The Whole Package

Inspirational Women and a Day of Shopping

2011-09-26T10:36:00.003-04:00

Power of the Purse has come and gone and we had a great day. We were happy to meet many wonderful women from the London community that were there for a day of inspiration and shopping.

Click here to to watch our video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snYaA1cPkOg

Enjoy!

Attention Ladies!

2011-08-13T15:15:00.002-04:00

Power of the Purse, an incredible conference for women, will be coming up on September 21st at the London Convention Centre. The Whole Package is excited to be attending again this year as a vendor. Come out and enjoy a fantastic day, and do a little shopping too.

For more information, check out their website at www.powerofthepurse.ca.

The Whole Package will be showing off some of our incredible chocolates and balsamic vinegars that day. Lots of samples to try.

We look forward to seeing you there!

A successful treasure hunt!

2011-08-11T08:38:00.005-04:00

This past weekend, The Whole Package attended the Toronto Gift Show put on by the Canadian Gift and Table Association. This fantastic event is an opportunity for companies and suppliers to show off their best gift items to retailers across Canada. This amazing conference allows companies like us to hand select gift items that meet the needs of our customers and to see the most innovative and exciting new gifts put out by these groups.

We were thrilled with the adventure of this treasure hunt and have sought out some fantastic gift items this year to watch out for.

Also, we will be attending a number of events this fall and holiday season offering you an opportunity to come out and see us personally. Also, watch for some significant changes to our Gift Collection page on our website...coming really soon!

Creativity at it's best!

2011-04-30T09:59:00.003-04:00

Did you know that 75% of the gifts ordered through The Whole Package are customized gifts to meet our customers needs and budget?

The Whole Package offers a small selection of pre-designed gifts for those who want to quickly place an order but the real fun we have is working with businesses and individuals to identify what their needs are and designing a gift that is above and beyond their expectations.

The Whole Package has access to hundreds of incredibly delicious food items from a variety of sources and we have fun hand-picking items for each customer.

For example, did you know there are over 50 choices just in our balsamic vinegars that are imported from Italy? Just a few examples...we have 12 Year Aged, 50 Year Aged, 100 Year Aged, Cherry Balsamic, White Balsamic, Raspberry Balsamic, Truffle Balsamic, Fig Balsamic, Apple Balsamic.... and the list goes on. Just these alone can be bought seperately or in gift sets.

Then there's our food items...hundreds of choices of chocolates, coffees, teas, savory items, you name it...

We haven't even mentioned the containers and baskets yet... baskets, planters and boxes of all shapes, sizes and colours. In fact, one of our suppliers has a 10,000 ft warehouse of choices allowing us to find the perfect medium to display your decadent and professionally-designed gift.

Intrigued yet? Just give us a call at (519) 473-5072 or send us an email at sales@thewholepackage.ca and we will have fun creating a gift like no other that is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression, and make you look good too!

Building Relationships through Meaningful Gift-Giving

2011-04-29T21:59:00.003-04:00

While we realize it has been a while since we posted on our blog, we have been taking some time since the holidays to reflect after the hustle and bustle of the season. Also, we have been working with several of our corporate customers to develop their gift-giving strategy for the 2011 year.

Thinking ahead about your business' gift needs can help to ensure you develop and foster the relationships that will help drive the future of your organization.

We recently pulled together a self-assessment for businesses to help them think about their gift giving needs and here are some highlights of this assessment that might be helpful to you.

What is Your Gift-Giving History?
1) What types of gifts have you given in the past to staff, clients, prospects, volunteers, etc.?
Merchandise with your logo? Personalized gifts? Boxes of chocolates or gift baskets?

2) When do you offer gifts?
During special holidays? For recognition or to say thank you? Birthdays, anniversaries, retirements? Office events or parties?

What is your Gift-Giving Future?
1) Why might you need to give gifts in the future?
To grow your business? To develop and foster relationships? To encourage excellence in your employees? To thank staff or clients?

Self-Assessment for Your Business:
1) What upcoming occasions/holidays might your business need to consider gift giving?
2) Will you need gifts appropriate for an individual or for a group?
3) Will you need one gift or multiple gifts at a given time?
4) What budget do you need to work within?
5) What do you know about the gift recipient?
6) Does your business have a culture/environment that promotes gift giving?

By answering these questions, this will help you determine what might be appropriate for the upcoming year.

Relationships need to be developed and consistently fostered. While gifts alone will not achieve this important goal, they can be used as a key contributor to building successful partnerships with the people who drive the future of your organization.

By selecting appropriate and meaningful gifts at the right time, your business can demonstrate thoughtfulness, appreciation, and professionalism.

Need some help? The Whole Package can sit down with you to develop a gift giving strategy plan for your business. Give us a call at (519) 473-5072 or email Natalie at sales@thewholepackage.ca.

Happy Holidays and Thank You!

2010-12-24T10:06:00.002-05:00

The Whole Package would like to wish you a wonderful holiday season and all our best for the New Year.

Thank you for your business and support in 2010. We had a wonderful year and we look forward to providing you with elegant gifts and baskets again in 2011.

Happy Holidays,

Natalie Berkiw, Owner

The Whole Package

Christmas Shopping Event Tomorrow!

2010-12-03T09:50:00.003-05:00

The Whole Package will be at the 2010 Christmas Bazaar Fundraiser at the South London Community Centre at 1119 Jalna Blvd. in London, Ontario. This event will take place on Saturday, December 4th from 8 am to 11 am. Proceeds will support the Children's Hospital and the London Humane Society.

Take advantage of this opportunity to come out and pick up some great gift items (including lots of exciting things not available on our website.)

We hope to see you there!

All the Excitement!

2010-11-16T10:39:00.004-05:00

There are so many exciting things happening right now over here at The Whole Package that I'm pleased to let you know about.

1. We're on Rogers Daytime (local cable 13) today at 11:00 am, 3:00 pm, and 11:00 pm. We were thrilled to be invited to be interviewed on this show to talk about our business and show off some of our exciting holidays gifts! Make sure you check us out! We'll try to post this after it airs.

2. We're offering Free Shipping to any address in London, Ontario. To say thanks to all of our supportive customers here in the area, we're offering to deliver your gifts free of charge throughout November and December for the holiday season.

3. Lots of exciting events coming up. This weekend on Friday (and possibly Saturday), we'll be at the Deck the Halls shopping event at London Christian Academy School at 85 Charles St. Come and check us out and pick up some great gift baskets (some one-0f-a-kind) and great stocking stuffers. Check out our chocolate covered pretzels...a top seller.

4. We have some new gifts baskets replacing some existing baskets on our website. Why? We like to keep things fresh and current and we listen to what our customers want. (so, if you have some ideas...keep them coming!) Here are a few new ones:

Decadence - $60.00 (will replace the current basket on the website soon...but you can order it now by calling us at (519) 473-5072 or emailing us at sales@thewholepackage.ca)

Satisfaction - $28.00 (will replace the existing basket on our website soon...but you can order it now by calling us at (519) 473-5072 or emailing us at sales@thewholepackage.ca.)

We'll keep you informed of other events as we have many exciting things coming up over the next two months.

Until then, happy gifting.
Natalie

Celebrating a Year of Quality

2010-10-29T12:11:00.002-04:00

The Whole Package celebrated our first official anniversary earlier this month in October. We have been excited to bring professional gift baskets and specialty gift items to the London community. We are proud that we have been able to take the ordinary "cute" gift baskets existing in London and offer a high-quality, sophisticated alternative. We sought to bring the gift basket industry to another level in order to meet the needs of businesses and professionals, and we are proud to have accomplished this goal in such a short period of time.

Thank you to all of our customers for a wonderful year. We look forward to working with you all in the future.

What An Exciting Week!

2010-09-24T23:25:00.007-04:00

This past week has been incredibly exciting! On Sunday, September 19th, was the Divine Details Bridal Show at the Hellenic Community Centre here in London, Ontario and on Thursday, September 23rd was the Power of the Purse conference...and this incredible annual day celebrating women is a must-see for those who have never been.

Divine Details Bridal Show

The bridal show was exciting for all who attended, and certainly for The Whole Package team. After meeting many wonderfully enthusiastic and excited brides looking for the perfect items to complement their upcoming special day, we had the opportunity to meet Randy Fenoli from TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress". Randy provided the brides with a wealth of knowledge and how-to tips that each bride took away with them.

Randy Fenoli (centre) with the The Whole Package team: Michelle Fortier (left), Jennifer Forth (top centre) and Natalie Berkiw (right).

The Whole Package's booth at the Divine Details Bridal Show.

Power of the Purse Conference

A day of pure inspiration and motivation...this conference featured many amazing women from all over Canada and the line up of guest speakers was well planned. We recommend all women in London to check out this amazing event next year! The Whole Package was proud to be part of the day and we attended with an array of gift baskets and items on display at our table, and had a contest to give away a beautiful gift basket. We're excited that a local business woman from here in London, Ontario was the winner.

Natalie Berkiw, Owner of The Whole Package

The Whole Package Booth at the Power of the Purse conference.

Ladies: Come and shop at our booth on Sept. 23rd

2010-08-31T22:54:00.003-04:00

The Whole Package is proud to announce that we will be attending the Power of The Purse - Women's Conference here in London, Ontario at the London Convention Centre on September 23rd. Visit our booth as we will have a number of gift baskets for sale including some unique designs not found on our site. No HST is charged on purchases. Ladies, we look forward to seeing you there and hope you will come out and enjoy the fantastic conference. In fact, mention that you saw our blog and we'll give you a free box of truffles! See you there!

Beautiful Bottles of Maple Syrup Coming Soon

2010-08-16T16:18:00.005-04:00

On a trip this weekend to Montreal, I had the opportunity to sample a number of beautiful bottles of maple syrup. Quebec is known for their fantastic maple syrup and a good majority of it comes from this area. I came across a wonderful maple syrup farmer in the market who featured unique and beautiful bottles and when I inquired further, found that many of the bottles were handmade and antiques from Spain.

As a result of that trip and a chance meeting with this delightful merchant, I'm happy to let you know that these bottles will soon be available in our event favor collection.

Take a sneak peek:
Happy gifting, Natalie

Did you know The Whole Package does NOT charge HST?

2010-07-30T15:43:00.004-04:00

That's right...you read that correctly. Up to recently, we charged PST on all of our sales but as a "small supplier" under the terms of Revenue Canada, we have not had to charge GST. Which has always been a savings to you!

However, now that the HST has taken effect here in Ontario and the PST no longer exists, we are exempt from charging taxes. This may not last forever, but until we are no longer under the small supplier category, you actually save by shopping for your gifts at The Whole Package!

How often do you get to take advantage of that?

So, happy gifting!
Natalie

Attention Brides-to-Be!

2010-07-28T13:20:00.003-04:00

First of all, let us congratulate you on your upcoming wedding. The days leading up to this occasion are exciting and busy as you plan your special day. And the many, many days after your wedding will be full of fond memories and photos to capture your special moments.

Planning is all part of the fun as you dream and shop for the perfect items to outfit your perfect day. Bridal shows are an excellent (and convenient) way to find everything you need in one place. These events feature vendors from all areas of wedding planning including photography, catering, wedding officiants, banquet halls, and gifts.

London, Ontario has a variety of bridal shows of various sizes and vendors, and are often held twice a year around January and again in September.

The Whole Package is pleased to be at one of the upcoming shows this September. We reviewed all the existing shows and decided to do one of the smaller shows put on by Divine Details, and we selected this show not only to feature our gift favors but to spend more one-on-one time with participating brides, which would not likely be possible at the larger, busier shows.

So, we invite you to come and visit The Whole Package's booth at the upcoming show. Details are as follows:

Divine Details Bridal Show
September 19th, 2010 from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Hellenic Community Centre on Southdale Rd.
London, Ontario

We are giving away a free Bridal Party Gift Pack of 10 boxes of decadent Chocolate truffles wrapped in cellophane and satin ribbon and six $25 Gift Certificates for brides to use towards the purchase of any of our gift items. Visit our booth for further details and look in your participant bags for the entry form.

We hope to see you there!
Happy planning,
Natalie

Make-A-Wish Reception a Huge Success!

2010-07-22T11:57:00.006-04:00

Last night on July 21st, the Make-A-Wish Foundation put on a spectacular event at the Sunningdale Golf and Country Club. The Blue Knight Reception was packed with people who came out to support this incredible charity.

The Whole Package was a proud sponsor of the event, and we were excited to provide both the blue event favors for the evening and a gift basket donation for the silent auction for a combined value of $670.00. See some pictures below:

Event Favor Table

Natalie Berkiw, Owner of The Whole Package

with the Sponsorship Signage

Gift Basket Donation "Excellence for the Silent Auction

Congratulations to Make-A-Wish for organizing such a successful event!

More Gift Tags!

2010-07-06T23:30:00.015-04:00

The Whole Package has been working away on designing more, new gift tags to add that extra touch to your gifts at your upcoming event. Here are a few wedding samples that we would like to share with you:

For our full selection, send us an email at sales@thewholepackage.ca and we'll be happy to send you further details.

Happy Gifting!

Natalie

2010-07-06T23:19:00.003-04:00

The Whole Package is proud to be a sponsor of the upcoming Blue Knight Reception for Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Western Ontario here

in London, Ontario on July 21st, at the Sunningdale Golf and Country Club. We will be donating all of the event favors for the evening and look forward to supporting the silent auction with a gift basket as well. Please come out on July 21st to support this incredible charity and all the amazing work that they do for children in our community! Visit their website for further details on the Blue Knight Reception and Golf Tournament at www.makeawishswo.org.

What happened to customer service these days?

2010-06-15T18:23:00.002-04:00

As the owner of The Whole Package, I wanted to share a recent experience I had and some lessons I took away from this experience.

As a business owner, I recently contacted another business (I'll leave them unmentioned) in order to take advantage of the services they offer to help enhance what we do. When I called, I immediately identified what I needed and although the individual I called couldn't help me and knew that upfront, he proceeded to try to sell me everything under the sun that he "could" help me with. After a very frustrating hour on the phone with someone who used every high-pressure sales pitch he could dish out, I finally was able to politely excuse myself and left the call quite livid. What has happened to customer service these days? Is it all now just a game to get in everyone's wallets? What about actually identifying a customer's needs and giving them what they want?

After the fact, I was actually quite satisfied with the call. And here's why. It was a step by step guide of how The Whole Package will never be. Although providing excellent customer service was always a personal motto, this experience has helped to reinforce this. As the owner, this is my personal promise to you: The Whole Package will support you to find the perfect gift for you that meets your needs, your budget, and your satisfaction. We will always aim to bring back the true meaning of customer service. That seems to be forgotten too often this day and age.

Add stickers to your event favors

2010-06-06T10:47:00.014-04:00

The Whole Package recently added gift tags to attach to your event favors, but now we're happy to also offer you an alternative. STICKERS! These new, custom stickers can be added to the front of your event favor to make it perfect to personalize your gifts for your upcoming event.

Let us know the theme of your event and we can suggest some great stickers for your gifts. Here are a few samples of what is available.

These labels are 3.8 cm in diameter and will fit on all of our favor selection. We order them in sheets of 24. At only $12.00 per sheet, you can add a little extra flair to your gifts.

Please note: If labels are required for your order, sufficient time is required for customization, printing, shipping, and event favor production. (Minimum of 4 weeks). If less time is required, an additional charge will apply.

New Gift Tags Available

2010-05-14T13:05:00.009-04:00

The Whole Package is excited to be able to offer you new, customized gift tags for your event favors. Here are a few samples but to learn more about them, send us an email at sales@thewholepackage.ca or give us a call at (519) 473-5072.

These samples are ideal for weddings or bridal showers, but we have a large selection available. Let us know more about your event and the theme and we'll be happy to provide some gift tag ideas.

Please note that if gift tags are required for your order, sufficient time is required for customization, printing, shipping and event favor production. (Minimum of 4 weeks). If less time is required, an additional charge will apply. Contact us for gift tag prices.

5 Considerations When Shopping for the Perfect Gift

2010-05-12T17:32:00.005-04:00

Have you ever felt uneasy about buying a gift? If you have, you're not alone! In fact, finding the right gift for someone doesn't have to be hard...it just takes some pre-thinking to help steer you in the right direction. To help you think it through, here are five things to consider in helping you make a decision and find something that will be enjoyed. And if you need some additional help, we're just a quick call away!

1. Consider the occasion.
What is the occasion? Is it a birthday, retirement, or an anniversary? Or are just saying thank you to your staff, a colleague or a customer? Or is it a known holiday such as Mother's Day, Administrative Professionals Day, Easter, or Christmas?

2. Consider the environment.
Will your gift be for someone in the workplace? If so, what is the culture of your work and how do people react to gift giving? Or is it being shipped directly to someone's home? Will you give it personally or have it delivered directly? If your gift is being shipped, will they be there to receive it right away? This would be an important consideration if it contains perishable items or chocolate if the weather is warm.

3. Consider the situation.
Think about the relationship you have with the gift recipient. Are you a family member? Personal friend? Colleague? Boss? Also, will the gift be given to one person or is it intended to be shared with multiple people? Or an entire office of people?

4. Consider the person.
What do you know about the person receiving the gift? Male or female? Approximate age? What are their likes and dislikes? Do they love sweet treats like chocolate or do they prefer salty snacks instead? Perhaps they love coffee or tea and you never see them without a cup in their hand.

5. Consider the budget.
Do you know how much you want to spend? Is there a limited budget or is the sky the limit. Are you paying for it alone, or splitting the bill between another person or group of people? Is it employer-paid?

Using these five important considerations, you can take the time to assess and identify the right gift that will leave a lasting impression. Ask yourself these questions, and if you still require some additional guidance, The Whole Package is always here to help you make your gift selection easy and simple.

Happy Gifting,
Natalie

Don't forget...Mother's Day is coming soon!

2010-05-03T12:41:00.002-04:00

Mother

When you're a child, she walks before you

To set an example.

When you're a teenager, she walks behind you

To be there should you need her.

When you're an adult, she walks beside you

So that as two friends you can enjoy life together.

~Author Unknown

Sunday, May 9th is an important day for everyone to remember. Mother's Day is a special day to be celebrated and this occasion impacts everyone in some way. Take this opportunity to say thanks to all of the mothers in your lives.

Let us help you with some great gift ideas to say thanks to that special person in your life this coming weekend.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

Natalie

Highlighting Charities in Our Community

2010-04-29T22:20:00.008-04:00

As the owner of The Whole Package, it brings me great pleasure to support organizations in our local community. There are so many incredible charities, each passionate about their cause and the people they serve. I want to take this opportunity to highlight a few of them that The Whole Package has been honoured to be a part of recently.

Children's Museum

On Tuesday April 15th, the London Regional Children's Museum held their Cocktail Party and Silent Auction to raise funds and awareness of their programs. I was proud to support this exciting, and well attended event. With a gift basket donation valued at $100 to the Silent Auction, The Whole Package was proud to assist in raising funds for this important organization. Check out their website and provide your support too.

Hospice of London - On May 27th, Hospice will be holding their upcoming Silver Anniversary Gala to celebrate 25 years of supporting the London community. Recognizing the value that this organization brings to so many in their most difficult time, The Whole Package has donated a gift basket to this upcoming event valued at $150.00 to assist this important charity in continuing the important work that they do. To learn more about this upcoming event and to provide your much needed support, please visit their website today.

I highlight these to help bring additional awareness to these great organizations and encourage you to learn more about them and the great services that they provide to us here in London. A special thank you to both of them for the work that they do.

Until next time...happy gifting,

Natalie

Celebrate your Administrative Professionals

2010-04-16T10:34:00.007-04:00

This coming week is an important time for many businesses. Any company or organization that relies on the expertise of an administrative member of the team can join the global business community in recognizing Administrative Professionals Day on April 21st.

Let The Whole Package help you find a gift to say thanks for all of their hard work and dedication all year. Here are a few gift ideas that your admin will remember and appreciate:

Decadence: $45.00
This gift basket includes Wine and Cheese Crackers, Lobster Pate, Tomato and Basil Cheese Spread, decadent Chocolate Truffles and a mini-spreader wrapped inside a beautiful planter.

Desire: $35.oo
This treat includes Butter Flavoured Pretzels, Mixed-Fruit Candies, Caramels, Cashew Roca, and Guylian Belgian Chocolates in a planter that's perfect for an office plant once the delicious treats are gone.

For more great gift suggestions, visit our website at http://www.thewholepackage.ca/ or let us customize something perfect for your admin professional by calling us at (519) 473-5072 or emailing us at sales@thewholepackage.ca. Hurry...time is running out...don't miss out on this opportunity to say thanks!

Let the party begin!

2010-04-03T09:17:00.006-04:00

So, we realize it has been a while since we have been in touch but with good reason...The Whole Package is excited to announce that we have been preparing a new line of fantastic event favors over the past few months.

The Whole Package proudly presents these new gifts that are customizable to reflect the theme and feeling of your special event. We understand that every event is unique and we have made a selection of favors available where you can select the colour of ribbon that is perfect to match your decor, and in most cases, you can select the box colour as well. Each gift is beautifully wrapped in cellophane and are sure to be a hit!

These favors are ideal for: Conferences and Conventions, Fundraising Events, Weddings and Showers, and Parties and Galas.

Here a few examples, but for our full line visit our website here.

So now we can help you make your next event a huge success. And let the party begin!

Get the Latest News!

2010-02-07T21:44:00.002-05:00

The Whole Package will begin sending out email newsletters to let you know about upcoming specials, exclusive offers and new gift items. Our clients and contacts over the past few months will be automatically added to receive these great offers.

Want to be added to our mailing list? Visit our Contact Us page on our website and send us your email address. In the message box, let us know you want to receive the newsletter.

We look forward to hearing from you, so that you can hear from us! :)

Happy Gifting,
Natalie

2010-02-06T14:41:00.008-05:00

Valentine's Day is synonomous with love, flowers, and CHOCOLATE!!! Though we may not be able to help you with the first two...we do the chocolate part well.

Here are some great ideas for this upcoming special holiday:

Temptation $10.00

24 Belgian Chocolate Truffles

Bliss $50.00

Chocolate Fudge Popcorn, Chocolate Fudge, Guylian Chocolates, White Chocolate Cocoa, Chocolate Wafers, Belgian Chocolate Spoon

Indulgence $80.00

Chocolate Fudge Popcorn, Almond Hazelnut Biscotti, Chocolate Fudge, White Chocolate Hot Cocoa, Mochacinno, Hazelnut Coffee, Belgian Chocolate Truffles, Belgian Chocolate Covered Spoon, 2 Mugs

So celebrate this exciting day and express your appreciation with a decadent gift of delicious chocolate treats.

Happy Gifting,

Natalie

A New Decade, A New Opportunity

2010-01-26T20:37:00.002-05:00

Happy 2010 everyone! It's a new year, and more importantly a new decade...and a new opportunity to develop and foster new and existing business relationships and partnerships.

When looking at your business, or the company you work for, what is the one thing that all businesses have in common? They are managed by people, staffed by people, and the resulting service or product is used by people. The many individuals that fall under these categories either run, work at, or use your business because of some need or personal connection. But what if you could strengthen that connection? What would be the result? Stonger customer loyalty perhaps? Satisfied staff and less turnover?

So how do we build on and strengthen these connections with those that make our business run? Well, there are a lot of possibilities since what motivates each person is unique. However, being appreciated is the common factor. All staff and customers want to know that the time or money they invest in your business is appreciated.

Take the time to learn more about the people in your business. These are the people that are going to take your business to the next level in 2010 and beyond. A simple thankyou can often go a long way...and to show your appreciation further, let us assist you. A small gift or token of gratitude can make all the difference. So, with that in mind, let me wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010.

Happy Gifting,
Natalie, Owner
The Whole Package

ON SALE NOW
Two gift baskets are on sale right now. Luxury and Decadence are available at significiantly reduced prices. Limited quantites are available. Visit our website for further details.

2009-12-13T23:09:00.002-05:00

Time is continuing to fly by! The holiday season is pretty much here. Are you ready??? If your like most people, you probably have some shopping left to go. Let us make your shopping easy for you.

Do you have someone on your list that is difficult to buy for? Maybe you're not sure what would be appropriate. Or maybe that person has everything... So what do you do? Don't worry...your solution is actually pretty easy. A gift basket is ideal for those who are hard to buy for. Gift baskets offer a variety of items, often edible, and there is always something for everyone's taste. They are also fun for people to share!

We offer a variety of gift baskets...but did you know we can also make anything custom for you? Visit our website at www.thewholepackage.ca and check out our selection. But if you see elements of different baskets you'd like to combine or mix and match, no problem. Have a budget in mind? Again, no worries. We can design something that will work for your needs and budget and it is still guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.

Time is running out to get your perfect holiday gift. Contact us now and let us help you cross off your shopping list! Email us at sales@thewholepackage.ca or give us a call at (519) 473-5072! We look forward to hearing from you!!!

A Sneak Peek...

2009-11-29T01:07:00.006-05:00

The Whole Package is adding two more gift baskets to our selection, just in time for the holidays and you won't be disappointed! Although they are not yet available on our website, they will be soon. But if you'd like to order them now, just let us know by emailing us at sales@thewholepackage.ca.

DESIRE

Introducing Desire - this special gift contains butter pretzels, caramels, mixed fruit candies, two individual chocolate truffles, cashew roca, and Guylain chocolates in a planter that can be used afterwards to place a small plant in the office or a kitchen window. At a low price of only $35.00, this gift is ideal to wish someone in your office well during the upcoming holidays.

PRESTIGE

Prestige features a great selection of items including smoked salmon, merlot cheese spread, assorted crackers, honey mustard pretzels, chocolate chip cookies, mint chocolate meltaways, chocolate toffee, and Guylian chocolates all featured in a stunning faux croc leather basket. Looking for something for the hard-to-buy-for guy in your office? This one is guaranteed to be a hit at only $125.00.

LIMITED TIME OFFER
Don't forget, our limited time offer is almost over. One more week left. When you spend $100.00 or more, get a free box of decadent chocolate truffles. (while supplies last)

SHIPPING
Did you know we can ship your gift ANYWHERE in Canada? Let us help you finish your shopping for everyone on your list...near or far!

Happy Gifting,
Natalie

It pays to start your holiday shopping early...

2009-11-20T09:55:00.003-05:00

Have you started your holiday shopping yet?

Some of us like to get a head start and it often pays to start early. The Whole Package is offering a limited time offer for everyone who shops now for the holiday season.

LIMITED TIME OFFER!

From November 20th to December 4th, all purchases of $100 or more will receive a free box of truffles valued at $10.00. These truffles melt in your mouth and are perfect for stocking stuffers, gifts for staff and colleagues, or just to enjoy yourself. Each box contains 24 truffles.

NEW GIFTS COMING SOON
Keep visiting our website as new content and NEW GIFTS will be coming soon. The Whole Package is adding a few more exciting gift baskets to your selection to assist you in your holiday shopping. Coming soon!

Happy Gifting!
Natalie

Celebrate your guests and indulge their senses

2009-11-08T22:20:00.000-05:00

Traditions surround us in many facets of our lives. Many people follow traditions for family get-togethers, for the weddings we plan, and even for hosting any type of event. Since the dawn of time, offering a gift, or token of one's appreciation to the host and to one's guests has become engrained in our culture and society.

The type of gift favor often depends on the purpose of the event, but when you are looking to celebrate your guests, edible items are always a great choice. Something to indulge your guests' sweet tooth or something savory to enjoy can be selected, but this gift should reflect you and the feeling you wish to invoke at your upcoming event.

Some great options include chocolate truffles, chocolate covered almonds, nuts, candies, cookies, bottles of Canadian maple syrup, cheese and cracker assortments, just to name a few. Take any item and wrap it beautifully and you can impress anyone. In fact, let us assist you in finding the perfect gift or favor for your event. We can customize your gift to meet your unique needs. We'll help you find the ideal gift favor for your event that will ensure you leave a lasting impression with your guests.

Let us know what event you have coming up, and we'll work with you to assist you in celebrating your guests and indulging their senses. Contact us through our website or give us a call today at (519) 473-5072. We look forward to helping you make it an event they'll never forget!

Happy Gifting,
Natalie

Is it really November?

2009-11-01T22:08:00.000-05:00

Wow...where did October go? Now that everyone's minds have moved on from the excitement of Halloween and the fun adventures of trick or treating, November has finally arrived and the music in the malls and stores will soon turn to songs of the holiday season. Soon there will be crowds of people searching out the perfect gifts for loved ones, friends, and colleagues.

In fact, this is now the time where everyone's attention starts to move towards event planning for the perfect office party or holiday get-together. They say that love is in the details and this season is no exception. The food, the music, the decorations, the excitement, and of course, the gifts. Finding the perfect gift becomes the goal on many minds as we try to find something to show our appreciation or affection to the people in our lives.

However, for those that may stress at this time of year trying to find the right gift, just remember this season is about celebrating the human spirit and should not be a time of frustration.

To relieve any sense of worry when trying to find that ideal gift, let us help. Regardless of the reason for your gift giving, very few things can cover off everything. A bottle of wine, box of chocolates, or a basket brimming with treats that would guarantee something special for anyone are always perfect. Okay, we can't help you with the wine (not yet at least), but if a box of decadent truffles might be appealing or a luxurious gift basket of gourmet treats, let us take care of the details. And as I already said, love is in the details and we will take care of that for you, and even let you take all the credit.

As the holiday season is quickly approaching, visit The Whole Package's website or call us if you have something specific in mind. We would love to assist you during the exciting season ahead.

Happy Gifting,
Natalie

The Whole Package and Our Community

2009-10-20T22:27:00.001-04:00

The Whole Package is dedicated to supporting a number of important causes in our community. Building relationships within the many organizations here in London benefits everyone including the organizations, the people impacted by their cause, and of couse, The Whole Package as well. I look forward to sharing these and future partnerships as they are developed down the road.

This past weekend (October 17th), the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving patients, family members and the health care community affected by a brain tumour diagnosis, held their annual Information Day conference here in London with an expected 300 attendees. These conferences bring the latest in research, treatment, and support to many who are affected. The Whole Package was pleased to support this exciting day of hope and support with a donation of a gift basket for their event. Also, a huge thank you to Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada for ordering several gift baskets for their conference to thank their key note speaker and their incredible volunteers who are the lifeblood of that organization. I look forward to future opportunities to work together with this important organization.

I'm also happy to announce an exciting partnership between London Health Sciences Foundation's upcoming 2009 Country Classic Auction and The Whole Package. This charity strengthens the ability of London Health Sciences Centre to provide the highest quality health care to patients in Southwestern Ontario and beyond and we're proud to be involved in this special fundraising event to support our local hospitals. This event will take place on November 7th here in London and The Whole Package has donated a gift basket that will be available for donors to bid on during the event with all donations resulting directly supporting London Health Sciences Centre. I'd like to thank LHSF as they have requested The Whole Package to provide all of the event favors for the night(all 1000+ of them) and we are thrilled to provide this support. In fact, we are excited to announce that we are completely donating our time for this to help ensure donor dollars are being directed where they should be. However, our logo will be on each item, and we look forward to the potential exposure this will provide for us here at The Whole Package. I can't wait to hear all about the success of this exciting event and look forward to future opportunites with this organization as well!

I believe that developing these partnerships and fostering these relationships is essential and as I mentioned, everyone mutually benefits. I'll continue to inform you of further partnerships down the road. Please help me in supporting these two important charities by visiting their website and learning more about what they offer to our community.

The conference season is upon us...

2009-10-09T23:04:00.000-04:00

Fall tends to be a busy time for many organizations. This time of year is buzzing with conference and meeting activity. This is naturally the case as there are just a few busy months of activity inbetween the summer months and the holiday season.

Event planning for these meetings often begins well in advance...often a year or two out. But it's the small, final details that can make or break your meeting and the impression that your guests leave with at the end of the day.

Speaker gifts are often one of those small details that tend to be planned closer to the date, but are not any less important. Make sure the speakers and/or guests at your next conference, meeting or AGM walks away with an incredible experience. This will not only foster the relationship, but the benefit will be more significant. An individual who feels they have received a little special attention may become an even stronger advocate for your company or cause due to the pleasant experience.

Finding the right gift may depend on several factors: your price range, likes/dislikes of the speaker or guest (if this is known), and available options. Take all of these things into consideration when you begin identifying the perfect gift.

For assistance and to see a variety of gift options and price ranges, visit our website and we'll help you find something special that will leave the lasting impression you are hoping for.

The Whole Package is Open for Business!

2009-10-05T10:52:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone,

I'm thrilled to inform you that after months of preparation and details, The Whole Package is live. The website looks great and the gifts are fantastic. I've introduced you to a few over the last several posts, but now you can check out the whole collection at www.thewholepackage.ca.

I'll use this blog to continue to keep in touch, so keep checking back as I add exciting new content, articles, information of interest, and new gifts as they become available.

Happy Gifting!!!
Natalie

GRAND OPENING COMING SOON

2009-10-02T18:17:00.000-04:00

Hello all! Well, I have great news to share with you. As promised in my last few posts, it's time to announce the launch date of The Whole Package...and it's only DAYS AWAY!

I'm thrilled to let you know that after months of preparation, The Whole Package will officially go live on Monday, October 5th, 2009. Thank you to everyone for following along and for your support over the many months of preparation to get to this point.

A special thanks to the wonderful support of Indie Design House, a graphic design company here in London, Ontario. Please visit their website at http://www.indiedesignhouse.com/ for all of your graphic and web design needs.

For corporate and event-related gifts, including holiday gifts, conference gifts, event favors, and gifts to congratulate, thank or welcome new customers or staff, please keep The Whole Package in mind. Don't forget to check us out on Monday at www.thewholepackage.ca and add our site to your Favorites to allow you to check back frequently.

Happy Gifting!

Natalie

2009-09-24T10:00:00.000-04:00

Hello all! I'm a busy bee right now getting final details in order to go live soon. And I have to say thanks to all of you for your support. The words of encouragement from everyone is really appreciated!

Well, I can't give you a launch date yet, but I am expecting sometime within the next two weeks if all goes as planned. I'm finalizing couriers, insurance, shipping materials, etc. right now and it's surprising how many details are involved. But I'm having a great time checking things off the "to do" list!

Oh, and the website looks great...you will all be able to see it soon enough, but I promise it will be worth the wait.

I wanted to share a few more gift items with you. I have shared some of the larger gifts already, but here are a few of the smaller gift items:

This gift here is called Bliss, and it has been made for those who are fans of chocolate...and it is heavenly... Okay, so it contains Chocolate Fudge Popcorn, Chocolate Wafer Cookies, Chocolate Fudge, White Chocolate Hot Cocoa, Guylian Chocolate twists, and finished off with a Belgian Dipped Chocolate Spoon.

The gift below it is called Satisfaction and it's the perfect snack for one. Satisfaction contains Smoked Salmon Pate, Herb and Garlic Cheese Spread, Black Pepper Water Crackers, Olives, and a mini-spreader to enjoy these treats.

Again, I'll write again soon to introduce a few more, and I hope to have a date in my next post of when The Whole Package will go live.

In case anyone is curious as to the prices, the price range of gift items will start at $12.00 and progressively increase to $175.00.

I'll be in touch with more details soon. Until then, happy gifting!
Natalie

The unveiling continues...

2009-09-16T15:25:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone!

Time is continuing to move along and the summer has been flying by. Which means that The Whole Package is getting closer and closer to being up and running. In fact, you can begin checking our website out...there is only a cover page available so far, but progress continutes. Check it out at http://www.thewholepackage.ca/. What is exciting is that some pre-orders are already coming in the door.

Well...as promised, I want to feature a few more of the gift baskets that will be available soon.

I introduced you to Excellence and Luxury in my last post.

This gift here is called Indulgence and features Chocolate Fudge Popcorn, Almond Hazelnut Biscotti, White Chocolate Hot Cocoa, Mochaccino, Chocolate Fudge, Hazelnut Coffee, Chocolate Truffles, a Belgian Chocolate Dipped Spoon, and two Irish Cream style mugs that makes this gift perfect for sharing. This gift looks fantastic when it is all done up in cellophane and ribbon... this will be an exciting gift, and this seems to be a favourite for everyone who has seen all the baskets so far.

Now this second basket is called Elegance and is one of my personal favourites. This gift is full of decadent treats including Chocolate Chip Cookies, Almond Hazelnut Biscotti, Chocolate Wafer Cookies, Earl Grey Tea, Chai Latte, Chocolate Biscotti, French Shortbread, Pistachios, English Breakfast Tea, and Extra Dark Lindor Chocolates. Two mugs are included with this gift as well, making it another perfect gift for sharing with a friend or loved one.

Once again, I'll unveil a few more soon. Keep checking back as I'll continue to keep you up to date on our progress and grand opening...only weeks away!

Until then...Happy Gifting,
Natalie

Unveiling the first few gifts...

2009-09-10T11:28:00.000-04:00

Hello all, once again, so much has been happening since my last post, and from here on out, I'll do my best to post quite regularly. What is exciting is that in only a few short weeks, The Whole Package will be having our grand opening! The website, which is under development, is looking great and the gift selection is complete and ready to go.

Let me introduce a few of the gifts that will be available and I'll post soon to introduce a few more. This gift you see above is called Excellence and I'm most proud of this gift basket. And although you don't see it all done up in cellophane with a big gold bow here, let me tell you...it looks incredible. Excellence is definitely for the foodies out there...and it contains 12 Year Old Aged Dark Balsamic Vinegar, Saffron-infused White Balsamic Vinegar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Green Olives stuffed with Sundried Tomatoes, Focaccia Crisp Crackers, and an amazing Black Olive Paste. It's been tough not opening and enjoying all of these items myself, but I have tasted them all, and they are fantastic!

This second gift basket I'm most proud of as well...it's called Luxury and it lives up to it's name. This beautfiul black basket is filled with decadent treats included Lobster Pate, Olives, Caviar, French Shortbread, Smoked Salmon, Merlot Cheese Spread, Chai Latte, Water Crackers, Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Hazelnut Almond Biscotti. The recipient of this gift will be sure to enjoy this very special indulgence.

So, once again, we are only a few short weeks from launching and I'll disclose a few more gifts shortly. But The Whole Package is nearly ready to go, and looking forward to going live! Keep checking back shortly...I'll announce the date within the next week or two!!!

Until then, Happy Gifting,

Natalie

Some exciting progress to share...

2009-08-20T10:55:00.000-04:00

Well, let me start by saying that I am quite excited. A lot has happened since I last wrote here and there is certainly progress that I would like to share.

First of all, I mentioned recently that I was planning to attend the latest gift trade show in Toronto and I did attend. Wow…so exciting and so overwhelming. The most amazing gift items for household, wedding, gift shops and boutiques, you name it…they had it. It was a challenge not to pull out the credit card at every corner I turned.

Well, I did pull it out a few times, but I carefully selected only a few items that I felt fit well with The Whole Package. I’m thrilled to introduce an additional gift basket to the mix that will entice all foodies out there. I found some amazing aged balsamic vinegars and olive oils imported from Italy, along with some fantastic green olives stuffed with sundried tomatoes, and black olive paste. I also bought some individual large bottles of 50 and 100 year old blend of balsamic vinegars that have been aged in oak that is sure to impress many out there. It’s outstanding!

Secondly, the graphic design work for The Whole Package is well underway and I’m delighted to unveil our new logo. It’s classy, elegant and sophisticated. Perfect! A special thanks to Indie Design House in London, Ontario, for their great design work. We’re getting closer and closer…I’ll keep you informed as further progress is made.

But until then…Happy Gifting,
Natalie

What is your perfect gift?

2009-07-29T11:29:00.000-04:00

Have you ever received a gift from someone where you knew a lot of thought and care must was put into it? Has someone understood you so well that your gift was absolutely perfect?

Our lives are filled with many events including birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, welcoming someone at a new job, etc, and offering gifts to commemorate these occasions is engrained in us. In your lifetime, how many gifts stand out and are remembered years later? Usually the gifts that are remembered are the ones that are well thought out and reflect who we are as an individual.

My last gift that I received that I'll never forget was a surprise trip to Las Vegas for a recent birthday. I am fortunate to have an incredible family, and it was my sister who knew me well enough to surprise me with my perfect gift. I was up for an adventure and given that I was celebrating a milestone birthday, it meant a lot to me that she found the time to research this in advance and present me with something special. That’s us in the photo here with none other than Elvis and Marilyn to celebrate the occasion.

Now, that being said, I don't need large, extravagent gifts...as my other favourite gifts are small and usually related to food. That is certainly reflected in the gift baskets that I’ve already created. I’ve had a friend bring me cheesecake at work, or I’ll often share a plate of cookies or muffins with colleagues…this is often all it takes to make me happy and satisfied.

As I prepare to launch The Whole Package and begin thinking ahead to what exciting gifts I will eventually add to the selection, I wanted to take this opportunity to get your thoughts.

In a few weekends from now, I will be attending the Canadian Gift and Table Association trade show to get up to speed on the latest finds and treasures in the gift industry. But before I go (credit cards in hand) I feel this is the perfect time to pause and get your opinion on what you feel would be the perfect gift for the corporate environment. If you received a gift at work as a thank you, congratulations, or to welcome you to a new position, what would you be happy to receive?

So this is your chance to impact the future direction of The Whole Package and your future gift selection. So…what would be your perfect gift?

More gourmet treats? Home spa items? Candles? Household items? Other items not mentioned here? Please leave your comments here or email me at thewholepackage@canada.com. Your opinion counts…and I look forward to hearing from you…

Thanks everyone and Happy Gifting,
Natalie

The closely guarded secret...

2009-07-20T22:20:00.000-04:00

I often hear of companies that do not want to share how they develop their products to prevent other companies from stealing ideas and ultimately creating their competition. But maybe what these companies should be thinking about is how to go above and beyond to attract and retain their customers.

I have always had a personal philosophy...it is said that “knowledge is power” and I think that applies in all facets of life. Knowledge allows us to make informed choices and therefore, most often, the right choices. As I’m preparing to launch The Whole Package, this philosophy has returned once again, and I want to use my website (once it goes live) to share knowledge and information to provide you with helpful articles and tips that will not only assist you in selecting an ideal corporate gift, but that may also assist you in other areas of your life relating to gift giving and relationship development. I want to provide you with a sneak peek of some of the useful information that you will find and I hope that it will entice you to return and learn more. I’m including an article here that will be posted to the website along with many others. This article will provide you with five helpful tips on how the “experts” in the gift giving industry make beautiful gift baskets.

Now, returning to my first thought, I’m not sharing this because I believe everyone will now go out and start making gift baskets and therefore put myself out of business long before I start. I think that sharing knowledge is healthy, and when anyone needs a corporate gift basket and needs the added touch of expertise, I hope that you will remember The Whole Package and that we will be able to offer you well-designed, elegant corporate gifts that will not only save you time, but will also leave a lasting impression with your gift recipient.

So, without further adieu, please find the article below and the gift industry’s “closely guarded secret”.

Five Tips for Designing Your Perfect Gift Basket

It’s easy to excite family and friends with your own unique gifts that are sure to be a hit. Designing gift baskets is a chance for you to have some fun and be creative. I’ve outlined five easy tips to make your gift basket a huge success.

1. Ensure that your gift reflects the likes and interests of your gift recipient.
Think about their hobbies. Think about their favourite snacks. Or maybe about what their favourite scent is. Shop for items that remind you of that individual.

2. Use your own creativity to place your gift items in a basket.
Remember that no two people would assemble your gift basket in the same way and that is what will make your basket unique and special.

3. Place the larger, bulkier items in the back, and the smaller items towards the front.
Do your best to make sure that all of the labels are facing forward and at least partially in view. You want your gift recipient to enjoy the basket with their eyes long before they open it to dig in to the exciting items inside.

4. Secure each item down, and to each other, using double sided tape or glue dots that you can purchase at any craft store.
This will ensure that your gift items do not shift around before you have the chance to present your beautiful creation.

5. Finish it off in style.
Wrap it up in cellophane, and add some ribbon, a bow, some flowers, or whatever you would like to make it special.

By following these basic tips, you should be able to create your own one-of-a-kind gift that someone in your life would be thrilled to receive. Let them know you designed it yourself, and you’ll be immediately rewarded by their awe and appreciation.

An exciting new venture, a dream, and some savings

2009-07-15T11:30:00.000-04:00

Welcome! I’ve decided to start this new forum to share exciting information about gifts and gift giving in the corporate environment. I’m hoping that over time this will become a great place to bring you some great gifting ideas, share positive stories, and explore topics related to corporate relationship development.

So, let me introduce myself. My name is Natalie Berkiw and I’m preparing to launch a new company called The Whole Package in London, Ontario. The Whole Package is focused on…yes, you guessed it: corporate gifts.

I entered the work world with my first job back at the age of 15. I started an exciting job where I began making gift baskets on a daily basis. I worked at a customer service centre at the local mall, and surprisingly enough, this was a fairly regular part of my day-to-day activities. From there, I developed a passion for making a gift from great to extraordinary. All the ribbons, and baskets, and bows…I couldn’t contain myself.

Now (and many years later) I have a very successful career in project management, which I love. But something has been missing in my life: a creative outlet that would allow me to explore my passion in a meaningful way that makes sense to me. After some soul searching, it dawned on me that I need to go back and re-visit my passion and return to the gift industry…at least in my spare time, while leveraging the knowledge and experiences of my career as a project management professional in a corporate environment.

As I dwelled on the idea of starting my own corporate gift business, it lit a fire inside of me that I could not seem to extinguish. With this new exciting venture in mind, a dream and some savings…I began to develop a plan. Looking at my competition in London, I was saddened by the lack of high-end corporate gifts. Of course many companies claim that their baskets were meeting this need but many seemed far to “cutesy” and not something I would want to receive if I were an executive of a leading organization. I would want something classy…elegant…sophisticated. So I set my sights on creating a plan to meet the gift giving needs of today’s corporate environment.

And so, The Whole Package was born...well, the idea at least. I then had to determine the gifts I would offer and I began wiling away the hours with a variety of samples until I was utterly content and satisfied. I am expecting to launch by the end of the summer with seven beautifully designed gift baskets and although this doesn’t sound like the selection you would find at most gift basket retailers, this is not about quantity…this is purely about quality. And although the word quality seems to be thrown around in marketing for everything in this day and age, I’ve yet to experience it out there. But the care and dedication into the gifts I plan to offer and the incredible items that these gifts will be brimming with is sure to exceed expectations. As time goes on, I will slowly add to this selection, but not just anything will do.

The website design for The Whole Package is currently under development. With a late summer launch planned, I look forward to keeping you updated on any progress. I will use this blog to share some exciting stories with you, use this a place to get your feedback as I design new corporate gifts, offer some great gift giving tips and articles, introduce new gift items and any special offers as they arise.

In the meantime, stay tuned and Happy Gifting,
Natalie