Good day to all. My grandson and I were talking (he is 3). I was explaining my gift basket business to him, not sure how it was perceived, but he was enjoying all the goodies in the baskets!

We had a lengthy discussion on why the baskets came all wrapped up. I told him it was to keep all the snacks, candy, meat and cheese and fruit clean and healthy to eat, haha he replies "why don't we put in our mouths and eat it?" "Yes" I replied, then after a few seconds of thought he looked at me and said Mimi, our mouths are dirty! So why do we need to eat clean stuff? Out of the mouths of babes.
We took a look at birthday baskets and he picked out this one for belle, (his cousin will be 4 in two days). 

Happy Birthday Surprise   $47.99

Surprise them with this birthday gift they can use and will not forget! The wicker basket is hand packed with 30 Happy Birthday Balloons (assorted colors), 4 goody bags, 4 birthday blowers, 4 paper party hats and a 35mm disposable camera (27 exposure). Also included is chocolate mints, Palace Gourmet salted pistachios and white yogurt dipped pretzels. A matching bow completes this festive Happy Birthday Surprise party favor gift. Gift Size 8x8x12

Then he looked at another one for mommy, her b-day is in November.

A Special Birthday   $42.95

To top it all off, for their birthday, give them a generous assortment of savory crackers, almonds, cheese straws, as well as sweet treats like rich Ghirardelli cocoa and Beth's chocolate chip cookies. This gift is sure to deliver the message of Happy Birthday.

Includes: 

Napa Valley Mustard
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Roasted Almonds with Sea Salt
Cashew Roca
Sonoma Cheese Straws
Cheese Knife
Brie Cheese Spread
2 Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares
Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa Mix
Three Pepper Crackers


My grandson wants to be a bat or Spiderman for Halloween and he picked out a basket he wants to carry with him trick or treating. He told me he will keep all the stuff inside the basket for himself and take it all out before he goes out. Sounds like he is planning on getting lots of treats!!!

Monster Mash    $45.99

It's a Monster Mash gift basket! This ghoulish plastic jack o' lantern is filled with full size candies and goodies that will sweeten the scariest monster on Halloween night! Be prepared with plenty of Monster Mash gift baskets to ward off the goblins!

Includes: 
Plastic Jack o Lantern
Skittles
2 Butter Microwave Popcorn
Nerds Candies
Plain M and M's
Peanut M and M's
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Kit Kat Bar (single serve bar)
Starburst
6 Hershey Asst Miniatures
2 Twix Candy Bars (single serve bar)
Payday Candy Bar
Reese's Pieces
Spider Web Cotton Candy
Twizzlers Licorice Whips
Tootsie Rolls Miniatures
Hershey's Special Dark Candy Bar
Reese's Pumpkin
Goldfish 1 oz. Bag 


We then turned our discussion on Thanksgiving, but he didn't want to talk about that, he wanted to talk about what he wanted for Christmas. That is another blog maybe in November.

From birthdays to baby showers and all occasions and holidays you can most certainly find a unique gift to give to that special person.

Always Martha
www.mimis.labellabaskets.com

Good morning to all on this crisp and cool morning. Well a few things, first I have not been blogging for a few days do to being hacked last Friday. All fixed now as you can see,. So many great Holidays in the Fall, like Halloween and Wife Appreciation Day (third Saturday in Sept). Then Native American Day September 27th this year! Yes I have native american in me from both sides of the family. Of course we have Thanksgiving, biggest holiday of Fall and the day we eat way more than we should!

But this whole month is;
 Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Over 12,000 children under the age of 15 this year will be diagnosed with some form of cancer. 
Prayers go out to anyone battling this horrid disease.

Flowers area great way to bring life and light and smiles into a room. Always a nice way to say I care. We have a great selection of very brilliant colored flowers to cheer up any room. 
Click on the first photo and it will take you to my store.

Thank you baskets, can be a great way to say thank you to all the doctors and nurses working daily to help these kids get back to a normal life cancer free!

Thanks A Million Gift Chest  $49.99
The Thanks a Million gift chest is the perfect way to show your gratitude. Make them feel like a million bucks when you say thank you with the Thanks a Million gift chest!

Thanks a Million Assorted Buttery Shortbread Cookies
Nunes Farm Sliced Ranch Almonds
Creamy Spinach Dip
3 oz. Beef Salami
Assorted Creamy Double Chocolate Truffles
Thanks a Million Gourmet Coffee
Tomato Basil Pretzels 3 oz.
Dark Stain Gift Hamper with Leather Handle and clasp


World of Thanks - LG   $48.99
The World of Thanks gift basket delivers not only your sincerest gratitude but also snacks and treats and goodies and sweets loved the world over! There will be no doubt that you appreciate their thoughtfulness when this World of Thanks gift basket, available in two sizes, arrives at their door.

5 oz Tomato Basil Pretzels
1.5 oz White Cheddar Popcorn
Honey Dijon Mustard 1.4 oz
Gourmet Treats Caramels (9 Pc)
World Of Thanks Theme Bag w/ Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets
1/2 oz Stone Wheat Crackers
3oz. Sausage
Mocha Chocolate Truffles 2 oz (4 pcs)
Creamy Camembert Cheese Dip
4 oz Deluxe Mixed Nuts
Buckley's English Almond Toffee

 Wife Appreciation Day

Thank you wife for all she does in your life to make it easier. Spa Basket is the way to go. give her a day to enjoy and relax awhile. Make her dinner do the dishes and pamper her.

Orange and Grapefruit   $85.95

Send springtime wishes for ultimate relaxation. This colorful gift will transport you to a spring orchard full of citrus delights. This natural faux-wood basket overflows with fresh navel oranges. Immerse yourself in a citrus spa with Grapefruit and orange fragranced soap, all over body moisturizer and bath and shower gel that will refresh body and soul. Sip a glass of mixed citrus tea and finish off the experience with shortbread cookies with just a hint of sweet orange. It’s the perfect springtime gift. 

Essence of Lavender    $72.99

Send her an indulgent spa experience right at home with this exquisite spa gift basket Featuring all Lavender products. Lavender offers a calming and soothing spa experience she is sure to appreciate. 

Includes: 
Lavender lotion, 
Lavender body scrub, 
Lavender moisturizing body wash gel,
Lavender soothing bath salts, 
Lavender body mist, 
Lavender body butter, 
Lavender body soap,
Lavender room spray, 
Lavender room diffuser, 
bath loofah, 
body massager, 
foot roller massager,
Lavender rose petal fizzies, 
bath pillow, 
2 pillar candles,
body massager and washer, 
pedicure paddle with brush in a stained willow tray and topped with a lavender hand made bow. 

Harvest Blessings Gourmet Fall Gift Basket   $62.99

We're all Thankful for our blessings! Show them how much you care with our exclusive Harvest Blessings Gourmet Fall Gift Basket. The unique "Thankful" fall candy corn mix says it all with it's festive little pilgrims and decorative "Thankful" message. Encompassed in a Fall market basket, the delicious fall treats will delight and please all whom receive it. 

Includes: 
Café latte Mocha Mix
Dolcetto Vanilla Cream Pirrouline cookies
Creamy Garden Herb and Vegetable dip
Smoked Almonds
2 oz Crunchy Caramel corn
Stone Wheat Crackers 2 oz
Monbana French Chocolates
"Thankful" Pilgrims Harvest corn and Pumpkin Candy Corn Mix
Harvest Market basket
Harvest decorative Plant Pick 

Bootastic Gifts for Halloween, visit my store at: www.mimis.labellabaskets.com  Holidays & Occasions tab at the top left and see all the great new Fall line up!!

So many to choose from and too many to introduce them all in one blog. 
You can have yummyness coming out your ears and filling your tummies all season long!!!
Always Martha

La Bella Baskets prides itself on creating products hand-made to perfection right here in the United States. All of our candles are made with an environmentally friendly soy-blend wax and use lead-free wicks. We use high quality fragrances that deliver fantastic aromas throughout the life of the candle.  These candles are made in Missouri and poured the day you order it so it is the freshest it can be, not sitting on a shelf for ??? time.
38 different scents (pictured are fall scents)

Here are all 38 scents:
Almond Souffle, Apple Gingerbread, Berries & Cream, Caramel Pecan, Chamomile Rain
Christmas Cinnamon, Cinnamon Danish, Citrus Garden, Comforts of Home, Cranberry Compote
Cucumber Water, Fluffy Blanket, Fresh Apples, Fresh Linen, Hawaiian Wedding Flower,
Hazelnut Cappuccino, Holiday Cheer, Indonesian Pomegranate, Japanese Cherry Blossom,
Lavender Vanilla, Lemon Bar, Lucy's Garden, Mineral Spa, Night Blooming Jasmine,
Orange Spice, Orange Vanilla, Peppermint Bark, Pineapple Upside Down Cake,
Pink Cupcake, Planet Earth, Pumpkin Pie, Santorini Breeze, Spiced Berry Spruce,
Sugar Cookie, Tropical & Orange Vanilla Cream, Violet Blossom and Warm Apple Streudel

Our signature La Bella Baskets Lid Lites jar candles feature a second candle in the lid! Special ingredients to help prevent your rich candle color from fading. They are highly fragranced from top to bottom so that the last burn is as fragrant as the first. Also made with lead free wicks and eco safe dyes.

    Burn time is,180-210 hours. With the lid lite you can enjoy the scent you chose in two different rooms at the same time.

Candle of the Month Club!

For just $24.95 a month you can get a new candle every month of the year. The scents that you receive will be appropriate for the seasons.

If you need to cancel your membership for any reason just simply call 1-800-584-5539 or email:  [email protected]

Use this button to go directly to my store for the candles.

Sept 8th the first Sunday after Labor day is Grandparents Day!!
Hey I’m a grandparent and my grand babies are the most special kids on earth I know. I also understand that all grandparents feel this way about those sweet smelling and soft little babies and as they grow they are just a sweet and cuddly as ever, even if they don’t think so.
If you hadn't figured it out yet in this house we go by: Mimi and Pop Pop. 

The history of Grandparent's Day:  In 1970, Marian Lucille Herdon McQuade started the campaign to have a day to celebrate our grandparents. By 1973, the first Grandparent's Day was proclaimed by West Virginia Governor Arch Moore. McQuade and her team turned to the media to increase awareness. Finally, in 1978 congress passed legislation proclaiming the Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparent's Day. Since that time Grandparent's Day has been celebrated by millions all across the United States.


Fact:The month of September was chosen to signify the “autumn years” of life.
The official flower of Grandparents Day is the "Forget me Knot"


National Grandparent's Day is a day to honor our grandparents. Our Grandparent's hold the secrets to our family heritage. They are full of wisdom, strength and guidance; all you have to do is listen. They give us special memories of our childhood and wonderful stories of what it was like for them we they were our age. Celebrate this day with your grandparent's and a gift that expresses your admiration.

Premium Gift Tray

A fun collection of sweets and treats. Gummy Bears, Deluxe Mixed Nuts, Candy Grapefruit, Chocolate Raisins, Caramel Raspberry Popcorn, Assorted Chocolati Wedges, Macadamia Nuts, Tropical Dried Fruit and Orange Biscotti.

Vanilla Essence Candle Gift Basket

Classic and traditional the warm scent of Vanilla soothes your senses while it's aroma fills the air with its relaxing properties. The traditional design and classic scent of this gift is sheer delight. Filled to overflowing with the sweet scent of vanilla this exclusive gift is sure to be a big hit and is perfect for almost any occasion. "Vanilla potpourri 2 vanilla drawer sachets Vanilla wax melts vanilla pillar candle 6 pc set vanilla votives glass votive holder vanilla jar candle vanilla room spray vanilla diffuser with reed sticks vanilla tea lite candles 6 piece set 10"" dark stain tray with fabric bow

Sparkling Lavender

"Relax and Enjoy." Show her you care by sending a special treat! It includes: A bottle of sparkling raspberry cider, lavender shower gel, body lotion, moisturizing body butter, and luxuriating bath bar. Also included are English toffee, tea, Almond Roca, and Lacey's cookies. What a great way to say you care. 

The first three baskets would be great for that special Grand mother.

 Here this basket would be my favorite to give to a wonderful set of grandparents. 

Take-A-Break Java Giant 

You deserve a break today - with the Take-a-Break gift basket. Know people who can’t live without their coffee? Give them a real eye-opener with this clever, giant cup filled to overflowing with fine coffee and carefully selected companions. 

Basket includes Coffee Cup/w Saucer, Honey Stained Basket 8x4, Torn Ranch Milk Chocolate Cappuccino Bar 2oz, Torn Ranch Dark and White Chocolate Espresso Beans 2oz, Espresso Shortbread Cookies 2.5oz, Jamocha Almond Fudge Premium Coffee 1.5 oz, Delicae' Gourmet Hazelnut Coffee Jelly 2.5oz, Gourmet Chocolate Chip Cookies 6oz, and Fairwinds French Vanilla Coffee 2oz 

OR

Delightful Gourmet

This assortment of delightful edibles is perfect for sending someone best wishes, congratulations, birthday greetings or thinking of you wishes. Packed full of gourmet select items such as Bellagio gourmet flavored coffees, our favorite gourmet cheese spread and cheese knife with peppercorn crackers and water crackers, Kasilof smoke salmon, jar of gourmet stuffed olives, salted pistachios and a cutting board for serving all these items on. Also included for the sweet tooth is a selection of Fancy Kernels gourmet caramel popcorn and butter toffee pretzels. These items are all hand packed into a keepsake woodchip basket with leather handles and matching bow!

Now here are three great gifts for just that Grand Pop, you know we can't forget them on this special day!! 

NASCAR 
$54.99
"And the Race is On" to answer the door when the NASCAR Lovers gift basket arrives bursting at the seams with gifts of fun and good taste for the NASCAR lover! A History book of stock car racing will entertain your NASCAR aficionado when he can't bet at the races, and the goodies will treat him as he reads. Send the NASCAR Lovers gift basket to your favorite racing fan.

10 Pack Ice Chest/Cooler
NASCAR Themed Pistachios
Cooler Cup (to keep drinks cold)
Hot Tamales Racing Themed Candies
A History of Stock Car Racing - 150 page book of information about racing
Tomato Basil Crackers
Wolfe's Deluxe Party and Snack Mix
Longhorn Cheese 


Executive Truck - LG and Md

$62.99 or $49.99
For the antique buff or the truck fanatic, this is the perfect gift for the man in your life. A beautiful solid wood antique truck carries a load of sweet and savory goodies that can be enjoyed at home or at the office. After the goodies have been devoured, the lovely truck remains to grace the gentleman's desk or mantel. You're sure to please when you select this man's gift basket.

15" Solid Wood Stake Antique Truck
"You're A Winner" Theme Bag with Fruit Gems
Brent and Sam's chocolate chip cookies 1.9 oz
Gourmet Treats Caramels
2 oz Tavloare Snack Mix
Chocolate Coconut Delights
Gourmet Coffee
1/2 oz Stone Wheat Crackers
6.1 oz Fudge Filled Cookies
2 oz Summer Sausage
Grained Mustard


Gourmet Desk Caddy 
$69.99
For the desk at work or the desk at home, every man will be proud to display this desk caddy long after the goodies inside have been devoured. Sweet and savory snacks will ease the tension of the work day while the solid wood chest graces the office decor. 

10 by 5 by 6 Wood Chest
Dolcetto Cream Filled pastry cookies 4.4 oz
2 oz sliced summer sausage
Gourmet Coffee
Bite Size Brownies
Three pepper crackers
Port Salut Cheese
4 oz chocolate fudge popcorn
Double Mocha Chocolate Truffles

Honor your Grandparent's with a gift of love and spend time together. Grandparents are full of strength and wisdom, and are the key to your family heritage. Creating a family tree is a way to learn where you came from and going through old photographs noting names and dates is a way to preserve your family history. Grandparent's love telling stories of what it was like growing up in the good ol' days and sharing these stories with their grandchildren is all part of the grandparent experience.
Handmade gifts from the grandchild are the type of gifts that grandparents seem to love the most. No matter what the gift, a gift given with the love of a grandchild will be special.
Our grand babies are now 4 and 3.5, they grow way too fast as you all know. Pop Pop and myself want to let everyone know that we love our grand children and their families very much!
Please, feel free to brag on your own grand kids in the comment section, We love the hear all the great stories!
Always Martha
www.mimis.labellabaskets.com

I have quite a few friends that are Jewish in faith; I do not always remember when their holidays are it is sad to say.

I have found a few kosher gift baskets in our La Bella Baskets stores and of course all our fruit boxes are kosher as well.

With seeing them in my store I decided it was time to make a list of the Jewish Holidays coming up for the rest of the year. The one Holiday we all know about the best is Chanukah, partly because it fall right near Christmas.

I thought it would be nice to give just a little information about the September Judaica Holidays for all of us who have good friends that do observe these holidays. I hope that my info on these sacred holidays is as accurate as I can be. I’m working off information from the internet. Please forgive me if this info is not perfect.

There are a few Judaica Holidays all throughout September this year like;

 Rosh Hashanah, sun down on the 4th thru the 6th at dusk I do believe. "Head of the Year", and is commonly known as the Jewish New Year.  Rosh Hashanah traditions include Sounding of the Shofar (ram's horn which is blown like a trumpet), lighting candles (just before sundown on the first night, immediately after sundown on the second night), Apples dipped in honey (honey is a symbol for having a sweet year), pomegranates, beets, leeks, green beans, squash.

According to tradition, it is believed that God opens his book of life and observes his creatures, deciding their fate for the following year. This holiday is considered to be a solemn and holy occasion because of the judgment that is taking place during this time.

 Also in September, Yom Kippur, and Simchat Torah, just to name a few. Then Chanukah (Festival of Lights) starting November 28th thru December 5th

Yom Kippur or the "Day of Atonement” is the most important and sacred of Jewish Holidays; it is a day when the Jews consider themselves closest to God.

Traditions associated with Yom Kippur include girls and their mothers lighting candles and reciting blessings, asking for and giving of honey cakes, ritual bath (Mikvah), fasting and prayer.

Simchat Torah: Day of celebrating the Torah, Sept 27th.

Most of our fruit gift boxes and baskets are kosher. Visit my store to see all our fruit baskets. (There is also a blog on the fruit Baskets here). You may also click on a fruit photo to go directly to ordering.
www.mimis.labellabaskets.com

Kosher Certified Snacks Gift Basket

For your Kosher friends and family members, here's the new Kosher Snacks Gift Basket. 
Kosher Certified Seal On Basket

Carefully selected to adhere to the personal snacking requirements of your Kosher friends, this thoughtful gift basket will show how much you care. Whether you want to say thank you, get well, or I'm sorry, this gift will say it with great care and great taste! Send the Kosher Snacks Gift Basket to someone you love today!

Boston Fruit Boxes
Jelly Belly Asst Jelly Beans 20 Flavor Mini Box
4 asst Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares
Walkers Shortbread Cookies
Walkers Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pretzel Pete's Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
Bellagio Raspberry Cocoa
Belagio White Chocolate Cappuccino
Chocolate Fudge
2-Stone Wheat Thin Crackers
14" Natural Wicker Basket

The Kosher Certified Gourmet Gift

The Kosher Gourmet Gift Basket delivers all your favorite kosher sweets, treats and traditions in a beautiful 16 inch dark stained basket. Goodies galore will tempt the taste buds of your kosher friends, while strictly adhering to their dietary requirements. Show them how much you care by sending the Kosher Gourmet Gift Basket.

Kosher Certified Seal on Basket

16" Dark Stain Basket
Mixed Dried Fruit
Buckley's Buttery Almond Toffee
Bellagio Chocolate Cream cocoa
Fairwinds French Vanilla Coffee
Alaska Smoked Salmon Fillet
8.5 Asst Chocolate Truffles
2-Stone Wheat Crackers
Golden Walnut Fudge Filled Shortbread Cookies
Bellagio Cappuccino
Rye Bread Loaf


Many Blessings to all during the holidays that are coming up. May you live a  sweet life this year!
Shalom!
Martha