Gift a Celebration of Quiet and Calm

Self-care and celebrations aren’t just on the list of nice things to do; they’re part of our style, mood, productivity, and creative spirit. As the virtual office solidifies its place in workforce manuals, the art of intention is central to when and how we connect and celebrate important moments with our customers and employees.

The old days of birthday cakes in the office kitchen are a thing of the past. Milestone events, birthdays, and industry recognition offer the chance to be proactive and send thoughtful surprises that arrive with a sense of excitement, warmth, and caring.

Two elements to think about when selecting your gifts are feel and fragrance. We’re gravitating toward textiles that invite the touch; materials like soft cotton, velvet, mohair, or fleece to accent a gift. Glitzy, shiny materials have been replaced with a kinder, gentler feel in everything from the bags, blankets, and handwoven pieces that surround our daily routine. For example, top a plush towel with an artisan soap, place the soft fold of a woven napkin inside a porcelain cup or go for a creative wrap using a fleece bag to package a rich walnut cutting board.

Aromas are a work-of-art too. Blown glass smudge bowls and beautiful bundles of incense invite a fragrant reprieve. Scents of palo santo and cedarwood mixed with the sound of crackling wood wicks have elevated natural soy candles to a gift of luxurious relaxation.

Take a moment to pull out your calendar and note the occasions to recognize employees and customers. Find unique ways to send comfort to others and to bring it into your space. Not only is it a visual cue, but the day will feel better.

Inspire Comfort with Color

Colors reflecting calm and comfort invite us to eye our surroundings with renewed interest. It’s not surprising that we’re on a mission to thread relaxation throughout our lives. Now that our workspace blends into our home life, we look for ways to close the office door and move easily into our personal routine. The shift to rich deep colors offers us the chance to freshen up our space, inspire more comfort, even mellow our mood.

The world of design will tempt us with the arrival of deep jewel tones. Emerald green and dark blue are expected to replace the appeal of the white modern farmhouse look. If warm and cozy is the desired atmosphere, the new hues of dark gray may bring a welcome sense of calm. And for those who love a mix of textures, walnut is a favorite choice, known for its rich wood grain.

Even Pantone, who claims to have revolutionized color standards in the early sixties, couldn’t narrow their color selection to just one this year. For only the second time in twenty-two years, they selected two colors to represent 2021; “ultimate” gray (think granite) and “illuminating” yellow (think sunshine, not electric) share the top spot. “It’s a message of positivity and fortitude, practical and rock solid,” as they describe it. It seems even the color experts want to shine a light on the months ahead.

Sparkle Bags and Sausage Pie

By the time our caravan pulls up on Christmas Eve, our scene is one of festive celebration laced with a bit of panic. We're down to the dwindling hours when the time to wrap every candle, napkin pack, and tin of cashews is upon us; procrastination is no longer an option. Our crew is big on stockings. It’s a concept that has expanded to include anything we can stuff inside a stretchy hanging sock, plus reindeer sparkle bags and hand-sewn recycled heirlooms filled with treats and treasures. Lucky for us, it’s also the land of eggnog and a tradition of sausage pie. With a refresh of Grandma's lessons in gift-wrapping, this is our corner of the world.

What kind of scene will you make? Whether you're in the warm sunshine or heading for holiday hibernation, we hope you pause for a few days of your own comfort and joy. Time to get cozy, create more calm, catch up, hang around the table, or heat things up by the fire (You can always mention the family’s football rivalry, that should get the sparks flying.).

By the time we tie the last bow, we’ll be ready to open my brother-in-law’s famous homemade chocolate-covered Oreo tin (with mint sprinkles) and pour a glass of wine. As you enjoy your traditions from the seat of your favorite oversized chair or a conversation on a sofa that’s hosted a lifetime of them, raise your glass—cheers to precious time with our small, crazy group of family and loved ones.

When the Creatures Start Stirring

We took some creative liberties here and put a festive twist on seasonal songs, stories, and gift suggestions. With a twinkle of elfin magic and the strength of ten Grinches plus two, we dash away all your shopping worries and sprinkle gift ideas for you. We just snow you’re going to love it!

When the Creatures Start Stirring (Night Cap) I’ll Have a Blue Christmas (Patio Party) Frosty (Cabin Fever)

Deck the Halls with Details (Custom Cutting Boards) I’ll Be Home for Christmas (Doorstops) Dashing Through the Snow (Oh What Fun It Is To Ride)

I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas (Color Outside the Lines) Let It Flow, Let it Flow, Let it Flow (Midnight Rambler) Christmas Wine is Here (Let’s Unwind)

Package with Pizzazz

Wrapping, packing, labeling, and shipping, it’s all in a day’s work. How do we take what little time we have and make sure our carefully selected gifts stand out in the crowd? Gift packaging used to be so straightforward. It’s not like the old days when the big new thing was invisible tape. Now the wrapping options are as varied as the choice of the gift inside. Resist the urge to crinkle tissue and call it quits. Creativity invites connection.

We know it’s the season to make a list and check it twice, so we’ve picked three quick options to inspire your creative wrapping and get your gifts noticed. The packaging shouldn’t be just what you dig through to get to the juicy center (unless you’re under the age of five); it’s part of the gift itself.

Add care with flair - If you’re adding special instructions, a festive trinket, a personal note, or care instructions, feature it as part of the wrapping. For the fun trinket, loop a ribbon through it and attach it as part of the bow. If it’s a note, type (or write) a few short sentences on colored paper, hole punch it, and tie it with colorful twine or leather. If you make the gift be sure to add your logo to the note.

Tips for tape - Bold graphics, bright colors, solids, and prints, it’s all available in the color and design of a strip of tape. This is one of the easiest, least expensive, and quickest options to boost the packaging if time is pressing. Pick a season or a favorite hobby, from birds to cakes to patterns and travel. The sky is the limit in choices. Tape is fun to swipe across the back of envelopes too. We use colorful tape in our communication and special promotions. Customers enjoy getting personal mail with a surprise as they turn over the envelope and spot a hint of color. They’ll notice and remember that you did something different. Be thoughtful in your choices if you’re using it for business. While there are many fun designs, it needs to connect with your brand and messaging. (Note, not all colorful tapes have the same level of stickiness to the back, which is why we like mt Masking Tape.)

When you’ve had your fill - If you’re making an effort to be eco-friendly, like we are, look for fill and other packaging products made from recycled or plant-based products. Consider packaging tape from a company like Netzero, complete with designs in garden or marine life. Or try recycled packing paper that’s die-cut in a unique pattern for an interesting wrap, like Geomi WrapPack. If you need filler inside a box or bag, look for Kraft 100% recycled paper, which we use in all of our gift boxes.

Here’s to your festive giving occasion and brightening someone’s day with your creative attention to detail.

Ready for a Road Trip?

If the weeks ahead call for travel plans with family, get ready to pack your bags and bring the comforts of home into any guest room. It all starts with tucking your trusted go-to favorites into your bag. Like a modern-day Snoopy blanket, keep yourself cozy and calm while you’re on the road.

We’ve pulled together some of our personal favorites to help get you started:

Pack small flannel or cotton drawstring bags to keep things safe, and organized. Soft and flexible, these bags allow you to group similar items together so they’re easy to find and remove as needed. We use some for artisan pieces and others for a quick shoe change when we’re on-the-go.

Are you trying to balance a beverage while packing the luggage, digging for snacks, or petting the dog who’s along for the ride? If you’re like us, there’s bound to be a spill or two along the way. PIck a cheerful cotton hand towel, in a fun graphic or colorful print, for an easy clean and wash. (And for those of us who can hear a pin drop a mile away, these are also handy to fold between items and eliminate pesky rattles coming from the back of the car.)

Whether you’re on or off the trail, clip a bell onto your carry bag or backpack for a subtle jingle as you move about your journey. The sound of a jingle brings a smile and a reminder that jolly is good no matter what the season.

Stash away a few books and magazines (remember those?) for when the screens get tiresome and you want to turn real pages for inspiration. Matthew McConaughey’s book, Greenlights, described as “outlaw wisdom,” is out if you enjoy personal stories, or I Am Every Good Thing, for the young reader, encouraging us to look for the superheroes in our midst.

Warm up the evening with a sip of spirits to share. You’ll be the hit of the evening when you pull a stylish flask from your bag. We know travelers who like to make sure their preferred evening sipper is close at hand at the end of the day when the fireplace starts to roar.

Raise a glass to the host with a surprise just for them. Bring along a little something to say thanks. Wrap up a small cutting board engraved with their initials, tie a ribbon around coasters to set the mood for entertaining, insert a hand-woven tea towel into a ceramic mug to brighten their day, or give a hand-crafted tumbler and wood carved bottle opener. A thoughtful gift is always well received.

Be intentional about traveling with what makes you comfortable; favorite playlists, movies you’ve seen a hundred times and still love, things that are soft to the touch. And when it comes to bags, the feel of worn leather, chunky handles, zippered compartments, side pockets, it’s the small things that make the journey more fun. And filling the bags with your favorite treasures is the best part.

Tips and Treats for That Extra Touch

When your heart is big and the budget is small, use these tips and treats to create a special touch. With a splash of creative juice and a dash of detail, you can boost your gifts from mundane to memorable in a few seconds.

First, pick an artisan tumbler, cup, or mug, as the start of your unique gift. With today’s variety of glazes, textures, and designs, this hand-crafted work of art can be filled with anyone’s favorite beverage.

Next, choose one of these options to create your cup of cheer:

• Add a few fresh wrapped caramels or colorful peppermints to fill the inside of the cup. The candies add cheerful color, and they’re great for a quick grab as an afternoon pick-me-up.

• Go beyond a salty or sweet treat to complement the gift.

  • Fold a pair of cheerful hand-woven coasters into the cup.

  • Add some jingle with festive red and silver bells placed inside.

  • Insert a champagne towel into a porcelain glass for the anniversary celebration or big event. A hint of sparkle thread is an elegant way to add a touch of glamour. (Perfect with sparkling water too.)

• Pair a taste to melt or dip with a seasonal beverage, like a mug filled with apple cider mix and fresh cinnamon sticks, or a small batch of hot chocolate paired with a gourmet box of gold champagne marshmallows.

When you’re ready to wrap things up, pick a textured burlap, cotton, or linen bag with a twine or leather tie. Or hole-punch a note written in gel pen on card stock paper, run a colorful ribbon through it, and tie it to the handle or base.

While a gift may be modest in size, when packaged with heartfelt details, it carries meaning and the message that you cared enough to go the extra mile.

Blue is Right On Cue

At first blush, blue seems an unlikely color to freshen things up this time of year, but let’s take a page from weddings and borrow it for autumn. As we look for ways to work and play in a refreshing and relaxing space it turns out blue is enjoying the spotlight. It’s having a resurgence on the runways and is Pantone’s color of choice this year. With images of sparkling water, clear skies, and a calming appeal, it’s like a subtle nudge encouraging us to take a deep breath and pause to feel the fresh air. To that, we say, heck yes! How do we weave more of this peaceful goodness into our lives?

If you plan to host party guests or if you just want to add cheer to the dining room table, blue can add regal elegance or keep things casual, whichever your mood. With a palette spanning rich navy, denim, and dusty blue, it’s a color that’s both functional and unique. Consider different textures by using napkins, kitchen, or bar towels in soft cotton to add a cozy feel to the setting. Or look for different shades in glassware, tumblers, and serving bowls. In our artisan gifts, you’ll find sapphire blue in the glaze of our coffee cups, a block of blues in our hand-woven towels, and sky blue in porcelain cup designs. A vibrant blue bow on a thoughtful gift can also be a beautiful touch that has wide appeal.

As you return to family gatherings and welcome friends to relax over conversation and cocktails, try a new hue. When comfort and calm is the name of the game, blue is right on cue.

Finding Our Groove in Comfort and Camaraderie

Suddenly, there’s a run on outdoor heaters as we start to feel the crisp weather descend and the humidity lift. Mother Nature spurs us on with spectacular sunrises and the air of a new season. The months keep marching by, soon costumes and candy corn will begin to appear as we try to find a rhythm to the complicated year that is 2020.

It seems we’re all in the mode of finding community and keeping things simple when we can. Our nightlife involves lounging around the fire pit, conversing on the patio, and gathering in folding chairs at the end of our driveways. The height of fall entertaining may be bringing our warm blankets to the chairs outside, mixing an apple cider and bourbon, and serving happy hour piled high on the cutting board.

As you make plans to enjoy the comfort of friendships and the camaraderie of colleagues, we offer these moments of connection and sharing we’ve collected over the seasons, to help inspire you.

Gratitude for Their Grit and Gusto

In recent conversations with executives, the topic of finding and retaining talent continues to surface. The pace of change is so quick, and the cost of slowing down to hire is so high that team leaders are concerned about burnout and turnover. This concern has executives focused on meaningful ways to acknowledge and celebrate employee milestone events.

As significant employee accomplishments and anniversaries occur, here’s a sampling of ideas that can be as unique as the individuals involved:

Gifts don’t have to be big; small can still be thoughtful. People know when their gift has been a last-minute run to a big box store to grab what’s left on the shelf. These times call for gestures that are unique and authentic if they’re to send a message of caring. Hand-crafted coasters with natural wood grain and beveled-edging can be a perfect fit for those who appreciate the attention to detail. Another option is to mix textures and pair a forged metal slicing knife or cheese cutter with a custom wood cutting board. Add a hand-woven kitchen or bar towel with a cheerful print or stylish pattern.

Focus on the things they love. Consider the employee's favorite activities and include a nod to one of them as part of your gift. Is your team member a foodie? Do they love the outdoors, travel? Include a small, colorful book highlighting specialty foods or different beverage themes, find trail guides, travel, or postcards of the parks. Or choose specialty salts, baked or crispy flavors, tasty beverage mixes, spirits, or artisan tonic as nice additions. (If you can’t find a specific item that fits, you can reference what lights them up in your personal note.)

Encourage them to relax and unwind. With all those long hours, a gift to suggest rest and relaxation may be in order. Consider a small leather journal for reflection, notes, and ideas. Add a scented candle that transports them to their favorite place (woods, ocean, island). Offer the feel of ceramic mugs or glazed wine goblets they’ll love to hold as the sip.

For those late-night calls and early starts. We hear about the client and team calls taken in pj’s as employees work more hours to wrap up projects. A gift combination that features artisan espresso cups ready for the caffeine boost, or a night cap-worthy whiskey tumbler and forged metal mixing spoon can be a fun hat tip to their efforts.

Aside from the beauty and unique textures, artisan gifts become favorite, long-lasting pieces that don’t melt or wither away after a week. With an array of design styles to pick from, they’re conversation starters. Your employees will appreciate and talk about who gave them such a meaningful piece as they sit down at their desks, share with friends, and continue on their journey.

Visit our Marketplace and Hand-Crafted Gift Boxes for More Ideas