Short Takes
Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 1/1/2001
Smashing Sidelines
Annie B's caramel is now being packaged with inspirational messages and Bible quotes on each wrapper. Ideal for the inspirational market, Christian gift stores, or anyone in need of a bit of wisdom, these sweet treats will be offered with a picket fence-style sale display rack. At just 35¢ each, they'll quickly find their way into a customer's regular shopping routine.
You can even stick a few in the shopping bags of special customers. Bouquet Ents., Kellogg, MN. (800) 328-5598. #689
For more than 75 years, Perugina's legendary Baci kisses have romanced hearts and palates around the world. Now these kisses have become a bar, a 4.4-oz. confection that enchants the palate with a signature recipe of whipped milk chocolate, chopped hazelnuts, and Gianduia filling, all encased in silky bittersweet chocolate. Only $2.99 a bar. Perugina, Saddle Brook, NJ. (800) 223-0039. #690
Does a sweet tooth keep your customers coming back? Give them a surprise, and keep them laughing, with humorous candies and treats. There's the Alternative Champagne Bottle filled with jellybeans in 18-oz. and 9-oz. sizes, the Control Pill bottle with 5 oz. of Ridiculous Remedies, with 55 different titles encompassing everything from stress and golf to get well. Tasty buds are chocolate kisses wrapped in colorful cellophane bouquets, and balloon bouquets are 3.9-oz. jars with colorful wrappings and a 3" balloon for any event. All gifts are less than $10. Gifts With Taste, Thermopolis, WY. (800) 262-7795. #691
Cross merchandising plush frogs and cranberries? Now you can, with Cranberry Bog Frogs, 6" plush green frogs holding 1.9 oz of a treat made from sweetened dried cranberries, roasted cashews, and caramel, all covered in milk chocolate and topped with a dried cranberry. $9.95. Cape Cod Provisions, Barnstable, MA. (508) 775-6900. #692
Encourage your customers to spice up their lives with Salsa. Red and green jars are attractive when cross merchandised with a cookbook on Tex-Mex or southwestern flavors. Zuni Grill Restaurant has kept the heat level down so they can also double as chip dips. $15 for a gift pack of three salsas; about $5 for a 16-oz. jar. Zuni Foods, San Antonio, TX. (800) 906-3876. #693
Looking for a sweet sensation that'll pick up gourmet sales? Pick from a versatile topping group that includes white chocolate flavors like key lime, and dark chocolate flavors such as bittersweet, espresso, orange, raspberry, and mint. Or try a caramel sauce, in cream, raspberry, and chocolate. There's a milk chocolate sauce, too. 4-oz. jars, $4.50; 10-oz. jars, about $8. King's Cupboard, Red Lodge, MT. (800) 962-6555. #694
Cooked peanuts in a can bring a taste of the South to you. From $1.15 for a 4-oz. bag, to $7.15 for a decorative can, these mouthwatering nuts also come in chocolate-covered peanut clusters. A 24-oz. can is $7.50. Other products include Peanutty Marinade Dressing, $2.95 for 12-oz. container; "Grandma Whitley's" Peanut Butter Cookie Mix, $2.35; and many more. Whitley's, Hayes, VA. (800) 470-2244. #695
Most people either love garlic, sometimes called "the stinking rose," or they can't stand it. Those who love it will be unable to resist Dave's Gourmet garlic-accented caramelized onion spread, roasted eggplant spread, artichoke spread and dip, three olive spread, and chipotle and roasted tomato spread and dip. $3.99 each. Dave's Gourmet, San Francisco. (800) 758-0372. #696
Graduations are just around the corner, and how better to celebrate than with a delectable comestible? There are 49 distinct foil-wrapped graduation motifs per pound. The Graduation presents are the latest addition to an extensive line of seasonal and novelty chocolates. $4.50 lb. Madelaine Chocolates, Rockaway, NY. (800) 322-1505. #697
Inedibles
Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar? Everyone will, if it's a cookie jar like the ones from Silver Tree. There are a wide assortment of styles, from seasonal tins to pizza and pie designs, sports themes, scenes from nature, and licenses like Coca-Cola and Lifesavers. These also make great gift basket containers. $5 for cookie tins, $10 for milk cans, and $16 for treasures chests. Silver Tree Designs, Hebron, OH. (800) 497-2921. #634
A wine carrier made of hardened kangaroo leather is a sure conversation piece. The Aussie Wine Tote is good for wine lovers who love to travel, or just to protect an unusual wine, and it can be customized. Sizes include double bottle, $195, single bottle, $150, and champagne, $175. K'Rooz, San Diego, CA. (877) 576-6946. #635
All prices retail
