Gift Giving 2013

Gift Giving in 2013

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We all appreciate the warm glow that giving and being generous inspires in us, yet in 2013 it is still painfully obvious that, on the whole, we are still more driven by “getting” as oppose to “giving”.

Just thinking about other people and expressing this through a thoughtful gesture like sharing a fruit basket can make your world a better place. It is scientifically proven that a generous attitude benefits the giver as much as the receiver.

 Valuing Thoughtfulness
Giving a Gift Hamper is an expression of spirit, and powerfully relates that you have considered the other person’s situation and made a positive, meaningful show of support. The act of kindness costs nothing in and of itself, but the feeling of undivided attention definitely acts as a catalyst to change the way we feel.

“Giving protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease”
Stephen Post, Why Good Things Happen to Good People.



Creating Great Memories
In the day to day bustle of life, where saving money is often given too high a priority, giving a Fruit Hamper offers validation, and a gesture of meaningful connection that is remembered. Too often we pause to think that it would be “nice to” send a gift, but when it comes to picking up the phone and making the call with delivery details, we find ourselves just not that emotionally available.

Give Because You Can, Not Because You Are “Owed”
Once you set aside your own feelings of resentment and being hard done by, the release of giving to a friend who is lonely, recovering from illness or experiencing a moment in life is nothing short of magic. Being appreciated as a valued friend is something that we all cherish, and despite what we may tell ourselves – something we can all afford. In this light, it is not hard to make the right decision and choose a Fresh Fruit Basket Delivered for $59.


Becoming Someone Who is Appreciative and Gracious
We all strive for self improvement and as the sales of self help books attest, the social appetite for becoming a better person is insatiable. Demonstrating your own willingness to give, share and take the real life opportunity to connect in a caring a positive way is the first step toward a fulfilling this lifestyle goal. Isn’t it time you shared a Fresh Fruit Basket?

Christmas Hampers Delivered

Sydney Christmas Hampers FREE Delivery

Branded Custom Fit Boxes

Phew, just got a moment to catch my breath - it is soo busy the elves, Kacy and I are attending to your orders.  At this stage it looks like being an even bigger year than 2011, which was our busiest ever.

Our Authentic Old School Baskets

I would just like to take a moment to urge you to get your order in promptly.  Every year we get new clients and they are sometimes a bit tentative at first, considering we are a locally run independent hamper company and that we use boutique gourmet food. 

Don't be intimidated - we are not pretentious and I guarantee you will be more than impressed with the stunning presentation and equally memorable food, wine and condiments you will be sharing over the festive break.

Oh, and the free delivery thing - of course the big department stores offer free delivery - but it is costed into your hamper - which is perhaps why you get supermarket inclusions.  At Hunter Valley Hampers, we are honest to goodness and simply charge you what it costs us to freight your hamper, which is in most cases a measly $11.

So good shopping and thank you for supporting our family of local Hunter Valley food producers and winemakers.  Call 1300 284 684 to order.

Tips for a Happy Christmas

At Christmas Time, there is always stories of the crazy rush to complete shopping and ensure that all of the gifts and presents have been bought. Here are three important tips to help you get organized and be prepared so that as the big day approaches you won’t be left scrambling with last minute urgency.

Make a List.
Santa was right – make a list and check it twice. Being prepared and having your goals written down in front of you will make planning simpler.

Be Realistic.
There is the wish list and there is the reality list – we all have the ideas and the vision, but keeping everything doable and acheveable is another matter. Be considerate and remember that sometimes it isn’t worth sweating the small stuff. Everyone is out to have a memorable time and being distracted by little things doesn’t add to the enjoyment.

Be Grateful.
Things aren’t so bad, no matter how bad they may seem at the time. At Christmas time everyone is urged to be grateful for what they have and reflect on the past year as a time of growth and development. We should all be grateful for this. Especially if you are lucky enough to receive a Christmas gift hamper.

Caring Christmas Gifts

The most important thing about a Christmas Hamper is showing that you care.

Hunter Valley Hampers show that you care by offering Christmas hampers with a distinct difference from what the others are offering – you get original, authentic food, wine and condiments from the Hunter Valley Wine Region. 

Nothing from supermarkets or mass produced imported products.  Just authentic honest-to-goodness gourmet food and boutique wine. 

Plus, unlike any others, we present your hampers in a classic old-school basket, placed perfectly so when you open the box you see the hamper exactly as it is pictured on the website. 

This makes a brilliant impact.  And above all, it shows you took the time to make a considered choice and overlooked the mass produced stuff.  This shows you care more than anything.  And, it makes for food and wine actually worthy of sharing with your family at Christmas.

So showing that you care, that you have made the personal effort, is as effortless as choosing Hunter Valley Hampers.  Since we started hampering in 1988, we have delighted and impressed with thousands of Christmas Hampers right across Australia.

Now you have an important decision to make, so call 1300 284 684 and give us the opportunity to make this Christmas impression the best for you, your business and your valued recipients.

Christmas Hampers and Gift Baskets

Christmas Hamper Collection 2011

For distinctive hampers that convey a certain taste and are quite definitely unlike the 'competition' - you have come to the right place. Just have a look at our gorgeous new gourmet hamper range for Christmas 2011 - we are very proud of our new catalogue for Spring/Summer 2011 and hope you will share in our enthusiasm! It is such a privilege to have the opportunity to source, design, and build the perfect Christmas Hamper Collection!

Christmas Gourmet Hampers

Hunter Valley Hampers has built our reputation on having that hard to define 'extra-something' that distinguishes our classic, timeless gourmet hampers from the glut of pretenders who flood the market with cardboard sameness. Remember, we pack and present your hamper so it arrives as a display package, ready to be placed unopened under the tree for Christmas Morning.

Ready-Made Gift Hampers

Or, should your recipient so choose, the hamper can be re-gifted as a complete 'experience in a box' - something that is very handy at this hectic time of year and is appreciated by busy mums and corporate types who are hard pressed for time. All you need do is attach a card and you have a ready-made gift! Now that is convenience.

Unique Farmgate Tastes of the Hunter Valley Region

A valued point of difference with Hunter Valley Hampers is our focus on supporting the cream of local providores and boutique foodies in and around the region. You'll discover a whole new range of tastes, flavour combinations and even some quirky local chocolatiers new for 2011, it's what we do and what makes our passion for food and the gourmet taste such a vital ingredient in our continued success. By choosing Hunter Valley Hampers you are buying from our long-established relationships with local producers. People who hand make the condiments at their restaurants, or harvest the honey by hand, or blend the chocolates right here in the Hunter Valley.

Simple Corporate Hampers Delivered

Here's how easy it is to do business. Bring us your budget, and we will give you a prompt quote for a quick turnaround. As an added incentive, we are offering a 750ml Moet Champagne with every Christmas order over $1250 completed by October 31. So get in early and take advantage of our generosity!

We Win on Price, Presentation and Products.

Hunter Valley Hampers have realistic, competitive pricing - so you get what you pay for.
We have the best presentation in the business - we don't just chuck your products in a box with some bubble wrap - we actually build a hamper with a basket and wrap it by hand with cellophane.
Our Products speak for itself- handmade, local gourmet - not bulk imported stuff you find at the budget office superstore...

Let's get it right, make a niche impression, and REALLY get your Christmas Hampers for 2011 the Best Ever!

If you haven't tried us, join our list of ASX200, National Companies who trust their Christmas Impression with us, and use us year in year out. New tastes, New varieties, and best of all, that question from your guests over the Christmas break - "Wow, that's delicious - where'd you find this?"

Christmas Hampers 2011

Call 1300 284 684 NOW!

Corporate Christmas Gifts 2011

Tips for Effective and Appreciated Corporate Christmas Gifts

Sharing Corporate Christmas Gifts amongst you business associates can be a hit and miss affair if you do not consider your recipient, the gift itself, and presentation of the gift. A well thought out gift can be a crucial repeat and referral business trigger, ensuring your name is top of mind when your business niche is required. Just as importantly, the presentation and appearance of the gift can make or break the whole process, as a strikingly put together gift can impress beyond your expectations. Your Corporate Christmas Gifts should be appreciated, effective and memorable so your recipient feels special, and your name is connected with a favorable event.

Your recipient obviously has a range of personal interests and preferences, and although it is important to have these in mind, it is also wise not to cater too specifically to these likes. For example, an avid golfer may prefer a golf themed gift, but it would not go down well with the rest of the team if it were just one gift across the whole department.

So knowing general tastes is best, and indulging those favourites will be pleasantly acknowledged - instead of targeting a specific hobby or pastime that they will already have accessories to. Buying a gourmet food hamper for corporate Christmas Gifts makes for an effective and memorable present as it caters for the niche where the individual is pampered and indulged with bespoke foods, condiments and chocolates. And enthusiasts of all types will appreciate the attention to detail and boutique quality of fine handmade foods and condiments.

With corporate gift giving, there ultimately comes the moment when the gifts are delivered to the place of business and, before they are shared amongst the staff, the boxes are noticed, perhaps in the foyer. This is the first stage of the gift experience, where a well made shipping box, with the hamper company's corporate logo, conveys a certain anticipation and expectation of quality. The next stage is opening the box and seeing the gourmet hamper, packed for presentation as a gift basket, wrapped under cellophane, with ribbon and bow. This can be the make or break moment, where the items in the gift basket, the wrapping and the overall impression can either make lips curl up into a smile, or brows furrow in confusion.

With a well-chosen corporate Christmas gift, your recipient will feel valued, will see the gift as an effective confirmation of the value of your ongoing business relationship, and will ultimately share the products of the gourmet hamper amongst friends and family over the holiday period. Nothing can over estimate the value of an effective gift basket at this special time of year. And that is what and effective and memorable corporate Christmas Gift makes for you, a lasting impression that your relationship is both worthy of sharing a quality gift experience, and valued for the future.

Christmas Hampers - Make Your Own

Christmas Hampers - You Can Make Your Own

Making a gift hamper visually appealing is much more than just piling products into a basket. Product combination, theme, colour schemes, basket balance, fillers and stuffing, wrapping, and finally ribbons and bows are all factors in making the perfect gift basket. If you need to make a gift hamper for an occasion and have no previous experience, follow this easy to read guide to make your own. Whilst making a hamper is simple with some experience, there are also some timeless tips to get everything just right, and here's the place to find out.

1. Basket and Balance
The first thing to consider is the basket itself and the balance of the products in it once assembled. The general idea is to have the products balanced towards the front side of the basket, which means there is a natural tendency for the basket to fall forward once it is made. So to counter this fill the base of the basket with densely packed filler, like shredded paper densely packed, or sand in resealable bags, or styrofoam peanuts.
Having a steady base makes for more creative freedom when you are assembling your products - and you'll see why in a moment.

2. Colors and Combinations
Browsing around online, you will notice that many commercial gift baskets offer color themed options, that go a long way towards lending an impression of professionalism and just looking right. One of the key considerations, which can be difficult to match, is having a colour theme. Simply keep in mind that matching together similar tones and colours in the hamper means that the whole impression will be of subtle togetherness. This means labels, logos and packaging of the products, because although it may be your least likely consideration, having a harmonious color combination can literally distinguish great from just good.

3. Jars and Bottles
A food hamper will always have jars and bottles in it, and the trick is to avoid glass rattle and glass touch - both can be early indicators that the glass will break in transit. Other than this it is important to simply have the jars and bottles arranged so they sit tight and won't fall over whilst the basket is being carried. A clever design tip is to place bubble wrap where two items may touch, so they you never have glass exposed to glass, which is likely to crack or break. Other tips are to keep the glass products surrounded by non-glass products so there other products act as buffers and absorb the bumps and shocks of transit.

4. Wrapping with Cellophane
The first thing you notice about crisp cellophane wrapped hamper from a heat shrunk wrapped hamper is the shiny gloss of the cellophane. So although some commercial gift basket operations will use matt heat shrink wrapping, stick to the traditional cellophane wrap. The shine is priceless in terms of appeal and impact for the recipient. Further, it pays to have the crisp, heavier weight cellophane for wrapping as this too makes all the difference with holding itself together and working to maintain the shape and posture of the basket. There is nothing worse than your basket display falling over on itself because the cellophane is too thin a grade to support a heavier product.

With these four basic tips you should be well on your way to making a memorable Christmas Hamper or gift basket. Of course, like all handmade goods, a hamper is a reflection of your personal style and taste, so do take the extra effort to give your creation a unique touch. And have fun. Making Gift Baskets should be all about fun and sharing!

Chocolate Gift Delivery

Chocolate is a really popular gift idea at Hunter Valley Hampers. Chocolate transcends all the barriers of age, gender, race, color, religion, language and nationality. Show a person who does not enjoy eating chocolates.

History

First chocolate house opened in London in 1657.
Physician and collector Hans Sloane developed milk chocolate drink in Jamaica in 1689, which was later sold to Cadbury brothers.
In 1700, mechanical mills were used to squeeze out cocoa butter that was used to make hard durable chocolate.
The modern process of making chocolates was developed after the industrial revolution.
New machines were manufactured and the product chocolate was sold throughout the world as a much liked product.

Process

Cocoa is produced from cacao trees.
Trees grow the pods containing in it the cocoa beans.
Once the pods are fully ripe, they are harvested by cutting them from the trees.
Beans are removed from the pods.
Beans are placed in bins to ferment which gives them the famous chocolate taste.
The beans are then quickly dried.
Beans are transported to chocolate manufacturing site.
Beans are cleaned, roasted and graded.
Shells are removed to extract the nib.
Nibs are now ground that releases and melts the cocoa butter producing chocolate liquor.
Chocolate liquor is processed to give cocoa solids and cocoa butter which are used to make chocolates by mixing milk powder or condensed milk and sugar.

Production of Cocoa Beans

Around 70% of world's cocoa is produced in Western Africa.
Around 50 million people in the world are employed around the production of cocoa.
Three most dominant chocolate makers are: Barry Callebaut, Cargill and Archer Danilels Midland Company.

Types of Chocolates

Dark chocolate.
Milk chocolate.
White chocolate.

Caution for Storing Chocolates

Chocolates are sensitive to heat and moisture.
Therefore, take care to store the chocolates.
Keep them in refrigerator.
Ideal temperature for storage: around 17 degrees centigrade.
Ideal relative humidity: less than 50%.
Do not store them near other food items. Chocolates may absorb the aroma of other food items.
Keep the chocolates properly wrapped.

Advantages and Dis-advantages of Eating Chocolates

Gives pleasure.
Dark chocolate is good for circulatory system.
Brain stimulator.
Anticancer.
Cough preventer.
Antidiarrhoeal.
Taken in large quantity, results in obesity.
It may be addictive.

Corporate Gift Giving

OK, so you have responsibility for the upcoming Corporate Gifts for the Conference, Event or Success Meeting?

Do you look forward to this or see it as another PA chore where all you can expect is a cursory nod and maybe thats guy from accounts goes "yeah, the promotional umbrella was great when my car broke last winter."

Want something a little left of the middle, featuring premium quality items, that people will actually open and share?

Well, unlike the big three, Hunter Valley Hampers is proud to be number seven, and we are not lowering our standards or product integrity to get market saturation.

Since 1988 we have been used, off and on, by probably most of the largest Corporations in Australia. That may be a pretty big call, but I was going through our sales history when we were moving warehouse and it is not far off the mark.

You might want to ask "Well why don't you have pages and pages of the logos of all the firms you have supplied to and details of the jobs and reviews?" Well the answer unfortunately is simple - we used to, but we had to pull it down. Why? Because the businesses featured on our Client list were bombarded by our big three competition, and offered loss-making incentive deals to switch to our competitors.

Which, naturally, they did, even though many corporates still maintain links with us, and our contacts send through the spam emails they receive from the big competition. It's a very cut throat operation, this Corporate Gift Business!

Anyway, here's the point of this article.

We are totally restocked and ready for business! We are brimming with Hunter Valley Foods, Wines and Condiments; We have re-stocked our wooden boxes and display cases and wine hampers and they are all sitting here glistening in plastic wrapping! Just screaming out to be shared as Corporate Gifts.

So, here's our opwn little incentive from the Number 7 Corporate Gift Specialists.

When you place your order for $1500 before May 30 2011, we will send you a private (no-one need ever know) bottle of Moet Champagne. We'll call it our little incentive so no-one need know why you campaigned extra hard for Hunter Valley Hampers at the presentation - let's just say you liked the chutzpah of the little guy!

So go for it and don't forget to mention this offer when you order. Otherwise it stays a little secret!

Christmas Hampers - Bulk Orders are Going Crazy!!

Having a great lead into Christmas 2010, with enough clients realizing the stark contrast between "Crap in a Basket" and a Premium Gourmet Hamper.

Here's some images to keep you satisfied...

 Just threw these first few as a teaser - here's our newest venture, making our fourth vintage our Hunter Valley Shiraz.  It has been a tumultuous few years, especially the torpor of 2008, but with some luck we are emerging for the 2010 vintage in a much wiser, more calm position.  Anyway, here's some of the French Oak Barrels.

 Bottling 500+ cases of wine requires some infrastructure.  You should see the gang in full work mode manning these stations!

 The 2010 vintage days after harvest.  A gorgeous Hunter Valley Shiraz that has settled and matured as expected.

 Another load of Christmas 2010 Hampers delivered, personally, to your business.

 Have a look at the quality inclusions and professional hand wrap on these Hampers.

Hunter Valley Hampers

 The convenience of the Hyundai iLoad, with twin side sliding doors, makes Hamper delivery simple.

Another Corporate Order for Christmas Hampers

Day in day out at this time of year.

 One of the "Little Helpers"

A custom hamper made for one of the many corporates who trust us with their large orders.  We welcome you to give us the opportunity to quote on you brief and we offer a marked point of difference - NO imported "Crap in a Basket" Just simply local made Gourmet Food and Condiments, Hand assembled in the Hunter Valley.

Valentines Day Romantic Gift Ideas

Valentines Day is traditionally a time to send flowers (what is the tired marketing copy they teach in marketing 101? something along the lines of Say it with Flowers?) but traditions are also recognised as stifling and rigid and restrictive and traditions restrict creativity and spontaneity.

That's why Flowers are Dead - or they soon will be.

Your best Valentines Romantic Gift Idea is a French Champagne Gift from Hunter Valley Hampers for Delivery Australia wide. Your loved one will appreciate our vast range of non-vintage cuvee French Champagne and the stunning presentation for which we have become famous.

Romantic Gifts ARE French Champagne, and there is no better specialist than Hunter Valley Hampers since 1988 supplying Australia with Gourmet Hampers and premium imported French Champagne for truly intimate romantic moments.
We call it send the taste and share the feeling.