Welcome Gifts: Create an Atmosphere of Anticipation

Scenic trails, cozy blankets, and crackling campfires are what we imagine when we’re dreaming of a weekend getaway. The door swings open, you step inside, exhale, and leave your worries behind. There’s a gorgeous view to enjoy as you embrace the cabin comforts and anticipate the weekend ahead. A beautiful gift box is there waiting for you. It’s an unexpected surprise, an invitation to explore new tastes and treasures. Each element inside the gift box hints at the excitement to come. Isn’t this the way all weekends should begin?

The way we welcome our guests sets the mood for an entire experience, whether it’s the start of a relaxing retreat or a thank-you to lifelong friends in your wedding party. Here are three ideas to inspire your gifts as you welcome friends, family, and guests.

The flair of local flavors - Highlight local artisans from the region with savory treats made by small businesses. It could be the scent of pine, cinnamon spice, or palo santo candles paired with snacks like caramels, chocolates, or pretzels made by a family business. A sample beverage from a nearby brewery, coffee beans, or a sip of spirits (bonus for a catchy name or creative label) is another way to spice up your gifts.

Bring back memories - Include at least one piece that lives beyond the sips and snacks as a joyful reminder of the experience. It could be engraved wood coasters, a festive pin, distinct ceramic cups, or a handwoven towel. Give your gifts in a handcrafted wood gift box to leave a lasting impression.

The karma of kind words - Take the time to include a personal note. Jot a few words on the back of a scenic postcard from the area and include a second one for them to share, leave your message on a beautiful hand-illustrated card, or add heartfelt thanks inside the day’s itinerary. You might be surprised at how many times these notes get pinned to a corkboard at home, used as bookmarks, posted in the office, or shown proudly on a refrigerator. Your words are appreciated, take the time to say something from the heart.

The magic happens when you infuse your personal style throughout the gift experience and create an atmosphere of anticipation for what’s to come.

If you’d like ideas on how to reuse these beautiful gift boxes you can get a copy of our free guide here. These deluxe wood boxes can be found on our Specialty Series page.

There's Nothing Like Watching Their Faces Light Up

We watched her smile, slowly turning the gift box around to admire it from every angle. When it turned to the front and she saw the engraving, she gasped with surprise and delight. There’s nothing like watching their faces light up when you give a memorable gift. We rarely get to see the reaction first-hand when a gift box is opened. It’s usually shipped to destinations far and wide or delivered for a reveal at a later time. We hear about the excitement in texts or phone calls (sometimes both!) from those who send the gifts. In this instance, we were fortunate to be there for the experience - and how fun! Do you get stuck deciding what to give that’s meaningful and unique? Do you wrestle with how to leave a lasting impression? If so, we’ve got some ideas and inspiration to help make your selection easy.

Personalization is what makes a gift unique; it’s the gorgeous wood grain, the artisan elements, and the craftsmanship that makes the gift recipient feel special. In the case of this gift box, the venue is perched high in the Catskill Mountains, surrounded by cabins and firepits and an incredible view. With that setting in mind, we selected long matches for their campfires and ceramic tumblers with an earthy glaze pattern that inspires thoughts of mountain peaks and walking paths. Tucked inside is a mini ceramic air plant pot with an artful design that reflects the distant mountains, and a candle fills the air with a woodsy aroma. Engraving is another way to personalize a gift. Imagine an inspirational quote, a favorite music lyric, or in this example, a logo etched in the wood for a finishing touch. This gift box is made from natural hardwoods (black walnut, and white maple) right down to the beveled handles. The entire design is with the customer in mind. While it may be easy to grab generic, off-the-shelf items, if the recipient doesn’t remember you (and never uses your gift), you’ve missed an opportunity. Or worse, you’ve made the wrong impression. A personalized gift sends the message that they’re important to you.

Is it a gift they’ll love each time they use it? That’s the goal of a memorable gift. Is it a handcrafted beauty, distinct in style? Is it reusable? Does it reflect the texture of natural materials? Consider these ideas, and light up someone’s day with your gifts. We encourage you to take a few moments to determine the impression you’d like to make. Then, we invite you to shop our Gift Box Collection, Specialty Series, and the Marketplace to make your memorable gift selection. It feels amazing to receive a gift like this, and it feels pretty darn good to give one too.