Tradition is the name of the game this year and fruit baskets are among the freshest picks.
Aside from Christmas, Mother’s Day is the holiday with the largest amount of gift giving in the entire year, but it isn’t always easy to know what to get, especially when it always seems to spring up on you with very little time left to shop.
This year, a study performed by BigInsight for the National Retail Federation (NRF) has shown that consumers will be spending approximately 8 percent more on their gifts than they did last year. In 2011, moms saw gifts worth an average of $140.73, but this year, that’s expected to increase to $152.52. Across the country, this will mean that $18.6 billion will have been spent on efforts to show mom that she’s loved.
Bouquets of flowers, eating out, gift baskets, and fruit of the month clubs are the top choices for 2012.
The survey went on to show that moms will be receiving more traditional gifts this year. While over half will be taking their mothers out to brunch or dinner, the rest will be buying gifts with meaning and that have a proven track record for success. organic fruit baskets, for example, give the recipient the chance to enjoy a sweet favorite treat, but with a healthy twist.
People are discovering that the electronics they had been choosing in previous years are not being used, are simply too confusing, or are the gift that has “already been done”, and now they are looking for something more refreshing and meaningful.
Fruit of the month clubs, for example, continue to give well after the holiday has passed.
The same goes for those sweaters and blouses that had been popular in the past, but that are likely to be ill fitting or simply returned to the store. Consumers are discovering that the traditional Mother’s Day gifts such as organic fruit baskets have earned their status as the preferred choice year after year because they are known to be well received and show that thought and care has been put into the purchasing of the item.
Though you may have purchased flowers for your mother every year for as long as you can remember, perhaps it’s time to break away from the expected and give your mom a fruit basket for Mother’s day this year.
within your budget, but that also appeals to the recipient. If you’re sending the basket to someone you know well, then you may be able to choose fruits that you know they enjoy or feel that they would like to try.
When most people think about the holiday season, they bring to mind images of sweet treats and excess that will cause both smiles and bellies to swell. This helps to explain why so many people make weight loss and healthy lifestyles their New Year’s resolutions.
Making a gourmet gift basket that is both eco-friendly and flavorful doesn’t need to be an expensive experience. The trick is to do it yourself and choose the right products to make a difference both to the environment and the recipient of the gift.
National Grandparents Day is rapidly approaching in the United States and a number of other countries, and parents and children are preparing to show grandparents how much they mean to them throughout the entire year.

are actually reading labels more, and trying to make better choices; for their health and the environment. This has forced companies to be more forthcoming in their advertising about ingredients they use in the products that we buy. But are the descriptions true? Not necessarily.
Natural Products Association. For a product to carry this label it cannot contain petrochemical ingredients, formaldehyde, parabens or phthalates. They also cannot contain more than 5 percent synthetic ingredients, and those ingredients can’t be toxic. Additionally, there are other guidelines that manufacturers have to follow to earn the certified seal.
The other label that has specific standards is “organic”, or “certified organic.” This is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and is monitored by the federal government and certain consumer watch groups. Organic agriculture is based on management practices that enhance, restore or maintain environmental harmony; as well as other specific requirements that must be followed.
