You'd think I would have done this before, but only this year have I started assembling tea-themed gift baskets. I'd seen other authors give away gift packages to promote their books, so when I published my "Teatime Tales" earlier this year, I decided that donating some tea baskets with a signed copy of my book to local charities I'm involved with might be a good idea. This is my third and latest gift basket this year (all destined for silent auctions), and it's one of my favorites yet. In addition to my book, this Tommy Bahama basket contains a tea towel, peach and other teas, a green tea candle, a white teapot, and two teacups.
This gift basket is for a fundraiser for our local community foundation, whose logo features a peach, so I thought this "Thanks, You're a Peach" tea would be a perfect item for some supporter to win. (At least I hope they do, as this event hasn't been held yet!)
The basket also includes two 222 Fifth teacups. These are more contemporary teawares than my style, but this is aimed at a younger, hipper crowd, so I hope I guessed correctly about their tastes.
Earlier this year, I donated this gift basket to another local nonprofit, and again it included a signed book, tea towels, a teapot, and two teacups.
Now these were two teacups I absolutely adored, and if I'd seen one more, I would have gotten it for myself, but alas, that T.J. Maxx had only the two! But isn't this design lovely? I especially liked the scalloped shape of the teacups.
Whether or not donating such items ever works as a "marketing tool" for book sales, I must say I have enjoyed finding and packaging these baskets while supporting local nonprofits. (And I failed to get a picture of the last basket, but it was different too. I don't think any two will ever be just alike.) So I've learned that a plain teapot, two teacups, and some teas is a great basis for a tea-themed gift basket. I'm thinking an "adult coloring" basket with a tea theme might be fun later on. Do you have any ideas for tea-themed gift baskets?
Love these! Did you per chance find the contents at TJ Maxx? I have only made two gift baskets (as gifts, not for auctions) in my life, but both times I went to TJ Maxx and felt like a little kid in a candy shop. And both baskets included a tea cup!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! I'm in there so much, it's easy to look for all the good buys!
DeleteThese are so pretty! How about a basket containing tea infused bath products?
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Tina! Thanks!
DeleteThose are darling! I'm sure the winners are/will be thrilled. There are so many cute tea-themed things to put in such a basket - little tins, infusers in cute shapes, etc. A group of which I'm a member raffled off a huge tea-themed basket several years ago, and my younger daughter was the lucky winner, which meant I got to share in the "loot". I'm still using some of it!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, nice idea. I received a tea theme basket that had some yummy tea biscuits and a teapot shaped teabag holder.
ReplyDeleteYour tea theme basket ideas are beautiful! Thanks for sharing another great idea.
ReplyDeleteYour baskets are great! As far as a suggestion of something to add to a future one, any kind of nice packaged cookies (Scottish shortbread, for example) would be good. That way the recipient would have her own little "tea party in a basket."
ReplyDelete--from DCCardsFan
Very nice idea to make the gift baskets with a copy of your book and I know the recipients will love them.
ReplyDeleteGreat job! What about a tea and chocolate basket?
ReplyDeleteThose baskets are lovely, Angela, I know they would be appreciated! Love the fact that they are part of a fundraiser, Joanie
ReplyDeleteNow that's a silent auction gift basket I would be thrilled to bid on, and even more thrilled to win! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteNice! I would totally bid on your tea-themed baskets!
ReplyDeleteYour baskets are really nice. My sister is very good at putting together nice looking gift baskets, but mine usually look like I just stuck some stuff in a basket. I book marked a post from Thirsty for Tea to use as inspiration next time I want to make a up a gift box: http://www.thirstyfortea.com/2015/12/15/tea-party-in-a-box/ as she has some nice ideas. I think some of that Republic of Tea is something I need to get for a thank you gift. And I wanted to thank you for blogging about the Kathryn Greeley caramel cake. I finally tried and took it to gather of my aunts and uncles and it was very well received. So thanks from me and them. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was selling Marmalady's jams I made tea baskets for charity. I loved doing it.
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