A really great work from home business opportunity is creating and selling gift baskets.   This is a lucrative business with plenty of opportunities, including never ending occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, Mothers Day, Valentines Day, housewarming, get well, sympathy, seasonal, Christmas, Hanukkah and more.  

The demand for gift baskets is increasing rapidly, because they are a great choice for the person who has everything. The main requirements to start a gift basket business are creativity and a good imagination. Some business skills are needed including keeping business records, marketing and cash flow management.

You can start by offering just one type of gift basket, and gradually expand into other types of gift baskets as you reinvest proceeds. Here are some examples of gift baskets you can offer:

·         New baby. A creative assortment of baby items such as rattles, pacifiers, bath blankets, etc. is a welcome gift for both new parents and the person who has to purchase a shower gift. Put together a special basket for parents of twins or triplets.

·         Food baskets. Put together a creative assortment of cheeses, teas, chocolate or other food items. How about herbs and spices?

·         Bath and body baskets. Create a soothing assortment of shampoo, soap and bubble bath. Include scented candles for the perfect touch. Use a theme of matching color or scent.

·         Customized basket. Offer your clients the option of having a basket customized to their specification. You’ll be surprised at the creative ideas people will come up with.

Even if you offer just one type of gift basket at first, have a least a few variations available. Showcase six or more baskets in an assortment of sizes and prices.

Purchase inventory for filling your baskets as well as the baskets themselves wholesale whenever possible. Buy frequently used items in bulk.

The best way to market a gift basket business is through word of mouth. Consider running an ad in the newspaper or yellow pages. You may want to offer early baskets at a discounted price to start the ball rolling with word of mouth. Is there a local gift shop owner who might be willing to display a couple of gift baskets or a brochure describing your service? You may want to consider a simple website showcasing your baskets.

Also consider approaching corporate clients, who may wish to purchase gift baskets for their employees.

The trickiest part of this business is probably how to price your baskets. If you price them too low, you won’t make a profit. If you price them too high, they won’t sell. Be sure to cover the cost of all material included in the basket as well as your labor and any overhead. Compare your costs to your competitors. If they are offering their baskets at a much lower cost than yours, you won’t be able to compete. Find a way to reduce your costs if necessary.

Both givers and receivers of gift baskets appreciate the creativity and uniqueness that goes into a gift basket. What a great business opportunity for a creative person.