Where did the initial spark come from to start a Gift Box Business?
We met back in 2010 at an ante-natal class, both due with our first children. We have developed a great friendship over the past 10 years and always marvelled at how similar our taste was – we regularly turned up to events dressed the same (totally unplanned!). Like most Kiwi’s, lockdown gave us a chance to re-evaluate what we both wanted to achieve in the coming years. With our 2 families growing older and our current careers not providing a true creative outlet, we decided to embark on developing a gifting business that was different from those on the block already.
Given was born in July 2020 out of the want to provide customers with the opportunity to gift quality, useful items that were sourced from NZ brands and were packaged in bespoke luxury packaging.
Gift giving is a social ritual that requires careful thought and consideration. What considerations do you factor in when putting together your pre-curated gift boxes?
We want our customers to receive items that are of a high quality, that will be of use use to them, and that they actually enjoy receiving.
Many of our gift boxes tell a story. For instance our Wellbeing Gift Box is a pre-curated offering that allows the recipient an opportunity to stop and relax in a time of need and presents items that are beneficial for promoting wellbeing.
We also pride ourselves in providing beautiful, bespoke and luxurious packaging. We spend time and invest in having custom tissue and wrap designed to create stand out packaging, presenting an offering that makes the gift recipient feel special.
Would you say visual impact is a big part of your gift boxes? How much thought goes into the aesthetics and colours of your pre-curated gift boxes, and also to the range of products available for selection on your website?
Yes, visual impact is huge. As we mentioned above, packaging is so important to us to ensure the gift recipient feels both loved and appreciated. The Given brand encompasses beautiful botanical designs in both moody and calming tones.
When designing a new pre-curated gift box or sourcing a new NZ product for our range we definitely like to ensure that we source products that are not only of quality but aesthetically pleasing and compliment each other.
In your opinion, how does gift giving form and maintain our relationships with others?
On a personal level, gift giving acts as a real bucket filler for both the giver and the receiver. And it doesn’t matter how much you choose to spend, the act of giving a gift can speak louder than the gift itself.
Corporate gifting is more about showing appreciation by providing a gift for a handover, settlement or referral. This can leave a lasting impression on the recipient that you value the relationship and set the tone for business interactions moving forward.
Any other specific tips when it comes to gifting?
Sticking to a colour theme is recommended when using the Build-a-Box option to create a gift that really wows!
Also remember to add your personalised message to your recipient in the comments box on check out – we handwrite a complimentary gift note for each gift box.
And finally, what would the perfect gift box entail for each of you?
Jo F – a delicious Imagination Triple Distilled Reikorangi Dry Gin, a large jar of The Confectionist Dark Chocolate and Almond Toffee – so buttery and melt in your mouth the jar will disappear before your eyes, A Kingdom Clove and Tobacco double wick candle that will make your home smell like a NYC penthouse and a Skin Kitchen Hydrating Body Lotion.
Jo P – a large tin of On Sundays English breakfast tea complete with a handmade Anna Moore Ceramics carved tumbler, a jar of Mangawhai Manuka Honey, a tablet of the delectable Wellington Chocolate Factory Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate and a nourishing Ashley & Co Tint Me Lip Punch.
Check out https://www.given.nz/
