Pros gift baskets makers, i need you opinion and advice.....

[Mia001]

i read threads in wich some of you told they got almost everythings to 'built' their GB for close to nothing or free....last year, as they were aroud 20 residents at the care unit where dad was, with the suggestion and help of the cosmetician at Jean Coutu, i was able for a kinda reasonable coast to spoil a little the residents....the ladies got Vichy or Avene hand cream ( and i know they really appreciated it ) and the gentlemen got some nice brand shower gel....and i also treat them and families with Lindt Chocolate at Christmas and New Year day....this year is a different story....they are 42 residents 30 ladies and 12 gentlemen...and i would like to give them a little something....i thought about making them small baskets with things like : hand cream, body wash, body cream,face cream, lips balm, etc...and some chocolate....whatever side i count and put it, even using travel size ....it'll cost me both my arms and my legs...LOL....so any suggestion is more than welcome... .....however, please, don't get me wrong, i'm not asking here for coupons or financial help of any sort........thank you sooo very much in advance for your add in this brain storming...P.S. last year ladies gifts were promotion bags 2 hand cream for the cost of one ...and the PJC cosmetitian suggested me to take the tubes out of the bags and give each lady one, so they cost me half the price...the gentlemen gifts were more pricy as it is hard to find good non allergenic BW for the price cost of my other gifts

[cjunk]

Check out the mini boxes of Russell Stovers post Halloween in Drug Stores as they were wrapped in Halloween paper that you can just unwrap. You could probably get these 1/2 price or less. Costco is a great place for bulk buys like this as well as you can get the Gulyan chocolates in the mini boxes in a large pack for a reasonable price.

You might be better off collecting points via programs and then using that to buy items without cost to you. E.g. Airmiles points you can buy a giftcard for yourself and then use it to buy product that is unscented if that is necessary. SDM has a great points program as well as RCSS for President's Choice bank cards/Mastercards which can all be redeemed for product.

Lots of freebies /cheapies if you can use fragrances...e.g. Old Spice, Olay, Dove.

[Chantel]

Clip EVERY coupon you see. I thought, last week "Well I don't ever use airwick, so I don't need this $7 off coupon" but I'm glad I did clip it, because I found the item on sale for $7.97. They're also great for trades, if you don't use the coupon somebody else probably would. Keep everything.

Contacting companies is always a great way to get some help. Email colgate-palmolive, for example, and explain your situation. They make SpeedStick, they're the only scentless deodorant I know of for men. I'm sure there are others, though. Anyway, they sent me 5 x $1 off for any of their brands. You can often find their deodorant on for a little less than a dollar. As well, they make toothpaste, and colgate coupons are pretty easy to find and stack if you live somewhere with an LD.

cjunk has some great points as well.

[carlyincanada]

Look for clearance items & ask at SDM for perfume/cologne samples!

[nosobbq]

right now sdm is doing there switch over from "fall/summer"stuff into christmas stuff, so if you talk to them in cosmetics they maybe able to help you with a good deal.... is this a carehome?
people like to help out, i would just chit chat with everyone until i got some answers.....

and SDM points im sure you can get lots of stuff for them there.....

[blizz_27]

Lots of cosmetic stores give little samples ... each basket might end up with something different, but they're small filler stuff that can make the end result a lot prettier!

P&G Brand samplers would be a great start!

[BookMom]

The last time I put together baskets for the women's shelter, I talked to the person at the cosmetic counter at London Drugs, and she gave me a wonderful stash of samples to add to the baskets!

I also keep an eye out for sales where I can use coupons that will enable me to get multiple products for free or close to free for the baskets.

[cjunk]

Just a thought but the cookies on sale this week for 1.00 a bag might be a nice addition to a basket for seniors? Who doesn't LOVE cookies!!!

[coley3]

These are all great ideas. Don't forget that if you are doing the Stouffer's rewards program or the new Pepsi one that you can get a GC back. You could then use those said GC's to buy stuff for baskets you are making. So zero money out of pocket.

[Mia001]

finally, i think i'll only do the chocolate treats...this is what they miss the most....as everything else is provided by the place....