Show Report - Philadelphia Gift Show
Philadelphia Gift Show
Fort Washington Convention Center
Fort Washington, PA
Page 2
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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 19th 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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©2005 Shirley Frazier. All
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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. |