Business Bits - Holiday Gifts Sets & Packaging

Monday, September 27, 2010

Topic: Preparing for the Holidays

The holidays, they are a comin'.

Preparing my shop for the holidays has been on my mind (to-do list) since I posted about planning ahead for the holiday rush way back in July. I've made a bit of progress, but now that September is drawing to a close & Etsy has started their Holiday Boot Camp Series  it's time to really get moving!

I would love to add lots of new items & holiday themed lovelies, but that just may not be a reality for me this year. Instead, I'm thinking of how to present items I currently create into gifts sets and offer lovely packaging.

packaging:
Whether it's included in your listing or offered as an add-on service, I think making items ready for gift giving is one of those small details that will keep customers (and their gift recipients!) coming back. I've ordered so many lovely gifts from other Etsy shops & am always thrilled when my purchases arrive neatly wrapped & ready to give as a gift. Sure, I love adding my own bits of ribbon & such but nothing beats having that little box or adorable business card to include with it!

Packaging Kit from Sweet Findings

If you offer it, show it. Buyers love to see what exactly your packaging looks like...

Jewelry Gift Box from fabulous Jaros Designs

gift sets:
Presenting various cohesive items from your shop together can also make it easy on buyers - no need for them to shop around to find all the components of a gift. Instead, perhaps they can find a bracelet & necklace set, kitchen towels & pot holders, knit cap with mittens, or lotion and soap together in your shop. Presto, a complete gift in one place. Grouping similar items together can also make it simple & cost effective for buyers. Think of those shoppers needing gifts for five different teachers- a cinch when they find a listing for a group of five bar soaps, cosmetic bags, ornaments, etc. My zipper pouch set is one of my top-selling items.


Soap & Candle Gift Set from Cottage Garden Therapies


There we have it. Two quick & simple ways to increase your shop's holiday readiness!

Any tips you can share?  As a buyer, what do you hope to see this season?


20 comments :

Pili said...

Great tips!

This series is gonna be so useful for me when I finally decide to take the plunge and set up my own shop for my photography!

Jaros Designs said...

Great post - thank you for reminding me - I need to add my gift box pictures to more of my listings for the holidays!

Julie said...

great tips Allisa!

Cyn at RiverDog Prints said...

A very smart strategy and it takes a bit of the pressure off for creating new designs. Thanks for giving me a little holiday relief, Allisa!

Unknown said...

I love the strategy of creative packaging and introducing a holiday spirit instead of developing specific new products.

Thanks!

allisa jacobs said...

so glad this post was helpful! I'm so excited to configure holiday sets & develop new packaging :)

Michelle said...

This is great Allisa! Thanks so much for inspiring me and getting me thinking about what I need to do :)

sarah s. said...

thank you for these great tips on packaging.....and the inspiration

I'm Yee Von. said...

Inspiring article. In fact you're still need to input some effort for your products but instead spending more time on creating, you're spending time on making your existing items work even better! Love the idea and strategy!

henny said...

Thank you! As a newbie seller on etsy, your tips is treasure :)

TheNightJar said...

terrific ideas here- i better get to it!

Unknown said...

great suggestions! having a think about gift sets! :)

Signs of Vintage said...

Great post - thank you!

Anonymous said...

I love this post, and your blog is so beautifu. Thank you! I especially like the advice about photographing packaging, so the buyer can rest assured that it will arrive ready to be gifted.

Laura Bray said...

Fantastic ideas! I especially love the multi-set idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tip on packaging! This is my first holiday season selling on etsy, so that is very helpful!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the post. I am going to be on the lookout for wrapping supplies to offer. Happy Holiday Planning!!

~~Happy
happylittleknitter

Unknown said...

this is just what I needed, as I wanted to offer packaging for the holidays, I am revamping and getting a new line and look, packaging would complete it. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

The packaging idea is exactly what I need. Thanks for the info.

Raphaela Cornut said...

Terrific. I'm working on my packaging at the minute, and I really love your attention to details.
Receiving an item in a neat and thoughtful packaging always draws me back to the seller. The devil is in the detail.