Red Ribbon Gifts started off specialising in boutique gifts for women and has since branched out into gifts for men and corporate gifts. When I started this business the thought of moving it in other directions didn't really occur to me, however sometimes small businesses can develop a mind of their own and you have to be open to new opportunities. The corporate side of Red Ribbon has really taken off and we now look after a number of small to medium sized enterprises.

The corporate side of Red Ribbon has followed a similar theme to the personalised gift side in so far that we offer high quality products and service to our customers. We didn't want to go down the cheap and cheerful promotional product path, there are already plenty of companies that have that area covered and it's not really my style. Furthermore I believe the days of the promotional pen are limited ... I mean they never seam to last anyway! Customers and employees must see value and quality in the gift otherwise you are wasting your time.



















Corporate gifts should form part of your marketing plan. According to the Australasian Promotional Products Association (APPA) consumer tastes have become more sophisticated and refined. It's simply not good enough to give cheap promotional products to customers anymore. The association concludes that clients who receive products of no use or that failed to work, directly connect a negative connotation to the company. If a client perceives a corporate gift to be thoughtless or useless their respect for the company can be dramatically reduced and can do more harm than good. A tangible gift deemed appropriate by the recipient becomes a powerful marketing tool as it becomes a constant reminder of your service and continues to build goodwill for an extended period of time.

The same theory can be applied to employee gifts and rewards in so far that employees must see value in their gifts. Employers give gifts to their employees for different reasons including motivation, inspiration and to thank them for a job well done. I will delve a little deeper into employee incentive and recognition schemes over the next blog or two.


Thanks, but no thanks!

At Red Ribbon Gifts we take a more personalised approach to corporate gifting. Firstly we conduct a fact finding mission to get to know our clients and gain a thorough understanding of their company and related corporate gift requirements. We then source a range of corporate gifts that suitably reflect the company's brand, culture and values. Once the gift range has been approved Red Ribbon Gifts provide a secure company specific dedicated webpage with the range of gifts accessible 24/7 - kind of like a virtual storeroom. All this at no extra cost.

If you would like to more about how Red Ribbon Gifts can tailor a range of corporate gifts that suit your company's need please contact Kate on 1800 RED RIB (733 742) or fill out our enquiry form at our corporate gifts page.

I hope you have enjoyed the last couple of posts about gift etiquette and that a few of your questions have been answered in the process.

Today I digress as I feel a little rant coming on, yes today I feel the need to vent about my shopping experience last weekend. It wasn't just your average shopping expedition, this friends was our first attempt at shopping for our first child.

In typical fashion husband and I had left the baby shopping experience till the last minute. We had one weekend and one weekend only to purchase all the big ticket items before we move back to the country. We have been so busy in the lead up to our move we really only had one weekend to dedicate to this mammoth task. Mistake number one - creating unnecessary time pressure; good for getting assignments done, not so good for pregnant women's blood pressure.

I had done a little bit of research purely through circumstance - I put my back out last week and spent three days flat out on the couch. One of my gorgeous gal pals who has recently had a beautiful baby girl bought over some delicious soup, lamb shanks and a huge pile of baby magazines. I had only purchased one or two preggo mags thus far as at $15 a pop I find them a little hard to swallow, especially as their articles are recycled more than Bec Hewit's latest "crisis" in New Idea.

We have been very lucky as we have been given some of the big items on our baby list. The cot, all linen, bassinet and high chair are all taken care of thanks to generous family members.

Aside from that we still had quiet a list of items to purchase before leaving the big smoke. So we set out to "Baby World" full of Dutch courage and coffee last Saturday morning, which leads me to mistake number 2; baby shopping on a Saturday morning.


BONNY BABY? YES PLEASE! Image Scott Hamilton

We enter the store which is more like a warehouse full of all the baby related paraphernalia one could imagine and we are confronted with dozens of other pregnant women and their partners wandering haphazardly with not nearly enough sales staff to go round. I was completely overwhelmed, I had no idea where to start and quiet frankly had never seen so many pregnant women in the same room at one time!

I tried to make a quick run for it but Husband wasn't having a bar of that. Thank God only one of us has raging hormones to deal with. Calm, courageous and curious as ever, Husband starts at the top of the list, which was the pram. No, sorry that was bumped to second after electric breast pump on the advice of my very experienced and wise friend. "If you want any kind of freedom, life or even just a damn drink after your baby comes along get a good pump" she advised. What the what - a drink? That was enough to take it straight to number one baby.

By the time we got to the pram the only help we were able to enlist was that of one of the trainee assistants. From where we were coming from anything that came out of her mouth was going to sound genius to us so trainee or not, it didn't really matter. Lucky for us she was one of those maternal types who has had the names of her children picked out since she was 14 and knows her Peg Peregos from her Bugaboos. All I knew about the pram situation was that I wanted to leave the orange flashing light and "wide load" sign at home when we finally venture out for a spot of shopping. Oh, and a cup holder - I really wanted a cupholder. Needless to say helpful Hiedi was able to recommend a pram that did that and a whole lot more.

The fact that I have the back of a 60 year old meant that we had to spend a little more than we normally would on things such as the pram and baby carrier but it also means that we bought good quality that will see all subsequent children though. I learnt the true meaning of hand me downs that day. It's more than a cost saving exercise, hand me downs are given to children so parents are subject to baby shops when there is absolutely no other option.


BABY SHOPPING - JAPANESE STYLE! Image Pjan Vandaele

We also bought some things that others, say my Mother, may deem completely unnecessary. Like the bouncer that bounces automatically with the slightest movement from the baby. As I will continue to work from home I could easily justify a bouncer that does the work for me so I can squeeze in some work that I may not have otherwise.

By the time we finished our whirlwind adventure and bought all of our new baby wares home, I couldn't help but be filled with a true sense of joy and excitement. Three months from now we are going to welcome a new life into our family, one that we created. I'm not saying that you have to buy the latest gizmos and gadgets to give your child the best start in life, but I did feel a sense of accomplishment and anticipation that we were well on the road to doing just that. Now, to those instructions ....

One of my favorite things is dining out at good quality establishments. I worked in hospitality for a number of years and if I wasn't doing what I'm doing now then I would probably have a little cafe somewhere. I am a very cool customer, I very rarely complain - I just won't go back and I will tell people about my experience good or bad. In saying that, as much as I love to dine out I do love entertaining at home. I don't do elaborate - relaxed, hearty and fun are more my style.


FRIENDS, FUN, FINE WINE AND FOOD - IN THAT ORDER! NOW THAT'S MY STYLE!

It seems to me that more and more people are entertaining at home these days. The continuing success of shows such as Masterchef could be influencing this trend or maybe I'm just getting older and my clubbing days are behind me! I love attending friend's dinner parties / BBQ's as I am always intrigued by dishes served up by my gorgeous friends. I always come away with a new recipe that brings a little variation to our repertoire. In order to thank my host with the most I always take a little something to show my appreciation and today I will guide you through a couple of do's and don'ts with regard to hostess gift etiquette.

DINNER PARTY
So you have been invited for your excellent company, good wit, charm and supposed good looks - let's not ruin your rep by getting off on the wrong foot. As your host is providing you with food, accompanying beverages, atmosphere and taking care of the clean up the least you can do is take a small gift to thank them for their generosity. It is most appropriate to give the gift on arrival however the gift must not distract the host from their task at hand which is entertaining.


     Bold and Beautiful $80              Lily Divine $68                   Bright Delight $68

If you want to take flowers, make sure you take them in a vase or send them ahead of time so the host doesn't have to deal with it there and then. A bottle of wine is an obvious choice but be prepared that it may not be shared with you at the gathering. If you take food make it gourmet or home made and ensure that it is wrapped so the host doesn't feel pressure to serve it. After all, your host may have gone to great lengths to prepare and coordinate the menu. Seasonal gifts such as an ornate an Christmas bauble /decorations also make for unique and appropriate hostess gifts. You shouldn't expect a thank you note from the host for your gift - you are the one doing the thanking!

            
 Cheeseboard $25     BBQ Cookbook $24.95            Alessi Keyring $39.95

CASUAL BRUNCH/BBQ
If the do is a casual affair, then a gift is optional. However it is thoughtful and just plain nice to take some kind of contribution to the meal. If you do decide to take food ask ahead of time so you can bring something that will compliment rather than distract from the occasion.

OVERNIGHT STAY
If your visit involves an overnight stay or is for an extended period of time then a gift is mandatory.
The longer the stay the more cashola you should spend. Ideally you should give the gift on departure however it is also acceptable to send something a couple of days after your stay. If you are staying for more than one night and you have the time to purchase a gift take note if there is something in particular your host may need and accordingly ensure it will work with their decor. Gourmet gift hampers are a very easy option that won't offend - check out the Red Ribbon range of gourmet hampers below.....

           
Sweet & Savoury $100                         Super Sweet $75                        Sweet Surprise $50

NOT ATTENDING
If you have to decline an invitation to a dinner party / casual gathering there is no need to send a gift. 

Following my theme of gift etiquette, this week I am going to cover baby shower gift etiquette. I have previously mentioned that I have been to a truck load of weddings and that has ensured one thing - I am now attending LOTS of baby showers! In fact, I am attending one this Saturday!

If your not the maternal type then attending a babyshower could equate to a couple hours of hell - in which case I highly recommend taking a bottle of France's finest to get you through all the "oohhing and aaahhhing". If you do fancy all things petite then you will no doubt have a ball. Which ever side of the fence you sit, the following tips will help you pick the perfect present!

A LITTLE HISTORY

Traditionally baby showers were held so that women could share knowledge and wisdom about motherhood, however the trend of giving gifts at baby showers began in the 18th Century in New York. Baby showers were traditionally held for the first baby however this has also changed as subsequent showers may now be held for additional children or indeed adopted children. Time has eroded many baby shower traditions which can lead to confusion and frustration when it comes to choosing the most appropriate baby shower gift.

PERSONAL SITUATION
With tradition seemingly out the window, it's best to employ a little common sense. Consider your recipients personal situation with regard to the gift you choose. If the recipient is struggling financially then practical gifts will be most appreciated. Practical doesn't have to be boring though - some elaborate gift wrapping and inspirational gift card will still ensure a wow factor. Similarly, you may wish to consider a gift specifically for the Mum to be as she will be spending any extra dollars on her new bub rather than herself so it may be nice to receive something just for her. If on the other hand the Mum to be is gilding her nursery borders in gold leaf than you can be a little more frivolous.


This baby gift from Red Ribbon
comprises two complete outfits yet is
elaborately packaged which makes it the
perfectly practical gift for any shower!

Heaven Scent $115



FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
If the Mum-to-be has set up a gift registry (as they often do these days) respectfully follow her wishes and choose a gift from that. Just be sure to get in early before all the of the good stuff (read "something within budget") goes. If you leave it too late then it is ok to buy something not on the registry. It could be a good idea to consult with the Mum-to-be's Mother/Sister/close friend to get an idea of a gift that would be appropriate.

CLOTHES
Maternal or not, baby clothes are adorable which makes it very tempting to choose an item of clothing for your baby shower gift. However I don't think they are a great choice as babies grow so quickly, you may not know the sex of the baby and clothes are the first thing that Grandparents and Aunts/Uncles to be rush out and buy when they hear the news - trust me I know this from experience! As a general guide:

Size 00000:      Premature
Size 0000:       0-3 months
Size 000:         3- 6 months
Size 00:           6-9 months
Size 0:             9-12 months

So maybe plan ahead and buy a bigger size that is going to last a little longer. If you don't know the sex of the child stick to neutral colours and unisex items or go for some accessories. And again, if the Mum to be is on struggle street be practical otherwise what baby doesn't need a Gucci change mat?

BABY SHOWER GIFT IDEAS FROM RED RIBBON GIFTS


Baby Blanket $49.95                   Plush Toy $31.95                 Nappy Bag $129.00 


INAPPROPRIATE GIFTS
Pregnant women experience a multitude of changes with their body throughout pregnancy and afterwards. It is a very personal and sometimes private experience that some women may not be entirely comfortable with. Strech marks, skin tags, pigmentation and the obvious weight gain are all constant reminders of this change so don't compound the situation by giving stretch mark creams or weight loss aids of any kind. The Mum-to-be is likely all over the Bio Oil situation so don't add insult to injury! 


GIFT WRAPPING
Baby showers are all about the ceremony of showering the Mum-to-be with lots of attention and gifts. Opening the presents is a central part of any shower and much time and focus is given to this part of the shower. When it's your turn to bestow the recipient with her gift all eyes WILL be focused on your gift, and lets cut the crap, they WILL be secretly judging your gift starting with the gift wrapping. My advice - make it elaborate. Go for good quality gift wrap, use gift seals (not tape), paper bands and finish with a ribbon. The card is an important part of this flamboyance so spend the extra couple of dollars and make it a good one. All quality gift stores offer complimentary gift wrapping so be sure to ask.