Everyone was waiting for the opening bell, the moment when they could cross the threshold onto the show floor. But perhaps they went straight for the concession’s hot chocolate. They weren’t in the first aisle, which is where I always start. Better for me. More room to meander.

Lots of green, purple and cream colors saturated the decorative items placed throughout the booths. Toile is super hot, displayed on pillows, plush animals and basket lids. And speaking of plush animals, there was lots of it along with animals made from clay, fur and ceramic.

Cats and dogs were all over clocks, potholders and matching towels. Barnyard critters and Raggedy Ann and Andy continue to be abundant in this country show setting. Where else would you see cheese graters and cookware bottoms turned into clocks?

Insects are also hot. Butterflies and dragonflies were seen on garden stakes, stemware holders, and all over basket cellophane and tote bags.

Lots of talk and pride about products being made in the U.S.A., and this information is emblazoned on many catalogs, accompanied by the American flag.

Here’s what I found.

The sign said, “My favorite recipe – eat out.” That immediately slowed my stride. The phrase was one of over 30 “Signs That Make You Smile,” a collection of phrases painted onto 3 inch by 3 inch wood signs outlined on two side with rope. The rope also created a handle at the top, so it could be hung from a door or on the wall. All woods are a natural color, so it will blend in with every decor.

Keepsakes on Display, Inc., manufacturers the signs and was represented at the show by Andy Householder Associates.

You have to smile when you read sayings such as “Coffee, Men & Chocolate: The Richer The Better” and “Lord, If I Can’t Be Skinny, Please Make My Friends Look Fat.” At $1.50 each, Signs That Make You Smile are great for birthday, housewarming, thank you and many other gift basket themes. The sayings also cover men and women of all ages.

It always seems difficult to find well-woven, quality linens, which is why I stopped at the This That and The Other Weaving booth.

Bernadette, the owner, introduced me to the candle and coaster mats ($1.99 and $1.49 each, respectively), table and toilet tank runners ($2.49-$5.29 and $3.99 each, respectively), and placemats ($6.00 each). Runners in various sizes are also available, and all items have sewn fringe at the edges.

I absolutely loved the candle mats, which is new to their line. Each is 7 inches by 9 inches, including the fringe, and is a nice alternative to candle holders.

At first, the fabric looked rough though not unattractive. Then I touched it. Soft and cushy. Bernadette said fabric is a blend of wool stripes and cotton. Pretty colors, too – cream, moss, and burgundy, with many of the assortment containing thin stripes. Other colors include yellow, peach, cranberry, hunter green, tan, three shades of blue, and more.

This is a quality product to consider.

I’m familiar with products wrapped in clear cone-shaped packaging, but The Herb Barn has put a new spin on it. They use the package for their Dip Carrots ($1.62 each), dip mixes topped with a sprig of herbs at the top and outside of the package. Smell the topping, and your nose is filled with the scent fresh herbs and butter. Yummy. Dill and Friends, Hog Wild Bacon and Herb Garden are the three dip mixes in this line.

The Herb Barn has so much more in its stable, including:

Mulling Spices ($1.55 each), packaged in the same cone shape, but instead of a sprig of herbs there’s a cinnamon stick at the top
Soups such as minestrone ($2.50 each) and borrowed bean ($2.25 each), packaged in long cello tubes and tied atop with raffia
Herb Rices (original, sweet pepper, Italian, hot ‘n spicy and vegetable, $1.75 each), also packaged in long tubes and topped with a header card

There’s also a Ginger Cookie Spice Mix with cookie cutter ($2.10 each) and Lavender Lemonade available in bulk. All mixes include recipes.

The company’s gift line includes the Hugger Eye Pillow ($4.55 each) and Lavender Laundry Sachets ($3.20 each).

I didn’t see anything that fell outside the gift basket line. Keep the company in mind.

Hearts Desire Gifts is one company that’s come to the rescue of gift basket designers with customers who love to bake. Its cookie mixes are packaged in quart and pint-sized mason jars. Red or green-plaid fabric or bandanna fabric trimmed with pinking shears is secured by a two-piece goldtone lid, a country-themed favorite.

What I love about these cake, cookie, brownie, soup, coffee, cocoa and dip mixes is that each is created as “Edible Sand Art,” which shows off either a checkerboard design or layered look within the clear jars.

All products are made with natural ingredients. Cowboy Cookies ($4.75/one quart) are made from chocolate chips, oatmeal and nuts. Raspberry Granola Brownies ($4.75/one quart) are granola and raspberry-flavored chocolate chips.

Add water to the Sand Art Soup ($4.00/one pint) in chicken, beef flavor, garden veggie or chili flavors, and it’s ready in 45 minutes. Also available are pancake mixes ($3.00/one pint), Beer Bread ($4.50/22 ounces) packaged in a tall, amber-colored beer bottle, muffin mixes, and a dog biscuit mix ($2.50 each) in three flavors.

Too much more to mention. Get the catalog.

Philadelphia Gift Show Report Continues -- Page 2

NOTE:
Information in each Show Report provides details on products displayed at trade shows. It does not constitute 1) company or product endorsements or 2) prevailing products or prices.

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