Exclamations Gifts - San Diego Gift Baskets

Monday 29 June 2015

Back to School Gift Ideas

Soon summer will be over and it will be time to send children back to school. Every parent is anxious how their little ones will feel when the holidays end. Is my child ready to get back to the routine? Or is he/she still in the holiday mood? Should I prepare them for school or just let them be? Parents are always in a dilemma before the start of a new school year. Here is a good way to try reminding your child that school starts soon. Get them gifts that will be useful at school! Place these in a basket and make it look special. Here are a few goodies that you could place in a gift basket.

Crayons & Paints: Whatever be the age of your child, colorful crayons will always bring a bright smile on their face. Children love to potter with colors. They have a vivid imagination, and always an explanation when they color the leaves blue, the sky yellow, and the cat green.

Pencils & Erasers: These are a must for children of all ages. Children not only love to scribble with pencils, but also use them to sketch pictures, draw funny faces, and chew the ends while deep in thought. There are a variety of pencils to choose from. Those made from lead are best suited for children in the pre-teens. Erasers come in different shapes, colors and sizes as well. Choose a few shapes that will intrigue your child, making them ask questions regarding the shapes, sizes, colors and what each of it depicts.

Personalized Backpacks: Your child is sure to find that everything's more fun when the backpacks they carry are friendly-looking. Such backpacks will also make your child stand out in the crowd. Make sure the backpack has adjustable straps that will make your child feel comfortable and happy.

Personalized Folders: Get the 9" x 12" ones which have two four inch deep pockets. Such folders will teach your child to be organized as they are just the right thing when it comes to keeping subjects separate. They are easy to navigate as much as they serve to encourage children to keep their papers safe and handy.

Personalized Stickers: Children will love custom stickers. You could get a pack of the 2" round stickers, which come in sets of 12. Usually these stickers have a semi-gloss label and their printed names will not only make your child happy, but also make them stand out in a crowd. Your child will never lose anything at school as these stickers will add a unique and personalized touch to whatever it is used on.

Personalized Clipboard: Another very useful gift for kids is the clipboard. Let your child start getting organized with a personalized clipboard. Clipboards are available in a variety of colors and sizes. Choose a color that is your child’s favorite and they are good to go. There will be a proud smile on your child’s face.

Monday 25 May 2015

Grandparents will love Gift Baskets

Grandparents are special to us. Most of us think that they belong to the yesteryears and don’t understand the world of today. While all this may be true to some extent, they are also people who give unconditional love to their families. Never will they forget a birthday, and never will they expect anything from you. Remember the time when they always had snacks or a candy or two to give you, and it always were the ones which were your favourites too.

All the love that they have showered upon you needs to be reciprocated. It takes just a few bucks and some time to put together something that will make them happy this season. Whether it is a birthday, homecoming, celebration, or just any occasion, gift baskets are sure to bring a smile on their faces.

A Gift Basket for Grandma

Remember the epic breakfasts that she used to whip up for you on vacations? Breakfasts that always made you feel what a wizard she was at cooking. Here is what you could put together in a basket and make sure she loves it.

Choose a nice basket – wicker or straw – both would be suitable. Place some fresh fruits, gourmet pancake mixes, and a pack of brown eggs and a jar of marmalade. You could also add some roasted nuts, dried fruits, and artisan chocolates. Finally a box of gourmet cookies completes your gift. Don’t forget to decorate it with a bright bow and some pink ribbons. This basket is easy to make, so easy that you need to just pick up these things and do the arranging even on the way to Granny’s. Then watch the awe and smile on her face! You will definitely make her day!

A Gift Basket for Grandpa

To make just the right kind of gift basket for your grandpa, you will need to go down memory lane. Try and recall the time you spent with your grandpa – weekends, vacations, visits – anything that you can remember. You will get a fair idea of his hobbies. Okay, if this is difficult, here is an idea that will never fail.

Most grandparents are very good dancers. They have the grace and the charm that is missing in most young people, and of course, the not so young ones too. Pick a couple of CDs with the music of the 70s and 80s, a stoneware mug, and a bottle of wine. Place these in a basket and complete the gift adding some shortbread butter cookies, European style coffee, and chocolate flavored wafers. You have your basket ready and your grandpa is going to love it!

Whether the basket is for grandma or grandpa, do not forget to include a personalized message in your basket.

Monday 20 April 2015

Gifts Baskets for Teenagers

Got a nephew celebrating his fifteenth, sixteenth, or seventeenth birthday and you need to get the right gift for him? Well, you have quite a challenge in front of you.

Choosing the right gift for a teenager is tricky business!

Teenagers can be very, very picky in their likes and dislikes. And you definitely would not want to disappoint your loved one. No doubt, you could make him happy with a simple stuffed animal a few years ago. But now, he is not a kid anymore and you too are a little more innovative than you were a year ago.

Here are some ideas that can help you pack a great deal with a touch of color and innovation.

Try getting him a gift basket stuffed with goodies that are among his favourite snack items. You could try any of these.

A Candy and Treats Gift Basket

Good to take care of his taste buds this year. Get a wicker basket and don’t forget to paste his favourite cartoon character or the image of his favourite rock star on the handle. Next, arrange some candies around the basket. If you know about his favorite ones, well and good! If not, go in for all time and all age candy favorites like Twizzlers or Snickers.

A Popcorn Special Basket

Did you ever know that popcorn could be so much fun? They are available in so many flavors and varieties that an all popcorn basket could get you a big wow from your nephew.

Here is what you can do. Arrange a box of fresh premium popcorn in a basket. You could choose one of the gourmet small-batch varieties which have premium corn kernels as well. These are also available in different flavors. Get one of each flavor and place them in the basket. Try flavors such as White Cheddar, Pesto Barbecue, Ranch, Caramel, Salt & Vinegar, Buffalo Wing, Chocolate Mint, Parmesan, and many others. This will add a bit of adventure to the whole exercise.

Making a special, signature basket for your loved one is not difficult. With a little thought, time and innovation, you could become his favorite aunt!

Discover a gift basket that's stuffed with the kind of goodies your nephew will love. Maybe he always had a soft spot for cookies, or devours anything made of chocolate. Send a fun gift basket for his birthday, or deliver a care package to a teenager at summer camp.

Wednesday 25 March 2015

Innovative Easter Gifts

Easter time is a time for celebration, joy and rejoicing. It is a time to pray, meet friends, spend time with family, and of course, share gifts. Easter Sunday is the first Sunday that comes after the first full moon in the vernal equinox. This is usually in late March or early April. The festival is celebrated both religiously as well as secularly.

Religious celebrations include the Easter mass. Every church in the country offers Easter services. The secular celebrations consist of a number of activities that may include the Easter Egg Hunt, Easter lunch with friends, and dyeing hats. Among all these activities, the exchange of gifts is a sure thing.

If you would like to do something different this Easter, consider making a gift basket for your loved ones. Here are some great ideas of the different types of gift baskets you could make.

Easter Bunny Delights Gift Basket: This could be a real treat for your special people. You could place a toy bunny as the centre piece of your wicker basket. Around this bunny, you could place a few Easter bunnies that are made of chocolate. Place a few brightly painted eggs in between to add a splash of colour. A few classic ballotin pieces and a raspberry bar will complete the picture.

Easter Cheer Gift Basket: This basket is sure to bring cheerful and delighted smiles on the faces of your loved ones. Get a paper basket and wrap it up with colored paper. Throw in some Easter bunnies made of solid chocolate, add a few wrapped spring truffles, and sprinkle a few dark chocolate bars. If you wish, you could also add a few brightly colored eggs to make a complete, balanced basket. Attach a sweet bunny and colorful flowers to the handle and tie a bright ribbon on it. Here is an absolute treat for those special people in your life.

Enchanted Easter Gift Basket: This basket would make an ideal gift for the family. Pick a cheerful yellow wicker basket and tie a bright blue ribbon on its handle. You could fill it with Easter goodies like spring ballotin, foil-wrapped eggs, spring assorted wrapped truffles. Do not forget to add a few Easter bunnies made from delicious milk chocolate. You could also add a few spring nuts to give the basket a wholesome look.

Sweet Surprise Gift Basket: This is a luscious way to celebrate not only Easter, but other occasions such as Graduations, Mother’s Day, or any other special occasion. Take a brightly covered gift basket or a wicker one with brightly colored foil paper. Fill it with assorted nuts and caramel. A few bars of milk chocolate, a few gold ballotin pieces, and some truffles will make a good balance. Don’t forget to place a bunny to make it an Easter celebration.

These gift basket ideas would be great not only for Easter, but any special occasion!

Wednesday 25 February 2015

Gift Basket Ideas for Valentine’s Day

When there is love and romance in the air, the world looks rosy. It is also a time to give gifts and make your loved ones feel special. No matter what the age, gifts are always welcome. It is human nature to get attracted towards gifts. Whether they are from a loved one, or purchased from a store, gifts always make people feel good.

During this Valentine month, the day celebrated as the birthday of St. Valentine is one such occasion when a gift is a must. So what is it that your Valentine would love to have?

This is a dilemma that most people have. While there are a hundred (or more) things that could make suitable gifts, try a gift basket this year. Gift baskets are unique presents that will always bring a smile on the face of the receiver. You could pack a wonderful treat in a basket and present it to your loved one.

We bring you some real good homemade gift basket ideas for your lady love. There is a variety you could choose from. However, one of the most common gift basket inspirations for women is the homemade Spa Basket. Here are some presents you could put in your gift basket this Valentine’s Day.

Get a regular basket. You could also purchase a plastic one that can be used as storage in the bathroom. Plastic baskets also make useful storage spaces for keeping the supplies together.
Gets some things for the bath. Pick up some perfumed body wash or a honey/sugar scrub. Including a homemade soap in the basket is a good idea too. These are gifts that will make her think of you every time she uses any of them.
Include some candles. Some nice perfumed and colourful candles will carry your message of love. It could even encourage a candle-light date. What more could you ask for?
You could try and get an “Art of Appreciation” gift basket too. This is a cotton-lined basket packed with a luxurious spa collection, vanilla scented spa products, handmade caramels, and sweet butter cookies. These are sure to be a great hit with your significant other.
Don’t forget to include a card with words of love written in your own handwriting.
Finally, add some chocolates, balloons and her favorite type of flowers.

These ideas will not only make your gift basket unique, but will also make your lady feel loved and special. And that is what Valentine’s Day is all about! Is it not?

Tuesday 27 January 2015

Unique Birthday Gift Ideas for Teenagers

Birthdays bring joy. No matter how old or young you are, birthdays will always bring a smile on your lips. They have a special place in your calendar of events. And when your loved ones remember your birthday, there is so much joy in your heart.

Birthdays bring gifts as well. And when that gift is something that you have always wanted, there is no end to your joy.

However, birthdays can be a challenge too, especially when you have teens. Choosing the right gift for your teenage loved one is one thing that creates a dilemma in everybody’s mind. Gifts could be individual ones, or you could team up a few together and present a gift basket with an assortment of things. Here are some tips on what kind of gifts you could choose for your teenage loved ones.

Gifts for teenagers

Ipods: These are a great hit among teenagers. No doubt, most teenagers own an iPod, but they are always happy to have an additional one.
Ticket Stub Organizer: Teenagers are energetic and love sports. They will do anything to be able to see their favourite baseball/football game. They will work weekends, do chores and save for ages just to get that ticket to their favourite game or show. A ticket stub organizer will help them cherish those memories.
Jewellery Organizer: If your loved one likes jewellery, as most teenage girls do, then this is just the perfect gift. This organizer not only helps to keep things in place, not to mention the easy access, but also gives them the pride of displaying their stuff when friends come over.
Snowboard/Skateboard: These are all time favorites of teenagers. Whether it is inside the house or simply on the street, teenagers love to sail across on skates. At that age, there is a marvellous natural tendency to adapt to the balance that is required for the skateboard.
Soda Stream Starter Kit: All teenagers love soda. Any flavour would do for most teenagers, but some have their own choices. Having a sodastreamer gives them the kick of making their own flavours, with their individual sweet and sour preferences.
Art Books: Teenagers are a creative bunch. They love to potter with new things as they are just out of their childhood. The days of Picasso, Van Gogh, Matisse, and Da Vinci are no more, but their art is available. These books can kindle that creative spirit in teenagers, while they learn by engaging in art activities - activities based on the art of these masters.
Five-year Memory Book: Teenagers are energetic and never seem to get enough out of life. They love to try out new things and revel in special moments. A memory book is just the thing for them to scribble a line every day, reveling in those moments that they experience each day.
Karaoke Set: Last, but not the least, there is this karaoke microphone with recorded music CDs. Every teenager has an idol and most of them are rock stars. What better way is there than they being able to sing their favorite songs of their music idol? This gift will definitely make you a favorite in the eyes of your teenage loved one.

Each of these unique ideas mentioned here can be put together with any other gift and presented as a gift basket. All that is required to make a stunning gift basket is a little innovation and gifts that will be appreciated. Such gift baskets will definitely have your teenage loved one exclaiming!!

Wednesday 24 December 2014

Go for Gift Baskets this Christmas

Christmas is round the corner and people are seen shopping everywhere. There are attractive deals and special offers in stores. People all over, men, women, couples, teenagers all have one thing in common – they are busy shopping for Christmas.

This is the season women love to decorate their homes with new furnishing and decor items. Men ponder of different types of liqueurs and the special guest lists for that special Christmas party. Children are all excited about Santa’s gifts and teenagers and couples are always in a state of anxiety as there is never enough money to buy all they wish for their sweethearts.

You receive an invitation to a Christmas party and immediately start thinking about an ideal gift that would delight your friend(s) and be useful for them too.

What is better than gifting your friend or loved one with goodies the person likes? Instead of buying a present this Christmas, consider a gift basket with small gifts and things that you know they would like.

A gift basket could contain any or all of the following:

Cookies: You could get a large basket and fill it with cookies and crunches that are just about everybody’s favorite. Think about the recipient. If your friends are crazy about cheese and crackers, you could get a variety of them; arrange them in a basket with attractive decorations.

Sweets: For friends with a sweet tooth, you could think of loading the basket with chocolate-coated nougats, caramel bags, milk chocolate bars, chocolate biscuits, and caramel toffees. Puddings and pastries also go well with this type of a gift basket.

Winter Treats: Your basket can be loaded with wintry treats. These include hot cocoa, soup mixes, handcrafted caramel popcorn and ginger tea. These are most ideal for friends who are in their forties and fifties.

Candles and Accessories: A gift basket full of candles of different shapes and sizes would delight your mom or grand mom a great deal. You could choose from the long ones to the round ones, from the ovals to the squares, the scented and the non-scented varieties.

Wines: A basket with an array of premium wines created with the individual’s tastes in mind is perhaps the most popular of all gifts during Christmas. Celebrations are incomplete without toasts and what better than wine for the toasts. The fruity flavors are very popular and a big hit among most people.

You could also go for a combination of goodies that could be a mixture of each of these. Cheese, crackers and wine go well together, soups and custards can make a good combination, chocolates and wafers also go well together. The list is endless!

The secret of a good gift basket is in being a little innovative. Try something new and you will be remembered for a long time to come.