And the winner is...

Heather W!  Congratulations!  Thank you all for participating!

Heather, I'll contact you soon to get you your gift certificate.

Valentine's Day and Animal Sacrifice???

Most people think of their significant other when thinking of Valentine's Day. This holiday goes back to the days of Romulus and Remus, animal sacrifice, and pagan rituals. It's very different today!

We send 180,000,000 roses, and 36,000,000 heart shaped boxes of candy; 14 billion dollars in total! The first card sent is said to be from a jailed man to the jailers daughter in the third century which was signed, "from your valentine." He was then executed. Today, we send cards to school teachers, our families, classmates, and coworkers. I believe that anytime we can show kindness and appreciation, we should.

One of my favorite memories was returning to my office after what we all knew would be a tough budget meeting after the Governors May Revise. Two people in my workgroup had left a Grande mocha and a sticky note on my computer screen that said, "We appreciate how hard you work!" That was That was 11 years ago and I remember it vividly.

What is a favorite appreciation moment for you?

P.S.  Just in case you missed the last post, check out the $30 gift certificate giveaway right here!

A Mirror, a Daughter, and a Giveaway

When opening Original Basket Boutique Eureka nearly four years ago, it became evident that social media was going to become part of my world. I resisted a blog and Twitter until today.  We are finally fully immersed!

My 24 year old daughter is working in Austria this year.  Through Skype, she just set my Twitter account up.  I was having trouble finding a button on Twitter, so she had me hold the laptop up to the mirror so she could see what I was seeing.  Technology and a mirror and we are on Twitter!  Follow us @OBBEureka.

 {Proud Mama moment}

To celebrate, here is our first giveaway!  We decided to make the giveaway perfectly suited to anyone--near or far.  So, ladies and gentlemen, here is your chance to win a $30 gift certificate to The Original Basket Boutique Eureka!

To Enter:

1. Become a follower of this blog (Click the "follow" button at the top of the page or subscribe to e-mail updates in the right sidebar).  Then leave a comment on this entry telling me.

Extra Entries:

2. Follow our new Twitter account @OBBEureka and leave another comment here telling me.

3.  Tweet this giveaway (including "@OBBEureka" and a link to this blog entry) and leave another comment here telling me.

4. "Like" The Original Basket Boutique fanpage on Facebook and leave another comment here telling me (for new fans only).

5. Post a status update on Facebook about this giveaway, including a link to the blog entry.  Then leave another comment here telling me.

There you have it!  FIVE ways to claim your chance at that gift certificate.  This giveaway will be open for one week!  Next Tuesday, February 14th* at noon is our cutoff!  I will randomly select a winner and contact by the 15th.  Please leave your e-mail address or some way to contact you in each comment.  Otherwise, another winner will be chosen.

Good luck to you all!

*No, I didn't forget that next Tuesday is Valentine's Day--did you?  If OBB Eureka can help you with a gift for that special someone, give (707) 444-2509 a ring!

   

OBB Eureka's Blog Journey Begins

A blog? Apparently, it’s a requirement these days. I’ve resisted thus far, but have finally seen the light. I’ll tell you why.

Pretty frequently, I get questions from clients or friends about gift etiquette. Sometimes, it is business related, sometimes not. I was at a PTA sponsored event at my children’s elementary school and a Dad called across 2 tables to ask, “Hey, Carole! What fun new stuff do you have for baskets?”  And, I’ve probably answered the question about what was new at the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco at least a hundred times in the last two weeks. I’ve also had people tell me they wish they had a reminder about certain holidays coming up.  So…..why not put it in a blog?

I’m shooting for two posts a week; just enough to help you remember upcoming events, let you know what’s new, and help you avoid gifting faux pas and not too often to get automatically deleted. I hope you’ll share our blog address with others and that you’ll let me know what you would like to hear about. OBB has always been about providing what people need, not what I would like to sell. This is one time it really is all about YOU!

Coffee, Peppermint Chocolate, and Cookies