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How to Host a Pizza Party

5/2/2022

 
Learn how to host a pizza party for your next celebration! Whether it’s a birthday or family gathering, or a commendation for a team win, these pizza party ideas are an easy way to make sure your event is a success.
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Hosting a Pizza Party

You don’t have to wait for National pizza party day to host a pizza party. (Or course, this holiday, which falls on the third Friday in May, is another great excuse to dig in!) Host a party or pizza night anytime with our easy tips and ideas for the menu, invitations, and more!
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Reasons to Have a Pizza Party

Anytime is a great time to host a pizza party! Here are some of the top reasons to host a pizza party for your next shindig.

  • Everyone loves pizza! This delectable meal choice is a huge hit with every generation — from children to adults. It also requires very little effort. (Unless, of course, you’re making pizzas from scratch at home.)
  • Pizza parties are budget friendly. As a food option, pizza is a lot less expensive than most other party food alternatives, especially when feeding large groups of people. Therefore, if your expenses are limited, you can still have blast without breaking the bank.
  • There are so many different varieties of pizza from flatbreads and veggie to gluten free and vegan. Therefore, pizza makes it simple to accommodate a wide range of food allergies or dietary requests.
  • Pizza is portable. So, it’s easy to have a party at home or on the go! Throw a party at a local park, a destination location, or anywhere you can dream up.
  • Pizza parties are about as low maintenance as you can get! It’s easy to serve and it doesn’t require a planned set up. Just grab some paper plates and your favorite pizza slicer to feed a crowd.
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What Do I Need for a Pizza Party?

Unlike dinner parties, serving pizza requires less planning and fewer utensils to pull off. You can make it as minimal or as extravagant as you like. To throw a basic pizza party, here are the things you will need:

  • Pizza Slicer: Pizza slicers are a must to divide your pizza into individual servings. We love using personalized pizza cutters to make a statement. Some great options include the stainless-steel pizza cutter and serving tongs or pizza serving set from LifeLong Gifts. Or, for large groups or promotional parties, be sure to check out the pizza cutter wheels from Magnets USA ® to make serving food simple, yet effective.
  • Plates: Nothing fancy is needed here. Leave the dinner plates in your cabinet and opt for paper plates to keep cleanup quick and easy.
  • Napkins: Pizza can be messy, especially when kids are involved. Therefore, you’ll want to have plenty of paper towels or napkins on hand.
  • Decorations: While not a necessity, party decorations are a fun way to liven up your celebration! You can make them pizza-themed, decorate as you normally would for a birthday party or tailgate, or deck out your party space with simple streamers and balloons.
  • Drinks: Eating is bound to make your guests thirsty! Be sure to provide age-appropriate drinks at your party to help wash the pizza down.
  • Pizza Party Invitations: While email invitations and social media invites are a popular way to plan a pizza party, sending out traditional paper invitations can make the event feel extra special.  Or send out a personalized thank you card to attendees once the party is over.
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How Much Pizza Do I Need for a Party?

The amount of pizza you need to host a pizza party depends on the number of guests that will be attending. The great thing about pizza, however, is that it makes great leftovers. Therefore, you can safely order more than you need to accommodate unexpected guests or big eaters.
 
There are several factors that go into calculating the correct amount of food to feed a crowd. These include the appetite of the attendees — children and adults tend to eat varying amounts of food — as well as the size of the pizzas you order.
 
A large 16” pizza pie is typically cut into 8 slices. Children generally eat two slices on average, while adults eat three. Using this math, you’d want to order three pizzas for every eight adults. For kids, you’d need one pizza for every four children.
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Pizza Party Menu Ideas

The only party food you really need to host a pizza party are those pies! Therefore, you want to be sure to include vegetarian or gluten free options for guests with dietary restrictions. These mini eggplant margherita pizzas are a great option that works for both.
 
However, in addition to pizza, there are other menu items you can add to the event. After all, most people delight in digging into those side dishes as well!
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What are Good Apps for a Pizza Party?

Here are some other exciting menu ideas for sides and appetizers for the next pizza party you host:

  • Chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers and breadsticks are ideal for a game day or tailgate party. Add chips and jalapeño ranch dip to the mix and you’re set!
  • Authentic Mexican guacamole with chips and frozen mango margaritas are perfect for summer entertaining. (Try this mango and pineapple mocktail recipe for the kids!)
  • Patriotic marshmallow pops and a watermelon jicama salad are great for a Memorial Day or Fourth of July pizza party celebration.
  • Popsicles and ice cream make a delicious dessert for summer birthday parties once the pizza is gone.
  • Create an upscale adult pizza party with gourmet pizzas served with an antipasto platter, or bruschetta bar, and wine.
  • Summer garden salads, like a roasted tomato caprese salad or a simple beet and spinach salad, and pasta salads, such as this cheese tortellini pasta salad, are wonderful additions for hot days or summer pool parties.
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Pizza Party Decorations and Ideas

How you decorate for a pizza party depends largely upon the type of party you are hosting as well as your guest list. However, following we’ve provided some examples of popular pizza party themes along with their associated decorating ideas.
 
  • To host a classic pizza party, decorate your space with a red and white checked gingham tablecloth, parmesan shakers, and other elements that inspire classic pizzeria vibes.
  • If you’re celebrating the end of a season for a sports team, decorate the pizza party with paper garland, cups, napkins, and plates that represent the sport played.
  • For a birthday party, you can decorate your pizza party with traditional birthday party décor. This includes streamers and balloons, and colorful cups, plates, and napkins.
  • To host a football or Super Bowl pizza party, consider an inflatable field goal post cooler, football-shaped balloons, a turf table runner or tablecloth, football food picks, and helmet shaped banners.
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Don’t forget to thank your guests for being a pizza the party once your event is over. These promotional pizza slicers make wonderful party favors to commemorate the celebration.
 
Need an effective way to connect with clients, build relationships and convert leads? Personalize one of our patented pizza wheels today! Shop our line of branded promotional products now at Magnets USA® and LifeLong Gifts™. You can also subscribe to the Magnets USA® newsletter to stay up to date on current specials and promotions. Or  follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  

7 Keepsake Memory Box Ideas for Your Favorite Mementos

10/20/2021

 
Learn how to make a memory box to mark important occasions in your life, or that of a loved one. Plus, explore our ideas on what to put inside a keepsake box to preserve your memories and important mementos for years to come.
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How to Make a Memory Box

It’s easy to make a memory box for keepsakes related to a celebratory event, to mark a happy period in your life or to remember someone who has passed. Not only will this treasured box hold your memories and keep them safe, but it’s also a wonderful way to revisit these keepsakes later.
 
To create a memory box, all you need is a quality, wooden keepsake box and the materials you’d like to put inside. While you can purchase inexpensive boxes and then decorate them yourselves, we love the quality and personalization available with the keepsake boxes from Magnets USA.
 
These wood boxes are crafted from beautiful American Cherry or Walnut wood. Available in a variety of themes and designs, these boxes and can be professionally engraved as an elegant and easy way to store your most valued treasures, recipes, photographs, and mementos.
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What to Put in a Keepsake Box

What you put in a keepsake box depends on the theme you settle on for your memories. In the end, however, it’s all up to you! This is your box! Therefore, you can fill it with anything that’s sentimental or meaningful to you.
 
We love curating our boxes with a theme in mind so that they tell a story. However, you can also slowly add elements that have personal meaning to your keepsake boxes over time.
 
To help you out, we’ve pulled together some great memory box ideas along with suggestions as to what to include inside. We hope you enjoy these ideas for keeping and passing down little treasures of your memories.

Memory Box Ideas

Need ideas for memory boxes? Whether you’re creating a keepsake box for yourself or giving one as a personalized gift, these themes are all great choices!
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Memory Box Ideas for Baby

New moms will appreciate being the recipient of a memory box for their baby! After all, childhood passes by so quickly, it’s important to mark new milestones to preserve for when they’re grown. While parents will appreciate receiving a memory box for their child, it’s also something they’ll likely fill themselves over time to mark baby’s first year.
 
Common items to include in a keepsake box for a child include a lock of hair, newborn footprints, the hospital wristband, that first pair of baby booties, and physical photographs. You can also include a newspaper announcement from their birth, congratulation baby cards, or a coin from the year they were born.
 
As they grow, things can be added such as a first tooth, a favorite stuffed animal, awards or certificates, artwork, and school pictures.
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Wedding Keepsake Box Ideas

Your wedding is a day to be remembered. As one of the most important days of your life, marking the occasion with a wedding keepsake box is a wonderful way to reflect back and share those treasured memories.
 
When making a memory box for your wedding, you can include any number of items from the date inside. Things like dried flowers from the bride’s bouquet or the groom’s boutonniere, the wedding cake topper, a garter belt, and a groom’s bowtie are all wonderful choices. You can also add a copy of the vows you wrote for one another along with a copy of your invitation or save-the-date cards or wedding cards you received from guests. Even a napkin or wedding favor make great additions.
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Memory Box Ideas for Couples

Similar to a wedding memory box, you can also make one for your relationship. Take the time to have your most treasured photographs printed from your phone to put inside so they aren’t lost down the road. You can also include love letters you’ve written to one another, travel journals, and ticket stubs from memorable events.
 
In addition, you can also create a combination wedding/couples treasure box that highlights both trinkets from your wedding and your many adventures afterwards. Anything that highlights your love for another, including those honeymoon souvenirs, are fair game for a fascinating trip down memory lane later in life.
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Travel Keepsake Box Ideas

Whether you took the trip of a lifetime across the world or simply took that big vacation to Disney, these are the types of memories you want to preserve forever. In addition to physical photographs of your journey, ticket stubs, maps and souvenirs are all easy adds. We also love the idea of including shells from a beach trip, as well as postcards or thimbles from the places you visited.
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Memory Box Ideas for Graduation

Graduations, and other special occasions, are a big deal. Yearbooks alone often aren’t enough to hold all the memories of school friends and those noteworthy moments from high school or college.
 
Report cards or transcripts from senior year, awards or certificates, graduation cap or tassel, and photos are all great options for a college or high school memory box. And, of course, graduation cards you received from friends and family are another great addition.

Birthday Memory Box Ideas

Like graduation, birthdays are another great event to celebrate, especially for children as they grow. For a birthday memory box, we like to include tokens from the past year prior to the big day as well as items from your child’s actual birthday.
 
Therefore, you can put birthday cards and candles marking the occasion in a birthday memory box for a child. In addition, you can also add artwork they created or jewelry they recently grew out of, report cards, photographs of sports or activities they participated in – basically anything that’s special to the day or to your child as he or she has grown over the year.

Grief Memory Box Ideas 

Whether you’ve lost a pet or a loved one, grief is hard. Keep the memories you have of that special person or pet alive with a memorial keepsake box.
 
For pets you can keep their collar and tag inside along with a favorite toy.
 
Otherwise, add your favorite mementos from the person you’ve lost. This could be letters and photos, their cherished trinkets or items, or even ticket stubs or their passport that reflect back on their travels and favorite pastimes. You can also tuck the funeral program inside the box along with dried funeral flowers, a printed copy of their obituary, sympathy cards, and any memorial gifts that you aren’t quite ready to process.
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Anniversary Keepsake Box Ideas

Mark those memorable anniversary dates at 5, 10, 25 and 50 years together with an anniversary keepsake box! Wood is a traditional 5-year anniversary gift. Therefore, you can give an engraved keepsake box as a gift on its own to fill with treasures together.
 
A recent photo to mark the date is the perfect way to kick off this sentimental keepsake. You can also include photos or treasures from an anniversary trip or dinner out, anniversary cards you received from loved ones, a map of your city, photos of your home, love letters to one another remarking on the time you’ve spent together so far, a key to you home, pressed flowers or even a mixed CD of your favorite songs as a couple.
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Other Ways to Use Small Wood Boxes

Our personalized wooden keepsake boxes can be used for more than just making a memory box. You can also use them for storage and organization. Here are some of our top ways to use our wood engraved boxes in your home.

  • To store jewelry
  • For storing tea bags or snacks
  • Organizing art supplies
  • As a recipe box​
  • For storing change
  • Office supply organization
  • To organize and store photos
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  • For personalized note card storage
  • As a small toybox for cards or trinkets
  • It makes a lovely gift box for a secondary gift
  • Use it as a container for a faux DIY flower arrangement
  • To store your collection of art cards
  • For bathroom organization
  • As a first-aid kit
  • Display it as home décor as part of an arrangement
  • To hold stainless steel cocktail straws or cocktail picks for your bar
We hope you enjoyed this post on how to make a keepsake box. To keep up-to-date on new products and sales we offer on our line of personalized products, subscribe to our newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

How to Store Cutting Boards: Easy Storage and Organization Ideas

10/12/2021

 
Learn the best ways to store and organize your cutting boards with this collection of easy and practical kitchen storage ideas.
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We all use cutting boards in the kitchen. However, unlike cookie sheets, these tools are used more often. Therefore, one doesn’t necessarily want to stash them in cabinet you have to dig through or in the drawer under your oven.
 
Instead, we came up with some great ideas to store a cutting board for easy access.
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Cutting Board Storage Ideas

There are lots of great ways to store cutting boards in your kitchen. The awesome thing about this is that there’s no right or wrong way to store your boards! Whether you display them on a counter or tuck them away in a drawer, these cutting board storage ideas fit every lifestyle, space, or need.

Where to Store Cutting Boards in the Kitchen

At the end of the day, the best way to store cutting boards is up to you! Following are the top ways to store and organize cutting boards in your kitchen.
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How to Store Cutting Boards on the Counter

If interior drawer or cabinet space isn’t an option, keeping your cutting boards on your countertop is a simple solution when can’t just hide them. Here are some easy ways to store cutting boards on the counter to reserve your cabinet space for other needs.
 
  • Lean them against a wall.
  • Store your cutting boards flat on the countertop.
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  • Keep them inside a decorative basket or wooden crate on a counter or shelf.
  • Use your wood cutting board as home décor by placing it on a display stand.
  • Make a cutting board rack with this easy tutorial to store your boards on the counter, upright and out of the way, while still providing quick and easy access.

Organize Them Inside Drawers or Cabinets

If you have adequate space inside your kitchen drawers or cabinets, you can utilize these easy solutions to keep your cutting boards organized and accessible.
 
  • Tuck them inside a drawer.
  • Stash them in a cabinet using a slide out cutting board storage rack for easy access and more storage space in your cabinets.
  • Install towel rods under the shelves to keep them neatly in place in an upright position.
  • Tuck them inside your buffet.
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  • Turn a lower cabinet into a pull-out drawer with dividers for upright storage and organization of cutting boards and cookie sheets.
  • Attach an inexpensive magazine holder to the interior of your cabinet door using 3M hooks for additional storage space.
  • Take advantage of vertical storage on your kitchen island.
  • Use an extension for your island for extra storage space for cutting boards and knives. Or use a bar block with cubbies.
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Display Them on the Wall

If you like to keep your countertops free of clutter and are limited on storage space, you can display your cutting boards on the wall. This provides easy access without taking up existing space you need for other kitchen tools.
 
  • Use a hook to hang your boards on the wall or on the side of a cabinet or kitchen island.
  • Display and organize your boards and other kitchen tools with a wall-mounted pegboard system.
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Best Way to Store Cutting Boards

The best way to store cutting boards is vertically, rather than horizontally. This is especially important if you have wooden cutting boards rather than plastic ones. Of course, if you are using your boards on a daily basis, this is less of a concern. So don’t stress if you store your boards flat on your countertop or in a closed drawer.

Why Should You Store Cutting Boards Vertically?

While it’s not imperative that you store your kitchen cutting boards vertically, it is advisable for wood cutting boards. By keeping your boards in an upright position, it helps to prevent moisture from getting trapped underneath and possibly warping the boards. It also helps to keep your cutting boards clean as it’s more difficult for dust to accumulate on the surface when stored vertically.

When Should You Replace Your Cutting Board?

While you can store your cutting boards into eternity, that doesn’t mean that you should use them. Cutting boards don’t last forever. And the less expensive they are, the more frequently they need to be replaced.
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How Long Do Plastic Cutting Boards Last?

Typically, plastic cutting boards need to be replaced every year, though in some cases they may last up to 5 years. If you don’t cook from scratch often, then you may get extra life from your boards. However, in general, they should be replaced when they start to look worn or have noticeable damage from use, such as scratches or deep grooves.
 
Plastic cutting boards can harbor unsafe bacteria once they become damaged. They also scar more readily than wood cutting boards, which contributes to their need for more frequent replacement over their wood counterparts.
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When Should You Throw Out a Wooden Cutting Board?

Wood cutting boards greatly outlast their plastic brethren. On average, you can use a wooden board for a span of 4 to 7 years before it needs to be replaced. However, a quality cutting board that is well cared for and regularly maintained can last ever longer.
 
Unlike plastic, wood is self-healing and therefore more resistant to developing scars or grooves. Studies also show that wood has natural antibacterial properties. The combination of these properties, in addition to the board you choose, can result in a much longer life for this vital kitchen tool.
 
As with plastic, wooden cutting boards should be thrown out when they become cracked, look excessively worn or are marred with deep grooves that make cleaning them a challenge. (This is assuming the surface can’t be refurbished by sanding it down.)
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How to Choose the Perfect Cutting Board

Looking for the perfect cutting boards for your kitchen? Be sure to check out our post on how to choose a wood cutting board. In addition to the properties you should look for when making a selection, we also share information on how to properly care for your chopping boards to extend their life. Plus get ideas for giving wooden cutting boards as personalized gifts.
For more great tips and ideas, be sure to follow us on Facebook or Instagram. You can also subscribe to our newsletter for product updates and special promotions.

How to Create Holiday Gift Baskets for Clients

9/24/2021

 
One of the biggest struggles during the holiday season is figuring out what to give clients for gifts. Luckily, we’re here to help with some handy tips! Learn how to build holiday gift baskets for your top clients. Plus, explore our ideas for client holiday gift baskets to help you take the guesswork out of your customer Christmas gifts.
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What Do You Put in a Client Gift Basket for Christmas?

What you include in a client gift basket largely depends on the customer. We think it’s important to personalize the gift for the customer. This makes it unique to them and ensures that your present contains things that they would enjoy. However, if you are putting together baskets in bulk with a holiday theme, you can use the same elements for each one.
 
Just be sure that you cater your client holiday gifts for the crowd you’re targeting. This means, that if your clientele consists of foodies, give kitchen themed items. A self-care or spa themed gift basket is perfect for women who enjoy extra pampering. Or gift sports fans baskets with collegiate themed products. What you don’t want to do is give a wine and cheese basket to someone in recovery.
 
If you are giving baked goods or other food gifts, take care when making your selections. You want to avoid any potential food allergies that clients may have.
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Gift Basket Gift Ideas for Real Estate Clients

Here are some popular elements that real estate agents and other industry businesses use for their holiday client gift baskets:

  • Candy or snacks
  • Bath and body products
  • Wine and cheese
  • Artisan coffee or tea blends
  • Custom coasters
  • Homemade baked goods​
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  • Succulents or desktop plants
  • DIY kits
  • Handwritten note card
  • Magnetic calendars
  • Coffee table book
  • Toiletry bag or kit​
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  • Personalized grilling set
  • Pasta and other pantry staples
  • Monogrammed mug or drinkware
  • Magnetic bottle openers​
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  • Keepsake boxes
  • Kitchen scrapers with a set of dish towel, oven mitts and an apron
  • Emergency car tool
  • Seasonal sports schedules​
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  • Custom cutlery
  • Personalized serving ware
  • Wine accessories
  • House-shaped cutting board
  • Nuts and fruit
  • Pet products for animal owners
  • Summer sausages, smoked fish, and artisan mustard​
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  • Scented candles or other holiday home fragrances
  • Holiday advent calendars
  • Small board games or card decks
  • Christmas decorations
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How to Build a DIY Christmas Gift Basket

When creating a REALTOR® gift basket to give as holiday gifts, the last thing you want is for it to look sparse or incomplete. Therefore, we’ve pulled together our top tips for building a beautiful gift basket for the holiday season.

1. Plan Ahead

Before you start shopping for items to put in your client gift basket, it’s important to plan ahead. Decide on the theme you’d like to use for all your holiday gift baskets. Or write out a list of your clients with their interests to create a personalized real estate agent gift basket for each customer.
 
This makes shopping for your gift basket components both faster and easier. It also gives you more time to take advantage of seasonal sales and special offers, especially if you’re on a budget.

2. Determine How Many Items Should Be in the Gift Basket

Ultimately, the number of customer Christmas gifts you include in your gift basket is determined by the both the size of the basket and the size of your gifts.
 
We recommend you include 4-5 items in a small gift basket. For a medium-sized REALTOR® gift basket, choose 7-8 items. Finally, we suggest you pick 10 or more products for a large basket.
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3. Buy the Gifts and Supplies

Once you’ve determined what to include in your gift baskets, then you need to buy the gifts. You can also make homemade gifts if you’re extra crafty.
 
In addition to the presents you’ll be using, don’t forget to shop for the baskets and filler, cellophane wrap for the baskets, and decorative ribbon.

4. Assemble the Holiday Gift Baskets

The next step after you’ve gathered all the material and supplies you need, is to assemble your gift baskets.
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Add Filler

You want to use filler in your holiday real estate gift baskets to form a base for your gifts. Filler also helps to cover any elements you use to give your gifts baskets additional height. As this is a professional basket for clients, we advise you don’t use crumpled or shredded newspaper as filler. It is also helpful to color coordinate your filler with the overall theme of the basket.
 
Here are some ideas of the types of filler you can use to build holiday gift baskets for customers:
 
  • Fabric such as tea towels, a blanket or tablecloth
  • Shredded crinkle paper
  • Crinkle wood filler shred or packing straw
  • Shredded cellophane
  • Raffia
  • Tissue paper shreds
  • Excelsior, or curved wood shavings
  • Floral foam
  • Unique fillers such as wrapped candy, shelled nuts, or faux flower petals
 
Densely pack the filler you choose to ensure you have a sturdy base for the contents. We recommend you pack the base of basket three-quarters of the way full if you’re using large items. For smaller gifts, fill the basket to the top.
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How to Add Height to a DIY Christmas Gift Basket

Elevating the components inside your Christmas gift basket will help to create the perfect presentation. There are several ways to add height to a gift basket. The easiest way to do this, however, is to add elements to the bottom of the basket to boost the products you include inside.
 
Here are several ways to boost the height of the components in your container:

  • For shallow baskets, you can make things appear taller by adding basket filler, bubble wrap, or crinkled tissue paper to the bottom. Then stack the gift elements on top.
  • If you are using a deep basket or container, you can use empty boxes on the bottom to create height. You can stack the gifts on top of the boxes, then hide the base with crinkle paper.
  • Alternately, if you are using items such as a garden trowel or pencils, you can poke holes in the box to hold these elements upright.
  • Or use bamboo skewers poked into Styrofoam squares or floral foam. Then tape elements onto the skewers to elevate the smaller gifts.
  • Arrange the components so that the largest element is in the center or the back of the basket. Then use medium sized items to fill in around the larger piece with the smallest gifts around the outer, inside edge.
  • To help you design your client gift baskets for Christmas, we recommend this video. It has some great ideas on how to get your items to stand up tall for the perfect presentation.

Secure the Items Inside

With the elements arranged, you now need to secure the items in your gift basket.
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To do this, you can stuff the filler around the items for a tighter fit. In addition to employing filler to hide holes, you can also mix it up by using silk flowers, scented pinecones, Christmas themed floral picks, holiday greenery, or other embellishments.
 
Furthermore, you can also use a low temperature hot glue gun to adhere items together that don’t want to stay in place. If you don’t have a glue gun, glue dots and tape work as well.
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Wrap the Gift Basket for Your Client

Finally, wrap your client gift basket with clear cellophane. Then tie off the top with a ribbon. If desired, you can heat the cellophane with a blow dryer on the lowest setting to shrink the plastic around the client holiday gift basket.
 
Alternately, you can also wrap the basket, depending on the size, with a tea towel or picnic blanket. Or try using a sheer fabric, such as tulle from your local fabric store.
 
If you’re incorporating large items in your gift, that stay in place easily, you can skip this step.
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Add Embellishments

You can decorate your client gift baskets to make them unique. Tie a Christmas ornament onto the basket handle nestled in with the bow. Or wrap Christmas garland around the handle in lieu of using ribbon.

What Can I Use Instead of a Gift Basket?

Just because you’re making a holiday gift basket doesn’t mean you have to use an actual basket for the components. There are all sorts of other containers that can be repurposed for this use. We love choosing a functional and useful alternative to traditional baskets.
 
Here are some of our favorite alternate vessels you can utilize for this purpose:
 
  • If your customer recently moved into a new home, you could give a dual-purpose holiday gift basket by also making it a real estate closing gift basket. We love the idea of using a laundry basket, small trashcan, or cleaning bucket (something all new homeowners can use!) as a vessel for your gifts.
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  • Sturdy gift boxes, decorative storage baskets, and wooden craft store crates are another great option.
  • Canning or mason jars are an excellent solution for small gift baskets, especially if your clients are gardeners or preppers. You can fill these with bags of specialty spices and recipe cards or even small gifts like cookie cutters and holiday sprinkles.
  • Large mixing bowls or wire storage baskets are perfect for holiday themed baskets for bakers, foodies, and cooks.
  • A shoulder bag, canvas tote or reusable shopping bag is another viable alternative. While baskets are often shelved in storage, bags are reused regularly.
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  • Use an oven mitt as the basket and fill it with tools for baking.
  • Using a glass pitcher or tea pot is a creative solution when you want to skip the basket entirely in favor of supplying your client with just gifts that they can use.
  • A stiff straw hat, such as one you’d wear for gardening, is a fresh approach to a themed customer gift basket.
  • Small sleighs are also a great option for the Christmas season.
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Unique Holiday Gift Basket Ideas from REALTORS®

If you’re looking for unique holiday gift baskets to give your clients this Christmas, consider some of these popular gift basket themes:

  • A brunch basket filled with Blood Mary mix, smoked salmon, waffle mix, and other tasty snacks.
  • Give a self-care gift basket with all the ingredients for a relaxing night in. Things like candles, a spa mitt, bath bombs, a sleep mask, body scrubs, and face masks are perfect.
  • Traditional fruit baskets take the guesswork out of choosing personalized gifts for clients. Include seasonal fruits and nuts as an easy solution.
  • Create a cheese lovers baskets with a personalized cheese cutting board, gourmet cheese, artisan crackers, and a cheese knife.
  • Art themed baskets make a wonderful gift basket idea for crafters and artists. Fill yours with a customized art box organizer and tools such as an art journal, paintbrushes, markers, or pencils.​
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  • Gourmet food gift baskets with themed food gifts such as infused olive oil, olives, specialty condiments, fruit, cheese, and crackers are a popular option.
  • If you have real estate clients that love to travel, then consider a traveler’s themed basket. This could include a personalized passport cover, a travel kit, a credit card multi tool, and other useful gadgets for travelers.
  • A housewarming basket is perfect for new homeowners! A welcome mat, dish towels, kitchen gadgets, candles, a personalized wood cutting board, and even snacks are all nice additions.
  • Wine gift baskets are another popular choice. These are easy to fill with a selection of wine, cheese, and crackers in addition to chocolate. You can also include a wine tasting journal, wine glasses for two, a personalized corkscrew, a gift certificate for a tasting at a local winery, or a wine related book, such as The Wine Bible.
  • You can also create your Christmas gifts baskets with a holiday specific theme. Include oranges, a shelled nut assortment with a nutcracker, chocolate oranges and Christmas candy, Christmas cookies or other holiday baked goods.
  • Coffee gift crates are always appreciated by coffee lovers. Fill it with artisan coffees or whole bean coffee from a favorite local coffee shop. Then add biscotti or other cookies, a personalized mug, a coffee grinder, and other coffee accessories. You can also build a similar holiday gift basket for clients using loose leaf teas and specialty tea gadgets.
  • I also love the idea of a family themed dinner basket for new homeowners and large families. Rather than using a basket for this real estate agent gift, try a slow cooker instead! Then fill it with an oil mister or olive oil, a personalized apron, a family favorite crockpot cookbook, spice blends, and other non-perishable foodstuffs commonly used in slow cooker recipes.
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Can REALTORS® Give Gifts to Clients?

Yes, you can give your real estate clients a holiday gift basket. This is assuming that you aren’t giving a gift in return for a favor or kickback.
 
Section 8 of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) states that “no person shall give and no person shall accept any fee, kickback, or thing of value pursuant to any agreement or understanding, oral or otherwise, that business incident to or a part of a real estate settlement service involving a federally related mortgage loan shall be referred to any person.” 
 
In short, this means that if you are giving a gift as a thank you without any strings attached, it’s perfectly fine. (You can read a more in-depth explanation of this and similar rules here.)

Can You Deduct Gifts to Clients on Your Taxes?

Yes! You can deduct client gifts on your taxes. However, the IRS does have limits on the amount you can use as a deduction. In general, you can only $25 for gifts per recipient each calendar year. The exception to this is entertainment themed gifts, such as tickets. For this type of gift, you may deduct $50 per year for each client.
 
There are some exceptions to this, however. Branded gifts with your business information can potentially be written off at 100%. This is because they are considered a promotional or advertising expense. However, we recommend that you check with a tax professional in your area or state for clarification before making any purchasing decisions.
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We hope that you find these ideas for making holiday client gift baskets useful! For more gift giving tips, also be sure to check out our holiday client gifts! This corporate gift guide is filled with lots of great personalized, client gift ideas for Christmas.
 
For more information on great custom client gifts, subscribe to our newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

How to Carve Pumpkins with Tips, Tools and Ideas for Beginners

9/21/2021

 
Learn how to carve pumpkins for your Halloween decorations this fall. This easy guide provides tools, tips, and ideas to help you plan and create the perfect jack-o-lantern.
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This is the year to become a pumpkin-carving pro. A jack-o'-lantern ace. A prince or princess of the patch. But you won't be able to succeed alone. No, you'll need an army of carefully crafted cutlery and insider intel. Luckily, we've got some great pumpkin carving tips to help you get started!

Where Did Pumpkin Carving Originate?

The custom of carving pumpkins to create jack-o-lanterns is believed to have originated in Ireland. Residents in parts of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands originally carved turnips and field beets, called mangle-wurzels, with grotesque faces to frighten off a drunkard from an Irish myth called Stingy Jack.
 
Prior to his death, it’s believed that Jack tricked the devil over a deal for monetary gain. When he died, he was denied entry into heaven. At the same time, the devil, upset by Jack’s constant trickery, also refused him admittance. As a result, Jack was sentenced to roam earth for all eternity.

When Irish immigrants came to America, they brought this tradition with them. However, they chose to carve pumpkins for this purpose as they were native to the region.
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The Celtic festival Samhain marks the end of summer and the beginning of the new year on November 1st. During this time, it’s believed that souls who had died would return to visit their homes.
 
When the Roman Catholic Church moved All Saints’ Day to the first of November, All Hallows’ Eve fell on the day prior. Keeping with Samhain tradition, people began to wear disguises to hide themselves from wandering ghosts. Around the same time, the tradition of carving turnips to ward off Stingy Jack was also incorporated into the holiday to ward off evil spirits.
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What is the Best Pumpkin for Carving?

Before you carve a jack-o-lantern, you need to pick a pumpkin. You want to choose a carving pumpkin, rather than one meant for pies for the best results. Carving pumpkins have a thinner rind that’s well suited for carving. They also have less flesh on the inside.
 
Jack-O-Lantern pumpkins are the best, and most popular, type of pumpkins for carving. They have thin walls that make them easy to cut. Plus, they’re readily available throughout the season at most grocery stores. Assuming you don’t have the chance to visit your local pumpkin patch.
 
Other suitable pumpkins varieties you can use include:
 
  • Hobbit Pumpkins
  • White Lumina Pumpkins
  • Cinderella Pumpkins
  • Autumn Gold
  • Gold Rush Pumpkins
  • Wolf Pumpkin
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How to Pick a Pumpkin

Following are some easy guidelines for picking pumpkins to carve:
 
  • Choose pumpkins with a hard shell that will stand up to carving, but that is easy to cut through with a knife. If the shell feels as hard as wood, pick another one as cutting through especially hard shells can be dangerous.
  • Thick walls can prevent light from showing through the inside of your jack-o-lantern. Therefore, choose a gourd that has thin walls. Pumpkins with thinner walls have a hollow sound when tapped. While heavier pumpkins have thicker walls.​
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  • Pumpkin varieties such as Baby Bear, Baby Boo, and Wee-B-Little are small pumpkins that shouldn’t be discounted. These are the perfect size for kids to carve if you don’t need a giant jack-o-lantern on your front porch.
  • While the shape of tall, oblong pumpkins may be appealing and work well with your design, they do have limitations. Tall, thin pumpkins may not balance well or can fall over easily. Therefore, be sure any pumpkins you pick have a balanced base. Also, keep in mind that oblong varieties often have stringy insides that can make precise cuts more challenging.
  • Ensure that the bottom of the pumpkin isn’t soft or mushy. You also want to choose winter squash that has a flat bottom, so it doesn’t rock or roll.
  • The stem of your Halloween pumpkins should be firm and secure. You also want to take care that you don’t pick up the pumpkin from its stem. This can cause breakage which diminishes its shelf life.
  • Choose pumpkins with a smooth surface to make carving your designs easier, assuming it fits the look you’re after. You also want to avoid produce that is bruised or has a marred surface.
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Best Pumpkin Carving Tools

By choosing the best pumpkin carving tools to create your jack-o-lanterns, you’re more likely to succeed in designing the perfect Halloween décor. Here are the top tools for carving unique pumpkin designs.
 
  • Quality Kitchen Knives. Say BOO! to those tiny, plastic pumpkin carving kits that break mid-cut, and hello to sharp cutlery that's heroic enough for the job! For our Magnets USA-inspired pumpkin, we chose our LifeLong Cutlery paring (left) and filet knives. However, you can use any sharp knife that’s sturdy enough to handle the task. Or try a keyhole saw for curved cuts.
  • Kitchen Scrapers. While our Super Scrapers are great for cleaning messy pans, they also perform extra tasks with ease. One of those duties includes scraping out pumpkin guts. This tool is an easy way to remove the innards from winter squash so you can get down to business. You can also use and ice cream paddle or scoop as well as a small, serrated fleshing tool used in ceramics.
  • Hole Cutters. Another tool utilized by potters, hold cutters are basically short metal pipes with sharpened ends. They can be used to create lace designs or punch clean circular shapes into pumpkin walls.
  • Needle Tool. For intricate designs you want to trace onto your pumpkin, consider a needle tool. This allows you to easily transfer your design onto any gourd so it’s easy to carve. You can also use a T-Pin as an alternative.
  • Linoleum Cutter. If you love detailed designs, then consider a linoleum cutter used to cut wooden blocks for printing. These tools are not only inexpensive, but they also provide different sizes and patterns to help your creativity flow. Likewise, X-Acto knives are also great for intricate details.
  • Cookie Cutters. Metal Halloween cookie cutters are a fun and easy way to cut out perfect shapes. Simply use a rubber mallet to tap the cookie cutters into the pumpkin rind.
  • Melon Baller. This kitchen tool is another great way to decorate Halloween pumpkins. Use it to carve spheres into the pumpkin shell for light to shine through when lit.
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Pumpkin Carving Tips and Tricks

Now that you know how to choose the perfect Halloween pumpkin for carving, here are some tips to get the job done!
 
  • If you plan to use battery-powered lights in your jack-o-lantern, carve a circle out of the bottom to preserve the top. For candles or tealights, cut a hole in the top.
  • Make sure you buy a pumpkin with stem. A thick, green stem works best and indicates the pumpkin has thick walls as well.
  • Don’t be afraid to pick oddly shaped pumpkins. Depending on your design, the weirder the shaped, the more unique design you can create.
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  • Scoop out as much of the pumpkin guts as possible. The thinner the walls, the longer your pumpkin will last. This will also help to delay mold growth.
  • Research design ideas before you start carving! This prevents mistakes and allows you to sketch out the design onto the pumpkin before you begin.
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  • The easiest way to use a pre-made pattern or design you printed onto paper is to first tape the paper onto the face of the pumpkin. Then use a fork, pencil, or needle tool to poke holes along the lines you want to cut out.
  • Pumpkins don’t last forever. For the best-looking jack-o-lantern on the block, carve your pumpkin no more than two to three days prior to your event or Halloween party.
  • Light up your jack-o-lantern using an LED or CFL light. Other types of lights, as well as candles, give off heat that can cook the pumpkin form the inside, shortening its lifespan.
  • Make rough design cuts first to remove large pieces from the gourd. Once you the basics carved out, you can then go back and clean up the design or add additional details.
  • When cutting your pumpkin with a knife, use clean up-and-down slices. You want to avoid making cuts on a slant.
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  • Keep your pumpkin scraps to create additional design elements for your Halloween jack-o-lantern. You can use these pieces to cut out a tongue, hair accessories, or other features from leftover chunks of pumpkin shell.
  • Save your seeds! Pepitas, or pumpkin seeds, are delicious when seasoned and roasted.

How to Carve Pumpkins for Halloween

Ready to carve a jack-o-lantern? Here is how to carve your pumpkin for your Halloween decorations.

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1. Choose the tools you need for your design. While a sharp knife is a must, you may also want to use some of the other instruments we mentioned previously to help you successfully execute your design. 
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2. Start at the bottom of the pumpkin. Rather than cutting a hole around the stem to remove the top, make one at the base of the pumpkin instead. (If you're using a real candle, then cut a hole in the top for ventilation.)
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This way, you can place the pumpkin over the light, instead of having to reach inside the pumpkin to position the battery operated candle. Pro tip: With your paring knife, carve an indention for the LED tea light to sit comfortably. ​
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3. Remove the pumpkin guts. Arguably the best part of carving a pumpkin, removing the insides is the time to conjure that messy kid you used to be. So roll up your sleeves, put on your game face and go for it. You can wear gloves for this step, if desired. We recommend using you hands first to remove the loose material. Then try one of the suggested tools from scraping out the excess.
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4. Use a needle tool to trace your design onto the pumpkin. With your design taped to the pumpkin, use a thumbtack to establish an outline. When it comes to jack-o'-lanterns, staying inside the lines is a good thing — and will help prevent your freaky Frankenstein or cackling cat from becoming one terrifying blob.
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5. Make thoughtful, strategic cuts. We suggest starting with the smallest parts of your design. The paring knife, which features a short, easy-to-control blade, is a great detailing knife. For the larger sections, we found that the filet knife, with its thin and flexible blade, was best.
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6. Polish off your jack-o-lantern design. When you're finished cutting and all the pieces have been removed, it's time to add the finishing touches. Use your paring knife to carefully shave any ragged edges or remove stray guts.

Jack-O-Lantern Design Ideas

Need design ideas for your Halloween pumpkins? Here are just a few designs you can try whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pumpkin carving pro! Simply scroll through the slideshow to see them all.
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How to Keep Your Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns Fresh

Unfortunately, jack-o-lanterns don’t last forever. If you plan decorate your front porch with carved gourds this Halloween, then be sure to follow this advice for keeping your pumpkins fresh longer.

  • Store uncut pumpkin in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight and heat. Hot weather can cause winter squash to rot faster. On the other hand, freezing temperatures can also be harmful. We recommend storing your gourds in a cool basement until you’re ready to use them.
  • To preserve a cut pumpkin, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Then store your jack-o-lantern in the refrigerator for up to three days before your party or Halloween trick-or-treating.
  • Fresh pumpkins last longer if they aren’t cut. Therefore, hold off on carving these Halloween decorations until closer to the holiday. A gourd that’s cut on October 1st likely won’t survive until the 31st.
  • To extend the shelf life of carved pumpkins, treat them with either bleach or a bleach substitute. To do this, simply mix one Tablespoon of bleach with a quart of water. Then combine in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto both the interior and exterior of your carved creations, then allow it to air dry. If you want an eco-friendly alternative, try a combo of peppermint Castile soap and water instead.
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  • Just as petroleum jelly helps protect skin from outside elements, it can also protect your pumpkins! Apply this product to all the cut edges of your jack-o-lantern as well as the inside of the pumpkin to prevent moisture loss. This can help keep your design from shriveling away into nothing.
  • For pumpkins that have prematurely dried before the occasion, you can soak them in water to help revive their original appearance. While this solution is temporary, it can freshen up your jack-o-lantern for that one last hooray. Simply soak it in a bucket of cool water for several hours, then drain.
If you enjoyed our post on how to carve Halloween pumpkins, then also be sure to check out tutorial on how to make a holiday charcuterie board.

Or, to discover more fun DIY projects, make sure to follow us on your favorite social media platforms. You can find Magnets USA on both Facebook and Instagram.
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