1. Plan early and delegate. Are you having a Christmas dinner at your house? No need for you to do everything split the menu and get everyone to pitch in with food.
2. Don't buy into the stress and busy-ness of the Christmas season. Christmas is a time for family and relaxation. Do Christmas your way - and put your needs at the top of the list!
3. Consider using a food delivery service for Christmas! My Food Bag has a meal just for Christmas.
4. Re-jig your Christmas gifting! Instead of having to buy for everyone, get your family together and put your names in the hat, allocate a budget everyone agrees to and buy for one! Less stress, less money and so much easier to get the ideal gift.
5. Let us at Boxsmith help! We have a selection of gift boxes to choose from or you can build your own Christmas gift box. Just let us know your message and when you would like it delivered. We will take care of the rest!
6. Enjoy!
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Hey, Dad! You're Awesome! -$85 -
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Watch this space as we add more to the collection and as always contact us hello@boxsmith.co.nz if you would like us to make your own unique gift box big or small!
Boxsmith makes beautiful gifting easy!
]]>Some of our favourite gifts to pamper Mum!
We LOVE the organic sugar scrub from Sugar Cube Co! The pack can be taken into the shower and it leaves our skin so soft and refreshed. With the most divine smell and so gentle on our skin, it is our go-to scrub!
The Spacemask can only be described as an out of this world experience. Direct from the UK, Boxsmith is the only NZ stockist of these eye masks. They have received much acclaim and have featured in top magazines such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Cosmopolitan. These eye masks are self-heating with the sweetest hint of jasmine and are the perfect treat for Mum's eyes!
Miller Rd make the most beautiful soy candles with a burn time of 55 hours! We love the messages on their candles but this one is especially perfect for Mother's Day with 'Love you Mum' in beautiful script on the candle. Combined with a stunning vanilla scent, this candle will be a hit with Mum!
Choose from our pre-curated Mother's Day gifts for Mum or alternatively create your own gift for Mum using our build your own box service.
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How much should I spend on corporate gifts?
When giving clients corporate gifts the aim is to show gratitude for the relationship you have rather than the amount of money they spend with your business. Spending too much on a gift can raise concerns that you are trying to buy your customers business so be aware and spend appropriately.
Do I put our company logo on the items?
Gift giving is about thanking people whom you have a business relationship with - it is not about promoting your business. We all have received a gift with a logo on it only to store it in a cupboard and never use it. In those situations, the opportunity to wow and leave a positive lasting impression on a person has been lost. Gifts should be items that people love to use and have on display. You can add your logo tastefully to the gift tag or personalise the gift box using your company colours. Handwriting a note shows a thoughtful, considered and personal approach to gifting.
When do I give corporate gifts?
Corporate gifts should be part of your wider marketing plan. Christmas is traditionally the time where corporate gifts are given however to make an incredibly memorable gift consider other occasions or events that your customers experience. These acknowledgements when least expected show consideration, care and thought. Consider having your corporate gifts hand-delivered by the person who has the relationship with them. This is another way to show how much you value your customer.
What do we give as a gift?
Consider noting clients preferences to ensure that gift giving is appropriate for example there is little to be gained from giving a customer alcohol if they do not drink. By noting their preferences gift giving can be personalised and meaningful. If you are using a Customer Relationship Management Program you can use this to capture the information.
Otherwise design a gift that reflects your brand, values and occasion. For example, a settlement gift from a real estate agent would have items that would be used in the clients new home and put on display such as a beautiful candle or diffuser, luxury hand soap and even personalised thank you cookies.
Corporate gifting is a powerful part of a businesses toolkit. Talk to us today to see how we can help add value to your business - whether it is a gift for 10 or 200 we will sort it for you, personalise it and ensure it is something your business will feel proud to give.
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So in keeping with this idea of enjoying gifting at Easter we have designed an Easter Gift Box that is ideal for sharing. Filled with Easter chocolate bars, chocolate spoons for a luxurious hot chocolate treat, melt in your mouth fudge and the cutest Easter biscuits - this Easter gift box offers a great selection to ensure that any chocolate craving is adequately provided for!
As always you can create you your own Easter gift box with our build your own box service. We appreciate that not everyone shares our sweet tooth. Search our collection of online gifts and let us know what you like - we will put something together and email you a photo. It's a popular option to really personalise your own unique gift.
We will be doing a bit of baking over Easter - could not resist this simple Easter fridge slice, it reminds me of my favourite slice growing up. Let me know what you think if you make it!
Easter Fridge Slice
Grease and line the base and sides of a 16cm x 26cm slice pan, allowing the sides to overhang.
Combine the condensed milk, butter, chocolate and cocoa powder in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir for 2-3 mins or until chocolate and butter melt and mixture is smooth. Set aside for 5 mins to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, reserve 12 Tiny Teddy biscuits and 5 chocolate chip biscuits. Chop remaining combined biscuits and place in a bowl with the marshmallow. (Hint to cut marshmallows easily use scissors and dip in a bowl of warm water prior to cutting each marshmallow or very lightly coat the scissors in oil)
Pour the chocolate mixture over the biscuit mixture and gently stir with a metal spoon until just combined. Spoon into the prepared pan and smooth the surface. Sprinkle with the reserved biscuits, Easter eggs and 100’s & 1000’s. Cover with plastic wrap. Place in fridge for 2 hours or until firm. Cut into pieces.
(Recipe courtesy of taste.com.au)
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And it seems fitting that the actual origins of Valentine's day are in fact quite mysterious. Valentine was actually a Saint (there are three St Valentines). According to legend, Valentine was a priest who on hearing the decree that marriage was outlawed for young men, as single men were better suited to be soldiers than those married and with children, defied the law and carried out marriages in secret. Until he was found out and ordered to be put to death.
Other stories say that Valentine was imprisoned and on falling for the jailer's daughter sent her a letter signing it "From your Valentine". Whilst the true origins of Valentines Day is unknown, by the middle ages, St Valentine was one of the most popular Saints in France and England.
Valentines Day began to be celebrated in the 17th Century and by the 18th Century, it was common for friends and lovers to write small handwritten notes of affection or small gifts. It was in the 19th Century that printed cards became popular and quickly replaced handwritten notes. It is estimated that today 1 billion Valentines Day cards are sold each year, second only to Christmas.
To help you out with any Valentines Day Gifts, we have a great selection of online NZ gifts for her and for him or alternatively, you can create a unique gift with our build your own gift box service and combine it with a handwritten note or card. We provide easy delivery NZ wide of our online gifts.
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Brand loyalty needs to be an essential part of your business's values. Customer loyalty is invaluable - what is the value of their first and subsequent purchases? What is the cost to you of losing them? Who are your top ten customers? What do you do to show their importance to your business? Create a plan that recognises their value and shows them that you appreciate them.
Corporate gifting is an important part of a business's marketing toolkit. Previous blog posts have discussed how to add value to your business with corporate gifts and choosing a settlement gift that clients will love and remember. Whilst the latter was written for Real Estate agents and settlement gifts, the content rings true for all corporate gifting - it needs to be done well to add value as done poorly it has the risk to detract from your brand. That is why Boxsmith works hard to ensure your corporate gifting reflects your brand, your values, your customers and adds value to your business.
When Boxsmith works with businesses to create corporate gift solutions we discuss with you the following:
Once we have this information Boxsmith creates concepts for you to review - our aim is to make this as easy as possible for you - we will source all products and leave you with a gift that wows and creates a lasting brand impression. Our goal is to make beautiful gifting easy.
Boxsmith personalises corporate gift boxes and hampers in a variety of ways such as having your logo printed on the box, stickers or swing tags and branded or plain ribbons. We also can create customised thank you/gift cards. We can deliver your corporate gifts directly to your customers or to your business. Boxsmith makes corporate gifting not only a great experience for your customer but also for you. Talk to us today and see how we can help you create lasting brand loyalty.
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But to fulfil that goal we have had to reflect on what is and what isn't working - and one area has become apparent. From the beginning, it was our intention to stock only New Zealand made items with the back up being if it was not able to be made by a New Zealander we would find a New Zealand stockist. On reflection that approach has been both wonderful but limiting. So we have rethought how we are going to do this whilst maintaining New Zealand made as our first love. We are now going to have an order of purchase priority:
1. NZ made
2. NZ stockist
3. Overseas product & stockist
Our first goal is to see if we can find a NZ maker and if not we will go down the order of priority. We know an area we have not been able to stock well is gifts for men and it is largely due to being unable to find the product in NZ that we know would be amazing. So we are heading into 2018 with great plans and great excitement knowing that what we have up our sleeve is going to transform our gift boxes into the most incredible gifts for her, for him, for everyone!
So watch this space - and thanks to the awesome Boxsmith customers who have sent us suggestions for awesome gift box & gift hamper products. Some exciting stock is going to hit our store soon :)
Keep those suggestions coming hello@boxsmith.co.nz
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Tradition tells us to send flowers at these times but do we ask ourselves if this is appropriate? Don't get me wrong - I am a BIG lover of flowers. But I love them for happy times, decorating and celebrating. Whenever I have had them as a condolence or a thinking of you I find they are delegated to a corner (in fact once I threw them out because I did not want flowers in my house when one of my family was facing a life-threatening diagnosis - bad I know but hardly the time of emotionally great decisions). Often people receive multiple flowers at once and it is often at a time that the recipient is not interested or able to look after them in the coming days or able to face a house full of flowers when they are possibly in a quiet reflective time.
Practical help is completely underrated - do they need groceries, the dog walked, people picked up from the airport, the lawn mowed? Don't ask - just do it! Taking care of the mundane everyday jobs is a huge weight lifted off their shoulders. But be careful that these offers don't all just occur in the immediate time frame - spreading them out will ensure that they know people are caring about them into the future.
Appropriate gifts can be a thoughtful way of letting someone know that you are thinking of them as well as an opportunity to encourage the person to take time out for themselves. If there has been a bereavement, use the person's name in greeting cards - this acknowledgement is so important yet so often overlooked.
Talk about the person who has passed or who is unwell - keeping them in conversation is important, don't try and avoid it. People often say they feel quite confused when people don't mention the situation or ask how they are doing. They are aware there is an 'elephant in the room' but by not acknowledging it friendships can be damaged at a time when they are more important than ever. You may not say what you want perfectly but your presence is so important. It is better to say 'I don't know what to say but I care about you' than nothing at all.
Worried what to say? There are definitely some things that should not be said, even with the best intentions:
Click here to read ideas on what to say - this has been written in relation to a cancer diagnosis but the advice rings true for all situations.
Boxsmith is currently developing a range of gifts for situations where people have received bad news. The Wellness category contains gift boxes that are suitable alternatively you can build your own box. We'd love to hear what you would love to see in these gift boxes - email us at hello@boxsmith.co.nz
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I was, at 44 years old, one of the older ones present (when did that happen?). But what struck me was how amazing the young women were who were in attendance. I could not help but look around the room and realise that this bunch of entrepreneurs, innovators and dreamers are our future and damn that filled me with such happiness and confidence. We are in good hands.
In the days that followed the event, I kept coming back to one thing - authenticity. It was a value that all of the speakers talked about, it drove their businesses and underpinned their direction - their arrow. Up until that night, I had not put into words that value for my own business but that is what drove me and has kept me following the direction I knew I needed to go in. It is definitely not the easy option but it is the only option!
The value of authenticity made me reflect on a conversation I had earlier the same day - I had been asked if I was interested in being part of a group who do fake reviews on each other's sites to push up visibility and ratings. It took me all of a nanosecond to say no. Things may take me longer (and that is okay by me) but if I cannot put hand on heart and know I did things right then I am not interested. It’s simple. Being authentic and truthful is important. It is up there with that other value - kindness.
Authenticity even guides what I have written so far - I have broken every search engine optimisation rule by not including any keywords especially in the first paragraph! But SEO and being genuine do not always mix - and to do otherwise would be treating you, the reader, with contempt. People know what authenticity looks like - they search for it when they choose who they follow on social media. They want a real experience. Not the made up ‘perfect’ imagery because that is unrelatable and unobtainable. Those images are the very opposite of authenticity. Thanks to social media the world we live in now has greater transparency than ever before.
What does authenticity look like in business? Sustainable Business Network (SBN) held a conference last year including 'expert insight for success in an age that demands honesty and transparency in business’. They discussed their learnings including how now more than ever both customers and employees want to know the good being done by businesses. Social and environmental responsibility matters. SBN outlined how to communicate in the age of authenticity; identifying your purpose is paramount - essentially figuring out why your business matters; tell inspiring stories - share your values that guide your business from the inside out and share them; don’t be full of BS - walk the talk and do it with integrity; every step matters - small steps count; measure your progress - collect meaningful data and look for ways to keep improving; prove it - for example a life cycle analysis to look at how your business impacts across the supply chain and finally, make a fuss - stand up for your values! You can read the full article here.
How do we show that we put this all into practice? Boxsmith is a very young business but we have some fundamental guiding principles that we adhere to. It doesn’t make life always easy - in fact sometimes the opposite but I believe it makes us great. I am proud of what and how we do what we do! We only work with NZ businesses that are ethical - if the products are not kind to humans (from sourcing to using), animals or the environment we won’t stock it. We have a strong social conscious and we are glad we do. We do not want to do business if it is going to put someone or something at harm. Further to that we also believe in giving back. It was easy to decide on Make A Wish NZ as the organisation to donate a percentage of our sales to so 5% of each gift box (up to a maximum of $5 per box) is donated to them.
And to finish where we started - Boxsmith are following their arrow! We know where it is pointed and that is firmly with our family. They give us the direction and the drive to succeed. And we also know that if we succeed then the New Zealand businesses we work with also succeed and most importantly we can contribute to helping Kiwi kids, with life-threatening illnesses, dreams become a reality. Pretty special.
If you want to know why we support Make A Wish click here to read our story.
Flowers and a bottle of wine were once standard housewarming gifts but settlement gifts have now moved to a new level of sophistication with the gift lasting well beyond the housewarming period. It is this type of gift that reminds the client of you when they are using it - making sure that you stay at the forefront of their minds.
It is important that the settlement gift is about your client. Promotional material on gifts run the risk of being seen as tacky - let the gift speak for itself. Including your business card with the gift is fine as well as including a sticker on the back of an item. But the gift should be something that a person feels proud to have on display or use in their new home.
Settlement gifts act as a way to say a thank you to them for having chosen you as their agent, an appreciation of working with them and a celebration of a successful sale and/or purchase. The right gift leaves them with a positive reminder of their experience of your working relationship and optimally will aid in referrals.
It is worth considering when to give the settlement gift. People are excited on closing a sale, therefore, a gift at this stage may not have optimal impact. Moving day is also a time where people are busy and stressed. Ideally, give the gift in person a week or two after the closing day or after they have settled into their new home. This is an ideal opportunity to catch up, reconnect and show them that you valued them with a gift. It is also a great opportunity to discuss referrals and future real estate needs.
It is worth remembering that if you are giving clients gifts the gift needs to reflect who they are. There is no point in giving a bottle of wine to someone who does not drink or a clock with your logo on it that they would not want to display. The wrong gift will not add value to you or your brand. Read our article here on how to add value to your business through corporate gifts, the value of a good gift and their ability to increase loyalty, referral, and growth.
Boxsmith's strength is working with you to ensure that your settlement gifts add value to your business. We work with New Zealand businesses to produce premium gift boxes that are memorable, valued and modern. We will work with your business to create a unique gift solution that is meaningful and represents your style and image. From incorporating your logo and branding, designing a corporate gift around a specific theme, sourcing specific products - we’ll make it happen (and handle it all).
Contact us here or email us hello@boxsmith.co.nz today to see how we can partner together to make beautiful, memorable housewarming gifts and settlement gifts.
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Corporate gift giving is not a stand alone activity and should be seen as part of a business's marketing strategy used alongside their other promotional activities. When used well, corporate gifting results in stronger relationships with customers, enhances goodwill as well as promoting the business.
Fan (2006) states that a corporate gift with a logo remains longer in a person's memory then the spoken word and may tip the balance in a purchasing decision. The business logo plays an important role in keeping the business in a person's mind. This is not to say that the logo should be on all the contents - rather personalised solutions should be sought incorporating the business's logo and colours and where appropriate on contents. As a guide logos on corporate gifts should be reserved for those that are utilitarian otherwise you run the risk of the gift not being a gift at all.
It is vital that the gift is appropriate both in terms of enhancing the corporate image and how it adds value to both the business and customer relationship. A badly thought out corporate gift may do more damage than good if a gift is deemed inappropriate to the recipient, situation or relationship e.g. excessive or too low in value, or a personal item such as lingerie. So the challenge is to gift appropriately whilst also maintaining a personal touch. It is important to review corporate gift ideas to ensure that they add value to your business.
Corporate gift boxes, baskets and hampers keep a business in the recipient's mind as they enjoy the contents, enabling a warmth to be associated with the business, resulting in an increased positive experience and feeling acknowledged as a valued customer. This can further be enhanced by the person dealing with the customer personally giving the gift to the customer - strengthening the impact of the gift and leaving a lasting impression.
Giving the right corporate gift can result in increased loyalty, referral and growth - a valuable tool in meeting a businesses marketing objectives.
Boxsmith proudly provides a personalised corporate gift service working with you to add value to your business. We will work with your company to create a corporate gift solution that is meaningful and represents your style, whether it is a product release, thank you, welcoming new staff or celebrating milestones. From incorporating your logo and branding, designing a gift around a specific theme, or even sourcing specific products, we’ll make it happen (and handle it all).
To talk further to see how Boxsmith can assist your business with corporate gift ideas click here or contact us on hello@boxsmith.co.nz
References:
Fan, Y (2006) 'Promoting Business with Corporate Gifts - Major Issues and Empirical Evidence' in Corporate Communication: An International Journal, 11:1
]]>NZ Entrepreneur recently wrote an article on why our small businesses are a big deal. A staggering 97% of NZ businesses are small businesses (20 employees or less). When you consider employment and our economy it is amazing to think we are so reliant on small businesses. The article outlines how New Zealand small businesses support healthy towns and communities; keep profits in NZ, helps spread the wealth and lastly how we are innovators and breeders for big business.
Earlier on I alluded to the fact that it is not an easy choice. There is such a wealth of products available made cheaply in China. I could stock them - it would be easy, the range is vast and at times it would be considerably cheaper. But my heart is not there. I love New Zealand and what we have to offer. It is not easy to be a small business here and compete against overseas imports. But I truly believe our products are superior in terms of quality and ingredients. And everytime I place an item in a gift box or corporate gift I know we are both supporting and showcasing everyday New Zealand businesses. And I love that!
Our range of online NZ gift boxes provide a beautiful alternative to gift hampers and baskets. Alternatively you can personalise your gift using our build your own box service. Boxsmith also specialise in corporate gifts - adding value to your business.
]]>Boxsmith proudly works with passionate and ethical NZ businesses, and this is reflected in the array of environmentally friendly, organic, vegan and fair trade products amongst our gift box range. We have carefully hand-picked the items for our gift boxes so that you can rest assured your gift is a premium NZ product, picked and packed with love.
Whatever your online gifting needs, Boxsmith offers a personalised solution whether it is corporate, build your own boxes or personal gifting - contact us or email us at hello@boxsmith.co.nz
Here's to good things and great gift giving.
Kiri x
Chewie the Griff helping on a photo shoot
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