One whiff of a dip mix, and I knew I was in Wind & Willow territory. Between them and Sheila’s Select (who was also at the show), there’s no problem when it comes to adding great dips in all-occasion baskets.

The Summer Garden Cheeseball Mix reminds you of how real vegetables taste. Love it. Other mixes for spring and summer baskets are Strawberries & Cream, Raspberry Sorbet and Peach Cobbler (12 for $24).

New to the cheeseball line is Chili Pepper, which I’m sorry to say I couldn’t try since the only hot I can tolerate is the weather.

Some mixes have been teamed with attractive dip spreaders, which are tied on the top right side of the packaging with raffia. Each spreader’s handle is adorned with the item it represents, such as a garden medley (Summer Garden) or artichoke (Spinach Artichoke). Each spreader set is $4.00 each.

A line of meat seasoning mixes (Old West Pepper Steak, Green Chili Mesquite, Smoky Butter Garlic) under the name of Fox Ridge Foods is also available (12 for $18).

The minimum order amount isn’t bad when you think about the number of products within the line that fit into most gift baskets.

Something that looked like a potholder made me double back and into the My Favorite Things’ booth. It was a recipe holder, made of navy blue fabric, quilted throughout its square shape, ruffled around the edges and adorned with a pocket from left to right on the front to hold recipes. A cookie cutter was tied on top with raffia. Very cute for $6.

Beverly, the company owner, showed me the extensive line of products that can be placed in the home or in a work space. Their all-purpose baskets have padded, fabric tops which include themes for baby, teacher, and special occasions.

Mug Mats, which is a set of six coasters (8.00 each), come in nine styles, are organized in a short, wooden crate also came with a cookie cutter.

There are also napkin holder made in dog and cat motifs, night lights, photo albums and pillows. Extensive line.

Decorative switchplates continue to be a big seller in housewarming baskets, which is what made me stop and look at the wall-to-wall displays at Switchplate Gallery. From vintage cars to ducks and dolls, this manufacturer covers it all. Marie, the company owner, said that there are over 600 single and double plates. Fruit, flowers, pets, lighthouses, holiday themes and yes, even gift baskets are on switchplates. Each design is also available as plug outlets, and combination plates. An amazing assortment.

Who can resist scooping up a handful of river rocks and popping them into you mouth?

Trash, Snacks & Confections sells these colorful, mouth-watering snacks, along with another snack product called White Trash, a mix of pretzels, cereals and pecans coated in white chocolate, and Trash with a Splash, the same as above melted in a white and chocolate coating.

You can always count on a company representative handing you several small samples of this treat to take away and enjoy now or later.

These tasty, crispy snacks are packaged in:

4 oz. snack bags ($3.25 each)
15 oz. bags ($7.25 each)
4 oz. plastic red or white cans with lids ($3.75 each)
11 oz. plastic red or white cans with lids ($6.90 each), and
4 oz. tin cans ($5.25 each)

Each bag and pail is topped with ribbon.

Bath and body products packaged in antique compacts and silver decanters and shakers were an unusual sight between booths with chicken wire and furniture, but Chaulan was holding its own.

Chaulan (pronounced shoo-lawn) is a line of all natural aromatherapy products contained in some of the most beautiful packaging I’ve ever seen. It seemed as though I walked into a 19^th century boudoir, and I didn’t want to leave.

I was surrounded by antique powder boxes, decanters, glass shakers with silver plated tops and pure white bottles filled with body linen powders, hand and body lotions, bath salts, oils potpourris and accessories. Candles, new baby items, jewelry boxes and gift sets containing many of the bath and body products round out the extensive line.

The lavender fragrance was light and pretty. Remembrance held an earthy scent. All of the fragrances, including Ambiance, Nostalgia, Vintage Rose, Vamp, Seascape and White Magnolia were seeping with femininity. Any baskets trimmed in lace and accented with these fragrances should be an instant seller. Products range from $1 for votives to $19 for an Antique Cherub Mirror, but most products fall within the wholesale prices we want most.

You can’t pass a Sheila’s Select booth without checking out the dips. They have a new one – French Onion ($1.25 each). Rich, creamy, and as close to roasted onions as you’ll get in a dip. Mix this up for your customers, and they’ll never return to the supermarket brands again.

There’s also a new salad - Oriental Pasta with Sesame Ginger Sauce ($3.75 each). Nice packaging which will fill out a medium-sized basket. The aroma was heavenly, and no refrigeration is needed. Too bad I had to dash off to my seminar before taking a sample.

Southwestern Chipotle ($2.50 each) is a new soup. This one contains noodles, black beans, corn and tomatoes. Also look out for Pasta Fagioli (also $2.50).

Chocolate Mousse and Lemon Meringue ($2.25 each) have been added to the dessert mix line. I would have took a moment to try these desserts, but alas, they hadn’t yet been made. That’s okay; knowing Sheila’s Select, it’s worth your consideration.

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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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