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Fun on Friday with Martha. How is your packaging working for you?

By Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon

Real Estate Agent with Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd IA100052670

December 18, 2009 10:05 AM

Fun on Friday with Martha. How is your packaging working for you?

This time of year we are all in a hurry to get our HVA's done, that is High Value Activities.

We run from one party or event to another.. we have to take gifts as secret Santa's or Chinese Christmas. I know I would run so fast that sometimes the packaging was not always the best.

cookie tray

Several years ago I attended a luncheon for instructors and there were beautiful packages at the table setting. Each box was wrapped in spectacular paper adorned with bows and trinkets which made me feel like a Princess. The speaker had placed the packages at each table to make a point. The message was about the packaging. You see it really didn't matter what was inside.. it was the way we felt just looking at the beautiful presentation.

I am still working on packaging in all parts of my marketing, it takes practice and time. We all get distracted with other demands but we all have to start somewhere, learning and getting better each day.I keep working on the blog presentation and try to learn new things.... some turn out better than others but I keep trying.

As Christmas arrived and I was creating some personal gifts, I thought about the packaging lesson and decided to share a few ways to make nice gifts in an economical way.

I usually purchase Christmas plates and mugs after Christmas to have them for the next year... you can also find some good items right now at a dollar store which will work, just fine. I buy the cellophane wrapping after Christmas too so I have it for the next year. I can use clear cellophane all year long to wrap coffee mugs filled with candy or baskets with fun things.

If you have time to bake some cookies, get them ready, put them on a Christmas plate, wrap them in red cellophane and tie with a pretty bow.

A coffee mug filled with Candy or cocoa or tea is also a great gift for any time of year! So when shopping at sales, pick up some cute mugs to have when you need to give something to someone.

Cup and cocoa Cup wrapped

It's fun to think of ways to be creative, show someone they

are special and save money.

Anyone who watches Martha knows.. we can get creative with just about anything!

Let your creative juices flow and have fun with the Season!

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June Tassillo

Owner/Broker RE/MAX Elite Realty - Franklin, NC

Let me help you with the next phase of your life!

Hey Cara ~ I do believe its in the presentation not what is in it. I also buy wraping paper, cards etc.. after X-Mas. Its so much cheaper.

Dec 18, 2009 10:19 AM

Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon

Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO

Helping people Transition at all ages!

June,

You know what they say about great minds!...... I think in today's world we need to save where we can.. but that does not mean it can't look pretty!

Dec 18, 2009 12:45 PM

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT

Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Yep, Carra, that's exactly the way I would do it also! I do know my wife will do the same type of shopping right after Christmas. Up here, we have a string of stores called the Christmas Tree Shop that offer those types of special bargains all year long. They started on Cape Cod in Mass, but have branched out into New England probably based on the zip codes of the shoppers that shopped on the Cape.

Merry Christmas to you and Yours.

Dec 19, 2009 01:15 AM

Pamela Cendejas

Second Self Virtual Assistance - Kingman, AZ

Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235

Hi Carra - Love the analogy. Looks like you're having some fun. We always get more out of our generosity than we give. And, you've made a great point - packaging can be creative and well presented without costing an arm and leg. We just need to be able to back it up with talent.

Dec 19, 2009 03:07 AM

Brian Madigan

RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON

LL.B., Broker

Carra,

The presentation is really half of the gift. It takes time and effort but it's often the better part of marketing.

Brian

Dec 19, 2009 05:00 AM

Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer

Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

You mean we're supposed to wrap Christmas presents in pretty colored paper with a pretty bow? LOL

Happy Holidays!

Dec 19, 2009 11:34 AM

Leslie Helm

Tennessee Recreational Properties - Jamestown, TN

Real Estate For Trail Riders

Hi, Carra. I usually wrap with tissue paper because I like solid colors but I LOVE the red cellophane! So festive!

I often tape flowers to the wall upside down and let them dry; then I use them to decorate packages. When someone has received a floral arrangement and it's just about to "go by" and they are headed for the wastebasket to dispatch it, that's the time to snag some roses because they dry beautifully.

You're right....making the effort really does make the other person feel special.

Dec 20, 2009 08:06 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Carra--You are right on with this tip. Thanks to the presenter a that marketing seminar. Yes, sometimes I hate to open the package because I like the wrapping so much.

PS I am going to add a few wrapped packages to my audio-visual aids stash for future CE class on marketing.

Dec 20, 2009 09:48 PM

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®

Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Carra...great tips. I also buy plates, bowls, etc for my baking goodies and give to my neighbors. I bought some great plates for my pumpkin rolls and will wrap in cellophane and a bow for my neighbors and friends.

Dec 21, 2009 04:33 PM

Rachelle McMahan

Golf Savings Bank - Grants Pass, OR

Carra - these are wonderful tips. I have always been the designated wrapper in our family. I love taking the time to make beautiful packaging because I agree, it makes the gift even more special. This year I purchased a bow maker and have had some much fun creating bows of all shapes and sizes.

Merry Christmas

Dec 22, 2009 07:53 AM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Cara, you're so right! When the packaging is this pretty, you're a lot more inclined to love what's inside!

Dec 23, 2009 05:45 PM

Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon

Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO

Helping people Transition at all ages!

Ed ~ You are a smart shopper! Makes sense to save money where we can!

Pam ~ I like it packaging, presentation and talent.

Brian~ it is the 1st impression.. and you know what they say about that!

Russel ~ I bet you could make some beautiful packages covered in stamps or flora!

Leslie ~ I love the flower idea.. I just got a red rose Christmas bouquet.. and I am going to dry the just like you suggested... great tip! Thanks

Mary~ Now that is what I am talking about... taking the concepts in posts.. and sending out the ripples.. I just got chicken skin... that is Hawaiian for goose bumps! Happy to have shared a new idea!

Rebecca~ Great minds.. you know what they say! It is a wonderful idea for all year long! Home baked goods.. makes people feel special!

Rachelle ~ love it "designated wrapper" with a new bow machine! How cool is that... show us some pictures! great post idea... take this one and blow it up a notch! i am really not a very good wrapper.. so this makes me look better than the packages... lol

Patricia ~ it's fun and it really does not take that long to create a lasting impression.

Dec 23, 2009 06:32 PM