At Bestowe, we're often asked about our gift box design process, and we're more than happy to share the secrets behind our perfectly unique gifts. As we transition into this coming Spring (yay!), we're already hard at work dreaming up new gifting sets for the holiday season, so the process is fresh in our minds.
We start by figuring out what our customers want. We're always on the hunt for new and fresh product offerings, so we gather data from surveys and social media to understand your preferences. But let's be real - narrowing down our choices is tough. We'd create tons of gifts if we could because we just love it that much. However, from a business perspective, we need to manage inventory and make smart decisions. You know, good business decisions. (Sigh.)
At the end of the day, we're committed to crafting the perfect unique artisan gift boxes for anyone on your list. We may be a little crazy (organized and sane, ah-hem), but it's all worth it to make sure you find the right gift for your friend, co-worker, or family member. So go ahead and browse our assortment - we're confident you'll find something you love.
Choosing the Right Artisan Gift Box For Any Season
Spring or Summer, Fall or Winter — We all have so many different people to find gifts for. The man who has everything he needs, the person who would rather have money instead of a present, the client who is hard to buy for, the son who only wants legos, the business partner whose newborn already has all the trendy clothes and coolest goodies, the friend whose taste is so expensive that I could never afford to get her what she would get herself... the list goes on and on. No matter what kind of gift you’re searching for, our process for building thoughtful and meaningful gift boxes begins the same way every time.
Step One: Start With A Theme/Category
My process starts with exploring general categories of what people like. For this holiday season, I decided that themes that would do well (based on that data) would be self-care, holiday decor, and a foodie or pantry. Other themes in my day to day include baby, kitchen, men, home, bar, etc. You get the picture.
From our experience, gifts that almost always do well are self-care or pampering items. These gifts are super versatile and always appreciated, but are particularly appropriate for springtime as we’re all likely gearing up for the coming warmer weather. Gifts sometimes mean giving someone something that they wouldn't necessarily think of getting for themselves, and let's face it people don't always put themselves first and buy luxury bath or home products. Especially this time of year, gifts that can help your loved one relax and rejuvenate are particularly appreciated.
Stream Of Consciousness List-Making
To get started with our gift box design process, I write down anything and everything that has to do with this category of gifts. For instance, let’s say I want to focus on “self-care.” Here is what that brainstorm might look like:
Self-care words: bath products, bath salts, towels, incense, perfume, massage tools, face oil, face mister, body polish, gold-rimmed trays, sleep mask, charcoal cleanser, brush, etc. You get the point.
Step Two: Finding Unique Vendors And Products
The best part of researching new unique artisan gift boxes is finding new artisans (my vendors), who will be included in the gift sets. I can get lost in that rabbit hole of research and look up and realize it's been hours and I've only made things even more complicated — because now I have many many more artists and ideas to choose from! I use Pinterest all the time! It's a great tool to visually catalog products I want to use in the future: It's like a shopping cart for my visual ideas. People often ask how I find the vendors. In the end, it's all about research and actually connecting. The artisan and maker market is all connected and everyone knows someone! I spend a lot of time networking and meeting potential artisan partners face-to-face.
What We Look For And How To Find The Right Vendors
For Bestowe, our mission is to use 80% small-batch artisan-made goods. What does that mean and why is it important to us? You might normally hear the term small-batch referring to food, but it's also used to describe artisans in general. The words "small-batch" and "artisan-made" suggest that the product is less likely to be mass-produced and the local customs behind the product thoughtfully taken into consideration. It's a term that has become way overused to the point of not knowing what is and what isn't anymore (ie. take for instance the word "organic").
What does that mean for us? It means that we make a point to research artisans and get to know the owners and their philosophies which adhere to ours of quality non-mass produced goods. It's important to use because we want to support people we know. We want to support small companies whose work we know is sustainable and well-thought-out.
Meet One Of Our Artisan Partners: Fable Soap Company!
Fable Soap Company is an all-natural, small-batch skincare company with a promise of high-quality and ethically sourced ingredients. Made by hand in California, the brand includes a wide range of products suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive ones. Explore their products in our Support Local: Northern California gift box!
Owned and run by women, Fable Soap Co. understands the importance of building a brand with a purpose. For every retail bar of soap purchased, a bar is donated to a women's shelter across the country. This program strives to provide access to hygienic and safe cleansing to women and children who are fleeing or surviving domestic violence, economic instability, or environmental catastrophe.
We are proud to partner with Fable Soap Co. because of their incredible dedication to quality, but even more importantly because of their mission to support women in crisis around the US.
Step Three: Curating the Perfect Gift Box
I can spend weeks finding the right products to pair in a great gift box. I'm looking for a product combination that will make a well-rounded gift. I want the item to tell a story, give something that people can enjoy now and something they can enjoy for a while to come, and lastly, be substantial enough to feel like you got what you paid for (I like to have at least 3 items in each box or more also to make it feel substantial).
After I research all of the artisans I desire, I have to reach out to find out if working together would even be possible (inventory, cost, artists' time, etc.). Logistics, really. I'll usually have a couple of pieces from each category from different companies if it doesn't work out with one company. At that point, I'm in full swing. The hard part is over and now it's smooth sailing.
The Perfect Gift Box for Springtime and Beyond
No matter what kind of gift you’re searching for, we’ve curated a gift that perfectly aligns with nearly any recipient. Explore our complete collection of ready-to-ship artisan gift boxes today and spread the love this Spring and beyond. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Reach out today and our gifting concierge can help you build the perfect gift for employee gifting, client appreciation, or personalized event gifts that will leave a lasting impression for years to come. We can’t wait to work with you!
Well, I might be a bit bias, but I think they’re all winners — but if I had to choose… #2!!! 🧡😘 Thanks for the love friend!