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Send your clients cards and gifts by mail. An affordable, time-saving solution for the busy real estate agent, our greeting card service for business makes Christmas REALTOR® pop-by gifts fast and fun!  Make your clients feel like part of the family by sending personalized greeting cards this holiday season. With the ability to personalize each card, you can build on existing relationships, send a client gift, and save time. At Minute Mail Gifts, our easy design software allows you to create and send custom cards by mail quickly and easily with the same impact as traditional greeting cards – but with a surprise inside!  Reasons to Send Holiday Cards with Pop-By GiftsRelationships with clients are so important. Not only do they help to build trust, but they also help you grow your business through referrals. Here are some of our top reasons to send holiday cards with pop-by gifts to your customer base this Christmas:
 Pop-By Gift REALTOR® Christmas Card IdeasWe offer lots of great designs for real estate Christmas cards. Whether you’re celebrating a client’s recent move or reconnecting with past customers in a bid for fresh leads, we offer a variety of business greeting cards and gifts for the holiday season with competitive pricing and free personalization. Here is just sampling of the holiday card designs we offer for sending cards with pop-by gifts through the mail. Whether you need a professional design or something fun and lighthearted, Minute Mail Gifts has you covered!   Real Estate Christmas Card MessagesNot sure what to write in a handwritten Christmas card to a client? You don’t need to compose a long message for holiday greetings. Instead, something short and sweet will suffice. If you need sayings to include inside your REALTOR® Christmas cards, then consider some of these messages:
At the end of the day, you just want to wish your clients a happy holiday season filled with well wishes. Therefore, avoid including coupons or promotions as well as ploys for referrals or business.  Make a Greater Impact with Business ClientsYou can make a greater impact by personalizing your greeting cards and sending them with one of our unique and fun pop-by gifts – right inside the card! Customize your real estate Christmas cards with a photo of yourself or your family in addition to a personal message for the recipient. We’ll print your photo (or photos) on the interior of your card along with your holiday greeting. In addition to your personalized cards, you also have the option of selecting affordable, tuck in gifts to include when your cards are mailed out. These little surprises have such a BIG impact on their recipients. We love including a magnetic photo frame for displaying card images on the fridge after Christmas. However, you can also send refrigerator magnets, stickers, magnetic bookmarks, notepads and more! – with new gifts being added all the time. Who Should I Send Real Estate Holiday Cards?We recommend you send holiday cards with pop-by gifts to anyone you do business with as well as new leads.  When Should I Mail Out Business Christmas Cards?As the USPS mail service has increased delivery times for first class mail, we recommend you create and send your cards early this year. You can also schedule your Christmas cards and gifts to mail out on specific date. Delivery times for local first-class mail is typically 3-7 days. Whereas outside your area tacks on an extra day. However, during peak mail periods, such as the holidays, we advise mailing out your Christmas cards with pop-by gifts any time after Thanksgiving, and at least two to three weeks in advance of Christmas for timely arrival. However, the very last date we advise for mailing out cards if you want them to arrive by the big holiday is December 15th. Start writing and sending custom greeting cards and gifts to your clients now! You can send all your cards with free personalization, postage, AND A GIFT for around $5 each. Just pick a card design, choose a gift, and compose your message. We’ll take care of the rest! Visit Minute Mail Gifts now to get started.
Whether you need unique kitchen gifts for a housewarming, a wedding or Christmas, we have you covered with this terrific collection of ideas! Our personalized gifts include a wide range of products for anyone who cooks and includes some of the best kitchen gadgets to make daily tasks a breeze. Explore our line of custom gifts for the kitchen for everyone on your list. Whether you need a great present for mom, your friends, or your best business clients, LifeLong Gifts™ offers a diverse range of quality products that can be personalized for any recipient.  Why Are Personalized Gifts Important?Personalized kitchen gifts allow you to give presents with greater impact. Not only do they help to grow strong personal connections, but they are also symbolic of the bond or relationship you share with a person. Here are some of the reasons why we love to give custom gifts not just for Christmas, but also throughout the year:
 What Should I Put on a Personalized Kitchen Gift?Kitchen gifts can be personalized in a multitude of ways. Here are some of our favorite ideas for customizing gifts:
 The Best Kitchen Gifts and IdeasEveryone loves useful gifts. But what makes a good kitchen gift? We’ve found that functional gifts for the kitchen get the best response from the recipient. As these items are all things they can use everyday. Whether you’re looking for the best ideas for gift to give someone who likes to cook, or useful tools every home kitchen should have, this collection of products should top your list!  Kitchen Knives and SetsWhile most of appreciate being the recipient of a quality knife set, folklore indicates that it severs the friendship between the giver and the recipient. If you’re superstitious, you can work around this by gifting the knives with a penny. The gift recipient should then promptly return the attached coin as a symbolic method of payment. This is believed to then negate any bad luck that might befall the relationship. That said, here are some of the best knife sets you can give as personalized kitchen gifts to your treasured foodies.  Custom Carving Knife SetFamily memories are rooted in holiday traditions. Our heirloom quality, carving knife set is a great way to build on those memories. Forged from German steel for a lifetime of use, this cutlery set makes a lasting Christmas kitchen gift that can be personalized and passed down through the generations.  Engraved Chef KnivesEngraved chef knives are a popular kitchen gift for dad. Our rosewood professional chef knife set is the ultimate for special cooking tasks and everyday use. Made using high-carbon German steel for a superior blade and long-lasting sharpness, this set also boasts gorgeous, conversation worthy rosewood handles. In addition, both the handle and the blade on these products can be personalized as a symbol of your connection to the recipient. They also come presented in a wood, keepsake gift box with an engraved medallion for greater impact.  Ulu Knife and Bowl Board SetUnlike other knives you’re accustomed to, where each knife has a different purpose, the Ulu knife tackles the job of both chef and paring knives. Featuring a curved blade first used by the ancient Inupiaq in Alaska, this custom cutlery pairs perfectly with an engraved bowl board designed to complement its natural curvature. (Learn more about this unique kitchen gift here.) Kitchen Gadget GiftsMost of us love kitchen gadgets! These unique tools are designed to make our lives easier, whether it’s by saving us time or just handling common tasks in a more efficient manner. Here are some ideas for the best and most useful kitchen gifts that fall into this category.  Stainless Steel SoapAnyone who cooks regularly knows that kitchen odors like garlic, onions, and fish can be difficult to remove from your hands. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to this conundrum – stainless steel soap bars! These customizable gifts are a must for every kitchen. They also make a wonderful addition to housewarming or closing gifts as well as holiday gift baskets.  Magnetic Bottle OpenersPersonalized magnetic bottle openers are another kitchen necessity that everyone can use! The magnetic back allows you to store this kitchen gadget on your refrigerator so it’s always handy. While the opposite end doubles as a safety box opener tool for your everyday deliveries or meal kit shipments.  Kitchen ScrapersOur kitchen scraper tool has a variety of uses that make it a useful gadget both in and out of the kitchen! These plastic kitchen scrapers be customized for bulk gift giving. So, it’s easy to give personalized kitchen gifts to your friends and family as well as business clients or prospective customers. Made from high-quality nylon plastic, these unique kitchen tools have specially angled corners to quickly scrape cookies sheets, cast iron, and glass dishes. While the teethed sides make quick work of dirty grills or oven racks. These gadgets can also remove ice from your car windshield. Therefore, they’re a great idea for holiday gift giving or stocking stuffers.  Melon SlicerThis two-in-one melon slicer makes it easy to slice and serve watermelon, honeydew, and more! A revolutionary kitchen tool, this useful gadget makes a unique closing or housewarming gift.  Wood Cutting Board Kitchen GiftsCustom wood cutting boards are one of our most popular personalized kitchen gifts. Boasting unique patterns, grains, and wood types, our collection of personalized wooden cutting boards are a thoughtful statement piece for Christmas, weddings, anniversaries, or any occasion in which you hold the recipient in high regard. If you need help selecting cutting board to give as a gift, you can learn more about our wood cutting boards here. Or explore some of the exciting products we offer below.  Cherry Cutting BoardsOur cherry wood cutting boards make a beautiful addition to any kitchen! Available with a handy juice groove and full personalization, these cutting boards help to keep your kitchen tidy while prepping for dinner. They also offer a handy spot for meat to rest without having to worry about any excess juices spilling out onto your counter.  House Shaped Cutting Boards House shaped cutting boards are an ideal housewarming kitchen gift. Whether you need real estate closing gifts or a personalized gift idea for housewarmings, weddings, or anniversaries, these are both a decorative and functional solution. Crafted from fine American cherry wood, these boards can be personalized with a family name, dates, or a special message for a memorable gift experience.  Acacia Cutting BoardsMade from beautiful acacia wood, these personalized wood cutting boards have a sturdy, yet lightweight design that makes them well-suited for both food prep and serving. Featuring unique scalloped edges and engraved with your custom message, this is one personalized kitchen gift that won’t soon be forgotten. Wine Boxes and AccessoriesKeepsake wine bottle boxes and wine accessories are also well-suited for personalized kitchen gifts.  Custom Wine CorkscrewsPersonalized wine openers are the perfect accompaniment when gifting a bottle of wine. A must for any wine lover, these classic stainless-steel kitchen tools come in an elegant black gift box with your engraved message.  Wood Wine BoxesThese personalized wine boxes will make recipients feel like a true gourmet! Each storage wine box features an assortment of common wine tools including a stainless-steel drip collar, bottle stopper, aerator, and corkscrew with bottle opener. Customize this striking gift with a bottle of wine and your message to create a memorable keepsake.  Storage Wine BoxesThe heritage chest is another great wine box for storage if you’re looking for wine boxes for gifts. Crafted from acacia wood, these durable custom wine boxes also come with a collection of wine accessories for serving your favorite bottle of wine. Once the wine is gone, the insert and tools can easily be removed to create a useful keepsake box that serves other purposes. Kitchen Serving Ware GiftsKnow someone who loves to entertain? Elevate your gifting strategy with our popular, kitchen serving ware line.  Personalized Grilling SetOur personalized grilling set makes a wonderful outdoor kitchen gift for BBQ lovers as well as a unique gift for him. This gorgeous set comes complete with heavy-gauge stainless-steel tongs, a spatula and two-pronged fork. So, you have everything you need for those backyard barbecues or outdoor block parties! Plus, our specially designed spatula has a built-in bottle opener to make multi-tasking a breeze.  Wood Serving TraysQuality wood serving trays are a must for every hostess! These wooden trays with handles are made from American cherry and are offered in a wide range of designs that can be personalized for holiday gifts and wedding gifts as well as referral and closing gifts. We also offer a limited-edition Grill Master serving board as an accompaniment to our grill set for the ultimate outdoor kitchen gift for dad  Personalized Cake Knife and Ice Cream PaddleQuality serving ware is a must for hosts. If there’s someone in your life who loves to take charge of entertaining, then this personalized cake and ice cream serving set is the perfect reward for their friendship. This unique kitchen gift set features an engravable vintage-style ice cream paddle and cake knife for functional party tools any hostess will appreciate.  3-Piece Party and Serving SetWhether you have kids that play sports or simply love birthday parties, this 3-piece party serving set has you covered! Assembled with cookies, ice cream, and pizza in mind, this personalized kitchen gift is ideal for young families and couples.  Collegiate Kitchen GiftsOur collegiate gifts for the kitchen are personalized with your favorite Virginia college team logos. These officially licensed kitchen tools make fabulous custom kitchen gifts for recent graduates. They’re also a wonderful way to show off your school spirit or encourage a new student. More Personalized Gift IdeasFor more custom gift ideas, check out our other gift guides:
If pungent kitchen odors are your nemesis, then you must try stainless steel soap! This useful kitchen tool quickly and easily neutralizes the smell of garlic, onion, and fish on hands. So, this useful gadget is not only a must for your own home, but it also makes a great personalized gift for clients, friends, and family.  What Is Stainless Steel Soap?If you’re like me, when a recipe calls for one clove of garlic, I’m immediately signaled to triple the amount. I tend to be heavy handed with onions as well. Unfortunately, if you cook often, then you know that the smell from these ingredients can leave lingering odors that are difficult to wash off. Stainless steel soap is a handy solution to common kitchen and cooking odors that get left behind on skin. This creative kitchen gadget is shaped like a regular bar of soap. However, it is made from heavy-gauge, sand-polished stainless steel. When used in combination with water, this metal soap absorbs foul odors that get left behind by foods that contain sulfur molecules, such as garlic, onions, and fish.  Does Stainless Steel Soap Work?Believe it or not, metal can absorb odors! Therefore, stainless does work to remove offending odors that can be difficult to wash off solely with soap and water. While they won’t get your hands clean, using metal is a viable solution to kitchen and body odor caused by garlic, fish, onions, and other common cooking odors. To understand how stainless-steel soap works, you’ll need a little bit of scientific insight.  How Does Stainless Steel Soap Work?Metal soap bars neutralizes odors on skin. This is all due to the chemistry between certain foods and stainless steel. Both garlic and onions contain chemical compounds known as amino acid sulfoxides. These molecules form sulfenic acids that then become a gas known as propanetrial S-oxide. When exposed to water, sulfuric acid then forms. This not only causes onions, for example, to burn your eyes, but it also leaves a lingering smell on your body. Stainless steel, however, binds to these sulfur molecules. As these compounds adhere more strongly to metal than to your skin, metal soap is able to absorb the odors on your hands to remove the scent. Not only does the metal assist in the removal of body odor caused by onions and garlic, but it also works for fish.  Does Stainless Steel Remove Body Odor?While stainless steel works wonders at removing body odor on skin caused by foods that contain sulfuric compounds, whether or not it works as a deodorant is up for debate. During our research we found that yes, there are individuals who use metal soap as a deodorant stone, much in the same way as one would a crystal deodorant stick. One person even used this type of metal for foot odor by running the end of stainless-steel spoon between his toes! 😮 Like mineral salt stones, we’ve read that some folks dampen stainless steel soap bars then rub them onto wet skin or underarms to assist in the removal of body odors. (Though it won’t PREVENT smells that deodorant usually tackles.) However, we’ve not personally tried using this product on our armpits ourselves. So, if you do, be sure to let us know the outcome! (We absolutely LOVE hearing from our customers.)  How to Use Stainless Steel SoapWhile you don’t necessarily have to use a metal soap bar to neutralize kitchen smells on your skin, this brilliant kitchen gadget is preferable (and likely more sanitary) than rubbing your hands along the inside of your stainless-steel sink. To use a stainless-steel soap bar, simply hold your hands under COLD running water. (It won’t work without the water.) Then rub the metal soap onto your hands for 10 to 30 seconds. This process will tackle any lingering odors that you aren’t able to wash away with soap and water alone. Ways to Gift Metal Soap BarsThe metal soap bars from LifeLong Gifts™ make great gifts for any occasion! We offer a wide range of full-color designs to make your gifts pop with full personalization on the back. With quantity discounts available, these helpful kitchen tools are an affordable way to give unique gifts to everyone on your list! Here are some of our favorite ways to gift our custom metal soap bars:
 Stainless Steel Soap ReviewWe’ve gotten some great feedback on our metal soaps from happy customers who’ve our products themselves and given them as client gifts. Here’s a stainless-steel soap review from Geralann Tabet, a licensed loan agent and sales manager. I bought these as closing gifts. I have always liked unique gift giving. People have often commented and have appreciated [receiving these as gifts. Some of their remarks are] as follows:  Care InstructionsCleaning solutions can damage the finish on stainless steel. Therefore, it’s important to rinse your stainless-steel soap bars well after cleaning. You also never want to soak these types of products in chemicals or solutions that contain salt, vinegar, or chlorine as this can cause irrevocable damage. To clean stainless steel soap, simply wash it in warm water with a mild dish soap. Then wipe it clean with a soft microfiber cloth. If there are any lingering odors you’d like to remove from a metal bar of soap, sprinkle the wet bar with baking soda. Allow to sit for several minutes, then gently scrub off the baking soda and rinse.  StorageThere’s no special way that you need to store metal soaps. Just like regular soap, you want to keep the bars dry and allow for ample drainage. Basically, you don’t want them to sit in a pool of water. For easy storage, all the Infinity stainless steel soaps you purchase from LifeLong Gifts™ come with a simple, decorative soap dish for storage or display. Choose from an acacia wood soap dish or a black plastic base.  You can explore more of our creative gift ideas here, including our best closing gift the Ulu Elite™ knife and Ulu Mate™ bowl board. Or peruse LifeLong Gifts™ for other personalized gift ideas including custom wood cutting boards, cutlery sets, and other kitchen-themed gift products.
You can also subscribe to our newsletter. Or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more unique product and gift ideas. Custom cutting boards make beautiful keepsake gifts. Whether you’re looking for personalized gifts for clients, a housewarming gift, or a custom wedding gift, custom wood cutting boards are both a beautiful and functional choice. Keep reading to learn how to choose the best wood cutting board for quality, lifelong gifts. Plus discover care tips and find out where to buy the perfect products for your gift giving needs throughout the year.  Why are Wooden Cutting Boards Popular?Wooden cutting boards are popular for a number of reasons. They’re both durable and easy on your knives. There’s more than that, however. Here are our favorite reasons we always have a wood cutting board on hand:
 Why Do You Need a Quality Wooden Cutting Board?A quality surface matters when it comes to prep boards and cutting blocks. If the surface of your cutting board isn’t durable, then it won’t last. Not only do quality cutting boards last longer, but they also can prevent your knives from dulling too soon. Plus, better quality materials also resist bacterial growth. This is why we prefer a good, solid wood cutting board to the cheaper, plastic alternatives. Cutting boards made from plastic develop deep grooves and chips with regular use. This in turn gives bacteria a place to hide and breed. As a result, they need to be replaced more regularly. On the other hand, hard wood cutting boards tend to be self-healing. In addition, plastic also isn’t as kind to your kitchen knives compared to the right wood surface. Is Wood Safe to Use?There have been multiple studies on cutting board safety. Some argue that because wood is porous and a natural product that it can harbor unsafe bacteria with each use. However, plastic cutting boards scar more easily and are therefore more difficult to clean over time. Most studies show that wood is a safer alternative to plastic. In fact, wood is not any less sanitary than plastic as is often asserted. Regardless of the wood you choose for this important kitchen tool, cleaning your boards with hot water and detergent is effective at removing bacteria, even as they age.  What Types of Wood Should Be Avoided?Certain woods, such softwoods, are porous and therefore are more difficult to keep clean and likelier to stain. They also aren’t as self-healing as hardwoods and will show scars from knife usage. Pinewood can also give food a somewhat resinous taste if employed for this purpose. On the other hand, in addition to being ring-porous, oak contains naturally occurring tannins. This makes this type of wood more likely to become stained with use. Ash is another wood that should be avoided due to its porous grain. As it also stains more readily than other hardwoods, such as maple. We also recommend that you avoid boards made from exotic woods. These woods often contain toxins that could be absorbed into your food during preparation and can results in irritation, rash, runny nose, swelling or intestinal issues. Therefore, it’s wise to choose a wood variety that products nuts or fruits or has edible leaves or sap. You should avoid any wood that naturally repels insects. Can You Use the Same Product for Meats and Vegetables?It’s not recommended that you use the same cutting board to cut meat and vegetables. Food safety guidelines recommend a different surface for each of these types of food to prevent cross contamination. However, wood is perfectly fine for cutting meat, and many chefs prefer it due to the natural antibacterial properties in the wood.  What to Look for When Selecting a Wood Cutting BoardThere are several things to consider when buying a cutting board made from wood. These include the dimension of the board, wood type and hardness, the grain, thickness and weight, and the porosity of the wood.
 Which Type of Wood is Best?Based on functionality, hardness, and durability, we recommend the following types of wood when choosing a cutting board:
 Are Cutting Boards a Good Gift?The high-end kitchen tools from LifeLong Gifts™ make excellent gifts for every relationship, both personal and professional. Here are just a few reasons why we love gifting custom wood cutting boards:
What Do You Give with a Cutting Board? While engraved cutting boards make a beautiful gift on their own, you can also give a cutting board with several items tied onto the surface with a thick ribbon. Some of our favorite household products you can gift with your custom cutting boards include:
 Why Choose LifeLong Gifts™ Custom Wood Cutting Boards for Gifts?Here at LifeLong Gifts™ we offer a wide range of wood cutting board designs that you can customize to give as gifts. Our engraved wood cutting boards offer plenty of room for your personalization. And they’re made from quality hardwood for lasting durability and to preserve the integrity of your knives. How Do I Customize Your Products?It’s easy to personalize the cutting boards you purchase through LifeLong Gifts™. You can choose an existing design, then add your custom message or information. Or you can select a blank board to highlight a business logo. We offer a variety of designs to choose from including monograms, names, and popular phrases. To design a custom cutting board, simply choose the type of board and design you’d like to personalize. Then supply the information you’d like us to use to customize your product. Once you approve the proof, we engrave the boards to your specifications.  How Much Does It Cost to Get a Cutting Board Engraved?We don’t charge any additional fees* to engrave the cutting boards you purchase through LifeLong Gifts™. In addition, we also offer quantity discounts on as few as six boards. So you can save money while giving lasting gifts that make an impression. (*Design fees may apply to some products.) What Types of Wooden Cutting Boards Do You Sell?We chose the wood for our custom cutting boards based on both durability and aesthetics to give you the best of both worlds. All of our boards are made using hardwoods well suited for this application. Rather than selling popular bamboo (grass) cutting boards, which can be incredibly tough on knives and have a shorter life than hardwood, we offer the following options for long-lasting durability:
 Acacia Wood Cutting BoardsWe love acacia wood cutting boards for their natural beauty. However, acacia has other benefits as well. Not only is this dense hardwood sustainably sourced, it’s also kind to knife blades, water-resistant, and highly durable. When regularly maintained with oil every month, it will likely outlast most kitchen tools. Cherry Cutting BoardsCherry is another great wood for cutting boards. Like acacia, this durable hardwood also has a natural beauty that shines through. Softer than other common options, cherry wood cutting boards help to protect your knives from damage. They also look stunning when engraved with your desired customization. We offer both cherry house-shaped boards as well as cherry cutting boards with a juice groove.  Bowl BoardsOur bowl boards, which we’ve coined Ulu-Mates™, are unique bowl-shaped cutting boards designed for our popular Ulu Elite™ knives. We offer these boards in three types of wood: acacia, walnut, and plantation hardwood. We love the longevity of plantation hardwood. As plantation grown wood frees natural forests form industrial use, it makes it a sustainable and more environmentally friendly material. This high-quality hardwood is also easy on knives, though the boards do require regular maintenance the same as other wood products.  Like cherry, walnut also makes a gorgeous material for cutting boards. Another close-grained wood, the soft straight grains of walnut are knife friendly, while the color helps to hide any staining that may occur. Customer ReviewsHere’s what Lanell M. Johnson Cypress, a recent customer and agent with RE/MAX, has to say about our products: I love Lifelong gifts. I saw a presentation of what they had to offer at a convention a few years ago and I have been hooked ever since.  How to Care for Wood Cutting Boards FAQ There are few things you need to know to properly take care of your wood cutting boards. How to Wash Wood Cutting BoardsFirst off, it’s incredibly important that you do not put wood cutting boards in the dishwasher. You also don’t want to soak your boards in water as it will cause them to warp or crack.  The best way to clean wood cutting boards is to hand wash them using a brush or sponge and hot, soapy water. We recommend that you use a mild, unscented dish soap. Simply scrub your boards on both sides, not just the side you used. (By washing both sides of the board, you ensure that it dries evenly to prevent warping.) After washing, then rinse and dry with a dishtowel. Set the boards upright in a strainer or against a wall to complete the drying process. Do I Need to Sanitize My Boards?You don’t have to sanitize your boards, unless desired. If you are worried about bacterial contamination, you can use a weak vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or bleach solution when cleaning. Simply wipe the boards down using a clean cloth soaked in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or a mixture of four parts water to one-part white vinegar. Alternately, you can also use one teaspoon of bleach diluted in a quart of water. Allow the board to set for several minutes, then hand wash as usual.  To tackle stains or odors left behind, you can sprinkle them with either kosher salt or baking soda. Then rub a halved lemon, cut side down, across the board. What Is the Best Oil to Use for Maintenance?Oil is used on wooden cutting boards to replenish the moisture lost through washing and to revitalize their appearance. We suggest that you oil your boards once per month or when they feel dry to the touch. You can’t over-oil your wooden cutting boards. So don’t worry about oiling them too often. Any excess oil simply won’t be absorbed and can be wiped off with a paper towel or clean cloth. Food-grade mineral oil, also known as liquid paraffin, is probably the most common oil used for maintaining the appearance of your wood cutting boards. It’s inexpensive and easy to find. In addition, it won’t go rancid like olive oil and other common cooking oils. However, you can also use any other food grade oil that’s not prone to rancidity. Fractionated coconut oil, for example, has a long shelf life of up to three years. (We don’t recommend using coconut oil that’s solid at room temperature.)  Alternately, you can also use spoon butter. You can save money by making your own. To do this, combine one part beeswax pellets (or carnauba as a vegan alternative) with four parts mineral oil over low heat in a double boiler. Allow to melt, then mix to combine. Pour the wood butter into a mason jar or other heat safe container and allow to cool and harden prior to use. By regularly maintaining your boards with mineral or cutting board oil, you help extend the life of your products. Oil helps to prevent cracks, splits, and dry boards. Which in turn helps prevent bacterial growth. How to Store Wood Cutting BoardsThere’s no special way that you need to store your cutting boards. Just be sure they are dry before tucking them away inside a cabinet or drawer.  You can store your engraved wood cutting boards on the counter for easy kitchen décor. Or keep boards easily accessible by storing them upright inside a metal file organizer. Explore more cutting board storage ideas here.
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.  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.  Gift Basket Gift Ideas for Real Estate ClientsHere are some popular elements that real estate agents and other industry businesses use for their holiday client gift baskets:
 How to Build a DIY Christmas Gift BasketWhen 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 AheadBefore 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 BasketUltimately, 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.  3. Buy the Gifts and SuppliesOnce 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 BasketsThe next step after you’ve gathered all the material and supplies you need, is to assemble your gift baskets.  Add FillerYou 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:
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.  How to Add Height to a DIY Christmas Gift BasketElevating 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:
Secure the Items InsideWith the elements arranged, you now need to secure the items in your gift basket.  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.  Wrap the Gift Basket for Your ClientFinally, 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.  Add EmbellishmentsYou 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:
 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:
 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.  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.
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