Home for the Holidays with 1-800-Flowers: Tips, My Thoughts, & Coupons!

A few weeks ago I had the chance to attend a “Home for the Holidays Extravaganza” by Celbrations.com (1-800-Baskets, Cheryl & Co., Fannie May, Winetasting.com & The Popcorn Factory) where I not only got to check out the different brands but also listen to decorating tips from designer Shawn Rabideau.  The event started off with us hearing about how slowly 1-800 Flowers started acquiring other gift giving companies, including my classic favorite Fannie May.  All the companies then make up Celebrations.com, which I think it a perfect partnership of gift giving companies!

Next Shawn talked about how we can reuse and decorate on a budget.  Now I admit I don’t typically go all out decorating because 1) its expensive and 2) I am clueless where to start!

Here are some of Shawn’s tips for how to reuse and be creative:

• Take overturned rock glasses and place in-between plates to make a 3-tiered cookie stand!
• Use boxes (for example from Popcorn Factory or 1-800-Baskets) you received as part of holiday décor, as wine bottle holders, or just to wrap up another gift.
• Stack cookies in a circle to form a wreath – Cheryl & Co. frosted cookies looked incredible in a wreath form!
• Decorate popcorn balls – especially using the Popcorn Factory Ball Decorating Kit!
• Use pinecones in a vase or jingle bells as a napkin holder.
• Reuse table linens you already have.  Red for Christmas can also be used for Valentines Day or even with some black for Halloween!
• Popcorn tins (like the adorable ones from the Popcorn Factory) can be reused as decorations, store decorations in, or place gifts in!

We then headed to the studio where all the gift baskets from 1-800-Baskets are designed and put together.  It was amazing how huge and organized everything was – the aisles were even labeled like the grocery store!  I could probably have spent hours walking around and checking out all the goodies and craft items.  We first heard from all the company’s spokespeople to hear a little bit about the products and get ideas from them.   It was interesting to hear how they come up with the goodies, basket selections, and quality.  All the items are taste tested and selected personally (what a great job that would be!)

Now it was time for us to make our own gift basket, just like 1-800-Baskets.  I was clueless as I have never made a gift basket before but luckily we were walked through the process.  For example, we learned to start with the biggest items in the back and work your way forward.  Then to hold everything together we used Glue Dots which have become my new best friend for the holidays!  Then we tied a ribbon and they wrapped it up for us – perfect and professional looking!

Next stop was a wine, cheese and chocolates tasting – yum!  We heard from a representative from Winetasting.com and she talked about pairing wine and chocolates with different wines.  We also heard from the representative who purchases the cheeses for the gift baskets and the top selling chocolates from Fannie May.  I learned for example that for a small party you should put out about three cheeses and that Fannie May turtles go great with champagne!

Overall, I had a very fun and eventful trip and I learned how much really goes into selecting the products they sell and I love that I can trust them to be high quality.   I also had only purchased from 1-800-Flowers and Fannie May in the past so it was nice to check out all the other companies they are partnered with.  I highly recommend all the brands and don’t even know which my favorite would be!

Also, typically I know it is more expensive to buy gifts like cookies, chocolates, popcorn, flowers and gift baskets online but it is a treat and really makes gift giving easy.  These companies know what they are doing so I have no doubt that the food they ship will arrive a lot better (and nicer) than if I tried to send some.  With gift baskets the way I look at it is the time I waste picking out all the items, then paying for them, then assembling the basket, then shipping, I could easily have purchased a pre-made high quality one online!  You do have to think about how quicker and easier it is to justify it, but in the end I am busy so anywhere I can maybe save some time I am looking into it!

Here are also some 15% OFF Promo coupon codes that are now active for all the brands:

1-800-FLOWERS.com – Promo Code = SHAWN

1-800-Baskets.com – Promo Code = SHAWN

Cheryl’s – Promo Code = SHAWN

The Popcorn Factory – Promo Code = SHAWN

Winetasting.com – Promo Code = SHAWN

Fannie May – Promo Code = 1225

Here is a slideshow of my experience:

Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure: I attended a social media event and received samples but my opinion remains my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy.