Learning from the Experts - Interview with Huinter Valley Hampers

Secrets of Christmas Gift Baskets
OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE DECEMBER 2013

AFTER A HALF DOZEN Christmas Seasons as the creative designer behind Hunter Valley Hampers, Kacy has a special feeling for knowing what her buying public wants.

And when you consider her Hunter Valley Hampers has sold out completely in 2011 and 2012 on a budget of zero advertising, it's no wonder she must be doing something right.  Artisan Food, Craft Beer and handmade fresh regional produce is a winning formula.

Over coffee, we sat down and asked her secrets to making a delicious gourmet hamper and what makes Hunter Valley Hampers a trusted authority on gift baskets.

"No Pretzels," Kacy laughs, when I ask her the secret to gourmet gift baskets, "Once we stopped putting in bags of pretzels we noticed we got a different clientele."

Keeping it Real for the Peeps

Christmas Fruit Baskets are a new innovation on the Sydney Gift Giving Scene

The secret to Hunter Valley Hampers success over the last decade (the business has operated independently since 1988, although only recently moved to 'high end' gourmet in 2009) is offering quality product regardless of the price.

"People are willing to pay for quality product," Kacy explains, showing a jar of tunisian spiced pickle made locally, "and so long as they know you are backing the product up with a meaningful purpose, place and personality; they will pay a premium price."

"We see competitors offering plastic poinsettia flowers and questionable "gourmet" products like john west smoked oysters - these things just don't meet what our clients expect in a regional gourmet hamper," Kacy offered as a reason for the loyal customer base at Hunter Valley Hampers.  "It's really quite embarrassing to turn up at a corporate tower in Sydney and expect the executives to accept a hamper filled with this sort of stuff - I can see why people keep coming back to us.  We keep our hampers understated and let the real food do all the talking."

Making meaningful Connections with the Community

Things are looking great this Christmas, but I feel the moment of truth for any Christmas Gift Basket is the minutes after arriving home when the hamper box is sitting by your front door.  You place the box on the kitchen counter and open it to reveal a wicker basket filled with clinking jars, bottles, pouches and pudding - all presentation packed under crisp cellophane and ready for display under the Christmas Tree in time for the big day. 

An authentic artisan hamper for a genuine, homestyle Christmas Day.  Merry Christmas, and Give Yourself the Gift of a Joyous Sharing Christmas with real friends and valued family members.

Who Makes Christmas Hampers in Sydney

Gourmet Hampers Australia

Ordering a gift hamper for Christmas is is simple once you know how. 

By far the most comprehensive range exists on the internet and by making your selection through browsing a catalogue you will make the best informed choice that suits your intended recipient. 

Whether you are sending you hamper locally, overseas or buying in bulk for a massive corporate delivery, making the right choice is simple when you consider Hunter Valley Hampers.

Worst Christmas Ideas Ever!

Worst Christmas Gifts Ever!

Media Release; JUNE 2013

Buying an affordable and appropriate Christmas Gift is not the hardest thing in the world - so how come we've all experienced a forgettable gift during the holiday season?

Maybe my personal bad gifts have been because I over thought the whole thing and should have just gone with gut instinct. But in saying that, going for the no-brainer and sending a gift card or coupon is just plain thoughtless.


So here it is, my list of worst ever Christmas Gifts - I must admit I actually bought one for a family member, the other two were, unfortunately, give to me.


Electronic Santa Gifts. Three words that should never go together I think, just like the electronic things that said Santa actually does. Here's a basic rule I guess, if Santa does something when you put batteries in the back and push the switch to ON, there is probably a reason for the Christmas Gift to be on the worst gifts list.

I have seen a climbing mountaineer Santa, a flying trapeze Santa, a Santa with sunglasses that said a funny catchphrase when you got too close. Anyway, basic rule holds true, Santa does not need batteries - period.

Art is a personal gift idea. Certainly, Art is a magnificent prompt to ponder the meaning of life and appreciate the intricate design of the universe, but as a gift it is pretentious, opinionated and very likely to elicit raised eyebrows. You see, Art is one of the most personal gifts you could imagine, so for me to offer you a print of abstract wildflowers and you to actually appreciate the idea is not even remotely likely.

More to the point, you would politely hand back the art and suggest it might look better on another wall. I haven't received art yet, but I have given it and they don't talk about it much, so I guess it wasn't appreciated.


Discount Office Supplies bought Gift Baskets. You know the ones - small baskets filled with cheap 7 Eleven chocolates, and a candy cane and some wafer biscuits and under plastic with a little basket? I'm not sure if it was because I was working at a factory and things weren't going so well for the boss, but come Christmas, the pay clerk stood us all in line and handed out a little basket with this stuff in it to all the floor employees. The Gift Basket still had the Discount Office Supplies sticker on the underside. Surely the worst gift ever!

Another worst Christmas Gift Idea is the coupon or store voucher. They force you to select a gift from a specified store, almost worst than just flipping some cash. And just a touch more thought goes into it as well. So the worst Christmas Gift Idea ever is the Gift Voucher.

When you are thinking of Christmas Gifts, avoid my list of the worst ever and take a little time to make a meaningful, memorable Christmas Gift. There is so much out there, it really is no excuse for making the worst ever gift ideas list.

BP Murphy is a makes hampers and gift baskets for a living over at http://www.huntervalleyhampers.com.au and has considerable experience working with large Corporates making their Christmas Gifts.

Hunter Valley Hampers is a Gourmet Hamper specialist, the best known business for Gourmet Hampers Australia. Visit http://www.huntervalleyhampers.com.au anytime for all your hampers and gift baskets.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=B_P_Murphy