Be Original! Give Original!

With Christmas behind us (can you believe it?) we’re looking forward to watching the ball drop in New York City and usher in an era of courage…

As we looking forward to the New Year’s Eve parties coming up this week. The “What can I bring?” isn’t always answered with something specific but it’s always nice to arrive with a little something. A bottle of wine or champagne can work, as can flowers, candles or a game…

Wine is a big hit with my friends. We usually bring a bottle for the party and a bottle for the hostess. Dinner parties can be a little tricky as wine changes it’s taste based on the foods it is paired with. A fun gift is to pair a bottle of wine with a great cheese and give them both. It could work with the party or as a little snack in the days to come.

I love winter flowers… the bright colors seem to offset the dreary winter weather. It’s good to pick flowers already in a container so the hostess doesn’t have to worry about that during the party.

Candles wrapped in a little cellophane and tied with ribbon can be a nice thank you gift. I like to include a little match book or lighter… again so there is no hunting anything down to use the gift. It’s like getting an electronic gift that comes with batteries!

Games! Yes… some people have great traditions of game playing. Games are great for the night and can be used long after the event. My new favorite is all the city versions of Monopoly… anyone can play and enjoy a featured city.

If you have any favorite hostess gift ideas you’d like to share please post them in the comments section.

Happy New Year!

Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
www.obbgiftsnashville.com

Be Original! Give Original!