If you wanted to send a box of ‘treats’ to a friend…

[StrangelyAmbitious]

No really an AIBU but I would love some opinions..
So for a while I have wanted to start my own side hussle…
Posting boxes of treats, I know it’s a flooded market but you never know if you don’t try…
If would be so kind to answer:

• if a friend posted you a box of goodies/treats, what would you like to receive in it?


• if you wanted to send a box to a friend, for what occasion would it be for? e.g maternity leave, just had a baby, to offer condolences

Thank you so much in advance for any replies :)

I wouldn't tbh I don't need more things. If I did get something I'd want something consumable like Teabags or chocolate.

You need to be asking what people want to send though which is different as people like to send candles and hand cream it seems to me.

If you can think of a "you're about to have a baby" box that doesn't involve baby stuff and is more lavender Eye masks relaxing stuff that would be nice.

Oh and it would have to be stuff it would be tricky to source myself in tesco and shove in a box. I hate those sweet hampers where someone has just charged a premium for raiding the local sweet shelf in the supermarket.

The only treats I send and would like to receive are edible, I don't want candles or bath bombs or anything lots of people regard as a treat. (I would include hot chocolate in that though-that's not a treat)I usually opt for sending Brownies.

I recently sent my friend: a shawl, a book, handcream, some biscuits, some nice cordials (it was a personalise your own gift box) . She is terminally ill. I often send things like fingerless gloves, scarves, blankets to friends in lieu of being able to give them a hug.

Homemade tablet or fudge is always nice.

Cakes.
Cashmere eg fingerless gloves, socks.
No candles, hand cream etc

Wine.

What I wouldn’t want are the equivalent of those graze tables but in a box. Or those sweet boxes where it looks like someone’s raided Poundland and shoved it in a box and charged £20.

If it’s a flooded then you need to think of something different, but I don’t know what.

I've only done this once and it was a little box from Etsy to a friend who was really stressed at the time - a pampering/relaxing thing. I think it had chocolate, candles, biscuits, teabags, probably some bath things, and a pair of fluffy socks.

PP's "you're about to have a baby" suggestion sounds good to me!

What about vegan/gluten free etc boxes? Is there the same amount of them available on the market?

You can get tons of things like this on places like Not on the High Street, and even Amazon - letterbox gifts are particularly numerous. I would only want edibles, really - it’s hard to choose toiletries for other people, scents from candles etc are hard to choose due to personal taste.

Those providers normally work at scale so can save money buying things to go into gifts in bulk. Will you be able to compete on price and quality? What will be your USP, to draw people to you rather than the established competition?

If you’re doing edibles you’ll have to be aware of any obligations on you regarding allergies and labelling, food hygiene etc.

Edibles for me. I would hate to receive bath bombs and hand creams or notebooks and pens. Just more tat to find space for and never use. Locally sourced foods from small businesses or quirky treats. Chocolates. Afternoon tea bits. Cookies. Food basically, but nice food. Not just a box of Poundland sweets

I would do some more detailed market research and perhaps reconsider your target audience. As you say, the 'treat' market does seem to be flooded, unless you can think of a niche area. However, a lot of parents will spend more on their kids than on themselves or others, so that may be one area to consider. (NB. If you're in London, you can get a free pass for the British Library, which has access to industry press and research.)

Some posh tea bags (you know like the jasmine flower ones)

Some premium chocolate (like a hotel chocolate bar)

A decent book

Some luxury bar soap that smells amazing

Dependent on cost, maybe some cashmere socks or gloves or some pretty stud earrings or something.

It's so personal though I'm sure most people would hate what I'd consider a treat.

I think it might be best if you had categories and then pick an option from each category. Such as something to drink, something to eat, some kind of toiletries, something to wear, something to do. And then the big sell is that its personalised

Side hustle?

No, no, no...

Shudder

Thank you for your replies.
I am trying to think outside the box- excuse the pun.
I think what I would like to do is use quality products. From what I’ve seen online, like some of you have said is that allot of this stuff looks like the person has raided Poundland and filling boxes with unbranded toot.
Certainly lots of food for thought.
I am not a baker by any means so would be difficult to make nice brownies etc that people would want to eat!
I was potentially thinking themed boxes like American products only, but I don’t know if that’s me then casting my net too wide.

I’ve variously sent brownies, doughnuts, bronuts and cookies (all vegan) for birthdays and for someone who just had a baby.

if you're sending edible stuff, even if you're just buying bars of chocolate and putting them in boxes, you need a license to do so

I'm pathological about not buying/gifting people stuff that'll likely end up in landfill. My mother, sister and I had a conversation just before last Christmas about not giving one another anything that wasn't ethically made or sourced, it had to be sustainable, environmentally responsible and carbon-neutral if possible.

There are loads of amazing small-batch makers of everything from candles, cosmetics and bath/body & wellbeing products to pencils, art supplies, pet accessories, food & drink, clothing, jewellery, throws/blankets, home decor items, ceramics/table & kitchenware and everything else you can think of.

A company that could bring together a big range of truly ethical, sustainable & environmentally-conscious products in a 'pick & mix' way, and offering different price points for ready-made gift selections would probably get my business around Christmas time.

There's SO much 'sameness' across the retail board these days that, for me at least, small-batch manufacturers and artisan makers offer an opportunity to send gifts that offer something unique. I also love buying for myself, too, and especially like things such as beeswax candles, flowers, artisan cheese, wine, vodka, blankets, bed linen, soaps, skincare, shampoo, body oils/bath products - all made mainly by UK-based makers/manufacturers.

Lots of people would love to gift in a more ethical way, but may not have the time to spend finding the products - plus, buying from several small suppliers means multiple delivery charges, whereas being able to shop in one place eliminates that.

I received a pregnancy pamper set once and when you read the small print of everything it said not to use whilst pregnant (various teas and essential oils)! It was a nice thought but most things weren't relevant to me (bath type things or foot soak type things which I don't really use) and most of it eventually went out of date

Oh yes cheese would be a great one. Not cheddar and stilton but little independent ones that people wont have tried. With mini jars of chutneys, quince paste, truffle honey, and various crackers. Though to be fair I'd probably just get one from a specialist cheese shop

I could and buy anything in the American aisle at tesco, I wouldn't want someone to pay a premium to send it to me. I think these things worked in lockdown but not now

I always find a tin of shortbread and a nice tub of hot chocolate/ Tea bags/ coffee a nice way to say " i care"

I think the treat boxes can come across as a little insincere and as if you have put zero thought or effort in. Just gone on a website and picked a generic box of something someone else has put together to send. Job done.

I would like more places to do this. Not just food, some nice helpful items. Even stuff like crossword puzzle books would be nice too. I've wanted to send one to my grandad for a few Christmases but still can't find a place that can do it for me.

Not personalised junk, stuff that they would want and use, even if it's just the simple things in life like a crossword puzzle or pack of cards.

I think these things worked in lockdown but not now this is very true, in lockdown there was a massive boom. I think you need to be looking for the next thing OP not recreating what's out there.