Elaine Langsam is the owner of the gifting company, Basket-Mania in N.Y. She is the creative designer of special gifts for all occasions as well as for the corporate world. She shares with Formidable Woman fun gift baskets for the holidays.
FWM: Tell us about Basket-Mania.
I truly believe that you cannot put people into neat little boxes. Neither can gift baskets. Each event or occasion is so different and personal that it has to be made especially to fit the person the gift basket is going to or the event or the occasion.
Sometimes by seeing visuals a person sees exactly what they need want or need and it strikes a chord. There are those times when somebody has a vision or part of an idea and it is your job to be a magician and create this eye-catching creation. I believe that gift baskets, favors and centerpieces are an artform and that you have to be an artist to transform an empty container into something amazing and unique.
First off, you have to love what you do and I can truly say that I do. I get such a “high” each time I finish a project and can honestly say this is the way it was supposed to look. I am a perfectionist and would not send out anything that did not have my stamp of approval.
We want each customer no matter how small or big the order is to be perfectly happy so we will be their go-to company in the future. Every customer gets personal attention from the beginning to the end. We stand by our word. When we say an order will be delivered by a certain date, it is there.
Uniqueness is very important in a business such as mine. I always keep my eye out for unusual and eye-catching containers to use to make gifts. I recently found the need to use a great big martini glass for a project. A high heel shoe was also recently made for a “Sex in the City Gift.” You have to stay current. I also keep my eye out for new and interesting products that I can add to my repertoire. The day the creative juices stop flowing is the day to say, “I am finished creating.” I don’t see that happening any time soon because I get more energized and excited as time goes by with the possibilities!!!
FWM: The holidays are around the corner. Why is a gift basket a perfect gift?
We are all busy, especially, around the holiday season. We make your gifting easy for you. You have an idea and we will make it a reality. If you are not sure exactly what the gift should look like, we will brainstorm with you until you are satified with the vision. Gift baskets are only limited by your imagination. This is one stop shopping. You can order a creation online or have one custom made. www.basket-mania.com
On the whole, gift baskets are a joy to give and to receive.
FWM: Share a few of your fun holiday gift baskets including the Blue Moon Holiday Basket, and Pinot Noir Holiday.
Holiday gift baskets run the whole spectrum from very basic to totally elaborate. Some people and companies want their gifts to have just their chosen products and no sign of the holidays and others want their gifts totally “decked out.” There is no right or wrong.It is individual tastes that dictate creations.
I have been working with a medical practice the last few holiday seasons. They only want the chosen products showcased and nothing else. The way I make them eye catching is with the placement of the products. I have to decide which product is the focal point. Not all people realize we are designers.
With The Blue Moon Holiday and Pinot Noir Holiday once I know what products I am using, color scheme is next on my list. They all have to coordinate and look good together. I always do a flat lay first to see if I like the way everything looks together and then go from there.
FWM: Corporations have worked with you over the years. What are you looking forward to this holiday?
This year I am looking forward to more places accepting deliveries. That has been an issue since the pandemic began.
I love the gifts that corporations send their employees to reward a job well done.
Corporate gifting never ceases to amaze and uplift me. I never know kind of gifting will be requested.
I feel since the pandemic began gifting for the holidays has grown bigger. Companies and medical practices seem to be sending more gifts now. I really feel in business gifting people are going out of their way to show appreciation and to say thank you!
“We were overwhelmed with the idea of sending out 100 gift baskets to referring doctors. We didn’t need to worry. From our initial meeting to the day of delivery we had no stress at all. Basket-Mania handled everything. They kept up to date with the progress of the order as well as sending us photos so we could see what was being created. Basket-Mania is our go-to gifting company!”
FWM: What do you enjoy most about corporate gifting?
Corporate gifting gives me a chance to build relationships. Often, if a corporation likes my designs, they use my company for other events and occasions throughout the year such as birthdays, anniversaries, retirement, welcome to the company and virtual meetings.
FWM: Do you have a favorite basket?
I love “The Beach Retreat” because is simple but just has the right look to create a mood. The use of a tote bag helps create “the beachy feeling.” Another design that really speaks to me was when a bride to be wanted a high heel shoe for her Bachelorette Party. Her theme was “Sex in the City.”
FWM: Can we order a custom basket?
Everyone can definitely order a custom basket. For one basket it can usually be done in a few days. For a big order I like to have a couple of weeks or more to create exactly what the client wants.
This is especially true this holiday season. There have been delays in shipping this year so the earlier orders are placed there is less of a chance of deliveries not getting to their destination in time.
We ship to 48 states.
Local deliveries do not usually need to be shipped.
Website: www.basket-mania.com
Instagram-egiftbasket
Facebook-facebook.com/basketmaniany
