Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween

I am a horror movie buff and always in-search of the next big scare... Paranormal Activity did NOT disappoint and I recommend this movie to anyone excited about indie films (I hear it cost between $11,000-$15,000 to make) and scary movies in general!

Movie tickets make a great corporate gift during the holidays, for a thank you or for team building. Plastic gift certificate cards can be packaged in a movie themed container with a bag of popcorn and a soda... I wouldn't leave out the opportunity for a little chocolate but that is just me!

55 days until Santa's visit!!!

Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
http://www.obbgiftsnashville.com/

Be Original! Give Original!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

OBB gives second place to Universal in the Second Annual Melrose Music Meat and Greet.

I was on hand to see the awards given out at the second annual Melrose Music Meat and Greet! OBB Nashville donated the second prize - a large galvanized tin full of treats perfect for a little tailgating. The music industry has been very supportive of OBB Nashville and I'm thrilled to give back. To highlight the art and spirit of giving that is as much a part of Music City as the music, all monetary awards were split with local charities. Congratulations to Universal for winning second place and Sony for taking home the trophy!

It was a great night full of amazing barbecue!!! My husband Jefferson Ross, singer/songwriter and staff writer for CURB Publishing, brought home a 3rd place finish for the label with his special mustard Georgia sauce... I hear the judges came back for seconds on the duck! Here he is pictured giving the judges (Trace Adkins, Charlie Monk, and Kerry Collins) a run down on his technique.

I am Music City!

Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
http://www.obbgiftsnashville.com/

Be Original! Give Original!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Last weekend for Nashville Scarecrows...

Cheekwood in Nashville, TN hosts an amazing and creative display of scarecrows designed by local schools, business's and individuals.

Along with the scarecrows you can take in the fall colors and gallery displays inside the main house. Memberships make a unique holiday gift to be enjoyed all year long.

Ideas for packaging the membership could be to include it in a picnic basket, inside a journal, or with a disposable camera...

Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
http://www.obbgiftsnashville.com/

Be Original! Give Original!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Social Media... Isn't it just a fad?

Friday, October 23, 2009

Saving Time Saves Money

I remember a basket delivery last year... it was really close to an afternoon appointment and I thought I could save the client a little money if I dropped the gift off myself...

I left the meeting and headed to the drop off point... made it in record time and then spend over an hour finding my way back to the office!!! I saved the client a few dollars and cost myself over an hour of time.

I mention this because as you plan for your holiday gift giving know that there are professional gift designers out here to help save you time and ultimately the headache and frustration. I outsource my deliveries so I can focus on your gift design and you can focus on what drives your bottom dollar.

5 things to know when you're hiring a gift basket company

1. Budget - provide a range within $10 and note if the budget includes shipping and handling and tax.

2. Delivery date - most holiday corporate gifts go out the week of the Dec 10th. Planning ahead allows you to ship ground... the savings here can really add up

3. Themes or ideas - This could mean adding a special item or using a specific color. With a little of this and a little of that a custom look can be achieved without breaking the bank.

4. Messages for cards - This is a great way to further customize your gift. Messages can be added to gift tag or to the shipping box.

5. Payment - most custom projects require a deposit upfront. OBB Nashville takes a 50% deposit before physically creating the gifts, but the intial consultation and design are free.

Please let us know how we can help!


Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
http://www.obbgiftsnashville.com/

Be Original! Give Original!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Can't Get Home for The Holidays... send a Taste of Tennessee Gift Package or better yet... take it with you!

Nashville, Tennessee is a home away from home for a long list of people from all sorts of industries... from music to publishing, medicine to agriculture and beyond... Music City is a place where the best of the best come from all over to dream and thrive!

I first visited Nashville in 2001 and it was love at first sight! I opened The Original Basket Boutique in Nashville with the hopes of supporting and promoting my new home. The list of mouth watering gourmet delights are endless! For a list of amazing local food options check out the Pick TN Products website.

Send a Taste of Tennessee gift package home for the holidays.
Prices start at $40 and can include:
Peanut brittle, nut mixes and toffee from Page's Premiums
Tennessee T Cakes
Aunt Lizzie's Cheese straws
Country Fresh Fudge



Tami Ross
Gift & Appreciation Marketing Specialist with OBB Nashville
http://www.obbgiftsnashville.com/

Be Original! Give Original!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

On A Tight Budget - Holiday Gift Ideas

The old saying goes that those who market their business during the tough times see tremendous growth during the good times...

A GREAT way to get your name in front of your customers one more time this year AND thank them for their business is to send a card. You can even get ahead of the curve and send it out in time for Thanksgiving... only my favorite time of the year!

My choice for custom cards is Birchcraft Studios. They are a family owned business celebrating over 80 years in business! Birchcraft offers a huge catalogue of designs and verses. A great product at a great price.

CLICK HERE to browse my card selection.

A fun addition to the card may be to include a package of hot chocolate or apple cider... it increases the postage slightly but increases the impact exponentially.

to your success!

Tami Ross
Gift Specialist with OBB Nashville
http://www.obbgiftsnashville.com/

Be Original! Give Original!

Friday, October 9, 2009

My favorite spa packages...

Create your own world of relaxation... love these! The bath fizzies are shaped like fortune cookies and have little water proof notes in them. It is OK to invest in a little YOU TIME!

www.dodisturb.com

If you'd like to use these gifts to reward your clients or staff please drop us a line at TamiR@obbgifts.com

Tami Ross
Gift Specialist with OBB Nashville
www.obbgiftsnashville.com

Be Original! Give Original!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Tennessee Book Festival - October 9th-11th

I love attending the book festival here in Nashville... last year I was all set to take in a reading from the poet Lisa Williams, when my 2 year old (I know totally my fault for bringing her) decided she wanted to climb the walls...

The Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word is free and open to the public. More than 200 authors will be on hand for readings, panel discussions and book signings.

Ideas for book lover gift baskets are endless. You can use themes taken from books themselves. Thanks to my neighbour, I'm currently into Sue Grafton novels so adding a magnify glass could do the trick. I love cook books... especially Southern US food and Italian themes. My favorite book lover basket is the rainy day in... with gourmet chocolate, tea and a book... depending on the budget you can include a throw. These are great thinking of you baskets and fun birthday and holiday gifts.



Tami Ross
Gift Specialist with OBB Nashville
www.obbgiftsnashville.com

Be Original! Give Original!