While coffee and tea gift baskets are a great choice for corporate gifts that can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, gourmet gifts can be pricey. Saving money on coffee & tea gift baskets is simple, however, with some planning and flexibility built into your gift giving. One easy place to start is to look for discount retailers and wholesalers who sell pre-made gourmet coffee gifts.

Another way to spend less on your tea and coffee baskets is to buy smaller gift baskets, whether by choosing the smallest size option or using a basket customizing service that allows you to choose only the contents you want to pay for. Of course, a more creative alternative is to craft your own coffee and tea gift sets if time allows.

Use the following resources for saving money on coffee & tea gift baskets during your next occasion for company gift-giving:

1. Shop with discounters that sell coffee gifts for less.
2. Scale down your spending by customizing coffee and tea gift baskets.
3. Spend more time and less money making your own tea gifts.
   

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Buy coffee and tea gift baskets from discount retailers

You don't have to shop from a gourmet specialty store to find coffee and tea gifts for your clients. Many larger retailers and even discounters regularly sell a wide variety of generic and name brand coffee and tea products in gift baskets for giving occasions. Many retailers also offer free shipping on orders of a certain size when you buy online.

I recommend: Browse the selection of coffee and tea gift baskets offered online by discount retailers like Target. Costco, a wholesaler for consumer products, also offers a range of gift baskets at value rates.

Customize your tea and coffee baskets to cut extra costs

Another easy way to save money on tea and coffee baskets is to cut the extra costs for volume and contents that you don't necessarily need. Many gift basket sellers offer a range of basket sizes, so you can choose the smallest size available, and customizable options allow you to only pay for those items you want in the basket.

I recommend: Gourmet Gifts sells many of their basket styles in different sizes and with customizable options for what items are included. The Gift Angel allows you to build your own tea and coffee baskets, customizing every detail and including as much or as little as your budget will accommodate.

Make you own tea and coffee gifts with a little work behind the scenes

Tea and coffee gifts are easy to make yourself if you have the time and the skills to invest. A range of tips and video tutorials are available online to help guide your creative efforts, and you can either make your own gift-sized portions of coffee and tea or buy gift basket supplies online.

I recommend: Get instructions for making an affordable coffee or tea basket from The Fun Times Guide to Food. Tipnut.com also offers several instructional videos by experts explaining how to make a gift basket, and lists suggested ingredients to include in coffee and tea gift baskets.

Every company struggles for ideas on what to send to show their appreciation to important clients and vendors. Personalized gift items like pens and daily planners are a bit played out, while alcohol can be considered by some as unprofessional. So what’s left?

Consumables are always a good bet, and coffee and tea gift baskets are a nice, professional choice that most people will enjoy. And because coffee and tea go hand and hand with the work environment, chances are the coffee and tea gifts you send will be shared with an entire department instead of just your main contact.

Before you start shopping for coffee baskets and tea gifts, consider the following:

1. Determine whether a prepackaged coffee or tea gift set is the best, most economical option or if a custom gift where you can pick and choose items would be better. Keep in mind quantity, too. Are you sending the same coffee or tea gift baskets to dozens of clients? If so, look for buy-in-bulk discounts.
2. Stay within a budget. There’s no need to hurt your bottom line with a thoughtful gesture.
3. Explore gourmet items and practical add-ons. Everyone gets excited about a brand name they like or a clever new gadget.

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Choose a theme for your coffee and tea gift baskets

Most coffee and tea gift basket suppliers have already thought long and hard about great combinations of items to include in their baskets. Rely on them to know what's best and select a thematic coffee or tea basket.

I recommend: The Basket Source presents its coffee gifts in a unique way, with a Breakfast Basket, Coffee Break Gift Basket, Coffee Concerto and Java Giant (for the die-hard coffee fans out there). Van’s Gifts also has a nice variety of coffee and tea gift basket options, with such extras as chocolate, cheese and cookies.

Don't break the bank on coffee and tea gifts

Remember that coffee and tea gift baskets are a nice gesture to say thank you - they don't have to supply the company with a year's supply worth of beverages.

I recommend: Joe’s Coffee House allows you to custom select gourmet products to include in coffee baskets or tea gifts, which is a great way to keep costs down. Gift Baskets City offers a variety of coffee and tea gift baskets for under $30.

Give 'em what they like

We all know someone who is addicted to Starbucks or another one of the coffee giants out there. Some coffee gift baskets include brand-name coffees as an extra touch.

I recommend: Adorable Gift Baskets offers general gourmet coffee gifts as well as specialized coffee gift baskets that feature Starbucks coffee. The Fair Trade Coffee Company sells an organic coffee gift basket for the socially conscious coffee or tea drinker.

Think practical when shopping for tea baskets or coffee gifts

Useful add-ons like coffee presses or tea infusors are a great addition to coffee and tea gift baskets.

I recommend: Peet’s Coffee and Tea goes beyond consumables by offering coffee press gift baskets and brew-in-mug tea gift sets. The English Tea Store sells baskets that include baskets with teapots.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for top regional or local coffee and tea suppliers. Vendors and clients will appreciate that you supported their local economy.
• •  Be sure to include a personal note with your coffee and tea gift baskets to let your vendor or client know how much you appreciate them.

Coffee and tea gift baskets are universally popular and well received by clients, employees and friends alike. You will be pleasantly surprised by the numerous choices available in coffee and tea gift basket types and styles. Companies offer specialty coffees and teas in small servings, allowing for a variety of tastes.

Healthy choices are now among coffee and tea gift baskets types and styles. Green tea has been found to have important health benefits. Because they are relatively low in calories, even the dieter will welcome coffee and tea gifts. Companies are pairing certain types of foods that bring extra health benefits when combined. You can purchase coffee baskets that bring together the antioxidant affects of gourmet coffee and dark chocolate. Other healthy options are tea gift sets that include spa products for stress relief. Consider the following before you purchase a coffee and tea gift basket:

1. Do you want to customize your coffee gifts or tea gifts to suit your particular taste or do you wish to buy a prearranged assortment?

2. What additional items will you include in your coffee and tea gift baskets?

3. Consider healthy choice combinations.

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Discover favorite combinations used in coffee and tea gift baskets

Sample and share great products with others when you find them. Teas in tea gift baskets are purchased either loose or in tea bags. Be sure to look for a high-quality blend.

I recommend: Visit the English Tea Store to create your own basket. They carry a range of choices including loose leaf tea with all of the accessories. For new experiences, igourmet carries specialty teas and coffees from around the world. A Southern Season offers a wide variety of premium choices. Maui Coffee produces hand-made baskets filled with Hawaiian coffees, teas and goodies.

Determine the items you would like to include in coffee and tea gift baskets

Basket assortments may include coffee and tea cups, coffee makers, or teapots. Other items frequently included are candies, chocolates, fruit, cheese and cookies. Most gift baskets can be customized to suit your particular taste. Gourmet coffee gifts and tea baskets are beautifully presented in cellophane and bows. Who can resist such a gift? Determine your favorite overall presentation.

I recommend: Gourmet Gifts carries standard and custom coffee and tea gift baskets with a variety of accessories. Unique Gift Baskets come in many shapes, sizes and choices of items. D'Vine Taste has lovely gourmet assortments. Gift Baskets by Design provides a large assortment of goodies.

Pick coffee and tea gift baskets that include healthy combinations for added value

Make any necessary considerations such as stress relief, antioxidants, caffeine free, low sugar or calorie.

I recommend: Van's Gifts provides healthy food combinations and spa items. Gourmet Gift Baskets offers gourmet coffee and chocolates galore. Art of Appreciation Gourmet Gifts combines coffee and classical music!

Appeal to clients with sophisticated taste by building coffee and tea gift baskets filled with practical and decadent beverage ingredients, treats and helpful kitchen tools. By learning about key terms like “flavored spoons,” “T-sac,” and “milk frother,” you’ll be able to order a variety of items to create baskets that suit everyone from mothers to executives. Keeping up with current coffee and tea terms and trends will also enable you to meet customer needs when they make special requests.

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T-sacs

Allow gift basket recipients to customize the type of tea they brew with T-sacs that are easy to fill with a variety of tea leaves. Consider including an instruction sheet with T-sac instructions, along with a re-order form to generate future sales of the disposable tea bags.

I recommend: See photos of T-sacs and discover how easy they are to fill and brew through product descriptions at the English Tea Store. The site also offers a selection of tea gift baskets for content and packaging ideas.

Monin syrups

Include Monin syrups in your coffee gift baskets as a way to turn basic coffee into custom-flavored beverages. Pair the fat-free syrup flavors with other treats inside the basket to create themed gifts.

I recommend: Discover the array of Monin syrup flavors, along with suggestions for coffee gift basket ingredients, through Joe’s Coffee House.

Milk frother

Allow gift basket recipients to become their own kitchen barista with a battery operated milk frother. The simple tool can foam milk in seconds to become a deluxe ingredient or topping for coffee and espresso drinks.

I recommend: Wisegeek explains what a milk frother is. The site also gives an idea of what it costs to purchase a milk frother.

Flavored spoons

Add a deluxe and flavorful touch to coffee and tea gift baskets by including a few chocolate spoons. By stirring the spoon into a hot mug of coffee, the user can melt the chocolate and infuse the beverage with a rich mocha flavor. For tea baskets, consider including items like honey spoons or sugar sticks.

I recommend: Check out different varieties of flavored spoons, along with an assortment of flavored iced tea spoons, through Gourmet Coffee Express.

Tin tie bags

If you'll be packaging your own coffee beans, loose teas, candies and other treats for your gift baskets, purchase tin tie bags in bulk. The bags feature a tin tie closure to keep dry food items fresh.

I recommend: Find additional details and uses for tin tie bags through Creative Gift Packaging.

Shrink wrapping system

Once you've got the coffee, tea and gourmet gift items arranged in the basket, box or container, it's vital to enclose them with a shrink wrapping system to keep them fresh and secure in transit. Systems will typically use adhesives, cellophane and tools like heat guns to encase the items.e the items.

I recommend: Find shrink wrapping system products through ATW Manufacturing. The company website also features helpful instructions on arranging gift baskets and using the equipment to ensure you stabilize and seal the items properly.